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Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 10:49:34 AM

Title: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 10:49:34 AM
Well that's a chunk of thrillpower - hopefully that will help quell the unrest that some have felt during the last run.

Haven't read it all yet, but Wagner....he doews it again

I'm reading page 1 of the new Stront and thinking - the new Director is a bit of a cliche and there he goes and Wagners it once again! That's thrillpower right there - the ability to confound your expectations, to almost know ehat the reader is thinking before he has thought it.... Excellent!

The art is uniformly ace - from classic old timers you know you can count on, to "dark days" artists like Coleby and Ronald whose current work makes you eat your words - I'm tempted to say Alex Ronald is the answer to fixing that woeful America II colouring right there, but then, put him on a strip, pronto!

Then there's Dan Cornwell also proving that Wagner and Tharg were right to put their trust in him - every job is a leap and a bound forward.

Now I just need time to read the bulk of it!

Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 17 March, 2018, 12:21:53 PM
A very good prog this week!

Judge Dredd brings back Judges Pin and Gerhart, with outstanding art by Chris Weston.

Jaegir gets off to an action-packed start.

There's a Future Shock with great art by Dylan Teague.

There's a funny Sinister Dexter one-off (although it's back next week) which made me laugh out loud twice.

The new series of Anderson starts very well and I'm interested to see where this is going. Written by Emma Beeby, and colour art by Dave Roach which looks fantastic. (Have we seen his work in colour before?)

There's a Judge Fear one-off by Kek-W, which was okay but would have looked much more atmospheric if they'd kept the usual artist.

And Strontium Dog finally comes back — I read this first, and was not disappointed. Some good Wagner humour. [spoiler]I assume Alpha is only being such a dick so that Kenton tries his hardest to impress and doesn't get killed.[/spoiler] Best strip in the prog for me.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Tjm86 on 17 March, 2018, 02:51:47 PM
Wholeheartedly agree on this week.  A sumptuous feast!  Weston, Ezquerra, Coleby, Teague, Cornwell ... oh my!  I've not been a massive fan of Stront since the resurrection but this one looks promising.  My money is also on the fan theory on Sternhammer junior's treatment but with Wagner anything is possible.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 03:24:51 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 17 March, 2018, 02:51:47 PM
Wholeheartedly agree on this week.  A sumptuous feast!  Weston, Ezquerra, Coleby, Teague, Cornwell ... oh my!  I've not been a massive fan of Stront since the resurrection but this one looks promising.  My money is also on the fan theory on Sternhammer junior's treatment but with Wagner anything is possible.

I am a bit agnostic about Alpha's resurrection - if we had had a two or three stories a year to put some clear water between the resurrection AND the second Mutant War (both of which felt like obligatory hurdles rather than gripping tales in and of themselves) I would be much more on board - the Repo-Men story was classic Stront, and hopefully this will be too - however, I still feel we are paying off the mortgage taken out to get Alpha back - the more stories, the more that gets paid off IMO
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 03:28:28 PM
***why cant I modify?***

Personally, I was happy with the flashbacks, but I can see a value in the resurrection, but only if we get the pay off of Stront pushing forward and with one story every year at best, it feels too slow - let me controversial and say I would be happy to see other artists on Stront (if Carlos really wants to draw other stuff, and I'm sure he does!) in order to gain that momentum
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Magnetica on 17 March, 2018, 05:18:37 PM
Are we sure it is Carlos drawing other stuff that is the reason?

Could it also be due to the rate at which John is writing them?
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 05:58:17 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 17 March, 2018, 05:18:37 PM
Are we sure it is Carlos drawing other stuff that is the reason?

Could it also be due to the rate at which John is writing them?

There's that too!  If anything, I guess it is not wrong to assume it may be John having less for Carlos to draw than the otehr way round.... in which case, it's a harder route - a flashback series by another writer wouldnt be a bad thing, maybe, though it would very much depend on the writer - Matt Smith himself I could see doing a grand job, but since he doesnt seem happy to commission himself (which is admirable).... I dunno... John and Carlos see Johnny as their favourite as far as I can tell, so to get them enthused enough in aa way thar might naturally turn up the quantity.With Wagner dialling back how much strip he writes, then I would think it is love more than a regular income that motivates him... hopefully setting up this new Doghouse set up might be key to sparking some more ideas
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Darren Stephens on 17 March, 2018, 05:59:21 PM
One of the best ' jump on ' progs of recent years. Every strip enjoyable, with cracking art throughout!
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 17 March, 2018, 06:37:06 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/lXXMfX3.jpg)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jacqusie on 17 March, 2018, 07:27:45 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 17 March, 2018, 03:28:28 PM
***why cant I modify?***

Personally, I was happy with the flashbacks, but I can see a value in the resurrection, but only if we get the pay off of Stront pushing forward and with one story every year at best, it feels too slow - let me controversial and say I would be happy to see other artists on Stront (if Carlos really wants to draw other stuff, and I'm sure he does!) in order to gain that momentum


You're not alone in thinking this. I've been in the same dilema about the resurrection of Johnny Alpha, as it was great to have the flash back stories with the old gang including Wulf of course.

The secong Mutant war and Johnny's apparent discontent about being dug up, made for rather strange reading, despite the action going on. The Repomen storyline seemed to kick start the Strontium Dogs again and gave some light relief to the series and it's also great to have the new Son of wulf story in our hands at last.

I do agree though that one series a year is hard going and that maybe another artist might have a go? Simon Colbey would do a great Stronty and I do think that Colin McNeil should get another chance after drawing the end of the final solution... it would be some sort of redemption and full circle for the team?

