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Spoilers => Other Reviews => Topic started by: Buttonman on 27 June, 2015, 05:07:55 PM

Title: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 27 June, 2015, 05:07:55 PM
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/letterentyou_zps2tcufc6l.png)

Annnddd we're back. Yes! Another thread of dull letter reviews and the same jokes - just what no one asked for! We've been away for a while, mostly due to The Beast developing a faulty part, but we're back now and it's not because of this week's 2000ad letters page content or anything.

Our previous threads can be found here (http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,19078.0.html) and   here. (http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php?topic=36119.0)
and we can all remember the excitement when the Road to 10,000 was finally won by someone who didn't claim their prize or probably even know their place in history! Can't we? Still, this one will be better because rather than a Slaine beanie, which now forms part of our hill walking apparel, the prize is £100. Yes 10 tenners is the prize for the first person to get 100 letters across both 2000ad and the Judge Dredd Megazine. D.C. Dredd doesn't count cos it was crap! Later down this thread you will see the leader board and it couldn't be closer, with literally 27 people within a measly 90 letters, or less, of the grand prize. The usual LETTERSENTERTAINYOU T&Cs apply or details send an SAE to The Moon, Space.

This column will also review current letters to a high and impartial standard and provide stats direct from The Beast concerning the composer of each. You may also post requests for letters data but please don't ask stuff like - 'What Prog was that letter about Dredd appearing in a pizza in the 1990's in?' - The Beast isn't wired that way!

In the last two years while we haven't being dying, we haven't been idle either with the first ever Letters Road Show containing top talents Stephen Watson and Alan 'Hollo' Holloway penning missives to Tharg live in a Witherspoons in front of a frankly disinterested audience. Picture credit : Iz McAuliffe.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/alaand%20steve_zpscyokurlo.jpg)

This was a great moment when two top 8 talents got together. Unfortunately Tom Proudfoot couldn't make it, because if he had it would still have been two top 8 talents.

Anyway to business. Prog 1937 had a fine back page foursome with a wide range of talent and experience.

The Letter of the Week prize when to new boy Nic Freeman of London who confesses his virginity in all things letters in his opening line. The Beast can confirm this statement to be TRUE! Nic has been reading 2000ad since he was 26 so he must be about 40 now. What a weirdo! Most readers are at least 44! We'll be gentle on Nic due to his newness but his inspiration that "each issue is so varied" kinda states the obvious in what is billed as an anthology comic. We also had that all Rogue Trooper issue a while back so he's technically wrong in his generalising. There is a lot of positively in his letter and Tharg sounds flattered in his gushing reply.

There have been three Tim Canterburys, sorry Freemen, in the Prog before with 'JD' in Prog 316 and Adam in Prog 840 who drew a smashing 'Judge Mellie'.

Next up is attention seeking, ventricular tachycardia exaggerating, mash potato scoffing, Paisley resident Stephen Watson who celebrates his 88th letter and his first in over two years.

The letter is OK but is shamelessly namedrops Mike Carroll as a source of info (Hi Mike!) and is perhaps missing his usual cutting edge of wit and toilet references. Some good, albeit obsequious, points were made and he did get the always welcome reply from Tharg. He revealed on his well followed Facebook thread that he received the Dredd Heroclix for his letter and posted the photo below of his bounty.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/letter1937_zpsdj8p97qe.jpg)

Ivo Bochenski sounds like the baddie of some terrible Commando comic but he is in fact an old friend of the letters page having had his debut in 1997's Prog 1044. He was previously seen in Prog 1517 in 2006 so he's clearly another who has recently rediscovered his muse or at least Heroclix addiction. All Ivo's letters have appeared in the Prog although two of them are credited to 'Evo' - must be Tharg's mistake as The Beast is infallible.

Ivo's letter notes his long-term absence from the letters page which The Beast has already confirmed. His letter has no shortage of whimsy as he sees some synchronicity to his writing a letter to a new story in "the fabric of things". Maybe it's really just a bunch of stuff that happened? Anyway Ivo's daughter was the real critic here as she ran off before he could say any more!

We close out this opening salvo with Mike Morgan who has a bee in his bonnet, as those Americans say. He opens stating he "enjoyed the Prog immensely" but then goes on to damn with faint praise some thrills and lambasts others. A brave man who comes out with hotshots such as "The Commercial Break 3riller was OK", a statement that must have had Tharg jittering in his jumpsuit. Mike gets a near full column in a letter that could have been trimmed, but was left super sized - well he is an American!

Mike has a deserved place on the all time leader board which sees him in mortal combat with his near neighbor Doug Butler on 12. Mike is another returnee with this his first letter since his effort in 2011's Meg 308. He has a lopsided 8 to 4 tilt towards the Prog and previous letters state he's from Texas, so we won't mess with him any more.

All in all a good letters page with some movement on the all time chart which is always welcome. We'll try to run a column to coincide with each letters page or Dreddlines unless we get bored or snuff it or something. We leave you with the updated chart and as you can see the ba' is on the slates as far as the grand prize goes!

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/LETTERS%20TOP%20JUNE%202015_zpsorquzr3y.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Bad City Blue on 27 June, 2015, 07:40:19 PM
pah! I will have to start scribbling.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Dandontdare on 27 June, 2015, 10:09:20 PM
Why does your ranking go 7-9-8-10?

