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Topics - norton canes

#1
General / Best prog cover of 2023
02 January, 2024, 10:25:28 AM
As ever, 2023 served up some corking covers. What were your favourite three? Just a bit of fun, not counting these up.

1. Prog 2335
Simply an absolutely brilliant image to sell the prog - and the sympathetic lettering really helps.



2. Prog 2337
A stunning piece of artwork from the Bettin droid, enhanced by the lovely, nostalgic 'Scrotnig new thrill starts inside!'



3. Prog 2327
Seems weird seeing Simon Davis not on Thistlebone these days, but this is a fantastic way to encapsulate the old and new of Durham Red.



#2
General / Best 2000 AD strips of 2023 (non-Dredd)
02 January, 2024, 10:04:08 AM
Did I miss the voting threads? Are they all off in a different section this year..?

I know 2023 seems like an absolute aeon ago now, but cast your minds back through the alcohol-fuddled fug of the festive fugue, if you can, and rank your favourite three strips from last year's progs. The usual T&Cs apply: Dredd stories get their own poll (if anyone fancies starting it), no Regened strips, and no one-offs - so none of the Battle/Action crossovers or one-shots from the Christmas prog. As ever I'm always happy to change these rules if the will of the squaxx dictates! Also do let me know if I've missed any strips.

Your top choice will be awarded three points, your second choice two points and your third choice one point. I'd be grateful if you could only vote using this format (although obviously feel free to add comments!):

1. [Favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
2. [Second favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
3. [Third favourite strip - name of strip as in list]

No reverse orders please as it invites mistakes on my part. Also no joint rankings, thanks - my maths is strained enough as it is.

As we can see from previous years' results, one droid has a strangehold on this particular accolade, with consecutive hat-tricks of victories for two of their strips. Will this year see that vice-like grip broken?

2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017   

+++ VOTING IS NOW OPEN +++ THRILL-POWER RECEPTORS SET TO MAXIMUM! +++

Azimuth
The Devil's Railroad
Die Hoard (3riller)
Durham Red
Enemy Earth
The Fall of Deadworld
Feral and Foe
Future Shocks
Helium
Hershey
Hope
Joe Pineapples
Maxwell's Demon (3riller)
The Order
The Out
Portals & Black Goo
Proteus Vex
Rogue Trooper
Terror Tales
Void Runners
#3
General / Why no 2000 AD calendar?
01 January, 2024, 06:47:06 PM
Sorry, just struck me - I'd really like a 2000 AD wall calendar each year, but it doesn't seem to be something TMO has sanctioned. Which is kind of a surprise, as I'd have thought a 12-page (plus cover) calendar with artwork featuring classic characters (it doesn't even have to be new artwork, reprinted classic stuff would be great) should be pretty easy to run up, and would sell in decent numbers... no?

(Cue someone telling me they've been making them for years now, and I've missed the link)
#4
General / Dredd Q&A, August 1995 Select
18 December, 2023, 11:21:10 AM
With BBC Four's Friday night Top of the Pops repeats having reached August 1995, I noticed this Dredd Q&A from that month's Select Magazine. Can't see a credit (unless it's in the indecipherable vertical writing down the left hand side of the page) - any idea who write it?

#5
General / 2000 AD cover prints
30 November, 2023, 02:20:08 PM
2000 AD cover prints



Woah! Had absolutely no idea these were a thing, until I saw a link on Facebook today. Now I want... well, all of them, basically.

Since they're print-on-demand, doe anyone know if it's possible to order prints from covers before the earliest 'current' progs on the third section of that page? And if so, how far back can you go?
#6
Apologies if this has been posted before, but I was at the British Museum a few years ago and was confronted by this ensemble in the African section:





Jar of pickled stinkers? No? Mucka-Makka grebb swatter?

Would have posted it here sooner but the the museum appears to have only just got round to including the image on their website.
#7
General / Phale chronozon! Brink comes to pass
10 April, 2023, 12:02:06 PM
From this week's Popbitch mailout:

QuoteAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez was booked on Late Night with Seth Myers on Tuesday; an appearance that very neatly timed with Trump's arrest and arraignment. She and Seth insisted it was total coincidence, that her appearance had been booked a long time in advance – but there'll be at least one DC insider convinced this was all written in the stars.

Early on in her career, AOC once had a campaign manager who took a very mysterious approach to media bookings. One day, she called AOC in a state of intense agitation, demanding to know why she had booked in to do media appearances "today of all days".

Unsure what the significance of the date was, or what horrendous faux pas she had set herself up for, a panicked AOC immediately offered to cancel the appearances, asking what the problem was.