Maybe a new writer might breathe some life into it too... that is if Wagner ever want's to do a job share...

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 17 March, 2018, 11:08:39 PM
I would rather wait a year or two for an outstanding Strontium Dog story by Wagner than read a mediocre one, or even an adequate one, by somebody else every six months. We've seen what that looks like before.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: TordelBack on 17 March, 2018, 11:26:08 PM
Quote from: Richard on 17 March, 2018, 11:08:39 PM
I would rather wait a year or two for an outstanding Strontium Dog story by Wagner than read a mediocre one, or even an adequate one, by somebody else every six months. We've seen what that looks like before.

This is what I was thinking too: non-Ezquerra, non-Wagner Strontium Dog - it wasn't exactly a universally welcome phenomenon the first time around.  While both men are still interested in the gig, I'll work with their schedule.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: A.Cow on 18 March, 2018, 03:53:27 AM
Quote from: Richard on 17 March, 2018, 12:21:53 PM
And Strontium Dog finally comes back — I read this first, and was not disappointed. Some good Wagner humour. [spoiler]I assume Alpha is only being such a dick so that Kenton tries his hardest to impress and doesn't get killed.[/spoiler]

Nah, that would be too much of a cliche.  I'm betting that Johnny's genuinely upset by his presence and wants him out of there.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: broodblik on 18 March, 2018, 06:30:37 AM
There is certain characters that I will always associate with specific artists and for me Carlos Ezquerra is  Strontium Dog.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: matty_ae on 18 March, 2018, 07:10:32 AM
"While both men are still interested in the gig, I'll work with their schedule."

Couldn't put it better
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Leigh S on 18 March, 2018, 09:17:36 AM
Yeah leaving it to John and Carlos seems to be the only situation that is practical or even desirable, though if John created more strip than Carlos could cope with (is that even possible - Carlos is a monster!) I would certainly be more than happy to see Chris Weston and or Colin MacNeil Stronts - both massive Stront fans themselves.  It would give the same impression as having Gibson/McCarthy fill ins during the starlord era. 

I suppose I just hoped/ am still hoping that Wagner will be so enthused by the "new status quo", if that is what this is after five years of set up, that he will have lots more stories to tell....
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 10:18:35 AM
Personally I find that the artist is less of a problem than the writer.  Harrison and McNeil's (?) work on the Final Solution jarred a bit at first but has grown on me over the years (finally got the 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' line as well).  Similarly' Dobbyn's work suited the strip well.  Some of the Tales of the Doghouse and Gronk stuff just ... well, what can I say?

Ezquerra will always be my first choice but we do have to be a little realistic.  Like too many of us, he is staring his own mortality in the face.  Let's hope its for a while yet though.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 18 March, 2018, 10:37:19 AM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 10:18:35 AM
Ezquerra will always be my first choice but we do have to be a little realistic.  Like too many of us, he is staring his own mortality in the face.  Let's hope its for a while yet though.

Well, that's a cheery thought for a Sunday morning. Way to kill the positive vibes, sir. Congratulations!
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: TordelBack on 18 March, 2018, 10:46:09 AM
Oh sure, no objections to MacNeil and S. Harrison, or indeed Jacob, Dobbyn (PLEASE CAN WE HAVE MORE JACOB AND DOBBYN IN THE PROG FULL STOP), Pugh and M. Harrison - in particular I think Colin's work on Final Solution was just incredible, as much a revelation as anything Bisley was doing at the same time. For new mutie art, we have a new Durham Red strip incoming that looks great, and who could object to more Middenface, or even more Strontium Dogs (bring back Maeve the Many Armed for a start!). 

Just for personal preference would rather we keep Johnny's adventures 100% Squirrel, as long as the master himself is willing. 
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: moly on 18 March, 2018, 11:13:13 AM
Great prog hopefully a sign of a pick up in quality
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jacqusie on 18 March, 2018, 11:59:54 AM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 10:18:35 AM
Some of the Tales of the Doghouse and Gronk stuff just ... well, what can I say?



I enjoyed 'Tales from the Doghouse, especially 'Maeve the Many Armed. Simon Jacobs B&W artwork was glorious stuff and although they were light hearted in nature, they told stories of the other stronts (who can forget 'Spud Murphy?), which now they have got the doghouse back, could be a good source of stories (Colin McNeil did a few of those too I recall).

The fanzine 'Dogbreath does this very well and it will be interesting to see how the new Durham Red plays out. There is the question too of where she is in the current Stronty set up/timeline?

Is she frozen / asleep in space or something?  :think:

Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 18 March, 2018, 10:37:19 AM
Well, that's a cheery thought for a Sunday morning. Way to kill the positive vibes, sir. Congratulations!

Hey, it's just stopped bloody snowing here again!!!  Where the hell did that come from?   ::)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 18 March, 2018, 12:21:29 PM
Colin MacNeil painted The Final Solution. Today, he would just do a line drawing and Chris Blythe would colour it in for him. I don't mind that on Dredd, but for Alpha I'd rather stick with Carlos.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Steve Green on 18 March, 2018, 02:52:40 PM
Colin painted Defoe.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 18 March, 2018, 03:00:49 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 12:14:14 PM
Where the hell did that come from?

I'm a fucking goth and I thought that

QuoteLike too many of us, he is staring his own mortality in the face.

was a bit gloomy, especially in a thread that's making a pleasantly positive change from the recent discussions on the state of the prog.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 03:03:28 PM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 18 March, 2018, 03:00:49 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 12:14:14 PM
Where the hell did that come from?

