My first Prog of the New Year and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Splendid cover by Neil Roberts. Really quite lovely.
Nerve Centre. Tharg plugs the Mega Collection and Droid Life features Aqualung.
Judge Dredd: Beautiful, beautiful art from the Staples droid. The opening panel is a disgusting work of art.
Ulysses Sweet: I still like this, which surprises me because I don't normally. A nice break from the normal bleak peak into the future.
Orlok Agent of East Meg One Himself.: Very nice centre spread. I'll have to give it a few more episodes before deciding if it's for me or not.
The Order: Love the art by John Burns. It really seems quite old skool but in a modern way.
Savage Book 9: Not my favourite but still enjoying it. "Those aren't pillows!" "They're not plastic hammers!"
Really enjoyed that! A fun Prog to start the year.
The cover.
(http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/MattoftheSpurs/CCF10012015_00000_zpsb3d2f5cd.jpg) (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/MattoftheSpurs/media/CCF10012015_00000_zpsb3d2f5cd.jpg.html)
Just a quick note on my 'reviews'. I don't go into too much detail so as not to spoil your enjoyment when you get your own copy. I just mention what I like, or don't like, whatever the case may be.
Cracking cover you could eat (hot) baked beans of it.Any chance you could throw all six pages of Dredd up too real quick.Go on Molch-R still on charge so he's not up yet.
After the debacle of Prog 1912 and the locked thread I daren't. :-[
It's a bloody dictatorship.
I love that cover. Z
Great cover, and a great character on it. Thirteenth Century robot head from a secret order of knights that parasitically controls the rotting body of a decapitated werewolf. This is what I buy 2000AD for.
Lush cover, the preview is why I read this thread early, through my fingers. Lots of head-shots on recent covers, not a bad thing when they are as charged as this.
Not had a chance to read the Prog yet but have to say for me the cover continues the conversation had on last weeks Prog thread. I really like 'The Order', as Tordelback says robot fella (err what is his name) is a fantastic character, the picture is wonderful, the technique fantastic, as a cover utter bobbins. Its not at all dynamic, the colours are flat and don't draw the eye, even the red flare of its eyes aren't enough to turn heads.
Now compare that to last weeks, a 'simpler' picture, at least technique-wise, but a much more striking design and the higher contrast made it a real eye catcher.
Of course as always with these things ya pays ya money, ya makes ya choice and as I commented last week given the way the cover of the year thread is progressing I fear I'm in the minority, at least in these parts, just really strikes me as odd what people think makes a good cover...
... mind the fact that so many seem to suggests I just need to shut up!
Also just read we should have the Android 2000ad app up and ready... and I can't find it... okay so its a sub copy but you guys have until Wednesday or I'm... well I'm.... well... pouting!
Judge Dredd: Art just keeps delivering, and the story is now picking up pace.
Ulysses Sweet: I Poop.
Orlok No idea what's going on, or where this is headed, but I'm definitely interested!
The Order: Loving the artwork, story progressing along the lines I thought it would.....until they start banging on about dimentional crossovers.....ok, maybe I don't quite know where this is going after all!
Savage Well, seems the timeline got itself sorted with a 6 month shift and four panels. Still not really caring though.....but at least it's nice to look at.
... and three in the row from me... which isn't a good thing but at least I've actually read the Prog now!
Step up from last week, mainly due to steps in the right direction from three thrill.
Dredd continues to be nothing more than solid Dredd but elsewhere things are making progress. Both Orlok and Ulysses Sweet improve, not massively but enough to maker a difference. Orlok is still developing, while dropping in neat little easter eggs from the era its based, but I suspect Ulysses Sweet is as developed as its going to get.
Savage makes the most progress as I loved this weeks, back up to the heights this thrill can reach at its best. Mills is at his best when he evokes Bill's political differences with his own, focuses on what he'd do as a character and thus perverts his own personal preaching. The way Quartz manipulates him is masterful and the conversation in the cafe superb. Just hope the route Bill is taking isn't going to simply convert him to become another mouth piece for the talented Mr Mills - either way I loved this weeks episode.