"Mercury is in retrograde!" came the earnest answer

Prepare for the Mercury Event
#8
Prog / Prog 2319: Kill Code
14 February, 2023, 11:00:55 AM
Apologies of it's bad form to start a prog thread before receiving the prog but I've just seen the cover and had to share the love



Dear TMO, please commission the Coleby & Boswell droids to provide Star-Scans of Hammerstein, Deadlock, Blackblood, Mongrol and whichever further two current or erstwhile members of the Mek-nificent seven they wish 
#9
General / Best 2000 AD cover of 2022
03 January, 2023, 01:04:51 PM
I love the best cover thread! It's another chance to see all those lovely covers from the last year.

The 2000 AD covers of 2022

No voting rules in this one - I like to do a top 3 but TBH I might not even bother counting the votes, so just post any number of your favourites

It was a high standard as ever, with all droids smashing their efforts. Honorable mentions to Tiernen Trevallion's montages, INJ Culbard's Brink designs and of course the ever-astounding work of Cliff Robinson, who is surely due an award for services to prog cover art.

3.



If this was all I ever saw of Skip Tracer, I would love it unreservedly

2.



Some gloriously pulpy, perverse (one might even say provocative) PVC (Proteus Vex Cover)

1.



For the incredible tension and dynamism (and the eyes!)
#10
General / Best 2000 AD strips of 2022
03 January, 2023, 11:48:30 AM
I don't know if it's because of the avalanche of GOAT voting rounds earlier in the year but there don't seem to be any 'Best of 2022' threads appearing, so I thought I'd at least keep the 'Best Non-Dredd' tradition going

No major thrills made their debut in 2022, so the list has a familiar look to it. This time round I've decided not to include exclusively Regened strips and focus on the regular prog. I haven't included any of the Zombie-themed strips either, as they weren't ongoing; neither have I included any strips that started their run in the Xmas prog - so if you're bursting to vote for Joe Pineapples, you'll have to wait until next year!

As ever, please let me know if I've missed anything

Please rank your favourite three strips. Your top choice will be awarded three points, your second choice two points and your third choice one point. I'd be grateful if you could only vote using this format (although obviously feel free to add comments!):

1. [Favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
2. [Second favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
3. [Third favourite strip - name of strip as in list]

No reverse orders please as it invites mistakes on my part. Also no joint rankings, thanks

A reminder of previous years' results: 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

Here we go, then. Vote now!

Brink
Chimpsky's Law
Enemy Earth
Fiends of the Eastern Front
Future Shocks/Terror Tales
Hershey
Hope...
Indigo Prime
Intestinauts
Jaegir
Kingmaker
Proteus Vex
Saphir
(Sinister) Dexter
Skip Tracer
The Crawley Man
The Order
The Out

[edited to add The Crawley Man – IP]
#11
General / Five years since returning to the prog
02 February, 2022, 03:34:12 PM
Well... five years and a day, to be precise, since I took the plunge and returned to the 2000 AD fold after 27 years by purchasing prog 2016 from the campus branch of WHSmith's. What a line-up! Still one of my favourites.

Er, that's all I wanted to say really. Five years!
#12
Okay, here we go with the annual procession to victory by a huge margin by Dan Abnett's latest strip non-Dredd (and Cadet Dredd) 2000 AD strip of the year thread.

Please rank your favourite three 2000 AD strips from 2021, choosing from the list below. Your top choice will be awarded three points, your second choice two points and your third choice one point.

I've compiled the list from the prog breakdowns on the 2000 AD shop pages - please let me know if I've missed anything. According to my calculations there are 32 strips in the running this year, their numbers bolstered by Regened newcomers. Actually I was wondering if it might be worth running a separate poll for the Regened stories, so they get a chance against each other on a level playing field, so to speak? Feel free to start a voting thread if you agree!

I've grouped Future Shocks, Terror Tales and any other variation on one-shot stories together, but included the various 3rillers as separate strips. In an annoying volte-face from last last, I haven't included the strips which started in this year's Xmas prog. Don't worry, they're ongoing, so you'll get a chance to vote for them next year!

[Edit: sorry, should say - 'Visions of Deadworld' includes all Deadworld stories - I can't remember if they were all 'Visions']

I'd be grateful if you could only vote using this format (although obviously feel free to add comments!):

1. [Favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
2. [Second favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
3. [Third favourite strip - name of strip as in list]

No reverse orders please as it invites mistakes on my part. Also no joint rankings, thanks. My Excel skills are being tested to the limit as it is!