I'm a fucking goth and I thought that


I was talking about the snow, mind.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 18 March, 2018, 03:40:32 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 03:03:28 PM
I was talking about the snow, mind.

Umm... OK... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 18 March, 2018, 04:15:43 PM
Well, as someone who's been a bit down on the Prog of late, this one really hit it out of the park. A nice cover and a great set-up in Dredd, with some superb Weston art (apart from, again, this weird tendency from most 2000 AD artists to default to every Judge being a bloke). Here's hoping Gerhart gets through this, and Dredd continues to recognise he needs allies.

Jaegir's not put a foot wrong so far, and so it continues here. Coleby/O'Grady are in fine form on art duties.

The Future Shock and Sin/Dex were quite light in nature, but worked very well for a jumping-on Prog, adding some strips that were self-contained, smart, and amusing (if, in the Future Shock's case, very black humour).

Anderson: nice to see Roach back on art duties. Script-wise, good to see Beeby get another run at the character. Also, well done to Roach for not making Anderson – who's now, what, 50-odd? – look like a glamour model.

Judge Fear: I'm not too fussed about the change in art style. Cornwell provided some creepy stuff, and a good sense of pace and layout variation. It in some ways felt a bit old-school in nature, which worked well for me. Script-wise, it was good again to see Kek-W showcase the power of these undead foes, and make them genuinely scary.

Strontium Dog: almost feels like a return to the status quo, which I won't complain about. Honestly, I was not a fan of that entire war arc. This looks like it'll be some really solid Stront.

Next issue: Dredd/Anderson/Sin Dex/Jaegir/Strontium Dog. Nom.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Magnetica on 18 March, 2018, 04:28:56 PM
So this Prog should go a long way to quelling talk of 2000AD being in decline. That was just cracking with both stories and art (mostly) on top form.

A Greg Staples cover always feels special.

That was the best episode of Dredd in a very long time. With art like that Chris Weston has truly reached the same level as Bolland. And I never thought I would say that when reading Killing Time or Canon Fodder.

Jaegir as always shows up the line that there are no good new stories. This one did though feel a bit more like an old Rogue Trooper story than before.

The Future Shock features some great art from Dylan Teague. I don't recall him drawing  a story before, knowing him more for his colouring work. I am sure someone will be along soon to enlighten me.

Dan Abnett stretches out one joke to 5 pages in a way only he can on Sinister Dexter. I thought the unusual (for 2000AD) panel layout worked really well.

A strong opener for Anderson featuring a welcome return for the Roach art bot. I had a nice chat with him at the 40th last year and would like to see him feature more regularly again. But as nice as the art is, I do (just) prefer the black and white stuff that featured in Prog 2000, especially the panels that featured the pencilled look. With this episode I think Emma Beeby has found the correct tone for Anderson. (I say that having just reread Shamballa this week).

Quick couple of questions: can someone remind me who those girls are Anderson and Flowers go to see are and have we seen Ilsa before?

Dan Cornwell also shows progression in his art on Judge Fear. I can see shades of  McMahon, Flint, Bolland, Robinson (Cliff not Hilary :lol:) and Lynch in this. Good story too. Who says there is no mileage left in the DJs?

And so we come to Strontium Dog. Firstly it is a cracking story, well told. But, and I say this knowing it will probably be controversial, but to my eye it's not Carlos's best art. Now I love his stuff but to me it's not up to his usual standard.

There are some interesting comments earlier on the thread about other artists maybe doing Stront, but for me it is so ingrained as Carlos' strip that I don't want to see anyone else do it. If some one else has to do, then for my money no-one else has come close to the one Brendan McCarthy did in one of the Starlord annuals.



Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 18 March, 2018, 07:20:05 PM
Quote from: Jacqusie on 18 March, 2018, 11:59:54 AM
There is the question too of where she is in the current Stronty set up/timeline?

Is she frozen / asleep in space or something?  :think:

Last seen briefly at the end of Mutant Spring (prog 1821, I think?) in a silent cameo. I do wish we could end the coyness about these characters and just clarify where they are, even if it is to just remove them from play. Say what you like about Ennis/Hogan's Gronk stuff, but at least it gave some sort of direction and resolution to a once-major character that the main strip had abruptly dropped without mention.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 18 March, 2018, 10:32:35 PM
We just saw her in the 40th anniversary prog.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jacqusie on 19 March, 2018, 07:17:49 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 18 March, 2018, 07:20:05 PM
Quote from: Jacqusie on 18 March, 2018, 11:59:54 AM
There is the question too of where she is in the current Stronty set up/timeline?

Is she frozen / asleep in space or something?  :think:

Last seen briefly at the end of Mutant Spring (prog 1821, I think?) in a silent cameo. I do wish we could end the coyness about these characters and just clarify where they are, even if it is to just remove them from play. Say what you like about Ennis/Hogan's Gronk stuff, but at least it gave some sort of direction and resolution to a once-major character that the main strip had abruptly dropped without mention.


The way I figured it, Durham Red is around in this Stronty Dog timeline somewhere, but I can't rememeber when she was supposedly 'frozen' etc and 25900,000 years later came back in that very odd series in the future I couldn't best folllow.

Oh and the last SD series - Repo Men was in progs 1961–1971 (2015–2016)

...At this rate that's a story every two / three years.

