I'm not sure I really had to write "400" twice, but I'm a slave to consistency.
I liked the Judge Dredd story, which is a really silly comedy one from Wagner and Flint. It has some great lines of dialogue and some crazy antics, which I enjoyed. As a massive continuity pedant, this story contradicts what we know of the royal family from Armitage, and I prefer Dave Stone's take on that, but as I liked this one so much I didn't mind. And it gives us the opportunity to devise theories of how to reconcile these two different histories with each other.
I'm saving Lawless, Blunt and Storm Warning for later as I don't want to finish both comics in one day. But I'll just mention that I skimmed over Phil Winslade's art and it looks fabulous.
Devlin Waugh by a new writer, Ales Kot, was okay, but may divide opinion. Not as good as last month's story, but okay.
The Torture Garden is off to a promising start. Absolutely superb art from Nick Percival, which is of course to be expected. David Hine is already introducing his own ideas to this strip, which carries in where the last story left off. I have high hopes for this series.
There's a decent Anderson one-off by Alan Grant. Not exactly an original plot, but not boring either.
There are interviews with each of the Megazine's five previous editors (but not the current one), which were interesting and a good way to commemorate this month's milestone. There are also interviews with Ian Gibson and Alan Hebden, but I'm saving those for later.
The floppy is some Judge Dredd stories, haven't read them yet. The theme is artists' first Dredd stories.
Overall I like what I've seen so far.
Got mine but not had a chance to even skim it!
Loving the heft of it and the floppy... first shots? ... Explain please!
Quote from: Proudhuff on 15 September, 2018, 11:11:54 PM
... first shots? ... Explain please!
As
Richard says^, 'the theme is artists' first Dredd stories'.
(https://i.imgur.com/ipifLjO.jpg)
Quote from: Frank on 15 September, 2018, 11:21:23 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 15 September, 2018, 11:11:54 PM
... first shots? ... Explain please!
As Richard says^, 'the theme is artists' first Dredd stories'.
acht, was looking to deep into that title... thanks Richard and Frank :-[
Great Megazine: Dredd excellent, Devlin and the giant glowing cock is a hoot, however I'm not sure what the previous editors pages add.
Lawless finally gets to the kickoff. No Dreddlines... not that Butt'man plays that game anymore.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 17 September, 2018, 01:24:22 PM
Great Megazine: Dredd excellent, Devlin and the giant glowing cock is a hoot, however I'm not sure what the previous editors pages add.
Lawless finally gets to the kickoff. No Dreddlines... not that Butt'man plays that game anymore.
Did I miss an announcement of retirement?
good interview with Ian Gibson. Hopefully its the start of a thawing in the relationship there. I'd still like to see him get something back in the prog or meg. Even a cover or one-shot
I think that he mentioned at Lawgiver that his hands weren't in great shape at present. His signings were more his initials than full signature. Of course this is a somewhat hazy recollection of a rather awestruck conversation so could be completely wrong.
Really enjoyed the Meg this month, and just want to single out the Anderson strip. It's been a while since I've enjoyed an Alan Grant as much as this and it was a cracking companion bookend to the Wagner Dredd.
Also- Inaki Miranda drew the stomm out of the pages! Superb work.
Quote from: sheridan on 17 September, 2018, 02:17:40 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 17 September, 2018, 01:24:22 PM
Great Megazine: Dredd excellent, Devlin and the giant glowing cock is a hoot, however I'm not sure what the previous editors pages add.
Lawless finally gets to the kickoff. No Dreddlines... not that Butt'man plays that game anymore.
Did I miss an announcement of retirement?
If Paisley's finest isn't talking about his TV car
crasheer he's ignoring The Beast and the Prog and the Meg...
Did nobody notice the Chris Weston cover...? Mmmn. We must be getting spoilt if we're taking this sort of thing for granted..
I found the Wagner Dredd a bit odd to be honest, usually there's a role for old Dreddy in the story, even when it's mainly about some bizzare aspect of his world rather than him judging as usual. Didn't really get my Dredd fix from this one.
