A great cover by Henry Flint with the funny twist of the SC4RABS running across a zebra crossing with All You Need Is Blood in bold capitals.
Dredd is the highlight this week...the last panel is a real shocker, so I won't spoil it for you all.
The rest of the prog is moving along nicely, but I'm not a fan of Dandridge.
THrills of the future: Age of the Wolf 111: Wolfworld
Oh I forgot to point out that the latest DREDD megazine 335 arrived this morning as well. :D :D
Maybe I'm just being a miserable bugger but the last couple of progs have been distinctly underwhelming.
Can't give a hoot for Dandridge or this run of 3hrillers, and even Stickleback has vanished up its own postmodern backside trying to reference everything from Professor Challenger to Bride of Frankenstein.
And Zombo just seems a sprawling mess to me.
Like I said, it's probably just me...
Not exactly overwhelmed with today's Prog aside from a top cover by Henry Flint.
Dredd too easily the stand out strip.
Good support from 3hrillers & Stickleback.
Zombo & Dandridge just don't do anything for me - but hey that's why there is always a mixed bag in every issue. Lots more people seem to love Zombo than don't.
Enjoyed dredd and dandridge this week 3thriller seem to skip and episode and zombie seems to be disappearing up its own backside to bonkers to make any sense
Well quite happy to buck the tread of this thread so far as after a couple of solid if unspectacular weeks for me this one hits the highs the Prog has known of late.
For a start we have a contender for cover of the year. Its bloody brilliant.
Stickleback is the only stumbling block for me. Its not bad and things are rattling along now, but I'm getting a little frustrated with so much being shown through flash back exposition. A bit of an Edginton trope of late. It looks great and the story has real potential, but we need a show not tell episode or two for me. The end gives me hope that might be coming, so fingers crossed.
Best episode of Dandridge I can remember this one (or since the original Future Shock), possibly as Dandridge is taken down a notch or two and it seems I liked that. Great villain to boot. Loved him, his name and the name given to him. Great fun.
Dredd is a real kick up in gear. Loved this weeks and its a great ending as has been alluded to already.
Then at the head of the Prog we have an almighty head to head for thrill of the week. Two absolutely outstanding thrills. Ghostship Mathematica shows ever 3riller to date how to do it. On its own this would have been a half decent little stand alone. In the context of just the opener last week its just brilliant. Oh and if the Dredd ending was good what about this. The story is going to have a sting in its tale regardless next week. It'll be over all to soon, but if it continues in the way its gone on that will be right and fitting. This is one of my favourite new thrills and I strongly suspect I won't want it back. Mind if it managers to spin itself into a position where a return would work I'll be so chuffed. Its genius.
Now far be it from me to say... but how can Zombo be said to be disappearing up its own arse. I love me some Grant Morrison but in four speech bubbles it made me feel he's an overblown toss pot (he's not he's a genius but this made me think that for a fraction of a second). This strip takes our idols and blows them apart with deft wit and skill the likes of which are rarely seen in any form of entertainment. Oh and while doing that [spoiler]it kills the FF[/spoiler] in such a delicious way that I'm not even missing Zombo's normal dialogue.
Oh and on top of that it Zombie planet controlled by a Walt Disney analogue charging on a collision course with Earth... oh and its drawn by Henry Flint.
If Zombo is going up its own arse I'm along for the anal ride that's for sure. That this strip isn't the standout by a mile is testament to the bold storytelling of Ghostship Mathematica.
The rest is fine stuff but with two strips this good the Prog is instantly elevated to classic.
Agree with everything Colin said above. Excellent prog. Classic cover. Ghost ship and Zombo just so, so good. That final panel of Dredd is genius cliff-hanger material, isn't it? :D
Wow, great review Colin! And i'm with you on Mathematica; it's drokking brilliant. I can't wait to get my hands on this come Wednesday!
Great cover and a cryptic Damage Report :-\
A tophole Dredd with the exception of the distracting floating shoulder pads,
Danbridge has lost my interest I'm afraid, can't put my finger on why,
The Ghostship is a nice bit of storytelling, however I feel it would benefit from a one sitting read.
Stickleback is cracking, more of the love that dare n't speak its name, is this linked to the Damage Report?
Zombo is madness in spades and all the better for it, even the monkey in a Fez makes a Dingdong appearance.
Pretty good stuff this week, wrapped up nicely to boot. While I'm really not fussed on the way Zombo looks of late, I still think it's an absolute banger of a cover - very funny, plenty of depth and a really nice colour scheme; the sc4rab turquoise in the lettering/logo is brilliant.