I can understand after the chequred history that people would like to see both creators stay on the job, but someone mentioned Chris Weston on Stronty... now that would make a brilliant one off story ey?
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 19 March, 2018, 08:51:36 PM
Given the impressive level of detail in Chris Weston's work, I suspect we'd be waiting even longer between stories. Let's not break up a winning team again and keep CW on Dredd.

Bye, Dan Abnett's Durham Red stories were brilliant. The third one was hard to follow week by week, but all in one go it makes perfect sense.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Alec Worley on 19 March, 2018, 09:33:56 PM
Bah! Can't be arsed to figure out the quote function on this thing and I wanna go watch Walking Dead. Anyway, re: "Where's Durham Red during all this...?"

Following the publication of The Final Solution (1988-90), Durham Red appeared in two solo stories, both by Grant and Ezquerra: her debut solo outing Island of the Damned (1991-92) and The Golden Mile (1993). Both of these would appear to be set prior to Johnny's death. Several other solo stories that appeared decades later, including Grant and Ezquerra's The 'Nobody Wants This Job' Job (2012), Running Out of Patients by Leah Moore, John Reppion, Jan Duursema and Dylan Teague (2014), and The Calling by Robert Murphy, Duane Redhead, and Kirsty Swan (also 2014), also appear to be set while Johnny's still alive and Red is off happily doing her own thing.

Following Johnny's kicking of the bucket within by the Strontiverse timeline, Durham appeared among the ensemble cast of the spin-off series Strontium Dogs (note the plural), as Johnny's former comrades drift off through the galaxy looking (and mostly failing) to find something interesting to do. In Crossroads (1994) by Peter Hogan and Nigel Dobbyn, she gatecrashed a bounty sought after by fellow mutants the Gronk, Bullmoose Saxon, and Feral Jackson, before running into a blind witch known as 'the Walking Lady'.

In Mirrors – a Hogan/Harrison solo story that followed later that year – Durham has a good long think in her underwear, almost gets burned at the stake, then summons a vampire army and takes over the world. Fortunately, it was all just a dream-vision brought on by the Walking Lady, and its back to Strontium Dogs with High Moon (1995). This one opens with Red undergoing one of those trippy dream quests in the desert that were always popular in the '90s, before she settles into helping Bullmoose and the Gronk search for a cure for the helplessly polymorphic Feral.

Stopping off at the Doghouse, she learns that she can no longer be given commissions due to a whopping great bounty placed on her head by the Goth-King (whose relative Durham murdered back in Island of the Damned). Grounded until further notice, Durham quits being a Stront, says her goodbyes and sets off to seek her fortune among the stars alongside Johnny's old pal Frinton Fuzz. This leaves Bullmoose and the Gronk to get back on with curing Feral...  High Moon is notable for Red's costume change, from the Ezquerra's bandolier-and-chainmail-loincloth ensemble to Harrison's 'manga space babe' look. Hogan and Harrison's Deals followed later in 1995, for which my notes appear to have vanished... :P

By 1996 it was decided Strontium Dogs had had its day. In the Durham solo series Night of the Hunters (disowned by Hogan and curtailed and rewritten by editor David Bishop), Durham offers out the Goth King in a Hunger Games-style televised deathmatch full of freaks and killers. (Poor Frinton cops a sniper's bullet meant Durham.)

Dan Abnett was then charged with tying up the loose ends by writing the solo one-shot Epicedium (Abnett's first work on the character). Here Durham mourns Frinton's passing with a week-long bender that takes over an entire city. She makes her peace with the Goth-King, who cancels his bounty, allowing Durham to walk off into the starset with an assassin-priest named Toroni (with whom she hooked up in Night of the Hunters). All of which paved the way for Durham to wake from cryo-sleep a thousand years in the future in Abnett and Harrison's milestone three-book series that began with The Scarlet Cantos in 1998.

Durham also appeared in the terrific little series called The Scarlet Apocrypha (scripted by Abnett), which ran in the Meg throughout 2002 and posited Durham as a kind of Moorcockian Eternal Champion, popping up in various timelines (feudal Japan, 60s Italy on the set of an exploitation movie, and so on).

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2018, 08:58:22 AM
Cheers, Alec, very comprehensive. Also -
QuoteDurham has a good long think in her underwear,
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: ZenArcade on 20 March, 2018, 12:56:05 PM
I always have and always will love Simon Harrison's work on the Final Solution; I have a similar affection for Mark Harrison on Durham Red. Z
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 20 March, 2018, 02:27:33 PM
Thanks Alec! Must have taken you a while.

Hoping that The Scarlet Cantos makes it into the Ultimate Collection.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: wedgeski on 20 March, 2018, 02:50:42 PM
Dammit! I had decided to take a break from the prog and switched my sub over to the Megazine. 2073 was to be my last prog for a while, but it was just so good, I'm now back on a combi sub.

*shakes fist to the heavens* Thaaaarggg!
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 20 March, 2018, 03:45:11 PM
Quote from: Richard on 20 March, 2018, 02:27:33 PMHoping that The Scarlet Cantos makes it into the Ultimate Collection.
Matt confirmed a while back that the three Rebellion paperbacks (Scarlet Cantos; Vermin Stars; Empty Suns) were effectively being combined into a single Durham Red hardback in the UC.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 20 March, 2018, 07:35:54 PM
Anyone else not got their sub copy yet? Its been a LONG time since I've waited this long and while we did get a second bout of snow that was Sunday and cleared pretty quick. Dagnabbit I want my Prog.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jacqusie on 20 March, 2018, 07:57:02 PM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 19 March, 2018, 09:33:56 PM
She makes her peace with the Goth-King, who cancels his bounty, allowing Durham to walk off into the starset with an assassin-priest named Toroni (with whom she hooked up in Night of the Hunters). All of which paved the way for Durham to wake from cryo-sleep a thousand years in the future


Thanks Alec for that fabulous recap and summary. I enjoyed Peter Hogans work, at the time it felt a bit like some old wounds were healing with the series and the characters started to reappear.