Enjoying Mike Dowling immensely on Devlin, the stories are fun too. I've never been a big Lawless fan (I know heresey :o, but I'm really getting into it now, when it's coming to an end it seems...
Dark Judges aren't really my thing either but Percival's art really suits this down to the ground and I'm enjoying it. Storm Warning and Anderson were pretty good too.
I liked the editor slots and the Gibson interview, don't really get Blunt (artwork puts me off I think) but
All round a very enjoyable 400th episode, with a good theme for the foppy to boot! As Devlin would say, Good Show!
400 issues! A thing to be proud of in the current comics climate. Well done, all Thargs past and present.
Not had a chance to digest all the contents yet- it's a hefty issue - but very much liking what I have read so far, but I do agree that the Dredd strip was a wee bit odd.
The editor interviews were interesting but did seem very brief. I'm sure there's a lot of juicy stuff there that ended up on the cutting room floor, so to speak. Gibson one was good. Come back please, Ian!
Devlin Waugh - not a story I'll leave lying around for the kids this month. Daddy, what's that big green lolipop the man is holding..? er...."go back and watch your cartoons!"
Jumped straight to the standout strip so far me which has to be the Dark Judges, Torture Garden. Love how it picks up straight away after Dominion, as I had a feeling there was much more to come with that story (and yes, I've ordered the book version, 2000ad!) and long may it continue. Glorious, spooky, gory detailed art from Nick Percival (so cinematic!) and David Hine looks like he's got some interesting things in store for Death and his gang. I'm guessing from that great preview art for next issue, that these damaged Dark Judges get a new, souped up look next month.
Got the other stuff to go through - Anderson looks quite nice and the floppy this month is great value. Nice to have an all Dredd one for a change.
(oh, very glad the cover price returns to normal next month but I do like that new cover paper - great Weston cover, by the way!)
Right! I need to go and catch a bus!!
Regarding that cover, and more specifically that strapline: "flowed", surely?
SBT
yes, unless the blood has wings :D
First Meg I'v picked up since the one with the Block Judge floppie. Fun Dredd and Devlin (especially Devlin). While I think Dominion ended perfectly, Torture garden got my attention. Also enjoyed both Lawless and Anderson. The interview made for a good read. Refreshing to hear people being able to talk freely, regardless the occasion :)
Quote from: Richard on 15 September, 2018, 10:31:35 PM
I liked the Judge Dredd story, which is a really silly comedy one from Wagner and Flint. It has some great lines of dialogue and some crazy antics, which I enjoyed. As a massive continuity pedant, this story contradicts what we know of the royal family from Armitage, and I prefer Dave Stone's take on that, but as I liked this one so much I didn't mind. And it gives us the opportunity to devise theories of how to reconcile these two different histories with each other.
Let me know how/if you fit King Clarkie and Vera Duckworth in there as well!
(https://i.imgur.com/oTm2TJi.png?3)
The date given is 2047; do you think that's HRH* Prince William (aged 65) or Prince George (34)?
* Hairline Receding Hourly
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 19 September, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
Regarding that cover, and more specifically that strapline: "flowed", surely?
SBT
Indeed.
Caught up on the rest of the Megazine:
Anderson: that intro page should have ben a clue to the fact she should no longer look like a Manga teenager
sigh Also I cringed at Mr Grants use of Anderson in her undies FFS any excuse!!
Torture Garden had some healthy suspense and my old peepers just need to adjust to the face that the background are the same colour as the characters...even the ones on fire :-X
Storm Warning was a nice set up...
Am I blind or is there no creator credits box on Storm Warning because I really preferred the art to Tom Fowler's first story and would like to know who did it.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 September, 2018, 10:27:53 AM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 19 September, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
Regarding that cover, and more specifically that strapline: "flowed", surely?
Indeed.
Maybe it's 'flown' in the sense of 'sprayed through the air from daystick beatings and gunshot wounds'...?
Nah, me neither.
A good 400th edition
The Good
Lawless, always a pleasure to read. Top thrill
Storm Warning great art with interesting premises.
The Torture Garden picks up from the previous arc. Really top-notch art and a great story.