A reminder of previous years' results: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

The result is in your hands! Get voting!

Action Pact
Anderson, Psi-Division
Aquila
Chimpsky's Law
Chopper
3riller: Chorus & the Ring
Department K
The Diaboliks
Durham Red
Enemy Earth
Feral and Foe
Future Shocks/Terror Tales
Hershey
Intestinauts
Jaegir
3riller: The Mask of Laverna
Mayflies
Mechastopheles
3riller: Nakka of the S.T.A.R.S
The Out
Pandora Perfect
Proteus Vex
Scarlet Traces
Scooter & Jinx
(Sinister) Dexter
Skip Tracer
Sláine
'Splorers
Strontium Dug
Thistlebone
Visions of Deadworld
Viva Forever
#13
General / Thought Bubble 2021 submission question
23 October, 2021, 05:22:02 PM
Silly question alert...

The instructions for the 2021 Thought Bubble submissions (writing challenge) say "all you need to do is write your own Future Shock and pitch it in a video to an online panel of 2000 AD creators" and "Write your two-minute pitch for a Future Shock. Record a video of yourself reading out your pitch in two minutes or less. Email BOTH your finished video AND your written pitch".

I just wanted to be absolutely sure - you don't email your script?

And if not, should your pitch give away the whole plot, including the twist? I usually take a 'pitch' to be something that teases a story but doesn't give everything away.
#14
The results are in, and The Out has shaken it all about...


1   2   3   
The Out136253
Fiends of the Eastern Front44222
Brink23214
Feral and Foe13312
Deadworld (Visions of Deadworld)2119
Full Tilt Boogie2119
Proteus Vex1149
The Diaboliks237
Hook-Jaw226
Stickleback124
Hershey113
Sinister Dexter11
Survival Geeks11


2020 Best 2000 AD strip (non-Dredd): The Out




Yes, Brink's run of victories finally comes to a halt, but the top end of the table is dominated by Dan Abnett stories, with only Fiends of the Eastern Front managing to prevent him sweeping the podium. Fittingly, in a year that saw most of us confined to our homes for long periods, his tale of galactic exploration and discovery, tempered with observations on the very nature of our existence, resonated with us most. Perhaps its main strength was its sheer unpredictability and for that reason, the second chapter is eagerly awaited and will undoubtedly be a strong contender in next year's poll.

Fiends clinches the runners-up spot with a stunning chapter that also went in some unexpected directions, delivering thrills every step of the way. And remarkably, even though 2020 only saw a handful of instalments at the end of a chapter, Brink still managed to pip several other strips to third place.

13 strips were given points but I'm sure that of the 28 up for votes, all of them would have received something if the voting had been for a top 5. It's been the hardest of years, but once again Tharg has sent the thrill-o-meter off the scale, truly serving up a delicious smorgasbord of stories for all tastes.

Thanks for voting, everyone. Here's to 2021 - may it bring us old favourites and thills as yet undreamt.
#15
Hi, and welcome to the new, fully-integrated-into-Tharg's-2020-in-Review version of the annual best non-Dredd (and Cadet Dredd) 2000 AD strip of the year thread.

Please rank your favourite three 2000 AD strips from 2020, choosing from the list below. Your top choice will be awarded three points, your second choice two points and your third choice one point.

According to my calculations there are 28 strips in the running this year. I've taken the list from the strip breakdowns on the 2000 AD shop pages, so please let me know if I've missed anything.

I've included all the strips from the year's Regened progs: Finder & Keeper, Anderson Psi Division, Pandora Perfect and Department K, Gronks and Rogue Trooper. I've grouped Future Shocks, Time Twisters and Terror Tales together, but included the 3riller 'Saphir' as a separate strip. And unlike previous years, I've included strips that had jut one instalment, in the year's Christmas special. Hope that's all OK.

I'd be grateful if you could only vote using this format (although obviously feel free to add comments!):

1. [Favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
2. [Second favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
3. [Third favourite strip - name of strip as in list]

No reverse orders please as it invites mistakes on my part. Also no joint rankings, thanks. My Excel skills are being tested to the limit as it is!

A reminder of previous years' results: 2019 | 2018 | 2017

Will Brink finally be knocked off its perch? Get voting!