So Durham Red went off on her merry way at somepoint to the sleep machines, but where is she in the current series of Stronty Dog?

My guess is that's she's havng her snooze drifting off somewhere in time and space, but she's a great character to revisit in a different way as per the Scarlet Apocrypha.

If only someone would write a new story for her, maybe with a bit of a re-design and a different artist that's earned his spurs on some big stories... like Dredd... that would be ace!  :)

Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: broodblik on 21 March, 2018, 05:55:26 AM
Thank You Alec. Alec mentioned on his website that he is working with Ben Willsher on a new Durham Red strip http://www.alecworley.com/.

Back to the Prog: I must say that all the strips I enjoyed with stellar art and great stories. I am not the biggest Sin/Dex fan and the strip was really funny and felt like I experience the same scenario in a restaurant.


Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Proudhuff on 21 March, 2018, 04:55:37 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 18 March, 2018, 04:15:43 PM
Well, as someone who's been a bit down on the Prog of late, this one really hit it out of the park. A nice cover and a great set-up in Dredd, with some superb Weston art (apart from, again, this weird tendency from most 2000 AD artists to default to every Judge being a bloke). Here's hoping Gerhart gets through this, and Dredd continues to recognise he needs allies.

Jaegir's not put a foot wrong so far, and so it continues here. Coleby/O'Grady are in fine form on art duties.

The Future Shock and Sin/Dex were quite light in nature, but worked very well for a jumping-on Prog, adding some strips that were self-contained, smart, and amusing (if, in the Future Shock's case, very black humour).

Anderson: nice to see Roach back on art duties. Script-wise, good to see Beeby get another run at the character. Also, well done to Roach for not making Anderson – who's now, what, 50-odd? – look like a glamour model.

Judge Fear: I'm not too fussed about the change in art style. Cornwell provided some creepy stuff, and a good sense of pace and layout variation. It in some ways felt a bit old-school in nature, which worked well for me. Script-wise, it was good again to see Kek-W showcase the power of these undead foes, and make them genuinely scary.

Strontium Dog: almost feels like a return to the status quo, which I won't complain about. Honestly, I was not a fan of that entire war arc. This looks like it'll be some really solid Stront.

This ^^^ yes even the Judge Feardie bit...
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Tiplodocus on 21 March, 2018, 07:21:06 PM
Top class jumping on prog.
Enjoyed it all.
Fantastic work from all departments.
And a gorgeous, bonus centre spread.
Thank you, Tharg.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 21 March, 2018, 08:32:51 PM
It's nice that Tharg still commissions a centre spread star scan once in a while.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Zenith 666 on 21 March, 2018, 08:55:30 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2018, 10:18:35 AM
Personally I find that the artist is less of a problem than the writer.  Harrison and McNeil's (?) work on the Final Solution jarred a bit at first but has grown on me over the years (finally got the 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' line as well).  Similarly' Dobbyn's work suited the strip well.  Some of the Tales of the Doghouse and Gronk stuff just ... well, what can I say?

Ezquerra will always be my first choice but we do have to be a little realistic.  Like too many of us, he is staring his own mortality in the face.  Let's hope its for a while yet though.


King Carlos will outlive us all.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: I, Cosh on 22 March, 2018, 09:38:36 AM
Praise where it's due. I really didn't enjoy the last run of stories but this Prog was an absolute belter. Pretty much every story hit the mark. If I had to pick a highpoint it would be Dylan Teague's art on that Future Shock. I think I've read somewhere before that he prefers to ink and colour other people's art. On this showing that is a crying shame.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 22 March, 2018, 10:28:17 AM
Quote from: I, Cosh on 22 March, 2018, 09:38:36 AM
I think I've read somewhere before that he prefers to ink and colour other people's art. On this showing that is a crying shame.

I think 'prefers' is a bit strong. I'm constantly badgering Dyl on social media to draw more strips (see also: Doherty, P.) but like the rest of us, the man has bills to pay. If you can get, say, £50/pg colouring and can do three pages a day, or £150/pg for drawing a page but it takes you more than a day to do it, the maths is pretty simple.

(All numbers invented for illustrative purposes.)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: norton canes on 22 March, 2018, 10:35:52 AM
Like some kind of thrill-powered Lazarus, the prog makes a breathtaking return from the dead.

Great Dredd, wonderful work from Chris Weston, plot-wise Pin takes a surprise back seat on her return but I'm sure her murderous proclivities will soon resurface.

(All those skulls... the SJS remind me of that Mitchell and Webb sketch - "Are we... the baddies?")

Not read any Jaegir before but the way this run explodes into action makes me aegir for more (see what I did there?). Love the 'lazooka' reference.

Decent Future Shock, though I'm not sure what's so terrible about ending up in a virtual reality full of multiple copies of your gorgeous female acquaintance..?

How the funt did Dan Abnett get away with that title? Mandatory 15 in the cubes for crimes against humour, citizen.

