Topics

1

Prog / Prog 2090 - Transit Authority

« on: 14 July, 2018, 04:24:10 pm »

Okay we're going to use spoiler tags properly on this one. We're going to need them...

Love the cover, really striking (I decided not to go with arresting so you should count yourselves lucky)

Dredd - nice little one off. Nothing special but fun if it felt a little bit done before, just turning out a new way for the Meg to grind you down.

The Order - continues to be magnifient - no need for spoilers there as if you don't know that already you are daft! But we're going to need them...

Terror Tales... well again no real need for spoilers here, this looks great and I really enjoyed it but when the twist is clumsily slapped on us, very clumsily, its main saving grace is we'd seen it comin' like the 88 Bus down Eccie Road. For all that as said actually really enjoyed this?!?

Deadworld - again no need for spoilers here as I've said all you need to know in my review for The Order. Great stuff.

Finally the magnificent return of Grey Area... I want to wax lyrical about how happy I am about its return. How much this has a fun opening, how it mixes snappy amusing dialogue with high octane action. I want to do all that but IF YOU KILL OFF RESTING BITCH FACE I will be MOST BLOODY ANGRY.... don't you dare KILL HER OFF... or I'll go all caps lock on YOUR STUPIDLY TALENTED ASSES... you hear me, you hear me DON'T KILL HER OFF... I'm not sure you will BUT DON'T...

2

Prog / Prog 2088 - Portal Enemies

« on: 30 June, 2018, 09:27:31 pm »

Another fine Prog bursting out from behind a nice Neil Roberts cover.

The thing is the current line-up seems to be spliting folks and I can kinda see why. Mind that said I suspect one thing we can all get behind here is Dredd by Williams and Weston. Grest piece of set up which swings into high gear on the last page with some space (almost) apes. What's not to love here?

Skip Tracer however continues to be what its always been a hook short of a good thrill. Its almost impossible to tell how much potential this strip has as I'm just struggling to engage with the led or the events that he dynamically blasts through.

The Order on the other hand while leaving some behind and in the cold has me utterly engaged and involved this is wonderful stuff and part one of a magnicient Kek-W double header this month.

Durham Red continues as was ... except it adds some nice elements to the leds mythos suddenly our heroine flashes into a more direct representation of her vampiric nature... interesting and while it might be a little uncomfortable I've enjoyed this more than enough to give it the benefit of the doubt.

We get Kek-W part two in the consistantly fantastic (these days) Deadworld as our story builds and builds the story and the world its inhabiting has many elements to play with. It could get this wrong and be leaving readers behind, but for me its juggling all this very, very well.

I can kinda see why all these stories (Dredd aside) might be dividing option but for me I'm luckily landing on a 4 out of 5 so I'm very much in the Tharg camp right now.

spoiler tag added — IP

3

Prog / Prog 2086 - Bet on Red!

« on: 16 June, 2018, 03:10:53 pm »

Well betting on Red here is another safe bet, as is 2000ad at the moment, the story's qualities are pretty predictable, not that the stories themselves, but there's little here to change my opinion about whats good and what's not and even why.

The two endings give their stories conclusions on a parr with what's gone before. Dredd is excellent, wraps things up really well while still feeling like its opening more doors. This has been a great story by Mike Carroll (sorry Michael) and Jake Lynch is rapidly becoming, well has become, one of my absolute favourite current Dredd artists, well 2000ad artists generally. He's the perfect mix of Flint, Baikie and most importantly Lynch, so comfortable yet unique. Survival Geeks looked great too, but telegraphed its easy ending which in keeping with the series as a whole felt twee. As did the developments in ... two folks who have that might, they might they not relation thing going on... can't remember their names, which says it all really!

The other problem is I still don't care about fella me laddio in Skip Tracer, so however exciting it might be, it fails to be.

However I'm fully engaged with both Deadworld and Durham Red. DR in particular has a really effective episode, quietly and closely developing story and tension, really well. The change in artist to Lee Carter works absolutely fine and all in all this is a joy.

So 3 for 5 and a good Prog with an advery for the return of The Order next week just being the icing on the cake!

4

Books & Comics / Wildcat - any good?

