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As some of you may know, I have been on an epic Prog Slog starting from Prog #1 to (right now in my reading) Prog #1023.

Tharg is gone. Has been for a little while. And I'm yearning for his return.

The Vector 13 stories, in my opinion, were fairly tedious X-Files knock-offs. I didn't mind them at first, but then they got increasingly...dumb...and somehow popular enough for some knucklehead at Rebellion to feel replacing Tharg was a good move.

I can't stand their 'Three Men in Black Output' and I can't stand how every answer to every letter to 'Input' contains some 'cryptic' warning, threat or allusion to conspiracy theories.

Oh Tharg, don't leave us again! I could scarcely expect to survive a second abandonment.

Okay, you guys have always been awesome...here's another cry for help.

I seem to remember this being asked/answered, but I can't find it now. I just started a blog on blogspot and I want to put links up. i noticed most of you guys have, say, FutureQuake or Fractal Friction as links, not some super long crazy site address. How on Earth do you do this? Thanks so much in advance.

Hey guys, just heard a great song on the radio, but I didn't catch the name of the song or the artist's name.

It has a chorus that goes something along the lines of: "With my hands on my heart/my heart's in my hands". Secod verse has to do with dying, third verse with shame of denying his god/holding a woman.

SOunds vague I know, but any help would be appreciated. I really liked it for some reason.

I've just started reading Steampunk Magazine and found that I really like the genre in prose form (always liked it in comics form, but never read the literature until now) and want to read more. Anyone have suggestions on where to start?

Hey guys...I've decided to start one of them newfangled Blog-things, and I was wondering if one of you talented artists could possibly help me out with a banner. I can even offer a few pounds for your services (not much as I'm poor, but maybe a fiver for your troubles).

All I need is a black and white grainy rendering of - what else? - a locust or few, with a title photoshopped over it. I hope someone can help! Many thanks in advance.

Does anyone else remember these? There were two issues put out in the mid-90's, one on Atomeka and one on Blackball Comics. Both volumes were n anthology format similar to 2000AD

At the time Simon Bisley and Kevin Eastman were the big names, but Kevin O'Neill, Simon Furman, Dave Gibbons, Keith Giffen - and - Henry Flint (not even credited on the back cover with the rest).

Bisley's up to his usual stuff, but what stands out is his collaboration with Kevin Eastman in the second volume. Henry Flint's strip, "Of Ill Omen" is outstanding. O'Neill's bit is a bit of madness as usual, with all kinds of  - stuff - smushed into each frame.

Anyway, lovely books that go for very cheap on ebay if you don't have them.

I'm sure each of us has a deep dark secret we can't let members of the 'real world' in on - what with the ridicule, derision and exasperated head-shaking that will come down upon us. But here, no big deal right? What are your guilty pleasures?

Comics: I sneak and read my wife's Buffy comics. Even she should not know this.

Books: I have read the Dragonlance Chronicles more time in my life (4) than I have the Lord of the Rings (3).

Television: Buffy again. Wife got me hooked. And Moonlight. I am so ashamed.

Music: I like AFI. What is wrong with me? I like AFI (runs off to listen to Septic Flesh or Behemoth).

I now leave it to you folks...let us in on what really makes you tick.

Somewhere I've posted my thoughts on the similarities between Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane character and Defoe, but as I've been mired in a full-on Prog Slog, I've come to realize just how much Slaine resembles one of REH's other creations...

...not Conan the Cimmerian, but Bran Mak Morn.

Sure, there are differences, mainly in that Bran was a Pict. But I think Mills borrowed a lot - or at least was influenced by - Bran Mak Morn's story, particularly for the Demon Killer arc in which Slaine does battle with the Romans.

I am positive Mills wouldn;t have ever openly admitted to being a fan of another writer's work, but hey, I could be wrong. Has he ever mentioned REH as an influence, and what are your thoughts?

Once again I lean to you, oh Squaxx of mine...

Found at a shop today a several lots of old Eagle comics. There were 5 or 6 groups of 20, and then several separate "special" issues. The groups of 20 were older issues, newspaper stock like the old 2000AD, but with a few of the heavier stock, like when 2000AD went that way. He is asking 5 pounds for each stack. They are in good condition, no rips or tears, a bit of yellowing on some. Worth it?

The "special issues" he wanted a pound a piece for. These were in superb condition, no yellowing, and feature some Dan Dare adventures. Worth it?

Thanks in advance fellows!

As I revisted my back progs, I came across a strip that for some reason didn't catch me the first time round - Summer of Magic. I was struck with how wonderful it was. Well-written, beautifully illustrated, whimsical and dark at the same time. It drew me in, and I enjoyed it immensely. One of the best "minor" strips in 2000AD, imo.

Anyone else remember it, and if so, what are your thoughts?

Hullo everyone,

If anyone out there is interested in illustrating a short script that was accepted by Back From the Depths, please contact me ASAP!

What happened is this: After I got the script accepted, I vouched for an artist friend and all seemed set. However, he hasn't bothered with it and when I asked him about it this morning he said he got busy. He's flaked on me before, but because we're friends, I tried to include him this time in hopes that things worked out. Well, it didn't and I'm stuck. I want to clean this mess up myself without bothering/letting down the fellows (and gals) at Back From the Depths.