I don't think the Beast has been fixed at all. Pah!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 27 June, 2015, 10:15:13 PM
Good! Someone spotted the deliberate mistake! 5 points!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: COMMANDO FORCES on 27 June, 2015, 10:32:03 PM
What a con! Anyone who bothered to send a physical letter to D.C. Dredd and have it printed, should automatically get 99 points.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: I, Cosh on 28 June, 2015, 09:12:34 AM
Ha. Realistically, only one man has the power to stop him.

But he hasn't been seen in years.

Some say he never really existed. He's just a story to tell children who dream of writing letters.

But I believe. I'd be happy to help pay for Floyd Kermode's subscription if it means a real letter writer can win this challenge.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 28 June, 2015, 10:29:45 AM
Oh Pete, how did you fall so far from the true path? Your 5 letter total (2 in 2012!) is really good. OK you never has a Letter of the Week or made double digits but you could have been someone. Now you are cheerleading for someone who left you, who hasn't has a letter printed since 2009 and frankly didn't like you anyway (probably). Get your pencil off Mother an scribble a few lines. Tell you what I'll ghost re-write them for you at Glasgow Comic Con and we'll see if we can rebuild your shattered self-esteem and indeed letter writing career.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 15 July, 2015, 11:21:30 PM
Not a full post as no one is known to us in the Dreddlines of Meg 362 and slagging off (or indeed praising!) strangers is not good form. A ood coverage of the old and new here with four writers having letters footprints of over ten years!

So in Top of the Pops style I'll do a quick run down of the charts.

Now then, now then, who's this with the biggest riser of the week...

The Letters stars of Meg 362 are :

Ken Langfield of e-mail land : 7th Letter - first in Meg 213 in 2003. 4 Meg and 3 in Prog - all Letters of the week!

Graeme Carnegie of Cambridge : 3rd Letter and first in Meg. 1st Prig letter in 1215 in 2001.

Jonathan Robson of Sherborne : 3rd letter - First in Meg 181/V3.78 in 2001. " Meg to 1 Prog

Dr Rich Evans of Conwy : 16th Letter - 10 Prog 6 Meg - 4th of 2015 - challenging last year's 5. 1st appearance Prog 1386 in 2004.

Kieron Stynes Dublin : 1st appearance

This of course moves Dr Rich up the charts from his lowly total of 12 morphing into a healthy 13.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/newjulyletters_zpsrui3mdlc.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 15 July, 2015, 11:25:02 PM
Apologies for the typos - where is the 'modify'?!

To clarify Dr Rich had 3 letters up for debate as they were for 'Merseyside' rather than his usual Colwyn Bay. An international panel of experts have studied the linguistics and awarded them to Rich, hence his rise up the ranks.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 18 July, 2015, 04:25:14 PM
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/letterentyou_zps2tcufc6l.png)

And we're back again! As expected the newly de-fibrillated Beast has encouraged both an upswing in the number of letters being printed and of lapsed writers doing the scribbling. We are seeing groundswell of excitement from old stagers making a return to the spawning grounds of the Nerve Centre as well as young newbies, making their first fawn like forays into the welcome embrace of the letters community.

Prog 1940 was a veritable Battle of Britain with three of the home nations represented - eat that Wales - as well as one colonist.

Letter of the Week when to a first time writer, as is often the case, in the shape of Anthony O'Connor from Ireland. He's the first O'Connor since 'D' of Birmingham in Meg 27 (V2.7) and has two to go to match John of Co. Kerry who has one letter, two drawings as well as a non-scoring reader profile.

Anthony's letter is one of those faintly embarrassing theme pieces as he pretends to be someone from Nu Earth. Things level out at the end however when he reveals it's all a joke and he liked the Prog. We all enjoy a happy ending and we're not talking about the Sunrise Sauna, two for one on a Tuesday.

Next up is old hand James Feist of Romney who is a prolific Beast botherer - and he writes letters too. This is James' 15th letter and sees him surge up the league table which is reprinted, with permission, below. James was last seen in 2007's Prog 1564 when he occupied the Letter of the Week berth. His first score was back in Prog 1274 in 2002 and his Prog to Meg ratio is 9 to 6.

James' letter reads like a backhanded compliment with the current run of Progs being described as 'mundane'. He should know having produced this moribund effort that reads like a paper version of Valium 'hitting their stride', 'steady rhythm' and 'nicely paced' - this one doesn't get out of first gear!

A familiar face (if you've seen 'Bad Manners') next as friend of the thread Alan Holloway makes his 28th appearance which sends him further up the charts - he's only one away from a top five (equalled) berth. Alan has 17 Meg letters and 11 Prog and hadn't been seen before today since Meg 329 in 2012. He did sabotage letters guru Stephen Watson of Paisley with his madcap Mexican scheme and now weasels his way into Tharg's affections with this palpably made up tale of spreading the word via his book shop. Remember Tharg, you see none of that money!