Dredd and [/b]Ghostship Mathematica[/b] are definitely the highlights for me, both ending with really juicy cliffhangers. The wonky shoulders in the case of the former still give me the boke and it isn't my favourite story ever but this installment is firing on all cylinders.
The 3riller is just an absolute pleasure to read and I can't wait to see what the conclusion has in store. This story seems to be working as a gorgeous little vignette and I'd rather it was kept that way, don't think it'd benefit from post-3riller prog-time. What I would love is a different full length collaboration by Inaki Miranda and David Bailie. That'd be waaayyy better than more Survival Geeks. Way, way, way better.
Dandridge is pretty much losing me to be honest. It's a bad sign when a [spoiler]Videodrome-ish baddie[/spoiler] and a [spoiler]wanking gag[/spoiler] don't even do it for me.
Really glad to see Stickleback going places this week at last - the dichotomy between the Margaret-Mountford-haired doctor and the personality disorder [spoiler]monster doc[/spoiler] is by far the most interesting thing this story has had to offer so far. Less knowing nods and more narrative is the way forward here.
Zombo was balls to the wall splatter and that was grand. I really miss the way he used to look, but sure. A few chuckles, plenty of claret and a ludicrously trippy panel or two. And a third Beatles play on words, all three of which made me laugh. Granted, the Fab Four/Fantastic Four thing is getting pretty long in the tooth but at least it seems to be over in the case of the latter.
So aye, enjoyed this week's one a fair bit but I'm also keen to see all the stories wrapped up too.
Anyone any the wiser about the Damage Report?
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fS_A3xLGo7g/UB8qqNJhRFI/AAAAAAAACac/Ki4dh4vPB6c/s1600/_MG_9537a.jpg)
sound like CF and Vbox have had a little visit ;)
There were a few people moaning about a Judge who was a Muslim on the 2000AD FB page, and following on from the 'Is Dredd Gay' episode.
Flint's cover was eye catching and will be one of the contenders for 'Cover of the Year' I think.
Dredd had a great cliffhanger ending. No spoilers from me. As an aside, I'm re-reading some early Progs and after comparing logos, I was idling wondering when they stopped using the Judge profile for the 'J'? I'd like to see it return.
I enjoyed the Betamax jokes in Dandridge, though I'd welcomed a dig at the inferior VHS format ;)
3rillers also had a great cliffhanger. My thrill circuits are sizzling with anticipation for the finale next week.
I always slow down to read Stickleback and examine the artwork. Partly because the textured greys and white lines make it difficult at times to read. But also to seek out the hidden graphic references. Didn't spot very many this week. Hoping to see an Ice Warrior from Doctor Who after last Saturday's episode, but that was going to be a coincidence too far!
Zombo was a bit gruesome this week, wasn't he?!! His solution to removing acne was rather effective!
Quote from: Steve Green on 16 April, 2013, 10:12:03 PM
There were a few people moaning about a Judge who was a Muslim on the 2000AD FB page, and following on from the 'Is Dredd Gay' episode.
Oh dear. People need to grow up, in my opinion. The fact is Muslims (from whatever race) are the second most largest religious group after Christianity. Surely there must be a Judge from a Muslim background (whether religious or not) in the future? We see them in all walks of life. I applaud 2000 ad for moving with the times, and it's refreshing to see a Muslim character.
Quote from: Steve Green on 16 April, 2013, 10:12:03 PM
There were a few people moaning about a Judge who was a Muslim on the 2000AD FB page, and following on from the 'Is Dredd Gay' episode.
Which is presumably the reason behind this weeks Damage Report.
Yes, that's the post I was answering.
Loved Dredd, Dandridge and the 3hriller - but Stickleback I ain't even attempting. Same with Zombo. I did have a flick through Zombo though, it was fucking gross!
I enjoyed most of this weeks prog with Dandridge being the top thrill this week for me.
Unfortunatly I think Zombo is past it's best these days. I used to like it a bit but now I'm finding it very unfunny and with a nonsensical plot I'm finding very little else to enjoy. I appreciate that some people seem to love it, but that's just my opinion.
Other than that I continue to enjoy everything else the prog has to offer right now.
I agree with Tim, i loved Dandridge too! I mean, Max Beta! :lol:
2000ad, you've surpassed yourself!
Right you 'orrid lot! Stickleback is jolly good stuff and it's pushing all my right buttons! So give it a break! :lol:
Good prog Zomb a bit hit and miss all others top notch especially 3hrillers and Sticleback but good Dredd y and Dandyridge fun as well.And Wolfie is returning too. Howlingly good. :-[
Wow Zombo really seems to be dividing opinion at the moment. Seems you either love it or hate it, how interesting.
