2000 AD Online Forum

Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: The Monarch on 12 October, 2020, 11:42:56 AM

Title: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: The Monarch on 12 October, 2020, 11:42:56 AM
Lets go in order shall we?

Cover: Nice moody Dredd image by Jake Lynch

The nerve centre reveals a venus blue genes story in the next regened prog which is coming in 3 progs time. oh and we are getting a dredd story involving ichabods talking horse next prog.

Dredd: I get the feeling that the end of the world is just the start of something bigger for mega city 1 which is insane since it was the end of the world after all. [spoiler]Maitland survives the story surprisingly i thought she was gonna be a goner but is now on the councils shit list[/spoiler]

Stickleback is so good guys i am so happy it returned!

Skip tracer is not good however but the rest of the prog is amazing so it balences out.

Fiends intrigues me at the moment with the backstory which i am very much finding interesting

Hookjaw....wow....just....wow

also some ultimate collection news but i stuck that in the ultimate collection thread so if you are curious check it out there
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: WhizzBang on 12 October, 2020, 03:04:46 PM
I think Skip Tracer is good, and I am enjoying this latest outing.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: moly on 12 October, 2020, 07:23:07 PM
Thought this was a great prog, skip tracer seems to be finally finding its feet, really enjoying fiends getting a hell boy vibe with the art
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Magnetica on 13 October, 2020, 10:26:41 AM
I'm really not sure what to make of Boo Cook's art. Some of the panels, especially faces are just ridiculously good, others are just too cartoony for my taste.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Blue Cactus on 14 October, 2020, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 13 October, 2020, 10:26:41 AM
I'm really not sure what to make of Boo Cook's art. Some of the panels, especially faces are just ridiculously good, others are just too cartoony for my taste.

I like Cook's art a lot but I think I know what you mean. Close ups and mid-range shots are often beautiful, but when he zooms out and is drawing smaller figures their limbs tend to look a bit... 'floppy' to me, as if the image is more cartoony than the surrounding panels. Love his designs and his vibrant colours. He draws a good Dredd too.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Blue Cactus on 14 October, 2020, 03:53:20 PM
Enjoying the prog just now, it feels strange to me not to have any Abnett in there but that's just fine (for a little while).

Liked this Dredd, I like Maitland a lot as a character and she adds a nice dimension to Justice Dept. The 'Dredd taking down perps' sub-plot feels a bit tacked on here in order to tell her story but enjoyed it nonetheless. Justice Dept could maybe save some money by not having the 500 SJS officers we saw last week, but hey ho.

I feel a bit torn with Stickleback. I'm not sure why he's wearing a mask or makeup and is running about bent at a 45 degree angle all the time, now that his being Holmes is no secret. It's really going to cause him health problems in later life. Incredible art, personally I prefer my D'Israeli with more solid lines and colour but this glowing black white and grey gives the strip such a distinctive feel.

So Skip Tracer is in THE UNDERNEATH now. I can't quite figure out what this means because we don't really get to see any background detail other than some red smoke and possibly some... poles? Pillars? We meet the Splices, who all wear matching waistcoats. Paul Marshall gets to draw one of his textbook 'closeup on the pursed lips of the villain' shots. Love those robot designs! As always I really enjoy the Marshall/Teague combination. This strip always looks lovely.

Fiends is an odd little strip. It's intriguing the way Edginton is exploring this from different angles in each different series. Trevallion really is great these days. There was a panel set in the inn last week that made me really want to go to a pub... sigh. Cracking final panel this week, reminded me of the 80s Dungeons and Dragons cartoon!

Hook Jaw is way better than I anticipated and might be my strip of the week for the last fortnight. Probably my favourite bit of writing by Alec Worley so far and I am always a fan of Leigh Gallagher. Love the way they have combined folk horror with the original 'it's a big shark' premise. Between this and Thistlebone Tharg has found a cool genre of folk horror which is an element I've enjoyed a lot. The final page actually made my jaw drop it was so unexpected, which hasn't happened when reading a comic for a wee while! Someone in last prog's thread mentioned the nightmarish feel of one panel and I hope they can maintain that atmosphere.

Only two sci-fi stories this week might be another reason the prog feels a little different to normal, but that's absolutely fine with me.

Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: broodblik on 14 October, 2020, 04:29:57 PM
Quote from: Blue Cactus on 14 October, 2020, 03:27:48 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 13 October, 2020, 10:26:41 AM
I'm really not sure what to make of Boo Cook's art. Some of the panels, especially faces are just ridiculously good, others are just too cartoony for my taste.