All quiet now as the clergy make an appearance. We've done nothing wrong but you can't help but be uncomfortable with a priest in the house. That could be anyone's copy of 'Razzle' Father! The pious penciller is Fr David Palmer of Nottingham who lets us know the Pope is down with the kids talking about 'Mega-Cities'. Well at least that'll be one thing the church has a modern take on!

Father David is a first time writer but the priesthood have been represented before - the delightful sounding High Priest Watson had a reading in Prog 860 and repeated the feat with the slightly changed rank of 'Priestlet' in Prog 891.

The  Ubiquitous American Letter next with Andy Porwitzky doing the honours. Andy enjoys his first printed letter here and unsurprisingly is the first 'Porwitzky' to trouble The Beast. Andy's letter is a gushing tribute to the Sci-Fi special and he's hammered his colours to the Slaine mast. His sentence structure is a bit garbled "too zarjaz not to write to you about" but we like his enthusiasm and brevity!

We close out with Ralph Burns of Edinburgh who knocks Tom Proudfoot down another rung on our 'Favourite Writers From Edinburgh' list. Ralph is a new writer and he suspiciously talks only about the Future Shock documentary - check those credits for a ringer! Tharg grabs the chance to promote the film and we look forward to taking it in when it shows up in darkest Paisley.

A good Input page with 6 letters covering a wide spectrum of writers and subjects.

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/alltimeletters18july_zpsajaul0sq.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 17 August, 2015, 09:33:24 PM
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/letterentyou_zps2tcufc6l.png)

Well we're back. Fresh from touching Sandi Toksvig at least four times, we return refreshed and energised and at least a fortnight without a heart epissss......

And we're back! A bumper crop this week so let's fire straight into Prog 1944. Seeing as we are read about as avidly as 'The Cellar of Dredd' blog we'll keep the stats to the minimum and focus on the criticism - and there will be plenty of that! If you want more stats the Beast always enjoys a workout so please add your requests below.

Prog 1944 had a nice inside back page four bagger and just look at the quality. Keep looking, you won't find any. Letter of the week goes to Adrian Manning of London who celebrates his second letter printed with this offering, following his Prog 1921 debut. Moley starts well by harking back to his previous letter that we confirmed in the previous sentence. Always good for letters to promote other letters. Rexy then goes on to find superlatives for all strips even when some are not required, before some unseemly begging to his wife - grow a set man - buy your own comics! So long as that isn't a contradiction in terms!

It's not so much 'McCosh' next as 'McTosh' (Hahahahahahahaha!) as Pete from Glasgow ends his letters exile that dates back to Meg 322 in 2012. Pete famously has no Letters of the Week at all and that's hardly surprising given the work on show here. Still it is only his 6th letter and he does suffer somewhat in the shadow of the Letters Behemoth just down the M8. He uses the term 'run' twice in two sentences that shows up his poor vocabulary as well as, some, comma, splicing, which, makes, him, sound, like, he's, on, the, cider, again. Pete does come up with a possible future instalment of the '... Life' stories but frankly we'd have more fun watching Doc Cox's rude vegetables on 'That's Life'!

Email's very own Ken Langfield next as the man, who is really from Brighton (Progs passim), tells us his thoughts on the current line up. Ken is 8 letters to the good and first saw print in Meg 213 in 2003. He boasts three Letters of the Week which is three more than Pete McCosh. Ken waffles on a bit about the letters he meant to write but didn't, but more than compensates with this meandering treatise on all the things he can come up with regarding the Prog ever. In fairness he did keep his counsel regarding 'Droid Life' so we can be thankful for small mercies.

The page ends with...oh bloody hell, it's only John 'Commando Forces' Burdis making his first appearance since Prog 1677 in 2010. The Nerve Centre may be giving him a slot for old times sake, given it's the 21 anniversary of his first appearance in Meg 80 V2.60 back in 1994. Back then John was massacring Argentineans (at the Gaucho Grill) and the Cellar of Dredd was a mere shelf in the downstairs toilet. The letter is headed 'Life's a Gas' and certainly something stinks - maybe it's those Scotch eggs that fell off his lorry? Anyway John is high for 'Helium' and even betrays his beloved Dredd for a Heroclix. The shame - just wait til the Ironic Legion hear of this! He cleverly notes that "the artwork adds to it" when praising 'Absolom'. He ends with his usual merchandise based frenzy and you can almost hear the froth bubble as he muses on those San Diego and Glasgow Comic Con exclusives not available to a Souther softie such as himself.

Over to the frankly classier ground of Megazine 363 where the riff-raff are shown the door and punctuation isn't someone sticking a needle in your ass.

We open with 'Mr 10,000' Dr Rich Evans who seems to spend more time writing letters than he does prescriptions. This is his 17th letter and he's had 3 in the last 5 Megs. Rich has a good gush and shows some comic history chops before going back to tell his patients that he's spent all the pills money on more stamps.

Ah, now we're talking. Stephen Watson of Paisley hoves into view next and what a view - 89 letters spread out as far as the eye can see. Popularly known as 'Mr Megazine' Watson extends his overall lead to 8 with the 100 mark surely just a decade away. His letter here is maybe not his best work but he is on pills, you know. He namedrops chatting to Alex Roland before making some pretty obvious and patently wrong observations about the Dredd. He then uses the word 'religious' twice in the same sentence - religiously hanging onto that one are we Steve?!