Anderson was OK but the narrative seemed a bit disjointed - the first page was particularly awkward to understand - and some of the dialogue was a bit sluggish but, the inclusion of the haruspex (learned a new word there) was inspired, and it's nice to see David Roach's drawing style is no longer like bad erotic fantasy.

The Fear story was pretty good but the unfortunate truth is that the Deadworld stories are now indelibly wedded to Dave Kendall's art. Dan Cornwell does some sterling work but this was perhaps not the story for him. Get him back in the prog ASAP though, Tharg.

Just thinking - Strontium Dog has to be 2000AD's best loved strip, yeah? I know everyone has their favourite but SD seems to be the one people cherish the most, and desperately want to see done well. Just as well then that John and Carlos deliver the goods. John's dialogue is such a pleasure to read, it flows so well, nothing ever jars or reads awkwardly. His sly humour is never far from the surface and the grit which infuses the SD world is ever-present. An overdue return and I can't wait for the missions to begin in earnest next week.     

All this and a Star Scan too! When was the last time we had one of those?

Two words: ZAR. JAZ.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: norton canes on 22 March, 2018, 10:42:11 AM
Oh, I almost forgot - what's with the awful staples cover?

No, silly, not the Greg Staples cover, that's awesome. I mean the staples holding it on! Don't the bumper-size issues usually have proper book-style binding? 
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 22 March, 2018, 10:46:46 AM
Quote from: norton canes on 22 March, 2018, 10:42:11 AM
Don't the bumper-size issues usually have proper book-style binding?

Only the end-of-year specials. I don't recall any other 'special' issue having square binding.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: I, Cosh on 22 March, 2018, 11:00:20 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 March, 2018, 10:28:17 AM
Quote from: I, Cosh on 22 March, 2018, 09:38:36 AM
I think I've read somewhere before that he prefers to ink and colour other people's art. On this showing that is a crying shame.
I think 'prefers' is a bit strong. I'm constantly badgering Dyl on social media to draw more strips (see also: Doherty, P.) but like the rest of us, the man has bills to pay. If you can get, say, £50/pg colouring and can do three pages a day, or £150/pg for drawing a page but it takes you more than a day to do it, the maths is pretty simple.

(All numbers invented for illustrative purposes.)
Fair enough. I was half-remembering stuff from ancient history.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Mardroid on 22 March, 2018, 11:20:52 AM
QuoteDecent Future Shock, though I'm not sure what's so terrible about ending up in a virtual reality full of multiple copies of your gorgeous female acquaintance..?

I think it's the fact that the last time he was with her he put himself first to save his own skin and jumped into the portal. Arguably there wasn't much he could do, without being killed or captured himself, but it still came across especially selfish.

So now he'll spend eternity surrounded by the faces of those he betrayed. (The other face being the bloke he was with, who he also left.)

Very nice jumping on Prog.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Taryn Tailz on 22 March, 2018, 02:35:27 PM
I've only had a chance to flick through the Prog so far, but already it looks so much better than the hard slog that was the previous line-up. Had the new line-up been in anyway like the previous line-up, I would have seriously considered dropping the Prog again for awhile, but this looks as though it shall restore my faith. :)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Geoff on 22 March, 2018, 09:20:30 PM
Staples Cover

Weston on Dredd

Carlos and Wagner on Strontium Dog

Roach on Anderson

Jaegir and more

God yeah!
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 22 March, 2018, 09:35:05 PM
Okay so I got sick of waiting and popped to Smiths to get the Prog as my sub copy still hasn't landed - but well worth the wait. For me this just goes to show how strong 2000ad is at the moment. I enjoyed much of the last run of strips and then to spring a new set as strong as this is testament to Tharg.

As is ever the case with launch Progs a couple felt a bit too set up and the possibly the worst of these is Strontium Dog I'm afraid to say. So much packed in, something Wagner normally masters with aplomb here it all felt a bit rushed and cluttered. I've little doubt this will pick up however. Anderson also didn't quite work the way I expected and had to double back a couple of times, just didn't flow. Still enough to intrigue.

A glorious opener was given in Jaegir - wow that packed a punch. Similarly the Dredd was supreme.

Alas lush art aside the Future Shock fell entirely flat for me.

Best in show goes to a beautfully rendered, how good is Dan Cornwell quickly becoming, Judge Fear story that managed to make the most maligned Dark Judge feel genuinely terrifying and a joyous character piece in Sinister Dexter by another Master Dan.

Not quite the exemplary Prog some seem to have this down as but bloody good and a fine demonstration of quite how deep Tharg's coffers are these days.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: DrRocka on 22 March, 2018, 11:07:17 PM
After seriously considering jacking the prog in recently, this for me is s glorious return to form. I wasn't too keen on the Future Shock, the first two pages took several readings before I understood what was going on, and Jaegir's not my bag baby (Rogue Trooper without Rogue Trooper! Eh?).
But, unlike the last few months, the mixed bag nature of it all means it's right back to where I like it. Hell I've even come to enjoy Sinister Dexter of late (hated it for 20 years!), and unlike Slaine and ABC'S, THAT'S how you do five pages of two people talking and keep it interesting!

Thank you Tharg, I'm a satisfied squaxx again.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: sheridan on 24 March, 2018, 08:25:25 AM
Quote from: Leigh S on 18 March, 2018, 09:17:36 AM
Yeah leaving it to John and Carlos seems to be the only situation that is practical or even desirable, though if John created more strip than Carlos could cope with (is that even possible - Carlos is a monster!) I would certainly be more than happy to see Chris Weston and or Colin MacNeil Stronts - both massive Stront fans themselves.  It would give the same impression as having Gibson/McCarthy fill ins during the starlord era. 


