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Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: A.Cow on 25 January, 2014, 11:58:50 AM

Title: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: A.Cow on 25 January, 2014, 11:58:50 AM
Cover - Very nice stuff from Mr Flint.

Droid Life - I usually love the antics of P14 but this was a disappointment: one poor gag and then a depressingly limp "punchline" (if you can call it that).  Mr Sullivan, you've let yourself down; you've let everyone else down; and, worst of all, you've let down pensioners & cute orphans too.  Shame on you.   :(

Judge Dredd - Titan (part five) - Moving on nicely, but the [spoiler]memory loss drug[/spoiler] thing didn't really work for me.

Ulysses Sweet, Maniac for Hire - Centred (part six) - I gave up after the first 10,000 words on page one.

A.B.C. Warriors - Return to Mars (part six) - Blimey!  Suddenly we get something worth reading.   :thumbsup:

Grey Area - All God's Children - Good stuff.  Patrick Goddard channelling a touch of Nigel Dobbyn, I'm feeling.

Strontium Dog - The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha - Chapter Four: Dogs of War (part six) - Action all the way.  Funny kind of cliffhanger, but then I'm beginning to think that this was always intended as a graphic novel.

Overall -- good work, Thargy-boy.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Buttonman on 25 January, 2014, 01:22:48 PM
No letters - the wait continues. Tension level : meh.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: JUDGE BURNS on 25 January, 2014, 04:09:14 PM
My prog is a no-show this saturday  :(

Must be stuck in the floods down south in Brit-Cit.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 25 January, 2014, 07:19:05 PM
Great Prog!

Dredd and Strontium Dog are unchanged in there delightery, their delightitude their delightilogy. Just great comics.

Elsewhere we gets some nice improvements. Just little tine bits across the board but often its these small changes that make a Prog stand out. Loved the exchange between Hammerstein and Harry in ABC, Ulysses Sweet, while the tone and humour was the same as ever seem to present things a little differently and I really enjoyed this. Grey Area just starts what looks like it will be a nice fun little sort and I was always a fan of Marvel's Z lister Armadillo

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ea/ArmadilloC.png/250px-ArmadilloC.png)

so nice to see make an appearance wit his family.

Great Prog, nice mix of thrills all pulling out a little extra. Top stuff.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Ghost MacRoth on 25 January, 2014, 07:29:47 PM
Usual level from dredd, alpha, grey area, etc, but ABC continues to slip.  There's no doubt Langley is a great artist, but he's a piss poor storeyboarder.  Messy, cluttered, and a very limited colour palette make for quite a disjointed story.  Hope the yanks discover him soon, and he buggers off to draw marvel, or some other shite I don't read.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: strontium71 on 25 January, 2014, 07:43:46 PM
Quote from: Ghost MacRoth on 25 January, 2014, 07:29:47 PM
Hope the yanks discover him soon, and he buggers off to draw marvel, or some other shite I don't read.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion n' all , but uncalled for. I personally love Langley's art , and hope he sticks around for a while yet. His painted ABC Warriors and Slaine books are just works of art.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Ghost MacRoth on 25 January, 2014, 07:45:46 PM
As I said, I'm not doubting his artistry, but his story telling sucks nuts.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Slip de Garcon on 25 January, 2014, 08:58:24 PM
Loving the Dredd, tolerating the Strontium Dog.

What's in between is gash.

Dredd story - looking promising, is this the first time he's been on Titan? Working for me anyhoo.

Ulysses Sweet is appalling. TBH IMHO comedy has rarely worked in 2000ad, and this is a one-joke wonder. A waste of Paul Marshall in my view.

ABC Warriors - I just don't get them, I can read a whole series and be left with no impression of what happened. Pat Mills is such a talentless husk  now, I don't even know who is and who isn't an ABC Warrior any more. Art's OK though, thank goodness.

Grey Area. How much mileage is there in a shallow racism/immigration parable. I'd suggest not this much. Well drawn again, thank goodness.

I suppose you could have said something similar about Strontium Dog years ago, but it's written by John Wagner so it can only ever be top notch.

So 2/5 for stories, 5/5 for art!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Steve Green on 25 January, 2014, 10:39:04 PM
Titan

[spoiler]

So they can give someone a new set of carbon-fibre lungs, face changes, rejuves, bionic eyes, grow new arms, but Titan surgery is irreversible?

Yeah, right.

[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dan Banks on 26 January, 2014, 10:50:41 AM
Titan is relying on a lot of continuity that I have little to no familiarity with as a new-ish reader. Still looks great and the drama is obvious. Good stuff.

ABC's has a similar problem as Dredd but if I'm honest, on a different level. I enjoy bits of this each week but not as a whole.

Ulysses Sweet is nonsense.

Grey Area is the surprise package of this run for me and helps to wash away the taste of sweet. It's simple, effective and funny! I didn't think much of this last year but it has arrived at just the right time here.

And strontium dog is epic. Easily the highlight of the prog right now.

Looks like ABC's is taking a week off, so are we getting a double lengther or a future shock next week?
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 27 January, 2014, 09:46:02 PM
Was this the last we saw of Nixon?
From prog 1761
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/1e2ab93edeb424e61f704e383f14c0eb_zpsaec0f91b.jpg)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: judgerufian on 28 January, 2014, 04:31:40 PM
Cover: Loved Dredd in totally screwed up mode but Nixon behind looked cut and pasted from another strip, the detail on her drawing even looks different.

Dredd: Great story which has taken a harry twenty vibe with the prison tiers but would one man be able to take so much punishment and would they dish it out so often when they need him as a bargaining chip? Odd. Oh and if Dredd and co have been out of contact for so long then why havent the nukes been launched from MC-1? These inconsitancies arent making me enjoy it any less though!

Ulysses Sweet: Reached the edge of my patience with this strip this week, been going on far too long now.

ABC Warriors: Its notched up a gear only to end this week. What? I'd be annoyed if it was heading somewhere but im sure the next chapter will be Morrigun flashbacks before she/it gets blasted out of the Warriors and we'll have to go through this all again seen from a different perspective.