It would probably be thrill of the week if I wasn't finding myself enjoying 'The Order' quite as much as I do. Loving this Thrill. The only downer this week is Ya Robot man might have been attached to his proper body which could take away from the fun of him inhabiting various corpses. Still great fun episode and hope we get too see more of our enemy than merely their name next week, its about time...
Good Prog.
I wish Ulysses Sweet was in colour. Maybe some bold, vibrant art would help its zany nature. In general, the Prog felt a lot like last week's to me—something I'll happily read but won't be terribly excited about until the current crop of stories are done. (Orlok was a notch better though at least this week.)
I've not read it yet, but the cover is fantastic! :D
Dredd was superb this week. I'm actually finding the journals the best bit - it's heartbreaking to read about the colonist's hopes for the future when we all know what's about to happen... Script-wise there's no particular flair here, only because Wagner's presumably quite content to let this be Staples' show, and boy is he delivering the goods! Bit depressing to think that we're already nearly a third of the way through. :(
I was a big fan of the last run of Ulysess Sweet, but despite a terrific opener this new run hasn't hit the same heights. Hopefully it picks up next week.
As someone else said, I genuinely can't call where Orlok is headed, and in terms of my enjoyment that's not to be underestimated. I'm certainly a lot more interested than I was last week (which was not at all).
Still loving The Order. It's fresh, fun and funny. I love that the Order itself is three mad old men and a robot (not to mention a dog and an imaginary kestrel(!)). This strip is absolutely barking, and looks gorgeous to boot. Looking forward to seeing what the wurms are all about.
Savage was superb. This is Mills at his very best - I honestly can't understand the moaning when this strip came back, as though it's an acknowledged clunker. Is this not one of the most consistently solid strips of his latter-day output? And what a (painfully rare) joy when Mills lets his characters be characters rather than his own mouthpieces!
I wasn't thrilled about this line-up last week but it's really finding its feet. I do think there's a bit too much black-and-white going on though!
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 10 January, 2015, 10:11:51 PM
Savage was superb. This is Mills at his very best - I honestly can't understand the moaning when this strip came back, as though it's an acknowledged clunker. Is this not one of the most consistently solid strips of his latter-day output? And what a (painfully rare) joy when Mills lets his characters be characters rather than his own mouthpieces!
Well said that man.
QuoteI wasn't thrilled about this line-up last week but it's really finding its feet. I do think there's a bit too much black-and-white going on though!
Burn the heretic!
Hate to sound like Logan ;) but there is little here to tweak my bag of spanners.
Dredd would be fine but I've little love for the gang of four, however In The Big W we trust. Apart from that there is nothing here that sparks my interest, first time in years that's happened.
Six months into my re-subscription to the two mags, I feel like I'm finally grokking the modern 2000AD as opposed to the 20-year-old memories of the comic I've had since I unsubscribed in the early 90's. Saturday morning post is becoming one of the highlights of the week!
Dredd: Love it. Salivacious art, and I feel like the story is finally getting into gear. I have two problems, though. Anderson looks too young (unless there's a Dreddworld reason for that I've missed?), and the strip so far feels like an awesome 60-page graphic novel arbitrarily split into weekly installments.
Ulysses Sweet: This is a new one on me. It's a grower, but I hope it doesn't out-stay its welcome. The guffaw humour is a nice change of pace. Anyone else spend too long staring at that hamburger? That was one fine looking hamburger.
Orlok: Great strip. Feels kind of old-school. Early days but loving the pace.
The Order: I'll admit I sometimes tire of the genre-crossover game, but this one has me in its claws. Funny this week, too.
Savage: As an old reader who has clearly forgotten most of what he ever knew about the ABC Warriors (which probably wasn't much), this one has me skidding around for context. The strip's politics are a bit on the nose but I can live with that. Can anyone point me at a good resource for how this strip intersects with ABC?
So a day off work and a leisurely breakfast, followed by a salivation over this week's prog.
Cover: beautiful, it reminded me of a plate out of an 1960's History text.