Anderson, a real good one-off, good story, good art.
The Bad
Blunt to be blunt is readable but not very exciting. I am not a fan of Cooks art and I really do not like any of the characters.
The Ugly
No Mind Wars as promised :(
Part of the Good is the cover. Awesome stuff from Mister Weston
Quote from: metcalfecarr on 20 September, 2018, 01:33:37 PM
Am I blind or is there no creator credits box on Storm Warning because I really preferred the art to Tom Fowler's first story and would like to know who did it.
That will be Jimmy Broxton.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 20 September, 2018, 03:17:06 PM
Quote from: metcalfecarr on 20 September, 2018, 01:33:37 PM
Am I blind or is there no creator credits box on Storm Warning because I really preferred the art to Tom Fowler's first story and would like to know who did it.
That will be Jimmy Broxton.
On the digital version all the credit for the different strips can also be found on page 100
Thinking of picking up the meg again, but I'm a bit annoyed that the collected Dominion couldn't have been issued first, given that this seems to contain the sequel. Will it spoil too much if I see the first part of The Torture Garden first?
Quote from: Southstreeter on 21 September, 2018, 05:31:35 PM
Thinking of picking up the meg again, but I'm a bit annoyed that the collected Dominion couldn't have been issued first, given that this seems to contain the sequel. Will it spoil too much if I see the first part of The Torture Garden first?
From what I've seen, you'd probably be best to read the Dominion book first. I would still buy the 400th issue though because the Dominion book comes out Oct 18th the same week as part 2 of the Torture Garden (Oct 17th), so you'd only have to wait one month and then be able to fully catch up. I think those date are correct looking at Previews.
Finally got around to Meg 400 - well the strips at least - there's still plenty of reading.
Couple of disappointments to get out the way. As mentioned below would have loved Mind Wars in the floppie but not to be alas. Also no new strip. Always like a noce new strip in a chocker big issue like this.
Still what we have isn't too shabby so I'll not whine too much.
Dredd I have to say I found a little pedestrian and didn't grab me. Unlike so much Wagner it felt stretched. Still no complaints about the art.
Lawless while not quite at the heights this greatest of thrills has reached certainly pulled me straight back in and super excited to see how this develops.
Blunt - I really enjoyed the first story but there is a bit of a disconnect here, though to be fair that might be me as it seems a direct continuation. Drops you in and I'm more than happy to give this more time.
Delvin Waugh as fun but lacked the punch of the last couple of stories.
Storm Warning - wasn't a big fan of the last one but this starts interestingly enough so time will again tell.
Torture Garden - Probably the none Lawless highlight for me. Loved the last one and this one just carries on that rich, dark vein. So pleased to see the Dark Judges being horrific. This series just ticks the boxes.
Anderson Perfectly functional but didn't really feel like it had anything new to say. It looked stunning BUT for a story focusing on Anderson't 40th year on the street no effort seemed to be made to make the years show which was a real shame as otherwise great work.
Overall good solid stuff but lacked something to really make it feel special. Still in its own terms a very good comic.
Quote from: Freddychopper on 21 September, 2018, 06:44:15 PM
Quote from: Southstreeter on 21 September, 2018, 05:31:35 PM
Thinking of picking up the meg again, but I'm a bit annoyed that the collected Dominion couldn't have been issued first, given that this seems to contain the sequel. Will it spoil too much if I see the first part of The Torture Garden first?
From what I've seen, you'd probably be best to read the Dominion book first. I would still buy the 400th issue though because the Dominion book comes out Oct 18th the same week as part 2 of the Torture Garden (Oct 17th), so you'd only have to wait one month and then be able to fully catch up. I think those date are correct looking at Previews.
Thanks, may well do that.
400!!!
Many happy returns! And a good Meg it was too! Many thanks for all the editor interviews and such a high quality set of thrills! Roll on the next 400 Megs.
#PraiseBeToTharg
Quote from: broodblik on 20 September, 2018, 04:01:02 PM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 20 September, 2018, 03:17:06 PM
Quote from: metcalfecarr on 20 September, 2018, 01:33:37 PM
Am I blind or is there no creator credits box on Storm Warning because I really preferred the art to Tom Fowler's first story and would like to know who did it.