As I'm in the love it camp I'm really surprised that its not blowing everyone away. Its sharp, funny and satirical and I think it does all this without falling into smug territory which can often happen with that type of work. On top of that it has ideas flying around at a top speed. Its Jack Kirby's 70's work updated for 2013.
Seems to be losing people though, it does fair rattle along and so maybe its that folk who don't like it don't feel comfortable in the world its created and its thrown people in at the deep end so it drowning any enjoyment out?
I think it's overdoing the pop culture references.
It's nothing new - with Russell Brand appearing in book 1, since then it's become more of a feature.
Maybe having Beatle equivalents, the Fantastic Four, Walt Disney and his newly acquired army of ewoks, wookies and stormtroopers, might be overkill and offputting for some readers.
Partly just the unfortunate subjectivity of humour I think. I thought the first episode of this run was brilliant but I haven't found the Beatles stuff funny in the slightest so it's gone right off the boil in my estimation, although I do still admire and enjoy the frenetic daftness of it all.
Similarly I thought the second series overdid the Rat Pack stuff but made up for it with Zom-Bee.
Quote from: Steve Green on 16 April, 2013, 10:12:03 PM
There were a few people moaning about a Judge who was a Muslim on the 2000AD FB page, and following on from the 'Is Dredd Gay' episode.
Jesus Christ!
Quote from: Steve Green on 18 April, 2013, 03:55:35 PM
I think it's overdoing the pop culture references.
It's nothing new - with Russell Brand appearing in book 1, since then it's become more of a feature.
Maybe having Beatle equivalents, the Fantastic Four, Walt Disney and his newly acquired army of ewoks, wookies and stormtroopers, might be overkill and offputting for some readers.
BTW, I recognise Hank Epsilon and the brain dude from flipping through the TPB, but have these guys ever appeared? I assumed it was a mass army of everyone Zombo has pissed off in the past. If so, they why no Zom-Bee? As I said, I have yet to actually buy and read the first TPB so apologies if I sound like a Drokkwit.
Quote from: The Cosh on 18 April, 2013, 04:30:21 PM
Partly just the unfortunate subjectivity of humour I think. I thought the first episode of this run was brilliant but I haven't found the Beatles stuff funny in the slightest so it's gone right off the boil in my estimation, although I do still admire and enjoy the frenetic daftness of it all.
Similarly I thought the second series overdid the Rat Pack stuff but made up for it with Zom-Bee.
I agree as well, I did enjoy first episode, but Beatles not that funny :( Hope Zombo himself back for real soon without brain controlled!
Quote from: Hawkmonger on 18 April, 2013, 04:31:00 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 18 April, 2013, 03:55:35 PM
I think it's overdoing the pop culture references.
It's nothing new - with Russell Brand appearing in book 1, since then it's become more of a feature.
Maybe having Beatle equivalents, the Fantastic Four, Walt Disney and his newly acquired army of ewoks, wookies and stormtroopers, might be overkill and offputting for some readers.
BTW, I recognise Hank Epsilon and the brain dude from flipping through the TPB, but have these guys ever appeared? I assumed it was a mass army of everyone Zombo has pissed off in the past. If so, they why no Zom-Bee? As I said, I have yet to actually buy and read the first TPB so apologies if I sound like a Drokkwit.
No,
it's just a reference to Disney buying out Lucasfilm, since Hank Epsilon is Walt Disney.
So he's now got an army of Star Wars characters.
The Brain Dude is Simon Cowell.
Quote from: Steve Green on 18 April, 2013, 05:07:39 PM
Quote from: Hawkmonger on 18 April, 2013, 04:31:00 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 18 April, 2013, 03:55:35 PM
I think it's overdoing the pop culture references.
It's nothing new - with Russell Brand appearing in book 1, since then it's become more of a feature.
Maybe having Beatle equivalents, the Fantastic Four, Walt Disney and his newly acquired army of ewoks, wookies and stormtroopers, might be overkill and offputting for some readers.
BTW, I recognise Hank Epsilon and the brain dude from flipping through the TPB, but have these guys ever appeared? I assumed it was a mass army of everyone Zombo has pissed off in the past. If so, they why no Zom-Bee? As I said, I have yet to actually buy and read the first TPB so apologies if I sound like a Drokkwit.
No,
it's just a reference to Disney buying out Lucasfilm, since Hank Epsilon is Walt Disney.
So he's now got an army of Star Wars characters.
The Brain Dude is Simon Cowell.
Aha! I see, now that is a bit interesting. :lol:
Yep and both Simon Cowell and Walt Disney was featured in Zombo Book 2, you will loved Zom-BEEEEE!
