Battle Action returns as original graphic novel.

[Proudhuff]

Being informed is vastly overrated... look at twitter 

[JayzusB.Christ]

His original run on Dredd was quite varied. There are some truly horrible stories like Muzak Killer Live and A Man Called Greener. But he also did Raider, which I like very much (and so did Karl Urban), and Justice One, and Twilight's Last Gleaming. And he was much better than everyone who came next until Wagner came back.

I know I'm in a minority, but I wasn't a fan of Kevin Costner IS Karl Raider in Raider.  Correct me if I've misremembered the details, and I may well have, but too many things just didn't make sense.   A judge who quits in disgrace being allowed to keep his lawgiver?  Dredd pistol-whipping a perp who was already in custody (with a cheesy line like 'You have the right to remain silent')?  Dredd, whose brooding had recently become a major ongoing theme, complaining that Raider thinks too much?  Nahh.  When I look at the Garth of his recent(ish) war comics, and his Punisher Max stuff, and even Crossed (where the final fate of those four British army mates actually brought a tear to my eye, and eclipsed Alan freaking Moore's work on the same series), it's hard to believe it's the same writer as those early Dredds.

The Democracy one was pretty good, though, as was Justice One.  And never mind Judge Proudfoot; there was a Judge Gaylord in Judgement Day.

Thread cleanup—IP

[IndigoPrime]

I don’t like a lot of Ennis Dredd, but I respect the way in which he’s responded to his old work. He notes he was young and too in thrall to those who went before. He lacked the maturity to take on the mantle, and I’d say a lot of the blame lies with the editorial team in not recognising that. Then again, they at the time seemed quite happy for Morrison and Millar to wreck the crown jewels — and those two have been comparatively arrogant about their time on the comic, rather than regretting the crap they churned out.

I find Ennis a tough read sometimes. I own a set of Preacher, but there’s a lot I really don’t like about it. I abhorred 90%+ of The Boys (although enjoyed the first series of the TV show). But I’m glad he’s thoughtful about the work he produced and the new content he’s producing, and that he seems so keen to keep alive important British comics brands when, frankly, he could probably get a gig anywhere he wanted.

[gogilesgo]

But he also did Raider, which I like very much

yes, me too. I think this might be Ennis' best Dredd effort and the closest he ever came to 'getting' Dredd. The dialogue at the end when the two Class of '79 graduates have a showdown

Raider "Been a long time, Joe. I wondered what I'd say to you when we got to this..."

Dredd "I haven't. Drop the guns, Raider. You're under arrest"

is perfectly unsentimental.

...too many things just didn't make sense.   A judge who quits in disgrace being allowed to keep his lawgiver?  Dredd pistol-whipping a perp who was already in custody? 

though I also can't help agreeing with these points from Jaysus

[broodblik]

Nice promo with the classic Battle logo:

[JayzusB.Christ]

I don’t like a lot of Ennis Dredd, but I respect the way in which he’s responded to his old work. He notes he was young and too in thrall to those who went before. He lacked the maturity to take on the mantle, and I’d say a lot of the blame lies with the editorial team in not recognising that. Then again, they at the time seemed quite happy for Morrison and Millar to wreck the crown jewels — and those two have been comparatively arrogant about their time on the comic, rather than regretting the crap they churned out.

Yep, Ennis shot up in my estimation when I realised he had pretty much the same views of his early Dredds as I do. (He loses a couple of brownie points for hating cats, but nobody's  perfect).  To be fair to Millar, I vaguely remember him in a Megazine interview accepting that his own prog stuff wasn't so hot either, though in his case it was for the opposite reasons - he didn't really know much about 2000ad when he started working for it.

Also, IP, thanks for cleaning up my messy attempts at modifying my posts!

[Proudhuff]

Ennis comes across like a good egg. Nice to see him still singing the praises of 2000 AD as well.

Indeed, he was great at the Lakes Comic Con I attended, happy to talk non-comic stuff with my partner, comic stuff with me and listened politely to my asking for a story about the Red Ball Express and the contribution of the (mainly) black drivers. And he'd happily sign any of his stuff, including the page where Judge Proudfoot is hung out to dry. 

[GordonR]

Garth. Garth. GARTH.

Garth baby.

Not only can you write your own cheque on this, we'll even reprint Sleeze 'n' Ryder as a deal sweetener.

< Flashes 80's sleazy exec smile >

Pretty sure Garth disowned Sleaze’n’Ryder a long, long time ago.

[broodblik]

If you are not super excited by this here is a picture of The Sarge by PJ (sorry PJ for stealing your thunder I cannot help myself):

[Colin YNWA]

Yep that is one fine, fine, reason to be excited about that story. Brilliant stuff.