That will be Jimmy Broxton.
On the digital version all the credit for the different strips can also be found on page 100
Is that the back page? Reddish background fading down to black? That's on the physical copy too, though completely misses out the lettering droids (which is a bit strange for the strip itself, 'coz aren't they the ones who put on the credit boxes? Or is that the bodgers / art editors?)
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 21 September, 2018, 09:25:40 PM
Couple of disappointments to get out the way. As mentioned below would have loved Mind Wars in the floppie but not to be alas. Also no new strip. Always like a noce new strip in a chocker big issue like this.
Read the last two sentences a couple of times and can't figure out what you mean - every new strip is new, nothing continuing from the previous issue (granted that Lawless, Blunt II and The Dark Judges all continue directly on from previous books, but the rest are either one shots or the first episode of a continuing story).
p.s. with you on Mind Wars, though I can see why they would want an all-Dredd floppy for Meg 400.
Quote
Anderson Perfectly functional but didn't really feel like it had anything new to say. It looked stunning BUT for a story focusing on Anderson't 40th year on the street no effort seemed to be made to make the years show which was a real shame as otherwise great work.
Very much agree with this - the whole point of the story is that she's been on the streets for 40 years (not got Anderson Year One immediately to hand, but presuming she graduated the Academy at the standard 20 yo). She looks a third of the 60 years old she should be.
Well its never a suprise when folks don't get what I say, I don't make it easy - its more a surprise folks get through my jungle of typos and spelling mistakes to even bother to find meaning!
Anyway in this case I mean an entirely new series. I always think the very best launch issues introduce an entirely new series. So just to snatch at a quick and lazy example Prog 2000 had a load of classics, but also 'Counterfeit Girl' debuting. House of Tharg is all about change and development and so I always like that to be emphasised in a launch prog with a new series.
In my head it gives new readers a strip that feels like their's as they've got on board with everyone else.
The Anderson story is beautifully drawn, but in addition to the the ageing question (Carousel) already raised: (a). She's apparently Spiderman/a Jedi/Stan Lee now? That's a minimum 4-storey drop into that roadster; (b). Were the bad guys from the same gang as the ones Dress was chasing in Prog 2100?
Dress=Dredd. sigh. Any chance of an edit function, Tharg?
I see the attraction of a Death-adjacent Anderson strip, and I liked it for what it was, but a story that makes a point of her time in uniform should really have been about her time in uniform. Still, nice to see her kicking ass as a street judge, even if she gets caught like a chump later-on.
Quote from: TordelBack on 26 September, 2018, 08:57:22 AM
The Anderson story is beautifully drawn, but in addition to the the ageing question (Carousel) already raised: (a). She's apparently Spiderman/a Jedi/Stan Lee now? That's a minimum 4-storey drop into that roadster;
Must be something they put in the milk that strengthens the bones...
Quote(b). Were the bad guys from the same gang as the ones Dress was chasing in Prog 2100?
That'd be interesting - haven't managed to get 2100 yet, thanks to work getting in the way of valuable comic shop time, but hope to remember to look out for it tomorrow.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 26 September, 2018, 06:37:17 AM
Anyway in this case I mean an entirely new series. I always think the very best launch issues introduce an entirely new series. So just to snatch at a quick and lazy example Prog 2000 had a load of classics, but also 'Counterfeit Girl' debuting. House of Tharg is all about change and development and so I always like that to be emphasised in a launch prog with a new series.
In my head it gives new readers a strip that feels like their's as they've got on board with everyone else.
I agree would have liked a totally new story not a continuation of a current story. That aside No 400 was great cannot wait for No 500 (coming soon sometime in 2027)
Quote from: broodblik on 26 September, 2018, 07:46:14 PM
I agree would have liked a totally new story not a continuation of a current story. That aside No 400 was great cannot wait for No 500 (coming soon sometime in 2027)
Don't forget the Meg's 30th birthday!