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3294/zombee.jpg)
That truly is the work of a genius. :lol:
Lol that panel blew me away when i was reading the trade! It must've been a bee-tch getting to draw all the bee's for Flint! :lol:
For me, all this gushing love for that Zom-bee panel sums the problem up.
How is that any different to stuff we've seen a zillion times before? Like Swamp Thing, or the big face in Matrix Revolutions.
And haven't zombies been done to death? At least Zombo has a loveable catchphrase, but a pun on the word 'bee' is hardly cutting edge.
Too much pastiche and not enough parody, IMHO. :(
Have to say I think that this prog was one of those perfectly balanced ones that doesn't miss a beat, starting with the wonderful cover.
Dredd is excellent. Some of the shorter yarns, though still enjoyable and good, sometimes feel a bit throwaway to me, whereas this has a real weight to it. I think it's been pretty difficult to write a Psi without them being Cassandra Lite but Hamida feels like a real, new and solid character. Great stuff from all the creative team!
Dandridge is probably my least favourite in the line up if I'm honest, but that's not to say I don't like it. In another prog line up it might shine a bit brighter is all. I really liked Master Beta - great idea for a villain.
Ghostship Mathmatica is brilliant stuff too. Absolutely love the art here, and it's hard to believe this is only the second episode as the world has been so convincingly presented. I'll be sorry when it finishes...
Stickleback - still great. That final panel was just delicious!
Zombo - although I don't feel this outing has felt as effortless as previous ones, I still love the undead fool! The weegie Lennon makes me laugh and there's so much crazy shiz all over the shop, it's hard not to be bowled over. I'm also keen on the very dark new incarnation of him - amazingly creepy even compared to version one!
Spoiled me with that prog so you did Tharg.
M.
Prog 1828
A superb cover by Henry Flint, paying 'homage' to the Beetles' famous Abbey Road shoot. Seeing Zombo towering over them was a nice touch too, not to mention the blue tone of the normally red 2000ad logo. Definitely an early contender for cover of the year.
First up was Judge Dredd (Suicide Watch Part 3). The story is developing nicely, and we get to find out who our grinning nemesis is in this issue. Page 2 was a stand out moment for me in the story as we start to uncover Hamida's fragile state of mind and the horrors of what the Chaos bug has exacted on the people of Mega City. It's a really affecting scene as is what follows shortly after. The ending has got me on tenterhooks as i can't wait to see how this ends. Story and artwork as strong since the first episode.
Dandridge (The Copper Conspiracy Part 5) was a blast! I l absolutely loved the villain: Max Beta; who has a VHS or more rightly, a Betamax player on his forehead from which to sprout all manner of villainous gloating and so forth via his stash of Betamax casettes (each tailored for a unique occasion)! The writing by Alec Worley is really funny and Warren Pleece's artwork is superb. Great stuff.
Tharg's 3riller (The Ghostship Mathematica Part 2) was also barnstormingly good....and the last few panels were tense with an unexpected development which has got me intrigued, how will it fare for our space faring pirates? I hope to grud the final episode ends on an optimistic note as i've nothing but love for this strip and have absolutely taken to it. And i must say Inaki Miranda's artwork is a delight to behold. I'll be saddened to see it end next week...
Stickleback (Number of the Beast Part 5) was....okay. Not great or as enjoyable as the preceeding strips, but the last page was terrific.
Zombo (Planet Zombo Part 5) was very fun indeed and a big improvement on last week. Seeing Zombo dish out all manner of stomach churning punishment on the Fantastic 4 was both digusting and hilarious in equal measure! Something tells me that the Fab Four are next (and frankly i couldn't be more happier to see them meeting their gruesome demise!). The last page with Walt Dis..er, Hank Epilson (and Simon Cowell) putting together an army of Ewoks, Stromtroopers and Wookie's for war was brilliant and funny to boot! And to top it all off, Flint's artwork is excellent.
So a top thrill overall, Dandridge, Dredd, 3riller and Zombo the standout for me.
4/5
........
Panel of the week:
http://nexuswookie.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/2000ad-panel-of-the-week/
Dredd is on top form again this week. Loving the creative team on this strip. Again, nice little touches abound.
Though that last panel could be seen coming from a mile away, it was still nice to see. Looking forward to next week's (final?) episode. Good stuff.
And out of interest, and as someone who rarely buys the Megazine; Who's the artist on the full page advert? John Burns?