Grey area: Interested to see where this will go after a solid first part, Goddard s aliens may not be Ace trucking co wierd but his work is really suited to this (as mentioned for the past 3 weeks!)

Strontium Dog: After some lack lustre and wierd johnny weeks, this was a really good episode. I agree that it seems very much destined for a collection. I have to say nostalgia made me think there was a missing 'Number 4 cartridge!' speech bubble when Johnny shot down the Norm flyers. Pleased to say I enjoyed SD again.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Link Prime on 28 January, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
Quote from: judgerufian on 28 January, 2014, 04:31:40 PM
im sure the next chapter will be Morrigun flashbacks before she/it gets blasted out of the Warriors and we'll have to go through this all again seen from a different perspective.

I'm waiting for the Mad Ronn and Hitaki flashbacks!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Hawkmumbler on 28 January, 2014, 04:47:45 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 28 January, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
Quote from: judgerufian on 28 January, 2014, 04:31:40 PM
im sure the next chapter will be Morrigun flashbacks before she/it gets blasted out of the Warriors and we'll have to go through this all again seen from a different perspective.

I'm waiting for the Mad Ronn and Hitaki flashbacks!
Make it so, make it so!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 28 January, 2014, 04:59:11 PM
Quote from: judgerufian on 28 January, 2014, 04:31:40 PM
ABC Warriors: Its notched up a gear only to end this week. What? I'd be annoyed if it was heading somewhere but im sure the next chapter will be Morrigun flashbacks before she/it gets blasted out of the Warriors and we'll have to go through this all again seen from a different perspective.

You realise it's back in two weeks? Just a quick break to help Langley with a deadline, I assume.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Trout on 29 January, 2014, 02:49:38 AM
Dredd: Top stuff! Great writing, especially the line about being weak, and gorgeous, gritty art.

Ulysses Sweet: Sorry, but I've given up now. There's just too much going on. It's too wordy and I lost interest. Love the art.

ABC Warriors: Yeah, OK. It's not for me. It's like a series of trading cards and I prefer a story.

Grey Area: I'm waiting to see where this goes. I like it usually. Early days.

Stront: Bang bang shooty shooty! I can't get enough of Evil Johnny At War. Wagner and Ezquerra every week? A treat.

- Trout
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Apestrife on 29 January, 2014, 07:20:16 AM
Quote from: Steve Green on 25 January, 2014, 10:39:04 PM
Titan

[spoiler]

So they can give someone a new set of carbon-fibre lungs, face changes, rejuves, bionic eyes, grow new arms, but Titan surgery is irreversible?

Yeah, right.

[/spoiler]

Where does it say that? In this story? Anyhows, in Wilderlands McGruder states that it is possible to reverse, but the psychic scars aren't

Anyways.

Good prog. While Dredd wasn't as spectacular as usual this issue I think some good stuff is to come, especially due to the character that showed up in the end. Hope there's an explanation about Nixon being there and rearmed. Can't praise Henry Flint's art enough.

Love the war going on in Strontinum Dog. Especially the primal vibe it has.

Flipped through ABC, Grey and Sweet. Not bad comics, but they didn't do much for me.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Steve Green on 29 January, 2014, 08:43:59 AM
Not in this story, but in a strip where it's been shown time and again by other writers (and even the same writer) what technological things are available.

Say take, a gigantic flying megacity for example - it was one line that felt crowbarred in to add jeopardy, and didn't believe a word of it.

I find it pretty unlikely that [spoiler]Sinfield would have his uniform either, but maybe there's going to be an explanation for that, and Nixon's new arm...[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: judgerufian on 29 January, 2014, 10:24:34 AM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 28 January, 2014, 04:59:11 PM
Quote from: judgerufian on 28 January, 2014, 04:31:40 PM
ABC Warriors: Its notched up a gear only to end this week. What? I'd be annoyed if it was heading somewhere but im sure the next chapter will be Morrigun flashbacks before she/it gets blasted out of the Warriors and we'll have to go through this all again seen from a different perspective.

You realise it's back in two weeks? Just a quick break to help Langley with a deadline, I assume.

I dont know if thats good or bad news as I'd like to see something else in its place due to so many weeks of ABC non-activity! Mind you Ulysses Sweet will hopefully be over by then.....
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
Love that cover. Dredd 'presenting' on all fours to Aimee's massive weapon. Oh my!

Dredd is really brutal this week. I found myself wincing as I read the list of his injuries. Poor old sod.

A part of me wonders if this whole 'Aimee as bad guy' thing has been one long undercover Wally Squad assignment and she's somehow on Dredd's side. Far fetched I know. Mind you, suddenly re-grown limbs and crooked Chief Judges being allowed to take their uniform to Titan are far fetched too.

I seem to be the only person on the forum who's enjoying Ulysees Sweet. For me, there's at least one LOL moment in every episode. The scene with the count down, blackout and subsequent assault did it for me this week.

It's not Shakespeare, no, but it actually makes me laugh which is more that can be said for the likes of other so-called comedy strips such as Bec and Kawl or Lobster Random.

This newest series has been the one which has finally got me hooked on Grey Area. It reminds me of cross between District 9 and Alan Moore's Top Ten for somewhat obvious reasons. I'd love to see this adapted for TV.

Any news of a collected edition coming out?

I'm confused, where exactly in continuity/timeline are we supposed to be in ABC Warriors? I'm guessing this is just before they had Mek-Quake commited and then went off to recruit Zippo? If so, doesn't it seem a bit strange that Happy Shrapnel hasn't been mentioned by anyone in the strip for the past 20 years despite him being alive?

Whatever. I've got a soft spot for these characters but I really want some kind of story or mission to happen instead of this constant retconning and re-visiting the past.

Which brings me to Strontium Dog. I'm enjoying this too but have to wonder where it's going. Either the mutants will win the war (unlikely) and, what? destroy norm society? Not sure how that would work.

Or, the norms win and kill/imprison the surving muties resulting in the end of the strip. Can't see that either to be honest. The only outcome that I can see working is a truce between the two sides. Wagner has surprised me before though...