« on: 10 June, 2018, 09:07:51 pm »

Well I'm making my way through 'The Fleetway Files'  and have been very intrigued by the article on Wildcat. Has anyone read it? Was it any good, worth searching out? Seemed like an interesting idea and while I seem to recall I wasn't to impressed with the pullout in 2000ad back in the day that was a long time ago and its caught old Colin's imagination.

Any thoughts, feelings, or indeed warnings?

5

Prog / Prog 2084 - Hail to the Chief!

« on: 02 June, 2018, 09:17:49 pm »

Well its really a case of as you were. So little difference between this week and last... well there is a little if you look close.

Dredd is still fantastic, juggling two intriguing storylines the one set in the past a particular winner and I'm really tempted by the prose book set in this era now.

Skip Tracer is still fun and fine but its not doing anything new... well that surprising leftfield final panel aside and I'm still not engaged with its led, which is becoming an increasing problem.

Survival Geeks - if still twee fluff that every so often does something to delight and amuse...but no enough to make it worth it. Its chompin' at those low hangin' fruit and since I'm reading early 90s 2000ad in my re-read at the moment I've got quite enough of that in my life at the moment.

Deadworld changes scene, but doesn't change from being emmense fun and buiding a really compelling story. Oh how my view of this series has grown!

Durham Red just great stuff, this is so 2000ad it aches, it a good way. What this is doing so well is each episode really does feel like its own little story yet is building the whole. Looks great, reads great.

So we have three winners, an okay has potential but beginning to drag and an irritation that can even charm at times - so its almost the perfect 2000ad mix!

6

Prog / Prog 2083 - Fame in the fifth dimension

« on: 26 May, 2018, 01:36:54 pm »

Prog is still good - great. Not really much change from last week really.

Oh and I should say while I'm far from Survival Geeks biggest fan but it certainly gives good cover! Enjoy the cosplay spotfest that is the back cover.

Inside Dredd continues to skillfully build a wonder adventure dripping with intrigue. Enjoying watching this make reveal... well we don't know but I'm enjoying not knowing.

Skip Tracer still building well but it needs to make me connect with the led soon or its going to just be a series of fiun events and I might drift off. Still has time and still building its story well but I did notice this week I'm pretty unengaged by the led at this point.

Survival Geeks had some cute moments but also at time felt too twee pastiche of references. Its so okay.

Deadworld on the other hand is defo pastiche but by heck its bloody a romping one. Its not doing anything new but its not doing anything new soooo well.

Durham Red not quite as good as last time but by George it gives us our mission, throws in action and fun character and sets a nice atmosphere for next time. I means its not doing a bad job in 5 pages is it. Great stuff.

So yeah strong Prog and a nice summation of why 2000ad is the Galaxies Greatest from Tharg in the Nerve Centre

That's the 2000ad experience and its a reaction no other anthology [he should just have said comic here] can instil in its readership. Excitment, dislocation, unease, joy... its not unknown to run the whole gamut of emotions whilst consuming a single Prog.

Ahem Tharg, ahem.

7

General / Stop me before I read too much into this...

« on: 23 May, 2018, 06:36:38 pm »

... but did anyone notice in the latest Thrillmail the logo top left of the 'Sniper Elite' advert... I mean that is the old Battle logo isn't it... isn't it... so do you think we might be seeing a return of the title, even if its as an imprint for some Rebellion stuff...

... I mean I'm not getting carried anyway am I... well I am clearly but UUUHHHH that's intriguing.

I have no interest in Sniper Elite but if any marketing droids want to convince me that by buying this I could add to the possiblity of the comic coming back... well every sale counts right!

8

Prog / Prog 2081 - Homies under der hammer

« on: 12 May, 2018, 01:30:20 pm »

Well that was a great little Prog. Beginnings, endings, and one offs. A nice little balancing act there.

Anyway under another wonderful Ezquerra cover we have a really fun one off Dredd. I'm really enjoying Rory McConville's work and his Dredd is great. This is a really fun light throw away gag done really y well and I've said all that needs to be said before about how great Dan Cornwell is and he's just getting better.

