Topics

1

General / FFT - ROUND of 16 - The Out vs Brink - Heat 02

« on: Today at 06:34:09 AM »

Sponsored by 2000ad in Stages* - see links below.

The Out - more info

VS

Brink - more info

OUCH - this modern Dabnett Derby (and clue this isn’t the only Dabnett Derby this round) is arguably the tie of the round. Sure it's a shame they have been drawn together, but it answers a fascinating question in its own right. Dabnett is surely now undisputed king of Tharg Current Thrill-menagerie, but which of this two latest do we think best?

Form book - Thrill vanquished to date (in order of round met earliest to latest):

The Out: Zaucer of Zilk; The Order; Jaegir; Low Life
Brink: Mercy Heights; Shako; Taxidermist; Stickleback

Round 6 - or “Round of 16” as folks seem to like to call the last 16 these days (?!?) will feature just one thrill a day. I’d like to pretend this is to give these epic thrills more space and time to be commented on… but really it's to buy myself a bit of extra time to plan what comes next!

To Vote Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Friday 19th August and the winner gets a place in the Quarter Finals.

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

*Important Note - this is done with neither permission, or money changing hands (damnit). Apologies for the former, I also meant to do this much earlier but… well ya know how it is…

2

General / FFT - ROUND of 16 - Lawless vs Firekind - Heat 01

« on: 15 August, 2022, 06:23:44 AM »

Sponsored by 2000ad in Stages* - see links below.

Lawless - more info

VS

Firekind - more info

What an opener… but then they will all be great from here on in. From the dust bowls of colony world, 43 Rega to the jungles of Gennyo-Leil come two giants of Tharg’s Thrill-garden. Each holding the flag for something important. Lawless is the last true Meg thrill and Firekind the last single ‘book’ story. One must fall…

Form book - Thrill vanquished to date (in order of round met earliest to latest):

Lawless: Samizdat Squad; Chimpsky's Law; Mazeworld; Thistlebone
Firekind: American Reaper; Mean Team; Harlem Heroes; Meltdown Man

Round 6 - or “Round of 16” as folks seem to like to call the last 16 these days (?!?) will feature just one thrill a day. I’d like to pretend this is to give these epic thrills more space and time to be commented on… but really its to buy myself a bit of extra time to plan what comes next!

To Vote Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Thursday 18th August and the winner gets a place in the Quarter Finals.

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

*Important Note - this is done with neither permission, or money changing hands (damnit). Apologies for the former, I also meant to do this much earlier but… well ya know how it is…

3

General / Showing Meg covers in Barney by year

« on: 13 August, 2022, 05:55:25 PM »

Okay a request for help... bit of an odd one, but all will become clear.

I'm trying to list all the Megazine covers in Barney by year. Now this is easy enough to work out for the Prog but for the Meg as they are listed in volumes I can't figure it out?

Does anyone know if its possible? I've tried a few variations on that used for the Prog but can't make that work for the Meg... any help appreciated...

4

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Nikolai Dante vs. Survival Geeks Rd 5 Heat 16

« on: 11 August, 2022, 07:00:54 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

If the other tie today feels to me as tough as this Round has got this one is arguably the biggest mis-match. Can the energetic charm of Survival Geeks really match up to the singular epic that is Dante? Well we’ll find out here.

Nikolai Dante: Age of the Wolf; Caballistics Inc; DR & Quinch
Survival Geeks: Soul Gun Warrior; Ro-Jaws Robo-Tales; Robo-Hunter

Nikolai Dante - more info

VS

Survival Geeks - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Sunday 14th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

5

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Zenith vs. Anderson PSi Division Rd 5 Heat 15

« on: 11 August, 2022, 07:00:04 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

In a Round of stella ties this one for me is probably the zen… nah I can’t … the peak … or low actually as one of these will have to go. Neither of these was on my list of probable finalists, but they were on my long list for my finalists - if that makes sense. Two absolutely top draw thrills, the sad passing of Alan Grant having pulled Anderson’s early - well first 20 years! - into sharp focus and helped folks appreciate quite what an astonishing body of wotk iy was. Will that be enough though to topple the astonishing Zenith? Such a shame one of these must fall in this Round, but fall one must…