We reach a small Peake next as Owen locks in his second score. It could be his fourth but the Beast Committee cannot allow him the O.R. Peake letters from Prog 1064 and Meg 138 V3.35 without verification. The writer of these two came from Silsden and Keighley so post up some old address books if you want to claim these for your total, Owen. Maybe he shouldn't bother as his letter here is a dull history of the 2000ad logo - wrong publication to begin with. He seems quite indignant over the 20 years usage of what he feels to be a sub standard banner - let it go Owen it's not that important (unlike the chronicling of letters).

Simon Morris next and he may be the only new writer across both publications. There was a Simon Morris from Coventry back in Prog 621 but we'll need proof from the Port Talbot Simon before assigning this score to him. Simon occasionally likes to 'grab' a Megazine and likes some stuff and others less so.

We finish off with a couple of familiar faces in the shape of American Readers Doug Butler and Mike Morgan. The gents share a similar pedigree and are therefore only getting one paragraph between them. Both enjoy their 13th score here with Doug starting out in Meg 309 with Mike further along the trail in Meg 256. Doug's letter is somewhat brief and we bet printed only so they could use that 'Bouquet of Flowers' header. Mike takes a bit more time to trash quite a lot of the Meg's content and offering only faint praise in return. Give us back our tea if you don't like it!

Over all this was a bumper week for all things letters with the only concern being the lack of new blood. We like to think that this thread's re-emergence as the 'Forum's Favourite' has brought many lapsed writers back to the game but we concede that may be a long shot. I mean who's read this far? Not me, I zoned out after the first paragraph!

Here's the updated table for the all time letters printed - getting close about the 13 mark!

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/ALL%20TIME%20LETTERS%20AUG%202015_zpsz5vsj516.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Link Prime on 17 August, 2015, 11:54:17 PM
Another entertaining round-up, always a pleasure to hear the smooth efficient whirring of The Beast's processors.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 18 August, 2015, 11:20:21 AM
I really must, almost knocked out the top ten.... :-X
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Satanist on 18 August, 2015, 11:49:39 AM
Missed opportunity for a "the Butler did it" or as Blakey just died recently "I'll get you Butler" gag.

And if Cosh lives in Glasgow then I guess that makes me Robin Hood as I spent a week in Sherwood this year. Harrumph!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: I, Cosh on 18 August, 2015, 01:01:24 PM
Quote from: Satanist on 18 August, 2015, 11:49:39 AM
And if Cosh lives in Glasgow then I guess that makes me Robin Hood as I spent a week in Sherwood this year. Harrumph!
It's where I store my Heroclix. Will they ever run out of those do you think?

Have a few letters in the pipeline with different addresses though, just to keep BM on his toes.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 18 August, 2015, 08:09:36 PM
Quote from: Satanist on 18 August, 2015, 11:49:39 AM
Missed opportunity for a "the Butler did it" or as Blakey just died recently "I'll get you Butler" gag.


Regular readers will remember that 'the Butler did it' gag was retired many years ago. I concede that an opportunity for a Blakey tribute gag was lost.

If The Cosh writes in with an exotic Swiss address he'll be a shoo in - Tharg loves to look cosmopolitan!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 16 February, 2017, 05:12:45 PM
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/letterentyou_zps2tcufc6l.png)

And we're back, once again. The ticker is fixed, the Beast is fired up and the Quest for 100 letters trundles on. To be honest the Beast fell into hibernation when the read count started to go backwards, but after a realisation that the £100 offer still stands I thought we'd better get on with it.

To be fair a few mentalists at the 40th Birthday party mentioned they read it in between hallucinations and spider eating frenzies so who are we to deny them? I also found this Blog Post (https://heroesof2000ad.blogspot.co.uk/2016_12_01_archive.html) from our very own Alex Frith, so to cement my 'Hero' status the Beast must awaken from its slumber.

The rules of engagement remain the same, although the leader board has altered somewhat during our down time. Here it is as of Meg 381 :

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/Capture_zpsqs1aibgg.jpg)

To be honest it's maybe not a vintage time to restart The Beast as we have been treated to only a few letters in 2017 and all but one of them were from first timers. All well and good you may say; new blood and all that. Well you're wrong - people with a long history have more data that we can pick through and slag them off about.

We'll start with Prog 2014 - The one with the sad robot doing 'Hamlet' on the cover. To start the year off Tharg gives us a two letter, half page tiddler.

To break 2017's cherry we welcome Julienne Droidber to the fray. We don't get much to work with here as no 'Julienne's or 'Droidber's have ever troubled our hallowed database. Want a stat though? OK : This is the first Beast entry to contain the word 'Droid' since Anthony Bromley's 'Khaos Droid' drawing entertained us in Prog 799.

Julienne's letter is a big thumbs up to 'Counterfeit Girl' and she stays true to her family name by mentioning both the "Milligan Droid' and the "Dayglo Droid" - 'Rufus' shurley? She sounds quite taken with her Prog at the moment and we always like to see the ladies bring a touch of glamour to the Input page (not sexist).