All in all, I'm enjoying everything at the moment to varying degrees. I seem to be in the minority though.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 11:09:04 AM
As for Sinfield still having his uniform..... maybe it isn't "his" uniform but one he has managed to "borrow" from a recent arrival to Titan
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 11:16:59 AM
Quote from: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 11:09:04 AM
As for Sinfield still having his uniform..... maybe it isn't "his" uniform but one he has managed to "borrow" from a recent arrival to Titan

...who just happened to be called Sinfield? Also, why would any Judge who has broken the law, been kicked out of the force and sent to Titan be allowed to keep their uniform, let alone take it with them as a 'souvenir'?
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 11:52:53 AM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
I'm confused, where exactly in continuity/timeline are we supposed to be in ABC Warriors? I'm guessing this is just before they had Mek-Quake commited and then went off to recruit Zippo? If so, doesn't it seem a bit strange that Happy Shrapnel hasn't been mentioned by anyone in the strip for the past 20 years despite him being alive?

Actually Pat's been playing a bit of a long game here - the gang have been mentioning Tubal as their armourer/mechanic since Langely first started on the strip back in 2007.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Steve Green on 29 January, 2014, 11:56:28 AM
It didn't make much sense in the Day the Law Died either.

Why would they have a potentially very dangerous prisoner be transported in a uniform that is designed to protect them on the streets of the meg?

Yeah, I know 'because it looks good'
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Link Prime on 29 January, 2014, 12:09:22 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 11:52:53 AM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
I'm confused, where exactly in continuity/timeline are we supposed to be in ABC Warriors? I'm guessing this is just before they had Mek-Quake commited and then went off to recruit Zippo? If so, doesn't it seem a bit strange that Happy Shrapnel hasn't been mentioned by anyone in the strip for the past 20 years despite him being alive?

Actually Pat's been playing a bit of a long game here - the gang have been mentioning Tubal as their armourer/mechanic since Langely first started on the strip back in 2007.

Yeah, was just gonna mention that- Tubal Caine has been name dropped more times than Dr. Dre on Eminem's 1st album.

You're not the only one enjoying Ulysees Sweet by the way Lee- I'm digging the whole package.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 12:16:01 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 29 January, 2014, 12:09:22 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 11:52:53 AM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
I'm confused, where exactly in continuity/timeline are we supposed to be in ABC Warriors? I'm guessing this is just before they had Mek-Quake commited and then went off to recruit Zippo? If so, doesn't it seem a bit strange that Happy Shrapnel hasn't been mentioned by anyone in the strip for the past 20 years despite him being alive?

Actually Pat's been playing a bit of a long game here - the gang have been mentioning Tubal as their armourer/mechanic since Langely first started on the strip back in 2007.

Yeah, was just gonna mention that- Tubal Caine has been name dropped more times than Dr. Dre on Eminem's 1st album.

You're not the only one enjoying Ulysees Sweet by the way Lee- I'm digging the whole package.

Now you both mention it, yes, I remember. This whole re-write, 'this is what really happened' story arc has been going on for so long, I'd forgotten some of the details.

Glad you're liking Ulysees Sweet too Link. There's so much hate for that strip and I don't really understand why.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 12:31:31 PM
I'm liking Ulysess too! Although I would say it's definately starting to feel too wordy for its own good by this point, something I worried might happen since the first episode. Can understand why some people might not like it, but don't quite understand all the outright hate - it's just meant to be a bit of fun!

I'd be happy to see it back, but I'd suggest that shorter stories (say 6 parts or so) are the way to go for this character.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: judgerufian on 29 January, 2014, 12:55:54 PM
I'd say that theres not much hate for Ulysses Sweet, its mostly indifference.....which is so much worse  :lol:
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: A.Cow on 29 January, 2014, 04:41:20 PM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 11:16:59 AM
Quote from: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 11:09:04 AM
As for Sinfield still having his uniform..... maybe it isn't "his" uniform but one he has managed to "borrow" from a recent arrival to Titan
...who just happened to be called Sinfield? Also, why would any Judge who has broken the law, been kicked out of the force and sent to Titan be allowed to keep their uniform, let alone take it with them as a 'souvenir'?

I'd imagine that a mining colony isn't short of metal.  And -- given this is the 22nd Century -- maybe this high-tech facility has some antique 3D metal printers (like those used in the aerospace industry back in 2014).

IIRC, there were plenty of dead uniformed judges (warders?) floating in orbit.  Certainly fits with Sinfield's vanity that he'd go out of his way to grab a uniform & get a new badge made.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 05:43:44 PM
Quote from: A.Cow on 29 January, 2014, 04:41:20 PM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 11:16:59 AM
Quote from: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 11:09:04 AM
As for Sinfield still having his uniform..... maybe it isn't "his" uniform but one he has managed to "borrow" from a recent arrival to Titan
...who just happened to be called Sinfield? Also, why would any Judge who has broken the law, been kicked out of the force and sent to Titan be allowed to keep their uniform, let alone take it with them as a 'souvenir'?

I'd imagine that a mining colony isn't short of metal.  And -- given this is the 22nd Century -- maybe this high-tech facility has some antique 3D metal printers (like those used in the aerospace industry back in 2014).

IIRC, there were plenty of dead uniformed judges (warders?) floating in orbit.  Certainly fits with Sinfield's vanity that he'd go out of his way to grab a uniform & get a new badge made.

In geekdom, this is known as 'papering over the cracks'. I suppose it's possible though.

Ooh look, I just passed 2000 posts!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 06:13:44 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 29 January, 2014, 11:56:28 AM
It didn't make much sense in the Day the Law Died either.

Why would they have a potentially very dangerous prisoner be transported in a uniform that is designed to protect them on the streets of the meg?

Yeah, I know 'because it looks good'

Sounds good to me  :)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Verence on 29 January, 2014, 06:18:17 PM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
Which brings me to Strontium Dog. I'm enjoying this too but have to wonder where it's going. Either the mutants will win the war (unlikely) and, what? destroy norm society? Not sure how that would work.

Or, the norms win and kill/imprison the surving muties resulting in the end of the strip. Can't see that either to be honest. The only outcome that I can see working is a truce between the two sides. Wagner has surprised me before though...


