Topics

1

Books & Comics / Dan Abnett on Vampirella

« on: 02 November, 2020, 04:00:33 PM »

Maybe old news now, but I just read that current 2000AD MVP Dan Abnett will be writing a forthcoming cosmic-set Vampirella mini-series.
Artwork by erstwhile Art Droid Paul Davidson.

https://forbiddenplanet.com/310622-vampirella-dark-powers-1-cover-a-lee/

https://www.superherohype.com/comics/486828-exclusive-dan-abnett-explains-vampirellas-superhero-turn-in-the-dark-powers#/slide/1

Looks nice.

2

Help! / Comic back issues (UK & Ireland)

« on: 02 November, 2020, 03:48:26 PM »

General query - any recommendations for reliable websites that sell comic back issues?

Preferably UK / Ireland based due to ever increasing international shipping fees.

3

Games / Evercade Console

« on: 26 June, 2020, 03:59:12 PM »

Heard of this? Me neither, but I just read that a collection of some beloved Oliver Twins games are going to be released on it; https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/evercade_retro_system_to_receive_oliver_twins_collection_cartridge_all_profits_will_go_to_charity

It'll be a real nostalgic buzz playing some of those Dizzy games again, and I was impressed with the range of other cartridge collections also available.

Have just ordered the basic console pack for £60 on Amazon. Bargain.

4

General / It Shoulda Ended with...

« on: 13 August, 2019, 04:12:35 PM »

Wossat? Something you used to love sucks now, does it?
Well my entitled nerdy friend, welcome to the inaugural post in "It Shoulda Ended with..."

You don't have to explain your reasons. You don't even have to dislike the stuff that came afterward.
All you need to do is place your finger on the point that - if the story had ended there - the work would be much stronger, would hold up as timeless, undiluted, yadda yadda.

I'll kick us off with 10 at whimsical random:

Stat Wars - Episode VI
Bad Company - The Krool Heart
Nemesis the Warlock - Book IX
Daredevil - Born Again
Watchmen - Issue 12
Durham Red - The Empty Suns
The X-Files - Season 6
Slaine - The Horned God
Indiana Jones - The Last Crusade
The Dark Judges - Necropolis



Now; who's gonna be the first to mention Chaos Day?

5

General / Cassandra Syndrome

« on: 13 August, 2019, 10:34:26 AM »

Maybe something discussed before, but recent comments had me mulling it over again; is it time to "retire" Judge Anderson?

The character and strip had such impact in her heyday - I remember being more excited about the prospect of a new Anderson PSI Division strip than a new Dredd or many other fan favorites in the 80's - 90's.

But something changed along the way, and for me personally, the strip lost it's lustre shortly after Postcards from the Edge, with Satan probably being the last story I genuinely enjoyed.
Following on from there, unfortunately, IMO the last time the character made any impact was when she hit the ground in My Name is Death.

The strip went from being an MVP traded between 2000AD and The Meg to something that became increasingly a background Thrill.
As the years went on, I began to enjoy Alan Grant's take on the character to a lesser degree, and even less so the subsequent writers.

Whats the general consensus? Plough on as is, or let Alan Grant (and it kinda has to be Alan Grant) write one last epic-ish tale and retire the character once and for all?

As an aside - I'm not really that bothered by recent 'youthful' depictions of Cass, it's all artistic license, and if Joe can regularly look 45 she can get away with 30.

6

Help! / Bags & Boards for older Progs

« on: 24 April, 2019, 10:28:53 AM »

Hi All,

Looking for a fair priced supplier of bags & boards for the older / larger Progs and Megs.

Comicare / Ultimate Guard are fine for comics from the last 15-20 years, but not for the older stuff.

Any help appreciated.

7

Film & TV / The Joker

« on: 04 April, 2019, 02:20:06 PM »

No comments on this yet?

I think the new trailer looks amazing - something different (for this particular genre).
Joaquin Phoenix was a superb choice for this role.

Could be this years 'Logan'.

8

Books & Comics / Walt Simonson's Ragnarok

« on: 02 April, 2019, 12:21:37 PM »

Good news for fans of good comics- living legend Walt Simonson will be bringing back modern classic Ragnarok for a further 6 issue series this summer:

https://www.newsarama.com/44559-simonson-s-ragnarok-returns-with-the-breaking-of-helheim.html

9

Help! / 80s / 90s TV Horror Anthology

« on: 25 March, 2019, 02:25:35 PM »

Dear Hivemind- I need your help in identifying an episode from a late 80's / early 90's horror TV show.

What I know:
Definitely a 'one-off' episode from a horror anthology series (likely from either 'Tales from the Crypt', 'Tales from the Darkside' or 'Monsters')
Definitely an American cast.
I am 90% sure it was a 'Tales from the Crypt' episode, but can't find anything matching the story on the Wiki synopsis or a YouTube video.