The input continues and ends with the Letter of the Week - well the best of two - (Tough Turkey Julienne!) from Martin Sullivan of Ireland. Martin is also a first timer and has a ways to go to overhaul Sullivan Kingpin Steve who boasts four letters, the last of which appeared in Prog 1951 in 2015.

Martin clearly takes a while to gather his thoughts as he questions the legitimacy of Death calling Dredd by name in 'Dark Justice' which was yonks ago. Tharg sidesteps the question and rightly so - they've been fighting for 40 odd years surely they'd be on first name terms by now?

Prog 2015 now and we get a 50% boost to three letters albeit on the same half page as before.

We start, again, with a lady in the shape of Claire Etty of Witney. This is Claire's first offering and she's the first 'Claire' since Claire Parry who memorably featured in Prog 871 in 1994. We will stay off our usual joshing path as Claire sounds a bit stern despite starting out by saying that she got "pleasure from Tharg's mighty organ". Claire questions why all the ladies of 2000ad are lovely. That's not true - Angelina Di Griz was ugly. Well until she got her face fixed and big knockers installed. Tharg accepts the criticism so no doubt the 'fantasy' element of the comic will be scaled back. And not before time!

Simon Gardener next and although another new man he trods down the familiar path of 'thrill buffers' and  absorbing lots of comics at once. At least he laments the lack of input pages (and no doubt entries to this thread) so we'll give him a pass. He claims the 163rd Simon entry on the Beast with long time leader Simon Spurrier still far ahead of the rest of the field. Of Simons.

Paul Walker who clearly survived 'Furious 7' unlike much of its audience gets the Letter of the Week slot with a letter about a letter, which always makes The Beast purr. Sadly it's a dull slice of life as he tries to explain how he reads his Prog - on the bog like everyone else we bet! Paul is a likely first time writer unless he lays claim to the Paul Walker letter in Prog 806 - that one was from Wakefield.

We close out this bumper edition with Megazine 381 which allows three letters, again over a half a page. That Future Shock exhibition better be good - it's cost us about 10 letters!

We start with Tom O'Leary of London, yet another first timer. Only two 'O'Leary's have bothered the Beast - both many moons ago - Steven in Prog 542 and Kevin in Prog 576. Tom dredges up the 'Legion of the Damned' swearing debate - something that Stephen of Watson of Paisley covered months ago! I won't go into detail about his letter as it's a forum ban tightrope. Needless to say Tom wouldn't mind buying his coffee off Gambit actor Gareth Hunt.

Next is Graham Colebeck of Bournemouth who also likes swearing. He's got DVDs to prove it too! He likes the floppies and wants Dante from the start - that's the next 20 odd years sorted then! Bournemouth boats 31 letters with several scribes on two - last to bag a brace was Ian Uttly who made his pair in Prog 1873 in 2014.

Hoo-ray nearly done, and finally someone with a letters pedigree. OK Mike Morgan of USA only has 15 but that's more than everyone else mentioned in this edition - doubled! Mike had 2016 off and was last seen in meg 364. Mike has ideas for a Dredd sequel but unless he has $100m too, that's as far as they'll get. He is positive and likes the floppies so no Viagra expenditure required.

All in all a faltering start to 2017 but we're ticking over ( a pacemaker will do that for you!) and hopeful for a bumper year ahead.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2017 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 03 March, 2017, 11:52:26 PM
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/LETTERS20112.jpg)

< 'The Curse of Oak Island' voice-over man > Two editions of LETTERSENTERTAINYOU in a month? Possible ulterior motive for getting a photo somewhere else on the thread?

Shut it you - bugger all has been found on that show in 4 seasons and I doubt anyone is watching anyway.

So we're back in this 41st anniversary edition of your favourite letters based analysis publication, unless you are still reading that populist crap '2000ad Letter Reviews'.

Just three letters to burn through from Prog 2020, but they are all biggies and a reader's photo has been printed - more on that if we have time.

We start off with the Letter of the week which comes from Pol Conway of Somerset. Pol had one previous Beast entry from way back in Prog 969 when he lived in County Tyrone. We have no data as to why he moved, so let's guess that he likes cider more than Guinness.

Pol's letter covers his experience at the 2000ad 40th birthday party and expresses sentiments that are expressed elsewhere on the letters page, albeit in a less well written manner. He talks about his increased heart rate which could be seen as a touch insensitive by some readers and then mentions the 'aura of thrill-power' - I think you'll find that was Tom Proudfoot's aftershave, actually. He grovels a bit to the "young" Matt Smith before calling our very own Zenarcade "a sliverback" who had a comic that he read and had signed - what a nutter. Overall this was a nice walk through a memorable event and if you think we are being nice because an Irishman knows what we look like, then you're probably right.

Next up is Carl Reeder of Great Yarmouth. We went on holiday there a couple of years back - here's a photo :

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/IMG_1955_zpsoxhouf3r.jpg)

This is Carl's first appearance and the first Carl to score sine Carl Jones of Swindon in Meg 341 in 2013. Carl's letter is the sort that will give Tharg a frisson of delight as Carl is a new reader with 40 years of stuff to catch up on. It's not all plain sailing however as read the odd Prog and then he wandered off in the 90's and read some old toot. Good news to Tharg though as he can roll out his first wave of repackaged old stuff that we all know we're going to buy. Come on Tharg the definitive 'Tommy's Troubles' is a must - Grrrr I hated that Waller for stealing Tommy's boots - every. single. week.