If Strontium Dog was a Marvel or DC story the whole sterilisation thing would be cured by a mutant with magic powers
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Tjm86 on 29 January, 2014, 07:00:23 PM
Quote from: eamonn1961 on 27 January, 2014, 09:46:02 PM
Was this the last we saw of Nixon?
From prog 1761
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/1e2ab93edeb424e61f704e383f14c0eb_zpsaec0f91b.jpg)

That was my thought as well.  How did she land up there .... Have to go back and have a trawl.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 29 January, 2014, 08:36:52 PM
Quote from: A.Cow on 29 January, 2014, 04:41:20 PM
I'd imagine that a mining colony isn't short of metal.  And -- given this is the 22nd Century -- maybe this high-tech facility has some antique 3D metal printers (like those used in the aerospace industry back in 2014). IIRC, there were plenty of dead uniformed judges (warders?) floating in orbit.  Certainly fits with Sinfield's vanity that he'd go out of his way to grab a uniform & get a new badge made.

It isn't Byron's uniform - that's standard street judge apparel, with the eagle pad and name badge rather than two shoulder pads and eagle chest plate. Nuanced Judge Cal Sinfield is last seen sporting the full ceremonial garb of the highest office as he's led away at the end of Tour of Duty. Given the power relations implied by the manner in which Nixon addresses him in that last panel - and the shocking way he looks - I'm not sure the way he's dressed is entirely of his choosing.

If you've devised a plan which trades on the credibility of an unpleasant and hitherto unknown truth being revealed by a former chief judge who is now physiognomically indistinguishable from any of the other inmates, I suppose sticking a badge which reads SINFIELD on him isn't such a crazy idea *. I've always imagined the name section of judges' badges to be like scrabble tile holders, rather than every badge being individually minted and monogrammed to order.


* Byron appears to be missing a throat and mandible (including lips?), which might rule out voice ID
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 29 January, 2014, 08:39:57 PM

Bah! Martin, not Byron.

Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 08:43:51 PM
Quote from: sauchie on 29 January, 2014, 08:36:52 PM
If you've devised a plan which trades on the credibility of an unpleasant and hitherto unknown truth being revealed by a former chief judge who is now physiognomically indistinguishable from any of the other inmates, I suppose sticking a badge which reads SINFIELD on him isn't such a crazy idea.

I like that, it's a nice rationalisation.

Quote from: sauchie on 29 January, 2014, 08:36:52 PM
I've always imagined the name section of judges' badges to be like scrabble tile holders, rather than every badge being individually minted and monogrammed to order.

I like that too!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Steve Green on 29 January, 2014, 08:46:50 PM
It has been shown that way before, where letters have fallen off.

It just makes me think there's a Titan version of Countdown going on, where they have to keep offing street judges until they get the correct letters.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Goaty on 29 January, 2014, 08:48:06 PM
Wow Prog is so brilliant!

I do feelings I maybe expecting [spoiler]Bullet to King Four to Nixon [/spoiler]in Dredd...
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 29 January, 2014, 09:02:16 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 29 January, 2014, 08:46:50 PM
It just makes me think there's a Titan version of Countdown going on, where they have to keep offing street judges until they get the correct letters.

HA! Judges Ayad Allawi and Eoin Eireann would be first to go; Judge Xylophone can probably relax.

Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Hawkmumbler on 29 January, 2014, 09:08:59 PM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: ZenArcade on 29 January, 2014, 09:31:39 PM
A lot of people have a downer on Ulysses Sweet, I think it's hilarious. Brings back fond memories of Rogue and the biochips.
I'm still not really sold on the new incarnation of Strontium Dog (as much as it pains me to say so).
Dredd is excellent, top line artwork and an intriguing plot.
ABC Warriors is getting a bit better; but have to agree with some posts 're the 'non linearity'  of Langleys work on this.
Rest is so so.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: russledust on 29 January, 2014, 10:40:36 PM
As a relatively new reader, i was wondering if someone could tell me, are the prisoners beating on Dredd well known? Were they featured in previous stories? Aside from Sinfield and Nixon, obvs.

The big moustache on one of them made me think of Judge Manners AKA Bad Manners but he got killed to bits  :D
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spikes on 29 January, 2014, 11:33:00 PM
Two Prog's was on offer in the newsagent today. One was torn, and a bit crumpled.
A potentially nightmare-ish game, this hunting down the Prog.

Anyway, got to read it whilst having a quiet moment at work.....

Cover is by Mr Flint, so is aces.
Dredd continues in very fine form. A bit of a episode where not much is given away, or the story isn't moved on that much, but still plenty to mull over, and the guessing game continues.
Love the memory wipe drug, which explains Dredd battered and bruised appearance at the start. And now Sinfield at the end. The uniform puzzled, briefly, but as others have said, it wouldn't be the hardest task to find one somewhere.

But yes, this Dredd tale is now officially one of my faves. Writing and art on top form.

Delay the other Dredd tales Tharg, and extend this one please!

Ulysses Sweet continues to, kinda, reverse my initial opinion of it, by being so bonkers that im liking it. Though as ive said, its probably not one ill return to for a re-read at any point.

Did somebody mention 'indifference' earlier, In regards to this? Nowt worse than that, I guess.

A nice 2001 moment in the ABC's. Again, im not totally enamoured by this, but not disliking it either. One week its pretty good, then the next its kinda so-so.
Fairly inconsequential stuff all told? 

Grey Area continues in fine form, though perhaps a slight dip this week? This run has been, overall, pretty good. So a slight dip is a minor niggle, really.

And Stronty just seems rather tired. I hate to say it, but there you go. Maybe its me. But a re-read is on the cards once this run ends.

And a nice little reminder on the inside back cover to snag a copy of the Meg (Purely for Mr Williams' Dredd).

A bit hit and miss this week, but Dredd continues to be a joy.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: ChickenStu on 30 January, 2014, 11:26:58 AM
I am really enjoying the Judge Dredd strip. REALLY enjoying it!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Mabs on 30 January, 2014, 02:26:29 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 12:31:31 PM
I'm liking Ulysess too! Although I would say it's definately starting to feel too wordy for its own good by this point, something I worried might happen since the first episode. Can understand why some people might not like it, but don't quite understand all the outright hate - it's just meant to be a bit of fun!