3rillers: Saphir
Anderson, Psi Division
Aquila
Brink
Deadworld (Visions of Deadworld)
Department K
The Diaboliks
Durham Red
Feral and Foe
Fiends of the Eastern Front
Finder & Keeper
Full Tilt Boogie
Future Shocks/Terror Tales/Time Twisters
Gronks
Hershey
Hook-Jaw
The Order
The Out
Pandora Perfect
Proteus Vex
Rogue Trooper
Sinister Dexter
Skip Tracer
Sláine
Stickleback
Strontium Dog
Survival Geeks
The Zaucer of Zilk
#16
General / Best 2000 AD strips of 2019
03 January, 2020, 11:26:40 AM
It's that time again when I make a lot of work for myself  :D

Please rank your favourite three 2000 AD strips from 2019, from the list below. Your top choice will be awarded three points, your second choice two points and your third choice one point.

There are 21 strips in the running this year. I've taken the list from the strip breakdowns on the 2000 AD shop pages, so please let me know if I've missed anything. As with last year I've not included Dredd - that's because as an ever-present strip with multiple writers I think it would be better off with a story-based vote of its own (feel free to step into the breach!). But if you think it's better that in future Dredd's included with the rest let me know, I'm happy to go with the general consensus!

I haven't included any of the new stories from the current Xmas prog as I think it's better to let them bed in for next year's vote. I have included Finder & Keeper and Full Tilt Boogie from the Regened prog as I guess they're strips in their own right even though they were one-shots. I've lumped the 3rillers and Future Shocks together.

Absalom
Anderson - Psi Division
Brink
Defoe
Fiends Of The Eastern Front
Finder & Keeper
Full Tilt Boogie
Grey Area
Hope
Indigo Prime
Jaegir
Kingmaker
Max Normal
Scarlet Traces
Sinister Dexter
Skip Tracer
Survival Geeks
Tharg's 3rillers
Tharg's Future Shocks
The Fall Of Deadworld
Thistlebone


Important note on voting! So that I can total the votes accurately, please only vote in this format:

1. [Favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
2. [Second favourite strip - name of strip as in list]
3. [Third favourite strip - name of strip as in list]

No reverse orders please as it invites mistakes on my part. Also no joint rankings, thanks.

A reminder of previous results: 2017 strips | 2018 strips

Can anything break Brink's vice-like grip? Get voting!
#17
Prog / Prog 2159 - The Thrill Of It All
22 November, 2019, 11:34:09 AM
OK, I know it's not the done thing for one to start a prog review thread when one has nothing to actually review, but...

I met Rob Davis at The Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal last month - he signed and illustrated a copy of his excellent graphic novel The Motherless Oven for me and mentioned that he'd recently completed a 2000 AD cover. Which character did it feature, I asked. 'Tharg The Mighty!' was his jubilant reply.

So here it is, and it's ruddy wonderful. Chapeau, Mr Davis.


#18
Prog / Prog 2148 - Fear of the Machine!
05 September, 2019, 12:36:02 PM
Never started a prog thread before. Hope no-one minds.

Anyway - What. A. Cover.

#19
General / Does 2000 AD need another 'Judge Dredd'?
07 August, 2019, 05:05:29 PM
Just wondering if people think 2000 AD could benefit from another strip like 'Dredd'? By which I mean an ever-present strip where a roster of script and art droids take turns to create short to medium length stories centered on the same character and their 'universe', self-contained but often part of their own 'continuity bubble' of developing plot arcs. 

With the rest of the prog featuring creator-owned strips generally served in long chapters and where art droids will spend a long stint, Dredd is something of an anomaly. What's the likelihood that a writer would want to create a character, start it off in a new strip then hand it over for others to develop? How would payments work practically? Would it effectively mean a return to the not fondly looked-upon days of the publishing company taking more profits?

Would the prog even benefit from such a strip? How difficult would it be to create an appealing character with defining characteristics that was nevertheless flexible enough to be cultivated by other writers? Would the prospect of such a major launch being a flop put Rebellion off trying?

Got any ideas about what this new 2000 AD hero(ine) could be like?

Just a few questions that popped into my mind :)
#20
I was just reading the latest entry in alexf's excellent Heroes of 2000 AD blog where he highlights the excellent work of Chris Lowder, aka Jack Adrian.

This bit caught my eye:

"By 1978, he was near the top of Tharg's 'on-call' list - he's one of the few droids credited with three strips in a single Prog! Prog 78, fact fans. Off the top of my head, there are four others who've achieved this feat..."

I know Dan Abnett had three strips the other week, but who might make up the remainder of this elite group? Wagner, Mills and Grant must be obvious guesses but I couldn't pin down the actual progs. I guess some of the very early progs must be a good bet for Pat Mills as he was writing a lot of the material.

Anyone able to give an authoritative answer, in whole or part?