Prog 2500 should come out in a similar timeframe. Can't quite be bothered to do the math to see which will be first. And then soon after will be the Prog's 50th.
Quote from: Magnetica on 26 September, 2018, 08:46:01 PM
Prog 2500 should come out in a similar timeframe. Can't quite be bothered to do the math to see which will be first. And then soon after will be the Prog's 50th.
If my calculation holds water then we can expect the prog on 26 Augustus 2026. So No 500 and 2500 we can read together
I don't think that's right.
Meg 500 is 100 months away, which is eight years and four months.
Prog 2500 is 400 issues away, but that's not 400 weeks because there are only 50 issues a year, not 52. So it's exactly eight years. They will be four months apart.
Well, you can still read them together of course. But you'll have to wait a bit longer for one than the other.
Quote from: Richard on 27 September, 2018, 03:07:02 PM
I don't think that's right.
Meg 500 is 100 months away, which is eight years and four months.
Prog 2500 is 400 issues away, but that's not 400 weeks because there are only 50 issues a year, not 52. So it's exactly eight years. They will be four months apart.
Yes I tried to accommodate the fact of only 50 progs a year. Every few years like 2014 we do get 51 progs.
Quote from: broodblik on 27 September, 2018, 04:11:59 PM
Quote from: Richard on 27 September, 2018, 03:07:02 PM
I don't think that's right.
Meg 500 is 100 months away, which is eight years and four months.
Prog 2500 is 400 issues away, but that's not 400 weeks because there are only 50 issues a year, not 52. So it's exactly eight years. They will be four months apart.
Yes I tried to accommodate the fact of only 50 progs a year. Every few years like 2014 we do get 51 progs.
It's the Synod of Whitby all over again.
Please help me with Anderson. I like the art but confused by the third page. Is the initial skysurfing perp killed by a single whack to the head meant for Anderson? She calls in a Death but he doesn't look too dead behind her. It's not like half his head's missing or anything! Great art & colouring though, more from de la Cruz please Tharg?!
Yes I wondered about that too. It doesn't look too obvious but the explanation you have given is what I think must have happened.
Quote from: robert_ellis on 27 September, 2018, 07:22:50 PM
Is the initial skysurfing perp killed by a single whack to the head meant for Anderson? She calls in a Death but he doesn't look too dead behind her. It's not like half his head's missing or anything!
That's exactly what happens. I agree, he's not exactly decapitated, but does he need to be? He gets hit on the side of the head by an iron pipe swung from a moving vehicle, Anderson identifies him as dead, and calls it manslaughter.
Hurrah, I have just resubscribed after maybe 5 years away. (Sexy Ostritches did for me).
So I thought I'd restart at 400. And what a great jumping on point. Of the continuing stories which were new to me, Lawless grabbed me immediately as did Dominion and Storm Warning but I struggled with Blunt.
Of the stuff I know, DREDD, ANDERSON, DEVLIN they were all enjoyable if slight.
But feck me! That art throughout is gobsmackingly good. So many styles and such clear storytelling. Phil Winslade in particular on Lawless: is he mad trying to put so much into it? Maybe. but I thank him for it.
Oh and cracking cover. But Not great floppy yet.
That should read " not read floppy yet"
Tiplodocus you can always get the two graphic novels for Lawless then you will be up to date since the current series picks up where the last novel stopped :
https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/graphic-novels/dredd-verse/XB610 (https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/graphic-novels/dredd-verse/XB610)
and
https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/graphic-novels/dredd-verse/XB636 (https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/graphic-novels/dredd-verse/XB636)
I have purchased both. About 3/4 of the way through welcome to Badrock and already feel like I have double my moneys worth.
What a superbly crafted story!
Tense, funny, twisty, full of metaphors, with great action, unashamedly wild westy but still unable to be told without the sci-fi trappings. Plus the usual Dabnett puns and a great little "Says Marshall Metta Lawson..." trick.
And that's all before I mention the superb art full of character and great storytelling and a batshit crazy level of commitment!
I like the fact the actual timeframe is vague. I keep thinking Johnnie Alpha and Wulf could stroll in...