Oh no nearly out of space! Just time to mention Stephen Watson of Paisley scores his 94th published letter with a forgettable bit of self publicity and an amateur snap which was taken by Bad City Blue.



And it looked like this. Boom!

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/RBN8WRL_zpslu8ussco.jpg)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 05 April, 2017, 01:04:14 PM
A couple of mid Prog , 3 letter, Input pages have caught the Beast's attention with a few significant movers and indeed shakers on the all time glory chart.

The big news is that Dr Rich Evans scores his 23rd hit elevating him to a solo top ten berth. More excitingly it demotes Tom Proudfoot to 11th - a station he is hardly worthy of - I mean that's child like scrawl of Middenface McDredd still counts as one!

To uncomplicated matters the Beast Inc. AGM has decided that Letters of the Week should only place one writer ahead of the other when there is a tie and it is the total number of letters printed that determine a placing, with the Letters of the Week adding only cachet not extra placings. This decision was taken as we are all about printed letters; Letters of the Week are often warded arbitrarily and no signifier of true greatness. It also makes it easier for us to count if they aren't added as tie breakers.

Current scores as of Prog 2025 are :

(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/button71/NEWLETS_zpsvprsiavp.jpg)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 05 April, 2017, 01:50:37 PM
Noooooooooooooooo! :-[
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 05 April, 2017, 02:58:53 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 05 April, 2017, 01:50:37 PM
Noooooooooooooooo! :-[

You know what to do Tom - Get Matron to unlock and uncork the green crayon for one last rumble!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 14 January, 2018, 05:42:31 PM
Well done to Paul Harris of Ashford for gaining his Beast spurs with his 10th letter appearing in Meg 392.

Paul's letter footprint stretches waaay back to Prog 268 in 1982. He has been awarded the Beast Code MMM, which was stripped from James Mackay who has been stuck on 9 since 2008. Sorry James but it's a tough old world in the letters game.

We now have 31 lettersmiths with 10 or more letters in print.

(https://i.imgur.com/1zaQt2q.jpg)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 20 January, 2018, 10:14:19 AM
my slow descent into obscurity continues... :-[
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 20 January, 2018, 02:18:44 PM
hello? hello?
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Dudley on 21 January, 2018, 12:12:28 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 14 January, 2018, 05:42:31 PM
Paul's letter footprint stretches waaay back to Prog 268 in 1982. He has been awarded the Beast Code MMM, which was stripped from James Mackay who has been stuck on 9 since 2008. Sorry James but it's a tough old world in the letters game.
(https://i.imgur.com/1zaQt2q.jpg)

Bugger. (9? Are you sure they were all me?)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 21 January, 2018, 12:42:37 PM
Quote from: Dudley on 21 January, 2018, 12:12:28 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 14 January, 2018, 05:42:31 PM
Paul's letter footprint stretches waaay back to Prog 268 in 1982. He has been awarded the Beast Code MMM, which was stripped from James Mackay who has been stuck on 9 since 2008. Sorry James but it's a tough old world in the letters game.


Bugger. (9? Are you sure they were all me?)

Is that you James? This is what the Beast has :

(https://i.imgur.com/ctOsv7g.jpg)

Feel free to disavow yourself from any of these credits!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 27 March, 2018, 11:17:06 AM
But man where are you when Tharg needs you? back in the Pokey?
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 28 March, 2018, 12:31:48 PM
I'm going to feel such a chump when Butman reveals he's back under the surgeon again  :-X
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Dandontdare on 02 May, 2018, 03:02:42 PM
If you're following the Spacespinner 2000 podcast, they just highlighted Proudhuff's letter about Anderson having to wear high heels - calling out the Patriarchy at an early age!!!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: CalHab on 02 May, 2018, 03:07:48 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 02 May, 2018, 03:02:42 PM
If you're following the Spacespinner 2000 podcast, they just highlighted Proudhuff's letter about Anderson having to wear high heels - calling out the Patriarchy at an early age!!!

Also mentioned by Arthur Ranson on the recent Thrillcast as something he changed when designing his (definitive IMO) Anderson, since they were daft.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Frank on 02 May, 2018, 06:05:42 PM
Quote from: CalHab on 02 May, 2018, 03:07:48 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 02 May, 2018, 03:02:42 PM
If you're following the Spacespinner 2000 podcast, they just highlighted Proudhuff's letter about Anderson having to wear high heels - calling out the Patriarchy at an early age!!!

Also mentioned by Arthur Ranson on the recent Thrillcast as something he changed when designing his (definitive IMO) Anderson, since they were daft.

