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Not sure if this has been flagged up before, so I thought I'd do it.


The English comic 2000AD was my title of choice when I was a teenager. I grew to love characters like Judge Dredd and authors like Alan Moore. I was blown away by a lot of artists' work, too, including Dave McKean and Bill Sienkiwicz (whose name I've probably just got wrong). Alan Grant did great work at 2000AD (and later on at Batman).

Link: http://centralcomicszone.blogspot.com/2007/09/interview-with-ian-rankin.html" target="_blank">Ian Rankin interview

[a mega-city of 20 million people]

Story on BBC news just now

Hong Kong may seem crowded enough to the seven million people who live in small flats in high-rise neighbourhoods.

But government-backed planners say the city's future lies in numbers, big numbers.

They say Hong Kong should be merged with Shenzhen, the southern Chinese city across the border, to make a mega-city of 20 million people.

Only then can Hong Kong be one of the world's great cities, argues a research report by the government-linked Bauhinia Foundation.

"It is not only merging, it is really creating a metropolis between Hong Kong and Shenzhen," Anthony Wu, director of the Bauhinia Foundation, said.

"If you look at the long term competitiveness of Hong Kong, Hong Kong has only got seven million people, and... Shenzhen has 13 million people. You need to merge the two to create a bigger metropolis to take advantage of China and the world."

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6989473.stm" target="_blank">BBC news

Someone at work sent me a link to this guy's comic strip blog. The strip itself is a bit of specialised humour, but behind it is a great free tool for creating your own strips.

This should help the budding writers who can't draw for toffee!

I wonder if it's possible to do a page of strip rather than just three panels.

Link: http://offthesquare.stripgenerator.com/" target="_blank">Strip Generator

[Dredd]

The pun on the front really made me laugh, although the image didn't really do anything for me.

Dredd
Bog standard story with some amusing cits. No great shakes.

Stone Island
Still not quite sure why this got a second run. Harry's slightly amusing here and there is an extremely gruesome death. Hats off to Mr Davis on that one. It's horrible.

ABC Warriors
Going off on an unexpected tangent and no bad thing. Blackblood's really stupid and nasty. Great fun. The art, as ever, is stupendous. And dark.

Caballistics
Slightly anti-climatic after the last couple of issues.  A bridge between the two story arcs here. Still good to read.

Button Man
I'm really enjoying the artwork, although it wasn't mega clear what was happening on the last page. Harry's coming next week it seems.

Pretty good prog and a strong character line up (apart from the Stoneys).

This is an age old issue, but what is to be done with my old 2000ads - when I say old I mean about the last three or four years worth.

I don't go back and read them. Hell I barely touch my graphic novels which is why I've ebayed some of them. But I can't ebay the progs. I can't see the demand and certainly can't be arsed posting them.

I live in London, so I have a small living space and the progs have got to go. I need the room. I DO NOT want to bin them, but I'm afraid I have little option. I want them to go to a good home. Has anyone successfully offloaded progs anywhere before? Any suggestions?

Link: http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmccarron510" target="_blank">Moore, Mills and Ennis galore

Bodog is a poker brand which has continued to operate in the US despite legal opposition. It's now making graphic novels to promote its poker services. Has there been a worse reason for a graphic novel?

St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda - Multimedia powerhouse Bodog Entertainment is continuing its expansion into the digital entertainment industry, branching out into uncharted realms of amusement by announcing a deal to release a graphic novel created by top comic talents Adam Slutsky, Shawn Martinbrough and Joseph Phillip Illidge.

The graphic novel will make its debut at a major comic event in 2008. The book will detail the story of the Ayre Force, a group of secret agents from the realms of poker, mixed martial arts and music in the Bodog Universe. The team will be lead by globe-trotting mastermind Calvin Ayre.

The first adventure will be a worldwide challenge between good and evil hinging upon the fate of bears that are tortured in the name of traditional Chinese medicines.

Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre notes, "When Adam first presented the idea we were excited by its uniqueness and fit with the Bodog brand. As we developed the concept with him, it's taken on its own life and will be a fantastic addition to the Bodog Entertainment family, both as a graphic novel and in other formats to come. Plus, I've always wanted to be a comic book hero. Who hasn't?"

In addition to Ayre, some of the stars from the Bodog Universe who will be featured in the graphic novel will be Bodog poker pros Evelyn Ng, David Williams and Josh Arieh, Bodog Music artists Jason Darr (Neurosonic), Nazanin and Bif Naked, as well as Bodog Fighters Yves Edwards, Tara Larosa, and Trevor Prangley.