I like Cook's art a lot but I think I know what you mean. Close ups and mid-range shots are often beautiful, but when he zooms out and is drawing smaller figures their limbs tend to look a bit... 'floppy' to me, as if the image is more cartoony than the surrounding panels. Love his designs and his vibrant colours. He draws a good Dredd too.

Very good summary of Cook's art. His close-up work in great but his distance detail on human forms are very "weird"
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Colin YNWA on 14 October, 2020, 09:14:18 PM
What an interesting Prog. To my shame I didn't read it last night as I got distracted by a new toy. Wish I had as there is much to digest.

Dredd - This was a great premise. Exceuted well. The problem is in ensuring that the dilemma and story will build we are left with a weak and unsatisfying ending. Its all hanging in mid air. or like Sword of Damocles over Logan's head. When this tale is told I think this will be a superb, brooding ending. As it is I felt a little slighted, but excited about what will come.

Stickleback slips out of the shiny with a seeming scarifice and a gift and into the 'real' world with a moment of intrgue and excitment. This is building well.

Skip Tracer still not there, but getting closer. This is another decent episode. Lets see.

Fiends Well this is developing nicely too. As Jungle Book is merged in and then we get a Hydra for possibly some Greek myth. We're building quite the origin story there.

Hookjaw well this is developing nicely. Just as you feel you are getting on your feet it wipes away the carpet and you are thrown into the belly of the whale... or shark probably. Can't wait to see where this one goes.

So yeah its all bubbling under nicely. The trick for three of these is making sure what is developing is seen through well.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 14 October, 2020, 11:26:23 PM
Not sure what to make of Dredd - but I did enjoy the story.  It has depth that the non-Wagner Dredd writers of the early 90s couldn't have got close to.  It's an ending that feels more like a beginning.

Fiends is a lovely little tale; more than a touch of Neil Gaiman Vertigo about it.  Also great to see Ian Edginton successfully take on a story outside of his own little universe.

Hookjaw is good stuff too.  Suitably harrowing, and unlike the original Action version the deaths are quite moving rather than just entertainingly horrific (though they are that too).

I've never really read Skip Tracer, I'm afraid, and I'm not sure if I'll bother with a catch-up.  Just doesn't look like my bag, baby, and the reviews I've read from you other boarders haven't really inspired me to rush to my back progs.

Haven't read Holmes yet; looking forward to it.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: broodblik on 15 October, 2020, 04:47:45 AM
The cover by Jake Lynch:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ejy_suLWsAYrkqF?format=jpg&name=large)
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: broodblik on 15 October, 2020, 04:49:46 AM
The cover plus logo:

(https://i0.wp.com/www.comicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2000-ad-2203-5.jpg?resize=768%2C999)
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: broodblik on 15 October, 2020, 04:52:59 AM
This was a particularly good prog. You know you are in a good space is when you cannot choose your favourite thrill for the week and it is shared by Fiends, Hook Jaw and the man from Baker Street. The cover by Jake is great as well.

Dredd – This Dredd story feel very much relevant in today's age and time.  A political thriller with the force of nature Dredd always lurking in the background.  Boo Cook again delivers some great Dredd imagery especially the second page.

Elementary my dear Watson - As D'Israeli delivers some great visuals Edginton does not disappoint with some great scripting. Great stuff and please 6 years are way too long to wait.

Skip Tracer – A functional story but it is difficult to shine with the bring stars around you. Paul Marshall as ever knows how to bring us the pictures.

Fiends – Just love the way the story has turned out with some exciting new elements brought into the frame. Tiernen's art is just sublime. Hopefully, this run is longer than the customary 6 parts as we had with previous installments.

Hook Jaw – I like how to story builds up suspension and intrigue. Nothing as off yet has been revealed but then we have the last page to boot.  Wow, what is next? Great story.

Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 15 October, 2020, 09:16:11 AM
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the cover.  It's really, really good.  Kind of a Jock Dredd look to it - my favourite type of Dredd.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: norton canes on 15 October, 2020, 12:21:00 PM
An excellent prog swaddled under a mauve and moody Jake Lynch cover. Read it through in one go last night sitting in my lovely comfy new office chair (at home, which is now my office) under my lovely new LED office flexible lamp. Loving the new normal.

Carry the Nine wraps earlier than I expected, though I guess we'll be back eventually to see if Maitland's altruistic plans bear fruit. Stickleback is a bit lost on me I'm afraid, not having read any previous instalments. Didn't Grant Morrison create a white-suited villain named Orlando? Is this supposed to be the same entity? Skip Tracer continues in its rather vanilla way. Fiends is a well-told story and it looks spectacular - it's a lucky writer indeed that sees their stories realized by the Trevallion droid. Finally Hookjaw continues to impress despite - or hey, maybe because - it still doesn't seem to know quite what it's trying to do.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: norton canes on 15 October, 2020, 12:46:20 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 15 October, 2020, 12:21:00 PM
Didn't Grant Morrison create a white-suited villain named Orlando?