The decade Anderson spent teetering around in stiletto boots is one of those things we all swear we remember:

Judge Death Lives (https://i.imgur.com/MqKCmNG.jpg)

City Of The Damned (https://i.imgur.com/8eYboNM.jpg)

Four Dark Judges (https://i.imgur.com/jOyrsLx.png)

The Possessed* (https://i.imgur.com/3pwO1NA.png)

Hour Of The Wolf (https://i.imgur.com/JdpNmQj.png)

Helios (https://i.imgur.com/7jRToDS.png)


* Anderson gains a pair of 2" wedges for one introductory splash, but it looks (to me) as if that's because Ewins is using photo-reference and changing the feet would render the rest of the pose skewiff
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2018, 01:21:48 PM
Quote from: Frank on 02 May, 2018, 06:05:42 PM
Quote from: CalHab on 02 May, 2018, 03:07:48 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 02 May, 2018, 03:02:42 PM
If you're following the Spacespinner 2000 podcast, they just highlighted Proudhuff's letter about Anderson having to wear high heels - calling out the Patriarchy at an early age!!!

Also mentioned by Arthur Ranson on the recent Thrillcast as something he changed when designing his (definitive IMO) Anderson, since they were daft.



Dear GOD!

How did I miss this!!!

MY WORK HERE IS DONE!!!

but I'll stick around  ;)

Anyone got a linkie to that podcast  :o
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Frank on 13 September, 2018, 01:33:42 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2018, 01:21:48 PM
Anyone got a linkie to that podcast  :o

https://youtu.be/2P2x81Jl6oU

https://soundcloud.com/2000-ad/arthur-ranson-part-one


Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 September, 2018, 01:39:46 PM
Cheers Frank!  :D
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2019 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 23 May, 2019, 10:07:31 PM
Something is stirring...

An 80's pop song with Captain Kirk in the lyrics crashes into an ice cream with a flake in it...
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 25 May, 2019, 03:43:43 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/UZjK4Iz.png)

We're back for some more exciting letters and statistics based banter and analysis. The quest for 100 letters has been enriching our lives for many years now and there is absolutely no reason why we've come back after a long hiatus to have a look at Prog 2133. It's a fine Prog and it has an Input page. That's reason enough.   

We kick off with John Bateson from the home of Mrs Thatch, Grantham. John earns the Letter of the Week laurels for the second time in his brief three letter career- he also enjoyed the top spot in his first outing in Prog 1555.

John's letter is classic Tharg bait with him waxing lyrically about his children reading his comics. Remember John the Prog does have the occasional 'shit' in it but that may have been the cat. It's an inoffensive offering- unless you are offended by people talking about how cute their kids are, in which case this will not be to your taste. Tharg is happy for more grist to his mill and to add to the child friendly mood also publishes some colouring in from Millie Beastall of Derbyshire.

Next up and straight to the point is Dave Bedford of Oughtibridge which sounds like a made up name but our scanners see that it is near Sheffield. Dave obviously moved as he likes funny named towns having previously lived in Penistone (snigger). Dave says the art and 'general feel' of the takeover special was 'top drawer' and he suggested other likely candidates for the treatment.

This is Dave's second letter following his Prog 2093 debut last year. He has some way to go to be 'Best Bedford' as Robin holds that accolade with five. He hasn't been seen since Prog 1193 in 2000 however so keep on writing in Dave!

Stephen Watson of Paisley makes a welcome appearance next with his 99th offering to see print. It's a lucky coincidence that we chose to reboot the Beast's servers today as the long standing £100 prize is now tantalisingly close. Stephen's first letter appeared in Prog 559 so he been wasting, er, enriching his life writing letters for over 30 years.

This offering hits the usual targets with some gushing place and then a comment about 'anachronistic Mantas' that he may have ripped off from someone's forum comment. There was a typo "I hope it something" which was lifted from the original email - sack the cut and paste droid or at least the one who checks what he's doing!

Tom Evans pitches up next in his letter writing debut. It's a confident start as he teases Joko-Jargo and goes on to praise the regened special, much like the previous scribe. He does sound a bit snowflakish when he queries whether a brain being removed is a suitable subject for a children's comic. Of course it is Tom - how else will Tharg inure them to the horrors that life will surely bring them?

A near celebrity writes in next in the shape of David Beck. He's no Clint East but it's a good effort from David who has dropped his Doctor title from his previous letter which was in Meg 402. He's also moved from Scarborough to Emailland. David is another fan of 'Full Tilt Boogie' and like all the other correspondents doesn't have a bad word to say about the experimental Regened offering.

We close with Charles Ellis of Surrey who is an occasional writer - or a frequent writer who is occasionally printed as his tally of five letters stretches back to 2003's Prog 1362. There were 8 years between his third and fourth letters so he's picking up the pace with this one appearing only a year after the last.

Charles enjoyed the Cor!! And Buster specials and gives this input page a full sweep of praise for all of Tharg's recent offerings. It's a happy band and we're sure representative of the readership in general. The odd brickbat would be fun though!

The updated all time table is below and we welcome Gareth Gee to the exalted ranks of the 'Ten or more' Club. Gareth began his letter writing career way back in 1993 in Meg 42  so it's been a long , but ultimately rewarding haul.

(https://i.imgur.com/tyfmK9u.jpg)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: sheridan on 25 May, 2019, 04:06:05 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 25 May, 2019, 03:43:43 PM
The quest for 100 letters has been enriching our lives for many years now and there is absolutely no reason why we've come back after a long hiatus to have a look at Prog 2133. It's a fine Prog and it has an Input page. That's reason enough.