Zenith: Harry Twenty; Buttonman; Ace Trucking
Anderson: Hunted; Droid Life; Max Normal

Zenith - more info

VS

Anderson Psi Division - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Sunday 14th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

6

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Brass Sun vs. Savage Rd 5 Heat 14

« on: 10 August, 2022, 06:29:14 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

For whatever reason these two symbolise the NuGolden Age - as I see it - two fantastic thrills that are rocks of the Rebellion age. Both alas, at least at the moment, denied the continuation, or conclusion they so richly deserve. Does this one boil down to which one you’d like to see back the most?

Brass Sun: Cadet Anderson; Flesh; Cursed Earth Koburn
Savage: DevlinWaugh; Kingmaker; 13

Brass Sun - more info

VS

Savage - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Saturday 13th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

7

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Kingdom vs. Rogue Trooper Rd 5 Heat 13

« on: 10 August, 2022, 06:27:40 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

Over in the ‘FAV THRILL ROUND 4 ROUND-UP’ thread we had the following posts

One thrill more popular with others than me that I think could well take out something like ABC or Rogue is Kingdom. That beast is hugely popular.

…Still, gonna be quite a challenge for even Rogue Trooper to make it through Round 5!

Little did they know the answer was coming in Heat 13!

Kingdom: Carver Hale; Proteus Vex; DreadNoughts
Rogue Trooper: Harlem Heroes (Reboot); Time Twisters; Cradlegrave

Kingdom - more info

VS

Rogue Trooper (Rogue) - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Saturday 13th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

8

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Skizz vs. ABC Warriors Rd 5 Heat 12

« on: 09 August, 2022, 07:02:14 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

The highs are high, for some the lows are low. Which is better across the piece? Will A Moore be down to just one thrill after this tie?

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Skizz: Intestinauts; Fall of Deadworld; Storm Warning
ABC Warriors: Dead Men Walking; Robusters; Leviathan

Skizz - more info

VS

ABC Warriors - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Friday 12th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

9

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Journal of Luke Kirby vs. Ampney Crucis Rd 5 Heat 11

« on: 09 August, 2022, 07:01:14 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

Interesting match-up. I have to be honest, though I like both these thrills whomever gets through will be one of the weaker thrills left in the tourney. That does make this a well balanced match-up mind...Do wish Luke Kirby had been called Spells of Luke Kirby or Self indugle teenage diary of Luke Kirby… see Form Book

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Journal of Luke Kirby: Armitage; Amazing Maze Dumoir; The Dead
Ampney Crucis: Sooner or Later; Simping Detective; Strontium Dogs

Journals of Luke Kirby - more info

VS

Ampney Crucis - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Friday 12th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

10

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Insurrection vs. Nemesis the Warlock Rd 5 Heat 10

« on: 08 August, 2022, 06:35:30 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

So this is how close* we got to a Lawless vs Insurrection derby, one place different and… what a tie that would have been! As it is, I think we have to be realistic and admit that a draw will not happen this time round, after a tie like this, however much Insurrection has earnt this with some touch match-ups, surely Nemesis is a thrill too far…

*Oh shut up any statisticians out there!

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Insurrection: Abelard Snazz; Future Shocks; Aquilia
Nemesis: Bison; Indigo Prime; Defoe

Insurrection - more info

VS

Nemesis the Warlock - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Thursday 11th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

11

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Lawless vs. Thistlebone Rd 5 Heat 9

« on: 08 August, 2022, 06:34:00 AM »

Round 5 was always going to be a quickie and in two weeks we are done. I’m thinking maybe next round we’ll go to one a day to give us more time to luxuriate (or for me to prep whatever’s next if I’m honest, not had to think about that for some time!) Anyway not much else to say except a week of more bastard hard choices!