Arh Sinister Dexter. Its been so great to have you around for this extended run. Dan Abnett has been so ably assisted by the Mighty Yeowell this really is S&D at its very best and the final episode in the run doesn't disappoint at all/

Skip Tracer is such a proficient openner. Peatty and Marshal, set up our over crowded dystopian world and we don't have time to worry about the fact that it might be a little cliche before we have some blistering action and a nice bit of intrigue at the end to pull us back for more. 5 pages used very professionally and I'm optimistic this one could go places.

Deadworld likewise neaty sets the scene, clearly recaps without reallyfeeling too recappy and then set up our challenge which is one that has me very excited. Great return... christ to think I didn't used to get on with the strip. The last few stories have really cemented this one as a fav.

Finally Strontium Dog ends what's been a very interesting story which got better and better... until... well if I'm honest it kinda fumbled the ending a little, as if Wagner wasn't quite sure how to draw a neat line under it. Still fun episode and really looking forward to this one coming back. 

So that's been a great run of stories, segwaying into some good looking new stuff with the promise of other good stuff and Survival Geeks next week and made all the sweeter with an advert for KIngmaker's return.

Nice!

9

Prog / Prog 2078: Agent of Destruction!

« on: 21 April, 2018, 04:31:15 pm »

Bloomin' heck, bloomin' Carlos hey, phonin' in those wonderful, powerful covers, its just not like the old... oh...

...hold on...

...that's pretty damned good isn't it!

The rest of Prog ain't bad either. Well Anderson dropped me again, this one really will need a re-read (if anyone is interested in when that might actually be please refer to the New Comicbook Day Megathread.

The Dredd story moves the whole Son's of Booth storyline along nicely and finishes the corrent tale well. I'm looking forward to the next part of this series of stories.

Jaegir finishes her latest story effectively enough. Where as Sinister Dexter finishes its current story with a horrific brutality whipped into shape with lashing of humour.

Strontium Dog see Fenton take on a little bit more of the Wulf mantal with a weaponry pick up as this story continues to get better and better and I can't wait to see what happens next week.

All in all a pretty fine Prog behind a cracking cover.

10

General / Roy of the Rovers making a come back at Rebellion

« on: 20 April, 2018, 05:51:21 pm »

Well this could be interesting!

http://royoftheroversofficial.com/news/6

Found via Rob Williams Facebook feed.

11

General / Positive sales news - no figures before you ask

« on: 27 March, 2018, 07:40:55 pm »

Over on Facebook one of our chums posted some very good news from Molch-R.

Well, a couple of stellar progs (neatly demonstrating the same thing that's been true for the last 40 years: if there's a run you're not enjoying, something else will be along shortly) don't seem to have materially improved the mood in this group, so here's a bit of good news for the doom-mongers to chew on, shamelessly cribbed from MOLCH-R's FB feed…
The Megazine is the only top 20 title in its category ('teenage comics', apparently) to record a sales increase over the last 12 months. Meanwhile, although 2000AD's newsstand sales have dipped slightly, the number is more than offset by a surge in subs. In fact, 2000AD's sales are "rising faster than at any time in the last 20 years".
Digital subs are significant, but still a very small percentage of revenue, and the future of the prog unquestionably remains as a print magazine.
All of which cheered me up no end. Feel free to vote on this news in the handy poll below…

Now just you lot be grateful you don't have to wade through the Faceswamp to get this. Some folks - in the face of good news bucking the negative message that can pre-dominate - decided to suggest it might be fabrication. Let's just enjoy the positive vibe.

Sigh.

12

General / Wail with JOY! Mark Russell does IDW mini-series

« on: 20 February, 2018, 08:12:30 pm »

Those grumpy chuffs over at 'Everything comes back' do have their uses they have kindly pointed me in the direction of this news

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/judge-dredd-goes-under-siege-new-comic-book-series-1086387?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Anyone who has read Mark Russell's Flintstones, Prez or Snagglepuss will know he could and should be the perfect writer for a different but spot on Dredd. I'm genuinely chuffed by this and can't wait to see what he comes up with.

You should all be gnashing you chops in anticipation!

13

General / 2000ad All female creative teams in 2018 Summer Special

« on: 07 February, 2018, 06:41:46 pm »

Annoucement from the Thrillmail linkie to Hollywood Reporter article

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2000-ad-feature-all-woman-special-issue-summer-1082734

Its both good that they are doing this and a shame its such a big deal.