So if you're good at drawing monsters and children, and children-eating monsters, please contact me.

Many, many thanks in advance.

Hello all!

I am in need of someone with a lovely voice to narrate an animation film I'm working on. The best would be a deep, refined "proper English" (how I imagine House of Usher to speak for some reason) narration style.

Now...I suppose you'd either need to live near Cambridge so to record the voice overs on my recording equipment, or have recording equipment available to record it yourself and send the files to me.

Unfortunately I am a poor bastard, so I can't pay you, but I can provide dvd's to you once the film is finished.

The script is available to any interested. There are appox. 10 lines of narration. Thanks in advance!

Hello all...maybe a silly question, but here goes anyway:

Does anyone have an example of a well-written cover letter to send along with submissions? If not, any tips?

Thanks in advance.

Thought a few of you would be interested (oh the crossovers we shall soon see):

Official Press Release

Worldwide leader in family entertainment agrees to acquire Marvel and its
portfolio of over 5,000 characters

BURBANK, Calif. & NEW YORK, Aug 31, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Acquisition
highlights Disney's strategic focus on quality branded content, technological
innovation and international expansion to build long-term shareholder value

Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around
the world, The Walt Disney Company (DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel
Entertainment, Inc. (MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies
announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on
August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in
cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At
closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the
total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its
trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger
consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction
value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

"This transaction combines Marvel's strong global brand and world-renowned
library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America,
Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney's creative skills, unparalleled global
portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes
the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,"
said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney
Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing
these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring
this talent and these great assets to Disney."

"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides
significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given
its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said
Ike Perlmutter, Marvel's Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled
opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties
by accessing Disney's tremendous global organization and infrastructure around
the world."

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than
5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and
will work directly with Disney's global lines of business to build and further
integrate Marvel's properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction,
which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a
registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction
and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval
of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill
Lynch.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22747

Hey guys - last night I had the pleasure of seeing District 9, and it was amazing! I'm going to see it again tonight, as not only is it that good, but I have a feeling it's a film that needs to be seen at least twice to take in all it has to offer. Can't recommend it enough - it's intelligent, thought-provoking and incredibly realistic sci-fi. I'm sure all of you will enjoy it!

Okay, not really a versus thread.

I tried searching the web, but found no answer to this question: Has Pat Mills ever mentioned where he got the idea for the Defoe strip, or what his influences might have been?

Recently, I've been re-reading Robert E. Howard's collected Solomon Kane and it struck me that Defoe stories could almost be Solomon Kane stories on steroids (or acid). Much of the atmosphere is similar, though Howard's tales are a bit more sombre. Anyway, any thoughts?

Hello all...you guys have been great on getting me up to 2000AD speed so far, but I've got a few more questions and then I will probably stop asking questions for awhile. Here goes:

I bought several collections recently and have got a stack of 2000AD Sci-fi Specials and some 2000AD Mega-Special. Is this all reprinted material?

I've also got the first 50 or so Megazines and it appears to be material not in the Progs...at what point did it start reprinting stuff?

Should I try to read the Megazines that correspond to the Progs published at the same time, or do they rarely crossover?

Thanks in advance guys!

Ooh, just found out about this guys. Top of my must have list as of...right...now.



THE BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH CONAN ARCHIVES VOLUME 1

Written by Roy Thomas, art by Barry Windsor-Smith.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0908/11/conanarchives1.htm



In 1970, Barry Windsor-Smith burst onto the comic-book scene with his

dynamic portrayal of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian, altering

the course of the blue-eyed Cimmerian forever, and cementing himself

as one of the greatest artists to touch pencil to paper. Nearly forty

years later, Dark Horse Comics, in the tradition of the Dark Horse

Archives collections, reprints Barry Windsor-Smith's entire run on

Marvel's Conan the Barbarian in two fine hardcover volumes!

The first volume of The Barry Windsor-Smith Conan Archives includes

such classic tales as Rogues in the House and The Tower of the

Elephant, written by Roy Thomas and fully illustrated by Barry

Windsor-Smith -- now presented as they were intended, remastered using

the original color palette!

This volume reprints the first half of Barry Windsor-Smith's run on

Conan the Barbarian.

200 pages, $49.95, in stores on Jan. 20.

Recently acquired three big collections and came across the inevitable doubles situation. Approximately 150-200 Progs, most in good shape, ranging mostly from the 400's to 600's with a few in the 700 and 800 range.

Free to a good home.

I live in Ely (Cambridgeshire). If you live close enough to pick them up, they're yours. PM me if interested.

Hello all. I've read quite a few threads discussing top 2000AD artists, but I was wondering who your other favorites happen to be. I'll start off:

1. Barry Windsor-Smith: Quite frankly his work on Conan the Barbarian was phenominal enough to top this list for me, but his subsequent work is simply amazing. The detail and intricacy he lends to each page is simply amazing.

2. Tim Vigil: Not sure how many of you on these shores know of him, but he started out in the 80's penciling for a short-lived (for good reason, as their titles were awful outside of those that had Vigil's art in them) SilverWolf comics and has gone on to develope an impressive style. Amazing work.

ENough from me. I'd love to hear your favorites!