I'd be happy to see it back, but I'd suggest that shorter stories (say 6 parts or so) are the way to go for this character.

I'm also liking Ulysses Sweet too! Yes it's a bit barmy and clearly not for everyone, but I find it quite hilarious. Also,  I agree that future stories should be a little shorter. Short but Sweet, eh!  ;)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 30 January, 2014, 03:22:34 PM
Quote from: Mabs on 30 January, 2014, 02:26:29 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 29 January, 2014, 12:31:31 PM
I'd be happy to see it back, but I'd suggest that shorter stories (say 6 parts or so) are the way to go for this character.

Short but Sweet, eh!  ;)

:lol:
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Judge Olde on 30 January, 2014, 04:01:26 PM
What an amazing cover,cover of the year surely?  :lol:
Dredd currently at it's best in a long time, the last frame was very Judge [spoiler]Cal[/spoiler] ... perhaps a bit too much for my liking.
         zZzzZ                                     zZzz
ABC
zZzz          zZzZ Z           ZzZzz z

SD No doubt read better in one go, I still want to love this story like I always use to (before he [spoiler]died[/spoiler])

The other stuff I can't even remember  :-\
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 04:18:02 PM
A good prog overall this week.

DREDD: I'm still enjoying it. But what started out as something akin to ALIENS has now somehow shape-shifted into MAD MAX III. I'd like to get back to the vibe of the former, to be honest...

Plus, why doesn't someone take Dredd's helmet off? Wouldn't they be dying to see his face? Hell, spit in it?

SWEET: Really haven't looked at this since ep one or two. Just not my kind of thing. Humour seems a bit too naughty public school boy for me. Like a sci-fi version of Wiz.

GREY AREA: Now, this one's REALLY firing on all cylinders, now. Love the religious do-gooders. Very well realised. Great stuff and hope it sticks around for a long while.

STRONTIUM DOG: I'm kinda getting a little bit tired with this storytelling format. It seems to play out each week like one of those 'Previously on...' recaps that you see on TV. I'm starting to lose a grip on it and agree with whoever said it may have played out better as a GN, maybe with more room for Wagner to get into the story as opposed to be curtailed to the episodic approach.

Just my two cents...  :)   
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: judgerufian on 30 January, 2014, 04:25:28 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 04:18:02 PM
A good prog overall this week.

DREDD: I'm still enjoying it. But what started out as something akin to ALIENS has now somehow shape-shifted into MAD MAX III. I'd like to get back to the vibe of the former, to be honest...

Plus, why doesn't someone take Dredd's helmet off? Wouldn't they be dying to see his face? Hell, spit in it?

SWEET: Really haven't looked at this since ep one or two. Just not my kind of thing. Humour seems a bit too naughty public school boy for me. Like a sci-fi version of Wiz.

GREY AREA: Now, this one's REALLY firing on all cylinders, now. Love the religious do-gooders. Very well realised. Great stuff and hope it sticks around for a long while.

STRONTIUM DOG: I'm kinda getting a little bit tired with this storytelling format. It seems to play out each week like one of those 'Previously on...' recaps that you see on TV. I'm starting to lose a grip on it and agree with whoever said it may have played out better as a GN, maybe with more room for Wagner to get into the story as opposed to be curtailed to the episodic approach.

Just my two cents...  :)

Let me guess, ABC Warriors was forgetable?  ;)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 04:56:08 PM
Ahaha! Actually, I enjoyed it. Don't know if there's a storyline as such each week, but it's entertaining enough.

But... didn't they already kill Mek-Quake at some stage in the past?

I'm a bit confused about continuity with this one.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 30 January, 2014, 05:49:57 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 04:56:08 PM
Ahaha! Actually, I enjoyed it. Don't know if there's a storyline as such each week, but it's entertaining enough. But... didn't they already kill Mek-Quake at some stage in the past? I'm a bit confused about continuity with this one.

I think you're reading ABC Warriors in the right way - as a weekly gag strip with some great art. The Russian doll story structure of one character telling another character about a previous occasion upon which they told each other about stuff that happened another time makes the concept of linear continuity unuseful to the reader. That idea of each moment being contained within another and the past existing at the same as the future seems like a brilliant way of understanding the inevitable repetition of the lives of beings which are functionally immortal.

Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 30 January, 2014, 06:20:03 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 04:18:02 PM
STRONTIUM DOG ... seems to play out each week like one of those 'Previously on...' recaps that you see on TV. I'm starting to lose a grip on it and agree with whoever said it may have played out better as a GN, maybe with more room for Wagner to get into the story as opposed to be curtailed to the episodic approach.

In Judge Dredd: The Mega-history, former 2000ad editor Steve McManus describes part of the success of The Apocalypse War as being down to Carlos Ezquerra "doing what he does best - drawing a six month war story on his own ... His experience of drawing war comics obviously helped him - he was in his element drawing the tanks and bombings of the war".

I suppose that's what this passage in the life and death of Alpha is about; giving his still convalescing co-creator the opportunity to work on the kind of story which plays to his strengths. One of the criticisms of the rebooted strip was the addition of unnecessary plot mechanics, so I suppose in returning Strontium Dog to the simple action formula of its heyday the creators are only obeying orders.

I'd probably be among those wholeheartedly welcoming the return to the hit-and-move guerrilla narrative tactics of Portrait Of A Mutant if there was just a little more of that story's unfolding human drama in there as well. A final panel of a snarling villain swearing next week will be Alpha's last battle makes the events of that episode feel like more than scenery shifting, and deaths amongst the supporting cast are only involving if they've previously been given something memorable to say or do in the story.

Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Steve Green on 30 January, 2014, 08:16:16 PM
Quote from: russledust on 29 January, 2014, 10:40:36 PM
As a relatively new reader, i was wondering if someone could tell me, are the prisoners beating on Dredd well known? Were they featured in previous stories? Aside from Sinfield and Nixon, obvs.