I suspect that Chris Weston would not make a good fill-in artist - his work doesn't appear very often and what appears on the page suggests a slower work rate to me.  Colin MacNeil appears to be able to churn out linework quickly though takes longer with fully (colour) painted, though not sure how much longer.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: sheridan on 24 March, 2018, 08:34:38 AM
Quote from: Magnetica on 18 March, 2018, 04:28:56 PM
That was the best episode of Dredd in a very long time. With art like that Chris Weston has truly reached the same level as Bolland. And I never thought I would say that when reading Killing Time or Canon Fodder.
You didn't like the artwork on either of those strips?
Quote
Dan Abnett stretches out one joke to 5 pages in a way only he can on Sinister Dexter. I thought the unusual (for 2000AD) panel layout worked really well.
The thrill-cast goes in to this - trying to pull a Watchmen and giving extra kudos to Dave Gibbons for having managed to maintain it for 12 issues!
Quote
Dan Cornwell also shows progression in his art on Judge Fear. I can see shades of  McMahon, Flint, Bolland, Robinson (Cliff not Hilary :lol: ) and Lynch in this. Good story too. Who says there is no mileage left in the DJs?
I think the past year is the best DJ stuff since Necropolis - both the Tales of Deadworld and Judge Fear in 2000AD and Dominion in the Meg.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: DrJomster on 24 March, 2018, 01:45:49 PM
What an excellent prog!

#PraiseBeToTharg
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Trout on 24 March, 2018, 02:29:50 PM
Great comic! Let's kill that notion of a new dark age right here. The prog rocks.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Richard on 24 March, 2018, 03:35:18 PM
It was a ridiculous notion.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: TordelBack on 24 March, 2018, 04:26:34 PM
Very fine comics this week.  In particular, I loved the Platonic Form of a Sinister Dexter story, Weston's extraordinary art on and enjoyable WilliamsDredd , Teague's equally impressive work on James Peaty's debut (?)Future Shock, and a very welcome return for Beeby's version of Anderson, ably rendered by Roach and coloured by no less a luminary than Jose Villarrubia - his first 2000AD credit?   

Not 100% sold on Cornwell's version of Deadworld in Judge Fear: although the art is great, I'm just not sure I like seeing the Kendall designs in another style.  Also not particularly wild about Kenton's design (is Wagner a secret Archers fan?) over in the long-awaited Strontium Dog, and I wish Tharg had managed to jiggle pages around to allow the superb Alex Ronald poster to be backed by some adverts. 

But look, these are the most minor of niggles in a prog that was basically pure thrills front to back.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Aaron A Aardvark on 24 March, 2018, 07:32:10 PM
Great Prog this week. I liked ever story even Sinister Dexter. In fact I liked that the most.

Perfect jumping on point.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Magnetica on 25 March, 2018, 01:30:01 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 24 March, 2018, 08:34:38 AM
Quote from: Magnetica on 18 March, 2018, 04:28:56 PM
That was the best episode of Dredd in a very long time. With art like that Chris Weston has truly reached the same level as Bolland. And I never thought I would say that when reading Killing Time or Canon Fodder.
You didn't like the artwork on either of those strips?
Quote
Dan Abnett stretches out one joke to 5 pages in a way only he can on Sinister Dexter. I thought the unusual (for 2000AD) panel layout worked really well.
The thrill-cast goes in to this - trying to pull a Watchmen and giving extra kudos to Dave Gibbons for having managed to maintain it for 12 issues!
Quote
Dan Cornwell also shows progression in his art on Judge Fear. I can see shades of  McMahon, Flint, Bolland, Robinson (Cliff not Hilary :lol: ) and Lynch in this. Good story too. Who says there is no mileage left in the DJs?
I think the past year is the best DJ stuff since Necropolis - both the Tales of Deadworld and Judge Fear in 2000AD and Dominion in the Meg.

So wrt to Killing Time and Canon Fodder, no not really. But then again those strips weren't really to my tastes so that could come into it.

Re Watchmen- I didn't know that, so thanks for the heads up; I will check out the Thrillcast.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: The Sherman Kid on 26 March, 2018, 07:24:35 PM
Cover As others have said -just fantastic, big salute to Greg Staples who never disappoints

Dredd Hooked immediately with this one, tightly written, oozes tension and suitably excellent menacing artwork that draws you in.

Jaegir Always a bit half-in with this series in the past, but this looks different -opens with a bang and running at a good pace so I'll give this another try.

Future Shock Not a bad premise (reminded me of Elysium), but superior art from Dylan Teague raised its game.

Sinister Dexter Will this ever end? To be fair this was a witty episode, (the uniform paneling was an effective internal mirror for the back and forth) -With a whole new universe now to explore though, looks like we're stuck with them for the foreseeable future.

Anderson Liked the introduction of other 'sources' for leads -the augurs, pre-cog kids, and especially the use of Haruspicy. However, there were some jarring moments here that didn't work;Anderson smiling moments after her so-called 'friend' has just died; bad grammar - 'The Psi's who've seen it are being monitored including you....and Heyworth (well Heyworth is dead, so it should have read, 'as was Heyworth'.

Ilsa?? Anderson' Ilsa was judged dangerous and senile. She rarely knew where she was...'
Next panel Anderson 'On her way to the Kook cubes, screaming about a murder when I walked past....'

