(https://2000ad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Megazine-465-Cover-Reveal-1024x1024.png)
Right, then. Devlin's back. Which is good, because it – for me, as a fan – gives the Meg a boost. But I will say that this Meg was – perhaps inevitably – a quite tough read, given that there are two extensive tribute features. I mean, I'm glad to see them. They need to be there. But they are sobering reminders nonetheless.
Dredd kicks things off with part 2 of Ravenous, which is a slightly by-the-numbers action film Dredd, elevated by new ideas for the enemy. I think it works well in this particular line-up. Then we see a pic from Deadworld that fills me with a little dread. Are the Dark Judges heading into silly territory again?
Anyway, a six-page Gibson tribute is next, followed by DeMarco. Early days for this iteration of the character and for me it's not quite firing on all cylinders. But the way she's presented, and the pacing of the strip works very well. I'm not sure what everyone's plans are, but it feels like this could be a slow-burn strip that could benefit from an extended stay.
Next up, Mega-City 2099, with Niemand returning. And, well, I don't know. It's... fine? But the more of these I read, the more I think this concept worked as an amusing one-off rather than as a regular. I do like the idea of a series set in Dredd's past, but this isn't doing it for me. (And I'm fully aware it's a kind of alt-universe take – although I wonder whether all readers will be.)
The Burns tribute follows – another six pages, and a lib wobble with pic of a winking Dante. Then more text: the piece on Mark Eyles (Wireheads) proves way more interesting than I thought it would be, and a single-pager on Tony Allen gives us our third obituary in a single issue.
Reprint! I don't recall reading much Hugo Pratt before, but I rather enjoyed this snippet of Crimson Sea, even if it's another very much not in standalone territory. Hookjaw has already lost me. Under Siege had an untick, and very Mega-City writing in terms of the citizens and Kidney Hut. Aside from some slightly unclear era hopping, the main issue I have here is Dredd himself doesn't feel like Dredd – a common issue with US writers.
I imagine Devlin Waugh under Kot will continue to be divisive, as it now goes fiull-on into the queer angle of the strip that for a while was mere subtext. Here, it very much is not, albeit being used as a framing device of sorts to get Devlin out of his funk and back investigating. The moment with Tittivilus and the jacket was inspired. One of the most stupid panels in Meg history, and a proper guffaw moment for me.
And we end on Harrower Squad. As I said last week, this feels a bit alt-world as well, although to be fair Dredd has battled all kinds of weirdness over the years. So perhaps this era's Scotland is packed full of terrifying mutants. It's pretty good though. It also means that, bar 2099, for me this month all of the original strip beats the reprint, which is good.
Devlin Waugh > Dredd > DeMarco > Harrower Squad > Crimson Sea > Under Siege > Mega-City 2099 > Hookjaw
That image of Devlin (from the cover?) is absolutely top draw. Captures so much of the character in a single image. Slightly lascivious, a quiet sad desperation and a twinkle and hint of a cheeky grin. Its wonderful.
Yeah, that's the cover reveal. I couldn't (during an admittedly quite quick search) find the full cover.
Cover by Mike Dowling:
(https://i0.wp.com/comicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Megazine-465-Cover.png?resize=768%2C1009&ssl=1)
I had a good chuckle at mega city 2099 course i despise the two characters involved so maybe thats why? :lol:
I didn't think Meg 465 was out till next week (third Wednesday of the month)? Could not find a copy round my parts.
Yeah, 21/2, according to the 2000 AD social feeds. (I have a subscription.)
weird do us subbies always get it a week early or is this just a weird case
I got mine last Saturday too
(Subscriber)
I didn't! :(
Subscribers usually get them a few days early. This is earlier than normal though. It's dated 19 March, and four weeks earlier would be next week.
Just a quick heads-up for digital Meg subscribers who downloaded the current issue this morning — the last four pages of MC-2099 are supposed to have lettering. If it's missing on your copy (either PDF or CBZ) then download it again — it should now be fixed.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 21 February, 2024, 02:09:10 PMJust a quick heads-up for digital Meg subscribers who downloaded the current issue this morning — the last four pages of MC-2099 are supposed to have lettering. If it's missing on your copy (either PDF or CBZ) then download it again — it should now be fixed.
And here I was thinking it was a silent movie. Thanks I will redownload and hopefully get my words
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 21 February, 2024, 02:09:10 PMJust a quick heads-up for digital Meg subscribers who downloaded the current issue this morning — the last four pages of MC-2099 are supposed to have lettering. If it's missing on your copy (either PDF or CBZ) then download it again — it should now be fixed.
Ah - I did find it a bit baffling!
Poppers! I'd forgotten they existed. They used to be legal here in Ireland but I'm not sure if they still are.