Story:
Two high-school girls are lured to an abandoned fun house (or amusement park).
They proceed through a garish maze by descending through tunnel slides to get to the next stage / room.
Near the end it's revealed that they were lured there by a vengeful female classmate, and they escape at gunpoint down a final slide - straight into a brick wall.
Memorably, there is a sickening thud and a leak of blood (from the other side) as they smash into the wall.

Ring a bell with anyone?

10

Other Reviews / Simon Bisley Sketchbook 2018

« on: 09 January, 2019, 06:17:46 PM »

Got this as a stocking filler and poured over it on Christmas night with some tasty whiskey, just as Biz would have wanted.

Not on trend to be a fan of this type of artwork these days, but I still love his stuff. Always will.
Some 2000AD related content too- Dredd / Anderson and Slaine pieces I haven't seen before.

Worth a pick-up if it's your cuppa.

11

Off Topic / Objet de désir

« on: 27 September, 2018, 12:42:55 PM »

Now I've hit my 40's I find I'm starting to curb my nerdy ways.
The monthly comic pull list is a shell of its former glut.
No longer is a TV show or film given the benefit of the doubt simply because of the genre.
The Loot Crate subscription has long been cancelled.
Video game 'day one' purchases are no longer a concern at all.

No doubt finances are a factor here (I will be paying two mortgages until at least early 2019), but definitely a change in attitude too.

And yet. And yet.
There is a certain compulsion that draws me towards random purchases of otherwise useless tat.
It may end up gathering dust on a shelf. It may end up in a drawer, but Grud help me- I have to have it.

Anyone else afflicted by this seemingly intermittent bout of pure madness?

Recent items on my list of curios:

- Playmobil 'Stay Puft Marshmallow Man'. Status: Purchased. Already in a drawer.
- Lego City Pizza Van. Status: Purchased. Built, but already packed away with Lego collection.
- 'Twinkie the Kid' Funko Pop. Status: Ordered from Zavvi.
- Garbage Pail Kids "Oh the Horror-ible" card set. Status: Purchased on Ebay and in the post. NB- Postage was twice the cost of the cards.
- Super Mario Brothers pajamas by Pennys. Status: worn to bed last night.
- Classic Twilight Zone (black and white) action figures. Status: Looking online for a price that will allow me to sleep at night.

12

Games / Fallout 76

« on: 30 May, 2018, 03:30:45 PM »

Please let this be something that I can waste 250 hours of my life on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ye84Zrqndo

13

General / We need NEW BLOOD- Join us, Joe....

« on: 15 March, 2018, 04:00:03 PM »

We've had a bunch of talented new Art Droids coming through the construction line recently, any in particular you'd like to see back in the Prog sooner rather than later?

Without referencing specific back Progs or specials, the following made an indelible mark in recent memory;

Jimmy Broxton; A striking style that immediately caught my attention. Would love to see him back in the Prog on either Hope or Sinister Dexter. Or even tackling Dredd.
Kei Zama; Her Blackblood one-off was brilliant. There has to be more ABC Warriors stuff on the way, right? Right?
Leonardo Manco; Very much an established artist already, but his recent turn on Rogue Trooper highlighted the fact that Tharg should pay out for a full time transfer fee. Pair him up with John Smith and see what happens.

14

Film & TV / The Last Jedi - Forum Opinion

« on: 29 January, 2018, 04:04:13 PM »

The Last Jedi- still a water-cooler topic round my way, and here too it seems.

I've made no secret of the fact I despised it (generally for the same 10 stock reasons that most normal people give), but sweet Jovus, I cannot understand how it is literally loved by some (my own brother in law, one of my best mates and a few well regarded forumites included).

We've had a bit of distance now since we've seen it. Over a month to reflect on it.
Lets put this baby to a vote; post your score out of 5 here and we'll see what the demographic with truly refined sci-fi taste (2000AD fans) think.

Place your vote as;

5/5 - Cooler than the other side of a Carbonite pillow.
4/5 - I am one with Disney, and The Force is with me.
3/5 - Balance to The Force.
2/5 - Worse than Episode I.
1/5 - Let the hate flow through you.

15

Games / Metroid: Samus Returns

« on: 10 August, 2017, 10:21:27 AM »

Any Metroid fans in the house?

Really, really excited about the upcoming Metroid: Samus Returns for the 3DS, now mere weeks away.
In a year without Breath of the Wild this would've been without a doubt my most anticipated game.

Love the series in general - very fond memories of the first Metroid Prime on the GameCube, the superb Super Metroid on the SNES, going all the way back to the experience etched into my then very young soul- playing the original Metroid on the NES.
We all know games from that era were sometimes quite tough, and completing this felt like a genuine achievement when I was 11 or 12.

All footage released for Samus Returns so far looks amazing- could be the fist 3DS game that I'll use the 3D for the duration.
I've already pre-ordered the two new (gorgeous) Metroid Amiibo that'll be released on the same day as the game, only afterwards realizing that they'll be useless without an NFC reader- my 3DS is the very first iteration.