Walked past where? The kook cubes? Her apartment? Ilsa had been 'judged dangerous' so how could she still be left in the apartment?

Anderson ' She was ninety blocks away, watching it helpless, remote viewing so powerful she only knows its over when she sees her home again. She'd never leave here'.

Hold on a minute. You just said  moments ago 'she rarely knew where she was'????

I think I get where she is going but it read in a jarring and jumbled way- need to be a lot clearer in future.

Judge Fear Interesting, liked it. Seeing more of Deadworld is always a plus.

Strontium Dog Loved it, can only agree with what others have already said. Think I know where it's going -Alpha doesn't want to see Kenton as an SD at all and possibly share his father's fate so will do everything in his power to deter him...we'll see.

Overall -a prog that was worth every penny and more.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: norton canes on 28 March, 2018, 03:30:15 PM
Hang on, hang on. Great prog an' all but... I knew there was something amiss...

I pasted the following list of projected stories for this prog from somewhere or other a few weeks ago:


What, no The Order? Durham Red?
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Proudhuff on 28 March, 2018, 04:06:31 PM
no bad thing.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: norton canes on 28 March, 2018, 04:16:12 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm loving this current line-up, and I'm happy that the other stories are in the pipeline. I'm just thinking it must have been a late-ish juggling around if the publicity was sent out mentioning them. Happens, I guess.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: MacabreMagpie on 28 March, 2018, 06:55:15 PM
From what I've heard (from the comic's history, not anything to do with the creators involved) it could be issues with deadlines. I know that the single-issue Sinister Dexter stories are often used to plug those gaps.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: broodblik on 28 March, 2018, 07:37:42 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 28 March, 2018, 03:30:15 PM
Hang on, hang on. Great prog an' all but... I knew there was something amiss...

I pasted the following list of projected stories for this prog from somewhere or other a few weeks ago:


  • Dredd crosses paths once more with the terrifying Judge Pin in 'Fit for Purpose' by Rob Williams and Chris Weston
  • Vampire bounty hunter Durham Red takes on a case to reunite mother and son in 'Born Bad' by Alec Worley and Ben Willsher
  • Nort war-crimes investigator Atalia Jaegir returns to the hellworld that is Nu Earth in 'In the Realm of Pyrrhus' by Gordon Rennie and Simon Coleby
  • Psi-Judge Anderson must face a new threat rising from the Undercity in 'Undertow' by Emma Beeby and David Roach
  • History is being reshaped in 'The New World', the fourth series of the time- and dimension-jumping thriller The Order by Kek-W and John Burns!

What, no The Order? Durham Red?


Here is the link: https://www.newsarama.com/37658-rebellion-march-2018-solicitations.html

I was also looking forward to the new Durham Red strip from Alec Worley
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: sheridan on 28 March, 2018, 09:05:30 PM
Quote from: MacabreMagpie on 28 March, 2018, 06:55:15 PM
From what I've heard (from the comic's history, not anything to do with the creators involved) it could be issues with deadlines. I know that the single-issue Sinister Dexter stories are often used to plug those gaps.

Maybe the creators went to the pub to celebrate a finished episode but left the pages there? ;-)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: TordelBack on 28 March, 2018, 10:17:10 PM
Single issue SinDex is best SinDex.  Although longer SinDex is more SinDex,  so also welcome.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:27:24 PM
Yeah, about Durham... we've had a bit of behind-the-scenes drama on Project Red, resulting in Ben Willsher being (almost literally) stretchered off. He's fine. His drawing hand's fine. Details to follow...
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 28 March, 2018, 10:29:08 PM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:27:24 PM
His drawing hand's fine.

Too much underwear research...? :-)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:35:46 PM
No, that was me... Ben copped a severe burn that required hospital treatment.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 28 March, 2018, 11:14:45 PM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:35:46 PM
Ben copped a severe burn that required hospital treatment.

There are easier ways of resolving those writer/artist disagreements than electronux, you know!

(Seriously, though, glad he's OK!)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 11:19:20 PM
Ben 'glass jaw' Willsher. Yeah, he's fine. The numpty. Full details to follow in a bit...
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: A.Cow on 28 March, 2018, 11:55:33 PM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 11:19:20 PM
Ben 'glass jaw' Willsher. Yeah, he's fine. The numpty. Full details to follow in a bit...

I'm guessing he's found out just why McDonalds' apple pies have that warning sticker on them...

(Of course, this is the Internet so we'll just speculate endlessly until we hear a tragic reason that shuts us up.)
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: sheridan on 29 March, 2018, 01:10:03 AM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:27:24 PM
Yeah, about Durham... we've had a bit of behind-the-scenes drama on Project Red, resulting in Ben Willsher being (almost literally) stretchered off. He's fine. His drawing hand's fine. Details to follow...

Sounds like a good story (also, best wishes to Ben from myself and Rackle, who met him outside Orbital one FBCD).
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: norton canes on 29 March, 2018, 08:19:59 AM
Quote from: Alec Worley on 28 March, 2018, 10:35:46 PM
Ben copped a severe burn that required hospital treatment

Shit. Wish him all the best for a full and speedy recovery.
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: Steve Green on 29 March, 2018, 08:51:35 AM
Ouch, all the best to Ben - hope he's feeling better soon!
Title: Re: Prog 2073 - Future Visions!
Post by: TordelBack on 29 March, 2018, 10:08:17 AM
Was this burn in any way related to his obvious interest in pubic topiary?

Wishing Mr. W all the best for a painless recovery.