Dredd: again a consummate blend of art and scripting. The triple threads of the earthbound investigation; the blissful journey by the mega-rich (which is subtly unravelling around the edges) and the cold, grim 'rebirth' of the Dark Judges is a delight to read.
Ulysees Sweet: space bound uber nut continues apace on his journey of chaos throughout the stars. I love this strip.
Orlok: very nearly my favourite story this week. The pacing and art on this are a joy.
The Order: yep, it isn't steam punk, too early.....waterwheel punk?
Savage: I even liked this.
A really good prog, not a duff story in it. Z :D
Did anyone else's Prog arrive with blank pages? Dredd's in there , as is Savage , Orlok and Sweet. It's out of order for sure.
Worth a few bob that one. Z
Quote from: wedgeski on 13 January, 2015, 10:44:01 AM
Dredd: Love it. Salivacious art, and I feel like the story is finally getting into gear. I have two problems, though. Anderson looks too young (unless there's a Dreddworld reason for that I've missed?),
I think Greg has modelled his version on everybody's favourite cosplayer and Planet Replica's official model Integra Fairbrook (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%2B%22judge+Anderson%22+integra+fairbrook&espv=2&biw=1498&bih=970&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lMS3VMLcHZXharb_gKAN&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ)
Quote from: strontium71 on 15 January, 2015, 01:14:19 PM
Did anyone else's Prog arrive with blank pages? Dredd's in there , as is Savage , Orlok and Sweet. It's out of order for sure.
You have bought the 'sketch strip' variant. Drawing your own strip is often preferable, see
American Reaper.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 15 January, 2015, 01:48:03 PM
Quote from: wedgeski on 13 January, 2015, 10:44:01 AM
Dredd: Love it. Salivacious art, and I feel like the story is finally getting into gear. I have two problems, though. Anderson looks too young (unless there's a Dreddworld reason for that I've missed?),
I think Greg has modelled his version on everybody's favourite cosplayer and Planet Replica's official model Integra Fairbrook (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%2B%22judge+Anderson%22+integra+fairbrook&espv=2&biw=1498&bih=970&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lMS3VMLcHZXharb_gKAN&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ)
sssh. Don't look to closely at her parting though as it swaps sides a few times.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 15 January, 2015, 01:48:03 PM
Quote from: wedgeski on 13 January, 2015, 10:44:01 AM
Dredd: Love it. Salivacious art, and I feel like the story is finally getting into gear. I have two problems, though. Anderson looks too young (unless there's a Dreddworld reason for that I've missed?),
I think Greg has modelled his version on everybody's favourite cosplayer and Planet Replica's official model Integra Fairbrook (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%2B%22judge+Anderson%22+integra+fairbrook&espv=2&biw=1498&bih=970&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lMS3VMLcHZXharb_gKAN&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ)
Oh yeah, I see that now.
A tasty prog. Savage would be the least of the Thrills normally but the politicking, while overt, seemed better-handled than usual. Savage in the 'caff' once again brought a smile, he'd fit into Walford no problem.
Probably Dredd & Orlok the highlights but when it's this good, that's splitting hairs.
Some great stuff this week, love this line-up.
Over in Dredd there's some puzzling stuff going on behind some really remarkable art. First, Anderson appears to have lost her personality entirely - not a hint of irreverence, not a wisecrack, not even a jokey name for the Dark Judges. Even Alan Grant doesn't write her quite so dour. What gives? Second, who's the fifth dead body for? When Death's host comes in carrying the latest body, there are already three corpses in the coffin-things, and then having dressed himself in his uniform and lain in the fluidsssss (sorry, it's a compulsion), he shoots himself (although I had thought bodies had to be at a certain stage of ripenesssss). So what did he need that last body for? Is there a fifth (regular) Dark Judge? Please for the love of all that's unholy, don't let it be PJ.
Sweet still is, although I was hoping to see a bit more from the hilarious Hendersons. Adams has a great handle on the 'self-contained episode' thing, very enjoyable strip.
The Order is ace, Kek-W again showing that he can write modern versions of the kind of stories that would have been perfectly at home in early 80's 2000AD, Eagle or Scream. This is my kind of thing.