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 25 February, 2024, 05:29:01 PMPoppers! I'd forgotten they existed. They used to be legal here in Ireland but I'm not sure if they still are.
A university bedroom, many moons ago ... several trippers are watching the wall breathe. JK fishes out a bottle of poppers to add to the experience, but he drops them and the bottle smashes. The liquid seeps into the carpet. Everyone but me* leaps onto their hands and knees and starts sniffing the carpet before evaporation wins the contest.
Oh, the humanity!
* Someone has to watch things unfold.
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 25 February, 2024, 05:29:01 PMPoppers! I'd forgotten they existed. They used to be legal here in Ireland but I'm not sure if they still are.
Good Lord... what a waste of perfectly good drug time those things were. Someone gave me some once, and my overwhelming memory is of the world's worst headache. I appreciate that poppers have...
other things to recommend them, but those weren't my thing. As a 'high'...? Keep 'em.
Aye - as far as I remember, the effects were little more than heart palpitations and a headache. But for some reason we just kept sniffing.
I realise now, as a boring straight male, I'm not the target demographic. I can't even imagine how that guy in the Brit Cit club is going to feel after drinking it.
Feeling like an idiot now for not promoting some basic safety education: Healthline - Poppers: What Do They Actually Do? (https://www.healthline.com/health/are-poppers-safe)
tl;dr - never drink them! Unsafe. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Quote from: Rogue Trooper on 26 February, 2024, 12:21:28 AMFeeling like an idiot now for not promoting some basic safety education: Healthline - Poppers: What Do They Actually Do? (https://www.healthline.com/health/are-poppers-safe)
tl;dr - never drink them! Unsafe. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Good call, FS / RT. Your link has also just taught me why they're called poppers- never really thought about it before.
I was going to explain the exact combination of illegal narcotics that made the use of poppers something you'd suffer the headache for, but probably best I don't.
Tip-toe, through the daisies ... oh fuck, a dragon!
The talk of the film Doomsday on another thread has made me have a second read of Harrower Squad. I must say I like this new, batshit-crazy vision of the Scottish wastes. No radioactive feckin whisky and no sudden shift from comedy to pseudo-Vertigo seriousness.
Where has that psychic vortex thing that Schiehallion made gone? I'm hoping it's in the same drawer domes over the Mega-Cities are. Any word of the Song in the Sky satellite being fixed? I very much doubt it.
Anyway looking forward to seeing how this pans out, even if the mutants sound like they could give elocution lessons to the judges.
"How many big heids can you fit in one wee bottle?"
Is what we used to ask about poppers thirty years ago when one of my pals had the great idea of each taking a big sniff then trying to play Street Fighter.
"Dude! That smells like ass."
Is what an American friend said to the young man who tried to offer us some in a Belfast nightclub ten years ago.
No further incidents to report.
Spent altogether too much time trying to figure out exactly where the first episode of Harrower Squad was supposed to be set. There's a St Kent's Academy in Whitburn and a couple of churches a bit too far away from the dead centre. None quite fit.
However, episode two gives us something more substantial to go on. The abandoned cinema the team hide out in...
(https://imgur.com/a/1PMSFYb)
... is unquestionably the Showcase in Coatbridge.
(https://imgur.com/a/vDFceKE)
Ballsed up the links there. If only we could edit posts in the reviews section.
From this.
(https://i.imgur.com/ad3SlMo.jpg)
To this
(https://i.imgur.com/FzYX1BZ.jpg)
Wouldn't take much to level it up to the standards in the strip. :lol:
My home town get a name check on the first page, so I'm well chuffed. :thumbsup:
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 25 February, 2024, 05:29:01 PMPoppers! I'd forgotten they existed. They used to be legal here in Ireland but I'm not sure if they still are.
Can you still get em in the UK? asking for a friend. :-\
Quote from: I, Cosh on 21 March, 2024, 11:20:56 PM"How many big heids can you fit in one wee bottle?"
Is what we used to ask about poppers thirty years ago when one of my pals had the great idea of each taking a big sniff then trying to play Street Fighter.
"Dude! That smells like ass."
Is what an American friend said to the young man who tried to offer us some in a Belfast nightclub ten years ago.
No further incidents to report.
(https://imgur.com/a/vDFceKE)
The mate who gave me my first sniff assured me I'd feel hornier than I'd ever felt before. Unless being horny means your face feeling like it's going to burst in an explosion of blood, and having a pounding migraine into the bargain, he was very much mistaken.
I think I said it but I like Harrower Squad a lot. The absolute shitshow going on outside the cities is far more interesting than nonsense any radioactive whisky silliness.
And yes, I wish these posts were editable too, having forgotten to delete the bit I realised was a bit too harsh.