The big moustache on one of them made me think of Judge Manners AKA Bad Manners but he got killed to bits  :D

Nope.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 09:40:03 PM
Quote from: sauchie on 30 January, 2014, 06:20:03 PM
I'd probably be among those wholeheartedly welcoming the return to the hit-and-move guerrilla narrative tactics of Portrait Of A Mutant if there was just a little more of that story's unfolding human drama in there as well. A final panel of a snarling villain swearing next week will be Alpha's last battle makes the events of that episode feel like more than scenery shifting, and deaths amongst the supporting cast are only involving if they've previously been given something memorable to say or do in the story.

Totally nailed it there, Sauchie: what I'm missing most from this strip is human drama. I enjoy action, but I need strong characters, too. And right now, everyone (including Johnny) is just devolving to STOCK  MUTANT or STOCK HUMAN. 
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: BPP on 31 January, 2014, 11:41:08 AM
Dredd' staking a beating, Alpha's handing out one. The world couldn't be a better place.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: judgerufian on 31 January, 2014, 11:50:53 AM
Quote from: BPP on 31 January, 2014, 11:41:08 AM
Dredd' staking a beating, Alpha's handing out one. The world couldn't be a better place.
Sounds like 'Top Dog' re Judge Dredd Yearbook 1991
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Goaty on 31 January, 2014, 05:52:55 PM

I hadn't upload highlights pictures in Prog threads for long time...

and this is the highlight image in Prog of the week!

(http://i.imgur.com/iSgveTB.png)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Mabs on 31 January, 2014, 06:32:28 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 09:40:03 PM
Quote from: sauchie on 30 January, 2014, 06:20:03 PM
I'd probably be among those wholeheartedly welcoming the return to the hit-and-move guerrilla narrative tactics of Portrait Of A Mutant if there was just a little more of that story's unfolding human drama in there as well. A final panel of a snarling villain swearing next week will be Alpha's last battle makes the events of that episode feel like more than scenery shifting, and deaths amongst the supporting cast are only involving if they've previously been given something memorable to say or do in the story.

Totally nailed it there, Sauchie: what I'm missing most from this strip is human drama. I enjoy action, but I need strong characters, too. And right now, everyone (including Johnny) is just devolving to STOCK  MUTANT or STOCK HUMAN.

I think the ruthlessness with which Johnny dispatches that Norm toward the end says a lot. If you look at the panels, he hardly flinches. Killing has become a part of him, he has become a casualty of war, by which I mean that he has lost some of his 'humanity'. I think (for me at least), there's quite a bit I can take away from the strip.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: HOO-HAA on 31 January, 2014, 07:40:33 PM
Quote from: Mabs on 31 January, 2014, 06:32:28 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 30 January, 2014, 09:40:03 PM
Quote from: sauchie on 30 January, 2014, 06:20:03 PM
I'd probably be among those wholeheartedly welcoming the return to the hit-and-move guerrilla narrative tactics of Portrait Of A Mutant if there was just a little more of that story's unfolding human drama in there as well. A final panel of a snarling villain swearing next week will be Alpha's last battle makes the events of that episode feel like more than scenery shifting, and deaths amongst the supporting cast are only involving if they've previously been given something memorable to say or do in the story.

Totally nailed it there, Sauchie: what I'm missing most from this strip is human drama. I enjoy action, but I need strong characters, too. And right now, everyone (including Johnny) is just devolving to STOCK  MUTANT or STOCK HUMAN.

I think the ruthlessness with which Johnny dispatches that Norm toward the end says a lot. If you look at the panels, he hardly flinches. Killing has become a part of him, he has become a casualty of war, by which I mean that he has lost some of his 'humanity'. I think (for me at least), there's quite a bit I can take away from the strip.

Definitely see your point, there, Mabs. And I agree, to a point. I guess my worry is that in taking away Johnny's 'humanity', he's just become like all the other guys. He loses a little of what made him unique.

I'd buy the cold-blooded Johnny if we saw more of a fallout from this change: inner monologues of self-doubt or conflicts with other characters, worried he's going too far. There's been a little of the latter, I guess, but not enough for me to be as fully invested as I really want to be...
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Greg M. on 31 January, 2014, 07:54:53 PM
Quote from: HOO-HAA on 31 January, 2014, 07:40:33 PM
I'd buy the cold-blooded Johnny if we saw more of a fallout from this change: inner monologues of self-doubt or conflicts with other characters, worried he's going too far. There's been a little of the latter, I guess, but not enough for me to be as fully invested as I really want to be...

Don't you reckon that tormented inner monologues are bit Marvel / DC and a bit antithetical to the spirit of 2000AD though? As you rightly acknowledge, we've had Middenface call Johnny on his extremes - do we need it again? The point's been made. That's not to say I don't enjoy a more overwrought style of storytelling too, when done well, but I don't want to see Johnny angsting about his actions. I want to see what he does and then interpret accordingly.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: DrJomster on 31 January, 2014, 09:20:05 PM
Very much enjoyed the four thrills I read this week. Storming cover too.

Dredd wins the prog again for me. Nice n gritty. Awesome art. Great cover too.

I'm really pleased how Grey Area's coming along. Goddard doing great work as always.

As for ABC and SD, they're going strong too but I think would be gorgeous in a trade. ABC would be particularly nice in a hardback edition.

Cheers, Tharg and droids! Top thrills! Roll on the next prog!
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Link Prime on 31 January, 2014, 09:30:20 PM
Quote from: Greg M. on 31 January, 2014, 07:54:53 PM
Don't you reckon that tormented inner monologues are bit Marvel / DC and a bit antithetical to the spirit of 2000AD though?

Yeahrrh, get with it Hoo-Haa, this isn't like those dumb American comics where beloved icons are resurrected from certain death in particularly eye-rolling circumstances!  :-X
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Goosegash on 31 January, 2014, 09:31:20 PM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
Love that cover. Dredd 'presenting' on all fours to Aimee's massive weapon. Oh my!

Dredd is really brutal this week. I found myself wincing as I read the list of his injuries. Poor old sod.

A part of me wonders if this whole 'Aimee as bad guy' thing has been one long undercover Wally Squad assignment and she's somehow on Dredd's side. Far fetched I know. Mind you, suddenly re-grown limbs and crooked Chief Judges being allowed to take their uniform to Titan are far fetched too.