Illustrator Shawn Martinbrough's client list includes: LucasArts, Bad Boy Entertainment, Playboy and Penguin Books. The bulk of his work has been produced for DC Comics, Vertigo and Marvel Comics, illustrating stories ranging from Batman to King James (based on superstar athlete Lebron James). How to Draw Noir Comics, an instructional art book based on Shawn's high contrast style, is set for national release in fall 2007.

Writer Joseph Phillip Illidge has been writing and editing graphic novels and comic books for over a decade, most notably as an editor of the Batman line of books for DC Comics. His client list includes: TimeWarner, the Nielsen Company, and IntraLinks. In addition to editing the Archaia Studios Press line of books and writing corporate comics for ASP Industrial, Joseph writes and directs films for his production company, Verge Entertainment.

Adam Slutsky is an established literary mercenary with well over 100 feature articles to his credit, the vast majority for hip men's lifestyle publications. Specializing in participatory journalism, Adam has taken part in and chronicled some truly wild adventures including: Bluewater hunting in shark-infested waters, off-road racing across the Baja Peninsula, working the pit at the 24 Hours of LeMans and much more. Adam pens a monthly column for Bluff Magazine and will be a feature contributor for the new mixed martial arts publication, Fight! Magazine.

Reading through the Prog 1550 thread, I am clearly alone in thinking that Star Scans are a waste of a page. I don't see the point in a different artist re-interpreting key moments from Tooth's history - usually much worse than the original.

I'd rather see anything else on these pages. Even Roxilla. Well maybe not, but something original like the Future shorts or the Futuregraphs (below).

Please convince me that I'm wrong so I can get full enjoyment out of my prog.http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/scans/hires/713.jpg">

Not really but it is a bit of a bizarre photostrip thingy. Not even sure how good it is to be honest but I liked the name and it's intrigued me enough to have a closer look.
 

Link: http://www.michaelsexcitinglife.co.uk/index.php?date=2007-06-29" target="_blank">Michael's Exciting Life

http://www.michaelsexcitinglife.co.uk/strips/2007-06-05.jpg">

Hello!

With so much vitriol being triggered by reaction to an overkeen new board member, I thought I'd create a thread where people can have a big squeeze and leave all negativity behind.

We're all here because we have a shared interest, it is fun and it's better than working.


*chokes* we're just one big happy family *sniff*http://www.all4humor.com/images/files/Tiger%20Hug.jpg">

Just received this email:

GOGOL: A SUPERHERO to FIGHT IMPOLITENESS!

Press Release 21-05-07

The world today is devoid of fresh and relevant superheroes. But a new one is emerging to raise again the value of morality - Gogol! Gogol's aim is to better society by imposing good manners on the public. It is a completely new conception of a Superhero - less macho perhaps than Superman and Batman, but Gogol's purpose is higher - to promote good manners rather than use violence in building a better world. And he is always ready to intervene, vicious as only a superhero can be. Gogol, the Superhero fighting impoliteness!

Gogol proposes the idea of a "collective hero". Anybody can be Gogol - you don't need any special powers, just a belief in the ideals of kindness and politeness, and a willingness to stand by them (and if you so choose the right uniform too!).

The launch of the Gogol SuperHero project is a new concept in advertising for publishing houses. He is taken from the novel: Tre o Quattro Persone che non Incontrerai in Paradiso published by Lulu (not yet translated in English). The idea is simple - to launch the character to create interest in the novel that contains his adventures. Gogol is the ideal promotion: a charismatic character, ironic, and massively self confident as many in today's world appear to be.

Find out more about Gogol www.gogolsuperhero.com or contact the Gogol SuperHero Team info@gogolsuperhero.com

Warmest regards
Gogol SuperHero Teamhttp://www.gogolsuperhero.com/html/images/Gogol-sfondo-bianco.gif">

The bird has just pointed this out to me. Some young kid who has just joined Neighbours was reading 2000ad at the start of today's episode.

Guess it has bigger cultural reference in Oz than we think!

Link: http://www.2000adonline.com/functions/cover.php?choice=1495&Comic=2000ad" target="_blank">It was this one 1495

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7345/dsc00126et2.jpg">

I remember 'Joking Apart' from the start of the 90s. It was great although slightly downbeat for a farcical sitcom as it was about a divorce. Didn't realise until recently it was by Steven Moffat (Press Gang/Coupling/the better new Whos) and he was actually going through a divorce at the time of writing so there are a lot of personal, and brutal, moments in it. It is mainly funny though.

The great thing is that a guy got bored waiting for the BBC to release it, so bought the rights and did it himself! Fair play.

Bought it and it is extremely good. Stands up pretty well. If you're looking for a Xmas pressie, there are worse and more obvious choices to make.

He is hoping to sell enough copies of the first series to justify doing the same for the second series. I want to see this, so that's why I'm pimping it.