Savage shows why Pat Mills is Pat Mills - he never lets a strip sit still. There's a part of me that doesn't want to see the Savage-ABC Warriors-Ro Busters circle closed quite so tightly, but another part of me that thinks it's great.
Surprise this week is Orlok, which opens up beautifully into something intriguing, and doesn't drag the 'Orlok's gone rogue!' red herring out too long. Love the clever use of the 2100 setting re: MC-2's little problems, but also wonder how this will all gel with 'Cop' over in the Meg, set only a dozen years earlier.
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 January, 2015, 11:39:50 PM
Some great stuff this week, love this line-up.
Over in Dredd there's some puzzling stuff going on behind some really remarkable art. First, Anderson appears to have lost her personality entirely - not a hint of irreverence, not a wisecrack, not even a jokey name for the Dark Judges. Even Alan Grant doesn't write her quite so dour. What gives? Second, who's the fifth dead body for? When Death's host comes in carrying the latest body, there are already three corpses in the coffin-things, and then having dressed himself in his uniform and lain in the fluidsssss (sorry, it's a compulsion), he shoots himself (although I had thought bodies had to be at a certain stage of ripenesssss). So what did he need that last body for? Is there a fifth (regular) Dark Judge? Please for the love of all that's unholy, don't let it be PJ (Maybe, that is - obviously I'd be fine with it being Holden).
Sweet still is, although I was hoping to see a bit more from the hilarious Hendersons. Adams has a great handle on the 'self-contained episode' thing, very enjoyable strip.
The Order is ace, Kek-W again showing that he can write modern versions of the kind of stories that would have been perfectly at home in early 80's 2000AD, Eagle or Scream. This is my kind of thing.
Savage shows why Pat Mills is Pat Mills - he never lets a strip sit still. There's a part of me that doesn't want to see the Savage-ABC Warriors-Ro Busters circle closed quite so tightly, but another part of me that thinks it's great.
Surprise this week is Orlok, which opens up beautifully into something intriguing, and doesn't drag the 'Orlok's gone rogue!' red herring out too long. Love the clever use of the 2100 setting re: MC-2's little problems, but also wonder how this will all gel with 'Cop' over in the Meg, set only a dozen years earlier.
I was given to think that Mordechai was still walking the Cursed Earth....possibly him? Z
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 January, 2015, 11:39:50 PM
Second, who's the fifth dead body for? When Death's host comes in carrying the latest body, there are already three corpses in the coffin-things, and then having dressed himself in his uniform and lain in the fluidsssss (sorry, it's a compulsion), he shoots himself (although I had thought bodies had to be at a certain stage of ripenesssss). So what did he need that last body for? Is there a fifth (regular) Dark Judge? Please for the love of all that's unholy, don't let it be PJ.
That puzzled me too - I think it was a genuine art slip, as the fifth body isn't even accounted for in the script, while the other three - Berbatov; Will Orchard; and Dave Kurtz - have all had their deaths/dissaperances carefully established by Wagner.
Quote from: ZenArcade on 16 January, 2015, 11:56:28 PM
I was given to think that Mordechai was still walking the Cursed Earth....possibly him? Z
Man that's some quality continerdity!
I hate to say it, but I think it's a script-slip rather than an art one. Death should have dressed the corpse in his uniform, put it in the coffin and then shot himself. Then his spirit would inhabit the 'riper' corpse, and the fifth body would have been left on the floor. That'd be a lot of instructions for Greg to misinterpret - somewhere along the lines the script has got tangled.
Or it's Mordechai!
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 January, 2015, 11:39:50 PM
Is there a fifth (regular) Dark Judge? Please for the love of all that's unholy, don't let it be PJ.
I'm placing 5 Creds on it being PJ (based on some previous promo art for the series and 67% wild speculation).
Hopefully there's clarification forthcoming on this morning's Prog 1914 spoiler thread...
It could just be Death is hiding Kurtzs body after disturbing him in the morgue.