I hope there is a bit more to this than what we've seen so far. I'd hate to see Nixon turned into another one-dimensional psycho like Grice. She's always had a bit more light and shade than that.

Also it doesn't really make sense for her to want revenge on Dredd specifically, because as far as I can recall, they've never interacted before(I think). This makes me think there must be something else going on other than just a simple trap.

I am enjoying "Titan" though. Feels like the first time in a long while that Dredd's been in genuine danger.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Greg M. on 31 January, 2014, 09:38:49 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 31 January, 2014, 09:30:20 PM
Yeahrrh, get with it Hoo-Haa, this isn't like those dumb American comics where beloved icons are resurrected from certain death in particularly eye-rolling circumstances!  :-X

Yeah, but... all right, but the point is... I mean, keeping in mind...

Oh balls, I can't think of a comeback.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Mabs on 31 January, 2014, 09:41:02 PM
Quote from: Greg M. on 31 January, 2014, 09:38:49 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 31 January, 2014, 09:30:20 PM
Yeahrrh, get with it Hoo-Haa, this isn't like those dumb American comics where beloved icons are resurrected from certain death in particularly eye-rolling circumstances!  :-X

Yeah, but... all right, but the point is... I mean, keeping in mind...

Oh balls, I can't think of a comeback.

:lol:
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: HOO-HAA on 31 January, 2014, 09:50:26 PM
Ahaha!

All we need now is a parallel dimension and we're home dry ;)

And, yeah, don't get me wrong. I am enjoying this strip but it does feel a little Battle Action Force at times, no?
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Spaceghost on 01 February, 2014, 11:00:30 AM
Quote from: Goosegash on 31 January, 2014, 09:31:20 PM
Quote from: Spaceghost on 29 January, 2014, 10:44:03 AM
Love that cover. Dredd 'presenting' on all fours to Aimee's massive weapon. Oh my!

Dredd is really brutal this week. I found myself wincing as I read the list of his injuries. Poor old sod.

A part of me wonders if this whole 'Aimee as bad guy' thing has been one long undercover Wally Squad assignment and she's somehow on Dredd's side. Far fetched I know. Mind you, suddenly re-grown limbs and crooked Chief Judges being allowed to take their uniform to Titan are far fetched too.


I hope there is a bit more to this than what we've seen so far. I'd hate to see Nixon turned into another one-dimensional psycho like Grice. She's always had a bit more light and shade than that.

Also it doesn't really make sense for her to want revenge on Dredd specifically, because as far as I can recall, they've never interacted before(I think). This makes me think there must be something else going on other than just a simple trap.

I am enjoying "Titan" though. Feels like the first time in a long while that Dredd's been in genuine danger.

As it happens, I just this morning read a story in my recently purchased copy of Mega City Undercover vol 2 in which Dredd and Nixon do interact with each other. Nothing particular happens which would create any level of animosity between the two of them though.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: The Cheat on 01 February, 2014, 11:41:03 AM
Judge Dredd - Decent chapter. Hmm'ed a bit at the old 'despite being near death, Dredd can still easily take out four Judge trained opponents' bit, but I guess you could argue they were malnourished, or that Nixon was starting with the easy opponents, or something. Forgot who Sinfield was until I read the 'Chief Judge' bit, then my memory joined the dots. Not sure why he's in his Judge's uniform though, complete with name badge.

Ulysses Sweet - Ready for this to finish. Liked the toaster reference (Red Dwarf?), and the guy getting cut off before he can count down from ten.

A.B.C. Warriors - Nice art, nonsensical plot and terrible dialogue. Flashbacks/imaginary scenes were a bit confusing, could have done with being a bit clearer.

Grey Area - No strong feeling either way. Disappointed with last weeks episode now I know it wasn't a two parter.

Strontium Dog - Urgh, not Ezquerra's best work. Thought we were in for a 'Johnny underestimates the opponent' bit, with the Nazis guessing it was a trap.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: TordelBack on 01 February, 2014, 08:25:33 PM
Cover: Nice.

Dredd:  Some good stuff, with fantastic art, but... swap the art for Nixon for Grice and couldn't this be a lost episode of Inferno?  Can't decide whether the things that niggle (Nixon and her arm on Titan, how McIntosh is involved) are going to be key parts of the plot or not (still expecting a reversal, with Nixon's tormenting of Dredd a way of stalling his execution by the other inmates).  Still, stylish, atmospheric and intriguing.

Ulysses Sweet:  Not doing it for me, I'm afraid.  There are moments to be sure, but not enough to justify the shockjock humour and page count.  As before, I reckon this creative team have a good fun story in them, but this isn't it.

Previously on ABC Warriors: Damned if I'm not enjoying this run.  Turns out that a bit of structure for the sprawling storyline is no bad thing.

Grey Area:  It's a sharp script with art to match, but somehow the whole continues to be so competently middle-of-the-road that I find it actively frustrating. At this point I'm almost (almost) nostalglc for the days of ludicrous boobarmour and gratuitous naked tussling.

Strontium Dog:  Just finished volume 3 of the S/D Agency Files in my ongoing re-read and there is nothing in Johnny's demeanour or actions here that seem at odds.  Johnny fought in the Mutant Army from age of 12 for more than 5 years, he was literally raised by General Armz on a guerilla battlefield every bit as brutal as this.  When his best friend was killed he systematically murdered everyone involved, some in particularly cruel fashion.  He handed his own father over to be gunned down by a Stront lynch mob in front of him.  He's a stone cold killer, as we are repeatedly told, and he always has been.  Now his entire race has been condemned to extinction, and he's reacting exactly as Johnny Alpha would.

Which is by way of saying that this current run has me completely gripped, and I think the art is fab too.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 01 February, 2014, 09:05:02 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 01 February, 2014, 08:25:33 PM
Can't decide whether the things that niggle (Nixon and her arm on Titan, how McIntosh is involved) are going to be key parts of the plot or not...

Thankfully, both are addressed next prog.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Mabs on 01 February, 2014, 09:58:19 PM
Cover - Excellent work from Henry Flint, I saw an edited version of it on Facebook a week or so back, but it's pleasure to see it up close in full detail. Dredd looks in quite a state, bloodied and cowering. I thought the shot of Jupiter behind Nixon was a nice touch, it echoes Flint's Samurai cover for the Meg a while back.