In 'The Invisibles', I should say
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 15 October, 2020, 01:00:57 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 15 October, 2020, 12:21:00 PMFinally Hookjaw continues to impress despite - or hey, maybe because - it still doesn't seem to know quite what it's trying to do.

I know what you mean - it's kind of a slow burner where things occasionally speed up and go mental.  If it turns out that it's a shark / [spoiler]polar bear hybrid[/spoiler] I'll be fairly disappointed I have to say.  ([spoiler]Sharko[/spoiler]?)
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: TordelBack on 15 October, 2020, 01:09:33 PM
Tiernan's work this week is astonishing, like the blessèd offspring of Kev O'Neill and P. Craig Russell. It feels like one of those moments when an artist you really like suddenly  transcends every standard they've previously set (think McMahon on Sláine, Marshall on Firekind, or PJ on Dead Signal). Magic stuff to witness.

Others have cited Tarzan as an element of this week's Fiends,  I was more in mind of the Wolf Child of Hesse, or even Victor of Averyon, but I can see it. My top thrill this week anyway.

Carry the Nine
ends in an unexpected way, but I'm glad Maitland survived, and it's good to see Williams laying new crumbs after a phase of wrapping up stories. Boo's art was terrific throughout: never rated him as a Dredd artist before, definitely do now.

Hookjaw is still as intriguing as ever, that boy Worley can write OTT horror.

Stickleback was a bit predictable, but looked truly great.

And finally, I enjoyed Skip Tracer. You heard me.

Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Richard on 15 October, 2020, 09:13:54 PM
We heard you, but we're embarrassed to be seen with you in public.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Woolly on 16 October, 2020, 12:06:12 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 15 October, 2020, 01:09:33 PM
Tiernan's work this week is astonishing, like the blessèd offspring of Kev O'Neill and P. Craig Russell. It feels like one of those moments when an artist you really like suddenly  transcends every standard they've previously set (think McMahon on Sláine, Marshall on Firekind, or PJ on Dead Signal). Magic stuff to witness.

Couldn't agree more, a wonderful assessment of the Trevallion Droid's skills (amongst others!)
One of those droids that makes you feel lucky to see their work  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Magnetica on 17 October, 2020, 08:29:07 AM
Quote from: norton canes on 15 October, 2020, 12:21:00 PM
Didn't Grant Morrison create a white-suited villain named Orlando?

It's Dr Orlando Doyle, who first appeared in The Red Seas, another Edginton strip.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Magnetica on 17 October, 2020, 08:32:06 AM
The bloke called Orlando that is. The chap in the white suit is someone else.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 17 October, 2020, 10:06:15 AM
Quote from: Magnetica on 17 October, 2020, 08:32:06 AM
The chap in the white suit is someone else.

The Ophidian — the Sisters' henchman. He's introduced on the last page of the first episode.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: norton canes on 17 October, 2020, 11:41:15 AM
Right. Thanks, both. I clearly need to invest a little more attention in this.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Proudhuff on 17 October, 2020, 12:46:42 PM
all good in the prog  :)
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 17 October, 2020, 02:10:38 PM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 October, 2020, 10:06:15 AM
Quote from: Magnetica on 17 October, 2020, 08:32:06 AM
The chap in the white suit is someone else.

The Ophidian — the Sisters' henchman. He's introduced on the last page of the first episode.

He first appeared in the third book of Stickleback (London's Burning) and returned in the fifth (Thru'penny Opera).
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 17 October, 2020, 02:20:35 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 17 October, 2020, 02:10:38 PM
He first appeared in the third book of Stickleback (London's Burning) and returned in the fifth (Thru'penny Opera).

I know he's a recurring character, but I figured it was a bit of a stretch asking people to remember him from 6+ years ago! By "introduced" I only meant that he's referred to by name.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: TordelBack on 17 October, 2020, 03:25:14 PM
Yep,  I'm a huge fan of Stickleback, but I had to jog those memory circuits pretty hard when this series started.  We still haven't really been told much about the Ophidian this time out.
Title: Re: Prog 2203: Order and rule
Post by: 73north on 18 October, 2020, 05:30:19 PM


enjoyed this week Prog - which arrived very late , on Thursday
so all in all , very enjoyable -
and above all , VERY IMPRESSED with Skip Tracer -
this episode series is fantastic - and the Bodyguard is convincing
( at long last ) - rest of Prog , I also found very good