Has anyone got prog 1914 yet??? Z
Quote from: Zenith 666 on 17 January, 2015, 11:00:45 AM
It could just be Death is hiding Kurtzs body after disturbing him in the morgue.
I thought that too, but why would he have stripped him?
I have prog, 1914, but I haven' read 1913 yet, as I mislaid it and only found it about ten mins ago....!
Darren, speed read dude and precis. Z
Quote from: ZenArcade on 17 January, 2015, 12:08:50 PM
Darren, speed read dude and precis. Z
But not in this thread, please!
I would pay the cover price for the Order alone. I am truly loving both art and story.
Savage is great stuff though I would have preferred Mills ABC/Savage worlds to remain distinct.
Judge Death etc never grabbed me. Ulysses Sweet is a de facto skip. Good stuff as to the rest.
I know why he stripped him,deaths a pervert.
Quite. Z :D
After a nice return to form last week, this week's prog feels a wee bit of a let down.
A cracking, and simple, cover this week. Owt relating to The Order is OK in my book. Like Brass Sun before it, a new instant fave.
And inside this weeks helping is aces again. The best thing in the prog atm.
A bit of an average Savage this week, but I enjoy this strip. Orlok is grand again, and Im interested in seeing how this all develops.
And Ulysses is just a silly romp as usual, and causes no offence.
Dredd again has left me unsure. There was a few things I missed on the first couple of read's. Like Death shooting himself, or rather his host's body. Not the clearest due to the art, maybe? And maybe a script error has led to some confusion as well.
But still, like I say, im not sure about this strip at all.
Quote from: TordelBack on 17 January, 2015, 12:01:49 PM
Quote from: Zenith 666 on 17 January, 2015, 11:00:45 AM
It could just be Death is hiding Kurtzs body after disturbing him in the morgue.
I thought that too, but why would he have stripped him?
To quote Father Todd Unctuous,
"ah, I don't know - it was just going that way ..." (http://youtu.be/ZmkeAlut7KI?t=48m29s)
It could be that one of the bodies isn't a body but just Death's uniform laid out in preparation.
Or Fear's.
Quote from: Butch on 17 January, 2015, 02:44:12 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 17 January, 2015, 12:01:49 PM
Quote from: Zenith 666 on 17 January, 2015, 11:00:45 AM
It could just be Death is hiding Kurtzs body after disturbing him in the morgue.
I thought that too, but why would he have stripped him?
To quote Father Todd Unctuous, "ah, I don't know - it was just going that way ..." (http://youtu.be/ZmkeAlut7KI?t=48m29s)
damn it beat me to it! :lol:
great cover robot reminded me of dr doom when i saw it on shelf
Judge Dredd: nice opening panel of the gnarled corpse of Strepsil. No suprise there with PJ and the dark judges in her house she was'nt going to be around for long. Anderson in panel two looks like Patsy Kensit to me. The story builds up a sombre momentum . Some one mentioned Anderson not wisecracking I think this is deliberate for building up the mood and maybe Wagner is stopping himself going into comedy dark judges mode (die laughing was pretty bad). Was puzzled why Anderson did'nt pick up Roberto Smith was Maybe. Was'nt Roberto Smith in the cure ? remember the Dredd song?
Ulysees Sweet: still enjoying this . Sweet's musing about intolerance made me laugh considering how much of a psycho he is.
Orlok: Was'nt impressed last issue .but boy this prog's double page spread has made me rethink my dismissal of the strip .
The order: a nice bit of humour has warmed me up to this series.
Savage: Still enjoying this. Quartz 's manipulation of Savage was good. And a refernce to rojaws made me laugh.
All in all a good issue
Quote from: M.I.K. on 17 January, 2015, 07:55:50 PM
It could be that one of the bodies isn't a body but just Death's uniform laid out in preparation.
To be fair there have been a few inconsistencies in the art (like heads flipping to the opposite end of the coffin) so people are probably reading too much into it. Who cares, though, with art
that gorgeous?
Is that it is so meticulously painted that the duration between frames may have taken days or indeed weeks of work. Is it possible that in engaging in this level of detail continuity slipped in some instances? Z
Good Prog, three thrill's lifting it above average.