Link: http://www.replaydvd.co.uk/" target="_blank">Homemade shop

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Joking_Apart_-_Robert_Bathurst.jpg">

Don't know who's done this but it might not be up for long

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW_Fz1JiopM" target="_blank">Missing my wedding... bovvered!

My girlfriend has signed up to do the Breakthrough Breastcancer 60km walk through London. She thought it was a good cause and a nice charity. She was going to do it with a work colleague, but she dropped out.

The charity said it would like participants to have a target fundraising amount of ?1,500. What it didn't say is that its participants will have to pay any shortfall from the amount raised to the 'target' amount themselves!

She is still short of the ?1,500 (?300 is still due to come from her work, hopefully). She got an email from them today -

It contains this para:
"We want to let you know about an option available to you if fundraising is proving to be a little challenging. It?s called the ?Delayed Self Pledge.? Essentially, if you haven?t met your ?1500 fundraising minimum by Day Zero of The Weekend, you can sign the ?Delayed Self Pledge? form pledging that you will either raise the remainder by 60 days following the Sunday of The Weekend, or we may charge the remainder left after 60 days to the credit card of your choice."

A little challenging? Credit card of your choice!? Well that's one way to thank people who are trying to do some good for you. Cheeky bastards.

The thing is if you don't sign it - you don't get to walk - and she doesn't want to let down the people who have already sponsored her.

However we cannot afford the shortfall.

In the short-term if anyone could sponsor her (It is a good cause) she would greatly appreciate it. A link to her pledge site is below. She bought me some Dredd original art for my birthday last year so she's cool.


In the long term - WARN ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO IS THINKING ABOUT DOING THIS THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY ANY SHORTFALL THEMSELVES. It's a nasty shock.

Link: http://lo06.breakthroughweekend.org/site/TR?px=1445702&pg=personal&fr_id=1020" target="_blank">Pledge page

A strip goes onto the outside back cover of the prog!!!

When was the last time that happened?

I've just seen Plagues of Necropolis one-offs featured in the Meg in 1995.

Were any of these any good?

I looked back over my Prog 2006 and came across the excellent Sinister Dexter story in there. I realised it's been six months since the boys have been back in the prog - 35 episodes by my count.

This must have been some sort of record! However the pair went missing for 42 episodes after Eurocrash finished, returning in 1181. By the time Prog 1500 comes along it will be 42 episodes for this run too. Anyone know if they are due to reappear in that issue?

Anyway in my opinion this break has helped the strip. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that, helped by a cracking cliff hanger. Do people still want to see the back of Ramone and Finny or would they be happy if it continued with plenty of gaps?

This scheduling lark is hard really. Something is popular so readers ask for more, but when it is a staple of the Prog they complain its in there too much!

Well 2000AD in the news. Sort of...

The Independent's pull out section has a list of Superheroes to coincide with the new Superman film.

It's a bit daft as not only does it have the Green Cross Code Man, but Judge Dredd too. Unfortunately its a picture of Stallone that is used, but it doesn't mention the film. In fact it references the advances of De Marco. Well researched I thought. Then I noticed that it says Dredd has appeared since 1977 in 2001AD!

Lots of other stupid little mistakes too, like ignoring  Superman IV. Looks nice though, spread over four pages.

I always remembered watching a cracking BBC2 comedy series (I think it got two series) starring Robert Bathurst about relationships.

I really enjoyed it and wondered where it had disappeared to. It seems I was not the only one and a fan has had the brilliant idea of acquiring the rights and releasing the DVD himself.

MARK: The meaning of life....Remember this now and forever - it may save you a lot of pain....Life is nature's way of keeping meat fresh!

Link: http://www.replaydvd.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">Catch it here

[front cover]

Apparently we have Aimee Nixon on the front cover. I know she's a Wally Squad master of disguise but I didn't recognise Dylan's version of her here. The image is striking enough, but who is that bloke with the gun?

Dredd - So they find the House fo Pain. Not quite sure why its rigged to blow when the proprietor is letting them have it. Don't really know why he is on site either. This is really an action interlude. Bored of Guth. Hope he buys the farm (again).

Lobster Random takes the 'Best thing in the Prog' award once more, if only for the final box on the  second page. I like.

Shock, horror - there's plot development in the VCs and some new bad guys. The polity also have some much needed characterisation, I believe.

Low Life is a fucking mess. Ronson turns out to be the baddie (surprise!) and who is this other geezer? What's going on? Does anybody care? Not me. I find Dirty Frank quite boring, tbh, but prefer his unfunny outings to this shite. The artwork has not been helping a confused story either.

Dante ends. That was quicker than expected. He's now got the fleet. Whoo hoo. Let's see some good storylines again.

When's the next relaunch?