Dandridge contiunes in fine form [spoiler]Master Beta, indeed :D[/spoiler]
And the Ghostship Mathematica is a rollicking good read again this week. Shame these 3rillers have to end, as i said last week, the bulk of the ones ive read have been superb.
Stickleback, after a couple of so-so episodes is really hotting up for me. The art is just wonderful, and i can help but pour over it panel by panel.
And then Zombo. Really couldnt get to grips with this until recently. Really liked last weeks strip, and this weeks dose is just as good. I can see how when its at its wackiest, and chock-a-block full of pop culture references it can come across as self indulgent, but maybe thats its style. (I havent read Zombo before now), but that last page made me smile. Love Flint's take on the Wookies. Not totally sold on this strip - as yet, but i am liking it more and more.
Good solid prog was1828
I agree that really is a wonderful cover. It's so colourful and incredibly dynamic.
Dredd: Suicide Watch - I've been enjoying this story as it is kind of nice to have a sense of mourning for those people who have died. It feels a bit like the trauma of Chaos Day is beginning to catch up with people big time. I like Psi-Judge Hamida too. She seems real and warm with her own history.
Dandridge - I like Dandridge a lot. He's funny and I like the strange spookalicious steam punk version of the 80s. 2000AD seems very fond of its dandy occult detectives as there's been no end of them over the years.
3riller - Ghostship Mathematica. I am loving this. It's some really good space opera with a touch of mystery crossed slightly with Treasure Island? What did happen to Earth? I like the way the aliens and cyborgs are designed - the captain looks like some kind of metallic eagle-man. There's a sense of wonder about a boy who runs off to sea/space and is taken in by a kindly (at least to the boy) sea/space captain. It has heart.
Stickleback - Although I don't really understand the history of this one I love the art and the references, most of which I don't get until someone tells me but I still like it. This felt like an explanation episode but it helped to clear up a few plot points. Plus the scientist couple is rather romantic, at least until the warping starts.
Zombo - Although the first episode was really funny it feels like it has fallen off a bit. It's lacking a bit of charm which Zombo himself usually supplies. Plus grey isn't a good look - ask the Hulk.
Bit late reading this, but I won't clog up the page with what's been said already. Dredd is developing well, I liked Dandridge's bit with the guy having plans on neatly labeled VHS's, and I feel bad that the Ghostship is ending next prog.
Stickleback and Zombo were alright, I liked the last panel in Stickleback too.
Felt a pressing need to drop in and sing the praises of this week's Zombo: the Fantastic Four are butchered to the tune of Willy Wonka's 'Pure Imagination' while the severed head of Walt Disney leads an army of Stormtroopers, Wookiees and Gungans(?) to make all of humanity 'like us'... there are no words to describe the finely-honed genius of this.
Zombo hasn't always been my favourite strip, but this run is absolutely hilarious, and Flint's like-a-lookies are spot on.
Almost up to date now.
Dredd
I'm always in two minds about cliffhangers like these. Obviously Dredd isn't dead so that makes the cliffhanger kind of pointless but weirdly I still enjoyed it. I particularly enjoyed Hamida's struggle and that moment of realisation at the end only to find out that she was too late. This sets up the story nicely for what I assume is the conclusion in next weeks prog. It's been great so far, just need to stick the landing.
Dandridge
A villain appears and what a character! This strip is definitely the most fun, doesn't take itself too seriously but hasn't reached ridiculous yet either. Hopefully now that Shelleys robot head has been disposed of, he'll be able to pull himself together and rescue Dandridge (again). Once Dandridges coat has been removed, is that a bullet hole that appears on his forehead? Nasty way to go Sparky.
The Ghostship Mathematica
This is absolutely flying! I'm really enjoying this new 3riller. I actually feel quite sad that because of the 3 prog structure we've missed out on years of young Jones' life. There is so much scope in this series even with just the 3 characters introduced so far. I'm very excited to see how any of them survived that ending! And also how far forward in time we may jump next week. What was the shoulder joint line about? It seemed a bit out of place.
Stickleback
Kicking into high gear, this one. Stickleback and Miss Scarlet seem to have stumbled into something a little more dangerous than they expected. Stickleback seems to be much more involved than in the early chapters and his dialogue has been a little less vulgar, I'm growing to like him. There's nothing to say about the art that hasn't been said already except perhaps that the references are being trickled out now instead of shot out and that's probably a good thing.
Zombo
Much better than last week. The Beatles stuff (despite being on the quite hilarious cover) was really toned down to make way for Zombo destroying the Fantastic Four which was delightful. I had no idea about the last page though (until I read this thread, I really need to catch up with Zombo). Regardless, it's still quite a fun strip. I wonder what happened to 'Tech Person Karen'...