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Spoilers => Other Reviews => Topic started by: robert_ellis on 08 October, 2017, 05:40:49 PM

Title: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: robert_ellis on 08 October, 2017, 05:40:49 PM
This volume of Edginton & D'Israeli's continuation of War of the Worlds reprints the Dark Horse series 'The Great Game' & 'Cold War' from 2000ad 1988-1999 & 2023-2034. I'd loved the original 'Scarlet Traces' series. The idea of a British Empire bolstered by retro-engineered Martian tech is a great one. D'Israeli's visions of traffic jams formed of Hackney Carriages scuttling on insect legs was a visual tour de force. It's a shame the lacklustre Independence Day sequel beat this idea to the big screen. This books greatest strength is also it's weakness - it's ambition. The creators refuse to repeat themselves - the narrative time jumps mean there's little recurring cast between stories. As a weekly story in 6 page instalments I found the breakneck pace almost unintelligible. I kept thinking I'd missed issues. I really just wanted a traditional 2000ad war story against the tentacled menace. Instead I got a satire of interstellar refugees, hybrids, racism, references to sixties sci-if & a main character who seems like a splice of dr who & David Bowie. The scope of these tales is staggering and maybe a bit complex to split into weekly portions. As a collected piece it is stunning. D'Israeli's style can encompass hard sci-fi and nuanced facial expression. At £17.99 it's  pricey volume but well worth it.
Title: Re: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: Tjm86 on 08 October, 2017, 06:08:06 PM
I'd have to agree with the comment about the ambiguity in its original publication.  When Scarlet Traces was included in the meg it took me a while to get my head around it, despite D'israeli's glorious artwork. I'd also have to agree with a lot of the comments about some of the ideas that the series plays about with.  There is a depth and complexity to it that gives it something else over and above the conspiracy / invasion cliches that it could have (and ID did) fall into.

Dark Horse did a gorgeous job with their hardback reprints although the second volume is a different size to the other two just to drive me nuts!  I think that if Rebellion had decided to do a hardback set of these I'd have quite cheerfully double dipped and 'upgraded'.  Regrettably, and a little understandably, they've gone with paperback so I'll stick with the Dark Horse editions.  Hey ho!
Title: Re: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: glassstanley on 14 October, 2017, 02:28:21 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 08 October, 2017, 06:08:06 PM
  Regrettably, and a little understandably, they've gone with paperback so I'll stick with the Dark Horse editions.  Hey ho!

Although there isn't a hardback edition of Cold War...
Title: Re: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: DrJomster on 15 April, 2019, 12:15:51 AM
I'm re-reading through this now as Scarlet Traces is back in the prog. I have to say, this is really good as a collected edition. I'm just taken aback by how much I'm loving this! The art, the colouring are just gorgeous. The script is excellent and the lettering top quality. What's not to love?
Title: Re: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: AlexF on 23 April, 2019, 11:53:37 AM
I picked up both volumes of Scarlet Traces at the Xmas sale and reading them through was quite the treat I can tell you. I've never actually read Wells's original novel, but it seems it was a lot more nihilistic than the 1950s film I watched umpteen times as a child.

Anyway, hard agree with all the comments above - stunning art and colour, Edginton really pushing himself with all the time jumps and political machinations with each series, and it's all 100% easier to follow when read in collection.

I've also got absolutely no idea how it's all going to end? One the one hand I really want the 'Martians' to lose, but the humans aren't exactly much better - at least, the British leadership - and what possible happy ending could there be for the Venusian refugees on Earth, the humanoid martian clone-people, or indeed anyone at all?

It does feel a bit like someone is going to press the wrong button somewhere causing the Sun to flare up so much all the planets get swallowed...
Title: Re: Scarlet Traces - Volume 2 - Ian Edginton & D'Israeli
Post by: Proudhuff on 05 June, 2019, 02:22:45 PM
Quote from: AlexF on 23 April, 2019, 11:53:37 AM

I've also got absolutely no idea how it's all going to end? One the one hand I really want the 'Martians' to lose, but the humans aren't exactly much better - at least, the British leadership - and what possible happy ending could there be for the Venusian refugees on Earth, the humanoid martian clone-people, or indeed anyone at all?


well its all kicking off now...