QuoteStephen Watson of Paisley makes a welcome appearance next with his 99th offering to see print. It's a lucky coincidence that we chose to reboot the Beast's servers today as the long standing £100 prize is now tantalisingly close. Stephen's first letter appeared in Prog 559 so he been wasting, er, enriching his life writing letters for over 30 years.

Hmmm...
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Funt Solo on 25 May, 2019, 04:10:41 PM
I still think Kermode could win it.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Richard on 25 May, 2019, 06:29:43 PM
That's made my weekend.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Tomwe on 01 June, 2019, 08:26:42 AM
There's one panel at the end of City Of The Damned of piled up bionic eyes in jelly. That particular barely-body horror moment stuck in my youthful head and it was only upon reading it again in the Mega Collection the other year that I realised just how small and insignificant a drawing it was. That's why I brought up the exposed brain drawing in my letter. -Tom Evans (Bradford On Avon)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 01 June, 2019, 09:51:39 AM
Quote from: Tomwe on 01 June, 2019, 08:26:42 AM
There's one panel at the end of City Of The Damned of piled up bionic eyes in jelly. That particular barely-body horror moment stuck in my youthful head and it was only upon reading it again in the Mega Collection the other year that I realised just how small and insignificant a drawing it was. That's why I brought up the exposed brain drawing in my letter. -Tom Evans (Bradford On Avon)

Brilliant! In the moment letter explanation and discussion. Cheers Tom - the level of debate and interaction on this thread has just skyrocketed!

I know the exact panel you mean - I'm sure there was a good sound effect too when the jelly packed eyes when plucked from their container.

Was this your first ever letter or had you had previous efforts deemed unworthy?

Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Tomwe on 01 June, 2019, 07:01:34 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 01 June, 2019, 09:51:39 AM
Was this your first ever letter or had you had previous efforts deemed unworthy?

I'm sure I must have written back in my uni days (I quit my original run at Issue 2000 in '99) When we first got email I wrote and successfully got letters printed in DC books like Nightwing. Prior to that I had a letter or two in UK Transformers.

Here I was writing my thoughts on this here forum and it just occurred to me if I was going to the trouble of typing a post I may as well send it to Tharg directly too. Plus I wanted to make sure Rebellion knew I liked the new strips!

Am I right in saying you have a database of every letter ever?
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Frank on 01 June, 2019, 07:06:32 PM
Quote from: Tomwe on 01 June, 2019, 07:01:34 PM
Am I right in saying you have a database of every letter ever?

Buttonman (and Cosh) shared his gift with the world:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f-MtyF9A8Y0Se21W61G7vvgJYmSR2CWowcFYt-9OMCU/edit?usp=sharing


Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: sheridan on 01 June, 2019, 07:16:32 PM
Quote from: Tomwe on 01 June, 2019, 07:01:34 PM
Am I right in saying you have a database of every letter ever?

a) only the ones that got printed
b) in progs and megs (so no Lawman of the Future, Legends of the Law, DC  Dredd, et al)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 01 June, 2019, 08:56:41 PM
All letters, art and other things like Mean Arena Teams and Ro-Jaws and Hammerstein jokes - basically all reader input have been compiled. Not competition winners  that would be mental. As well as reader art from the annuals and specials. Give us a try!

The Beast online needs an update but the local Beast ticks over with today's meat already guzzled.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Dandontdare on 01 June, 2019, 09:36:38 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 01 June, 2019, 09:51:39 AM
Cheers Tom - the level of debate and interaction on this thread has just skyrocketed happened!

FTFY
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Link Prime on 05 June, 2019, 12:15:45 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 25 May, 2019, 03:43:43 PM
Stephen Watson of Paisley makes a welcome appearance next with his 99th offering to see print.

Hail to the King.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Proudhuff on 05 June, 2019, 02:13:44 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 01 June, 2019, 08:56:41 PM
Not competition winners  that would be mental.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 19 June, 2019, 10:21:54 AM
A full slate in Prog 2136 but nearly all new people. What's that all about?! Oh new blood good for the letters continuum? fair enough.

The only old stager is the very old Steve Frame who jostles his way into a tie for 5th over all on 29 letters. Steve is Mr Star letter with 7 to his credit although he has only bothered the Megazine scorers on one occasion.

ALAN HOLLOWAY
LINTON PORTEOUS
MICHAEL CROUCH
STEVE FRAME

all sit on 29 with Richard Kavanagh's 4th place and 30 total looking ever more vulnerable. They have a bit of work to do to unseat Grant Goggans fro the bronze medal slot however, with is 44 looking unsurpassable in the next decade or so.

More on this developing story as we have it.
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Funt Solo on 19 June, 2019, 09:56:15 PM
Don't forget your banner: we're all doing banners now!

(https://i.imgur.com/UZjK4Iz.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Buttonman on 19 June, 2019, 09:59:39 PM
This was only a basic update, not worthy of the banner!
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Funt Solo on 19 June, 2019, 10:10:11 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/NSpIM5C.png)
Title: Re: LETTERSENTERTAINYOU 2015 - The Beast Lives!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 20 June, 2019, 06:18:10 AM
Banners are the new Facebook - or something like that.

I wonder if Banners once of this province has a Banner?