Judge Dredd: Titan (Part Five) - Dredd finds himself at the mercy of Nixon and her fellow inmates, but even when he is bloodied, tooth missing and under the forced influence of drugs he still manages to come out fighting. He must have some steel balls that Dredd! We also get a surprise at the end when a well known face shows up. This was a visceral episode, full of bone crunching action, and there's a panel on page 3 (Dredd warning the creeps to get back in their cells) which reminded me of a moment from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns...

(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m560/Nexus-wookie/Grittingteeth.jpg)

Stylistically it looks very similar to that particular panel: both men with teeth gritted, menacing and slightly hunched. Henry Flint's work is superb here.

Ulysses Sweet: Centred (Part Six) - Dear grud, Ulysses really is as useless as they come isn't he? He's too busy having flashbacks while everything around him goes down the metaphorical toilet! Again, excellent artwork from Paul Marshall. It'll be interesting to see how this one ends - which I'm guessing isn't too far off now.

ABC Warriors: Return to Mars (Part Six) - Another fun episode this, with Clint Langley going back to his traditional style (which works for this strip). I loved the set up of some of the panels, with a lot of stuff going on even in the background. For example, Mek Quake listening on intently in the background as Hammerstein and Happy Shrapnel discuss his 'retirement'! The shot of the Broadband Asylum on page 4 was also awesome. Being quite new to the whole ABC universe there were a few things which were difficult to follow but overall, it's been a ball. I can't wait for its return in Prog 1868.

Grey Area: All God's Children (Part One) - I'm really enjoying the episodic and one off nature of this series, it reminds me of the recent Damnnation Station and Sinister Dexter. And I'm definitely enjoying it more than the former, not only for Dan Abnett's engaging script but Patrick Goddard's artwork, which suits the story really well. This episode was also enjoyable as a group of human 'Samaritans' enter Grey Area, trying give comfort to their 'alien brothers'. Of course, we know it won't be too long before things go pear shaped...

Strontium Dog: Dogs of War (Part Six) - The Muties led by Alpha, lie in ambush as they wait for the Norm Brotherhood. This episode was maybe a little light on talk, but the action sure made up for it.

A solid Prog overall.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Frank on 01 February, 2014, 10:27:53 PM
Quote from: Mabs on 01 February, 2014, 09:58:19 PM
Judge Dredd: Titan (Part Five) ... This was a visceral episode, full of bone crunching action, and there's a panel on page 3 (Dredd warning the creeps to get back in their cells) which reminded me of a moment from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns...

(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m560/Nexus-wookie/Grittingteeth.jpg)

Stylistically it looks very similar to that particular panel: both men with teeth gritted, menacing and slightly hunched. Henry Flint's work is superb here.

That's a phenomenal comparison, Mabs. Thematically certainly, but the looser, blocky inking style Flint employs in places has been reminding me of something I haven't quite managed to put my finger on before. Janson's inks over Miller is the itch my visual memory hasn't been able to scratch until your perceptive post. Cheers, neebs.

There's something inordinately pleasing about the way Flint treats the red and black of Dredd's helmet as satisfying slabs of flat colour, and I could look at them for hours on end or months to come. The generous proportions of the image you mention makes it one to luxuriate in, and Flint's superb art on this strip might represent his definitive work on the character, in the same way Blockmania was for McMahon.

Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: TordelBack on 01 February, 2014, 10:35:07 PM
Quote from: sauchie on 01 February, 2014, 10:27:53 PM... Flint's superb art on this strip might represent his definitive work on the character, in the same way Blockmania was for McMahon.

Agreed.  I've always marvelled at how Flint squeezes great art in around Wagner's event-filled scripts (thinking of his runs on Total War and Day of Chaos here) with their constant rapid scene changes, crowd-filled vistas and mountains of dialogue, but here with Williams' more roomy and distinctly sparser tale Flint gets to give Dredd the full Shakara treatment and really linger on the main man.  And it pays off wonderfully.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Mabs on 01 February, 2014, 10:47:09 PM
Glad to have offered my assistance, sauchie!  :D

That panel (by Miller/ Janson) was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw Flint's work on page 3. He is an exceptional talent, that bloke.
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Pop Culture Bandit on 03 February, 2014, 10:34:07 AM
Dredd - Oh my...Poor Old Joe. With Rob Williams' emphasis on his age and general weariness, this particular beating feels all the more painful and debilitating for him. I have a feeling this storyline will have repercussions on the lawman's health for a long time.

Ulysses Sweet - This felt a bit too much like filler to me. It's been seven parts (if you count the double-sized intro as two) and not much has happened. I'd have preferred this to have been a series of mini-stories in the same vein as Grey Area.

ABC Warriors - I'm continuing to love this series, especially the sequence between Hammerstein and Shrapnel as they casually discuss destroying Mek-Quake. Shame it's taking a break for a week, but I look forward to its return, possibly with a bit more forward momentum after the flashbacks?

Grey Area - Top stuff. I liked the concept of the Samaritan aid workers getting into a bit of sticky bother, by offending an alien race. This 'day-in-the-life' aspect appeals to me more than a major multi-part arc and feels right for a series set in an immigration zone.

Strontium Dog - The Dogs bite back! Johnny and the gang manage to ambush the Norms and we're seeing the tide turn on the Mutant War. I am looking forward to this story-arc ending so we can move onto more character-focused stories - the traditional bounty adventures. Assuming of course that this story ends in a place for that status quo to be maintained.


For a more detailed review of the Prog, check out my blog here > http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2014/01/2000ad-prog-1866.html (http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2014/01/2000ad-prog-1866.html)
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 03 February, 2014, 05:17:40 PM
My medical comments on Dredd's skull fracture up on the ECBT2000AD site
http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/prog-1866-a-pain-in-the-dredd-a-medical-review/
Title: Re: Prog 1866: Jail Break!
Post by: Proudhuff on 03 February, 2014, 07:21:29 PM
ha eamonn, like the headbutt comment  :D