Hate this one! I adore Lawless and I’ve not been afraid to say for me it would challenge for top spot…but at the cost of Thistlebone - damn! I think Thistlebone, alongside Brink and a couple of others have continued to stretch wonderfully what we think of as a 2000ad story. I feel both are utterly at home in the Prog and yet both feel so different to what’s gone before. But… well Lawless is pure, refined, hyper-charged Thrillpower…

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Lawless: Samizdat Squad; Chimpsky's Law; Mazeworld
Thistlebone: Tempest; Invasion; Chopper

Lawless - more info

VS

Thistlebone - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Thursday 11th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

12

General / 'Welcome To My Nightmare' - Strip in this weeks Treasury Update

« on: 04 August, 2022, 10:11:39 AM »

I'm guessing most folks here get the Treasury of British Comics news bulletin email - like the Thrillmail and if so how GREAT is the strip in it this week!

'Welcome to My Nightmare'

Drawn by José Cánovas, this rather odd story comes from a 1975 edition of Mates

is just immense fun and the art is stunning - old skool T-Rex as well.

Well worth checking out if you haven't.

13

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Low Life vs. The Out Rd 5 Heat 8

« on: 04 August, 2022, 07:48:36 AM »

So managed to squeeze in prep and we are straight into Round 5. 32 thrills remain, so at this point there is little use going on about how tough this will now be, how we are going to lose great thrills and how mind melting some of the decisions will become. It's now pretty obvious. That said there is one tie this week which I had as an outside chance of the final… not to be anymore AND I might go into meltdown if we see the end of the done in one story… it's going to be interesting to say the least

The Out is a modern wonder. Low Life was one of a number of thrills that really helped to revitalise 2000ad after Rebellion took over. This is a tough one…

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Low Life: Nemesis and Deadlock; Bendetti Vendetta; Sancho Panzer
The Out: Zaucer of Zilk; The Order; Jaegir

Low Life - more info

VS

The Out - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Sunday 7th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

14

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - VCs vs. Fiends of the Eastern Front Rd 5 Heat 7

« on: 04 August, 2022, 07:47:56 AM »

So managed to squeeze in prep and we are straight into Round 5. 32 thrills remain, so at this point there is little use going on about how tough this will now be, how we are going to lose great thrills and how mind melting some of the decisions will become. It's now pretty obvious. That said there is one tie this week which I had as an outside chance of the final… not to be anymore AND I might go into meltdown if we see the end of the done in one story… it's going to be interesting to say the least

Two thrills that have significant and successful revivals. I have to be honest I’ve enjoyed both returns much more than the GFD originals. I know others views vary significantly from that apparent hierarchy, BUT whichever you prefer the vote is between the two thrills, not their various iterations. Have at it…

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

VCs: Citi-Def; Dandridge; Hope
Fiends of the Eastern Front: American Reaper; Mean Team; Harlem Heroes

VCs - more info

VS

Fiends of the Eastern Front - more info

Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Sunday 7th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!

15

General / Forum’s Fav Thrill - Slaine vs. Strontium Dog Rd 5 Heat 6

« on: 03 August, 2022, 06:16:21 AM »

So managed to squeeze in prep and we are straight into Round 5. 32 thrills remain, so at this point there is little use going on about how tough this will now be, how we are going to lose great thrills and how mind melting some of the decisions will become. It's now pretty obvious. That said there is one tie this week which I had as an outside chance of the final… not to be anymore AND I might go into meltdown if we see the end of the done in one story… it's going to be interesting to say the least

I can see a world in which this is the final… I mean it's not this world, but Jack Dancer will wander through the Library and find it one day! Also I secretly wish Slaine that actually been called ‘Adventures of Slaine’ or ‘Arh here comes Ukko’ or similar… see form book…

Form book (note none of the remaining thrill appeared in Round 1 - all getting byes; so the form book starts at Round 2)

Slaine: Bix Barton; Harke and Burr; Metalzoic
Strontium Dog: Angel Gang; Absalom; Ant Wars

Slaine - more info

VS

Strontium Dog - more info


Just reply in this thread naming your favourite thrill of these two series at the beginning of your post (or use Bold tags so I can spot it easily) and say what you like about these wonderful stories after that.

Match ends early on the morning of Saturday 6th August and the winner gets a place in Round 6 (of 9!!!).

What on Earth is ALL of this?

For those that need ‘um and can be bothered to follow ‘um there’s some simple rules

Any questions, just ask as ever - and have FUN!