Dredd really atmospheric stuff, art is fantastic.
The Order, love it, the art is brilliant and the pace of the story has my interest. As has been said its a real throwback to older Brit comics in a very good way.
Savage, great subdued end to the Volgan invasion, lovely art. The crossovers are great, wonder how this will merge into Robusters?
Sweet, I have said before this is not my cuppa, I would prefer to see these creators on new characters.
Orlok, same reason as Sweet, art really stepped up though, lovely stuff.
Quote from: maryanddavid on 18 January, 2015, 11:01:16 PM
Good Prog, three thrill's lifting it above average.
Dredd really atmospheric stuff, art is fantastic.
The Order, love it, the art is brilliant and the pace of the story has my interest. As has been said its a real throwback to older Brit comics in a very good way.
Savage, great subdued end to the Volgan invasion, lovely art. The crossovers are great, wonder how this will merge into Robusters?
Sweet, I have said before this is not my cuppa, I would prefer to see these creators on new characters.
Orlok, same reason as Sweet, art really stepped up though, lovely stuff.
That throwback quality to The Order is definitely another huge lure for me. Lurve it.
Cover - Like a lovely old oil painting. Static as anything but otherwise wonderously executed. Love Ritersthal's design as well.
Dredd - Liking where this is going but surely the ahit is really going to hit the fan next instalment. Gotta wonder if Dredd and co. are going to consider it worth the hastle of going after the DJ's or just leave them to top off the rich folk and spiral in space for decades.
Sweet - Hasn't always been my favourite strip. But this weeks i stalment actualy nabs thrill of the week for me and is one of the best things i've read in ages, simply because it doesn't give the horrible, bigoted old cow the benefit of the doub't and kills her. Fantastic.
Orlok - Nice cameo's from Kazan and that doctor guy from the first Sov Invasion story. And is that Aimee Nixon as well? But besides that not much actually happens this week so, pass on.
The Order - As mentioned, Ritersthal might have the makeings of a classic tooth character in the makeing. Planting his dismembered torso on a pole and screeching evil at his pursuers is fantastic. He also appears somewhat more real than the actual people around him. Quite a lot happened this week and i'm reLly excited to see where this is going.
Savage - Has nice art but the story is Pat on auto-pilot once again. Ah well.
I see this has popped up over on CAF
(http://i.imgur.com/0ip6MCW.jpg)
The original opening page to Part 3 of Dark Justice that Greg worked on, and 80% finished before abandoning it and started again
Jeeesus. That is something else. Z
And that wasn't good enough? I'd be delighted if I could produce half that quality!
Well, after being all snottty about it last week, I have to admit that this week's episode of Orlok was a lot better than I expected. Some interesting layouts and storytelling throughout. Still groaned at the line about the scar though.
Elsewhere, I was quite surprised to find that Savage was my standout pick of the week. Then I spoiled it to myself by wondering if Prog 2015 was the first to ever to feature two different Richard Branson caricatures and which one people liked best.
Regarding the bodies thing in Dredd. Is it perhaps the case the Davey, up to now, has been controlled by Death but needs to be die in order to become the host?
What was the reason for redoing that page? Other than the lighting being a bit brighter, it's almost identical to the published version as far as I can tell. I'm not Greg Staples though.
It would seem he simply wasn't happy with this attempt, and decided to start again, but here's the link -- http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=1194447&GSub=156163
My take on why there appear to be five bodies is that the one nearest to the reader isn't a body, it is simply a uniform that Cutler has laid out. It appears to be Fear's, so presumably the body his carrying in ends up as Fear.
Cutler then, under the influence of Death then shoots himself, so that Death's spirit can then re-animate his corpse. It has been well established in earlier stories that that is how the Dark Judges work.
I assume that the thing about the heads changing ends is simply a mistake.
Here's our take on the Prog -
http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2015/01/2000ad-prog-1913.html (http://www.popculturebandit.co.uk/2015/01/2000ad-prog-1913.html)
Really enjoying all the strips at the moment, especially The Order, which has quickly become a firm favourite in just three weeks!