14

Prog / Prog 2067 - Fire and Fury!

« on: 03 February, 2018, 09:04:13 pm »

Well the rest of the tag line is 'Quartz brings out the big guns.' it could just as easily have read 'Tharg brings out the big guns' in a piece of impecible timing Tharg seems to have all the stories make big statements (or hint at them) to put any remaining doubts to rest... well in my camp I doubt very much this will be any les devisive amongst Tharg's faithful followers.

Dredd well last week (or in the week) I was casting doubt on the way Dredd was acting in the current story, and of course Carroll has played me for the fool I am and it would appear Dredd's apparent servitude was merely him buying the time he needed to get his plan into place... one that on this weeks reading might have gone a little cold... unless that is the plan... but fantastic turn around.

Similarly while I've been getting more and more into Bad Company I've bemoaned the way I've not been able to pull out the theme that would draw all this together and this week, well we get several lines that might well be slamming it home - alas need a re-read to get the pieces, but pretty use Milligan's been playing us and all this talk of Bad Company being hard to kill along with history repeating itself is Milligan getting us (or me) to his point. Loved it this week and suspect read back it will make me love the rest as well.

Savage well its been one twisty after another and have to be honest did not see this one. Just as Master Carroll, Unca Patsy has played me well and good and once again shown for all his faults of late he's a true craftsman. Air punching stuff.

Oh my broken orreys what have they done in Brass Sun, what have they done, superb and that last page, wow what a cliffhanger.

In ABC Warriors Cousin Patsicle also present a masterclass. The villians reveal their plan, without leering over a capture hero, it a masterful disguise of expostion depicted brilliantly by Clint Langley in the strip his style is so perfectly suited to. So dark and playful and again the last page is just pulling me back.

Well the prog has struggled to live up to the high of this run from a few Progs ago in 2064 but in 2067 it possibly tops all that. Superb... though glorious diverse as 2000ad fandom is I think over opinions will vary... but surely we can argee on one thing it makes for interesting stuff!

15

Prog / Prog 2064 - Return of the Mac!

« on: 13 January, 2018, 08:09:58 pm »

Love it, good line up at the moment but this Prog all of the stories are turning it to 11. Absolutely cracking episodes.

I'll start with Bad Company , which has been a little fly in the line-up ointment at the moment, not feeling it before, this Prog, regardless of my same issues still being there, not quite getting the theme yet, I loved this episode for what it was. Just good, violent, classic tooth fun. Well crafted and glorious in it energy.

Back to the rest then in order. Dredd had a very satisfying ending to this episode of the Russian Odyessy we now fine ourselves in. The story revealed its cards well, had a glorious resolution for Salada, just brillant. AND it still finds space to set up the next stage. Just brilliant, quite brilliant and testament to something yet to be discussed that its not the highlight of the Prog.

Savage continues to play with its fantastically uneasy relationship. No one trusts each other, we don't know if Savage can trust Nika, he certainly doesn't trust himself. What are the 'allied' scienctist doing in the there? We know Uncle Pat doesn't trust scienctists. The central relationship in this story is just played so well and those other touches (well got over the science thing Uncle Pat) just add spice to the mix AND its a thrill packed delight at the end.

Good as all this is Brass Sun is the absolute shining light on this illuminated Prog. Its lacks action and kick of the other thrills, all of them, but it doing that it stands out and really takes the time to let the character drama breathe, get into you and like all the other thrills this week has a smackin' cliffhanger to pull you back in next week. Just perfect and in the context of of this weeks Prog the best of the best.

ABC Warriors is probably the weakest thrill this week and I still enjoyed it immensely. Loved the way Clint Langley used the visual cues handed to him by Uncky Patty and uses them to such effect. Its a fun story and while are writer does hit us over the head again with some of his ideas, lacking any subtly this does work in the context of this hyperbolic series. Its really good fun.

So yeah this is a real standout Prog. All the thrills avoid any mid story lull and just knock it out the park. The best thing is that each one of the, each one, has a fantastic last page and cliffhanger to absolutely pull you back next week. I'd be amazed if this was the prog that any didn't come back for more from its just a masterclass in pulling you back next week.

... just watch some bugger say, that's it I've had enough I'm done with the Prog now!