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I've read both editions, and the expanded one just includes around 400 extra pages of stuff. It doesn't really expand or improve on the story - I wouldn't say it detracts from it really, but it's mostly just bloat - like when you watch the deleted scenes on a dvd and they're kinda interesting, but also you can usually see why they didn't make it into the finished product. I like the book so I was excited to read the expanded version, but the original text has a leaner, sharper feel to it. If you're a metal fan, it's like a modern Iron Maiden album compared to a classic one.

It does introduce a new character called The Kid, who is a seriously nasty bit of work but ultimately he adds nothing to the story with his over the top sociopath antics.

I haven't read an updated non-70s version of it though, I can't see how the book would work in the 90s or how he'd do it. Just describe people as wearing plaid shirts? Get a POGS reference in there somewhere?

Agree on early Stephen King and especially The Stand which is awesome up to a point, but I think its virtually a given now that Stephen King books are going to descend into bizarre nonsense at the end. Many of his books are what I'd call proper page-turners though, you really don't want to stop reading them sometimes.

I re-read The Stand during the pandemic and that was a joyous experience.

And the underage orgy, for that matter

I'd forgotten about this! Pretty messed up stuff and not in the slightest bit relevent to the plot (before or after the turtle)

Seconded! (But I think if they were ever going to do it, they would have done it already.)

Thirded on this, but yes, I think we can assume not happening now.

The Action Force stories are a mixed bag - they're based off a toyline, so they can be a bit basic at times. They're very violent (if bloodlessly so) for a kids comic though - they never miss a chance for someone to die nastily, often accompanied by dialogue like 'Aiieee! The pirahnas - eating me alive!'. Definitely not as good / gritty as a lot of the classic Battle strips but if you like old comics (and are nostalgic) I'm sure you'll dig them.

The Red Shadow stuff, which I assume this all is, is a bit dafter than the Cobra stuff as it includes Space Force and aquatic monsters.

Don't undersell yourself Colin, you're doing some great writing here and it's a shame it doesn't reach a wider audience. You should stick all this on a substack if nowhere else.

Just to chime in on reading comics in small chunks - it's a definite thing for old stuff. I'm reading Black Max at the moment and read in a block its a bit rubbish, to be frank: formulaic and repetitive.. but an episode or two every few days is a joy. I found it was the same with Liberty Meadows which I started reading online off this very thread. I can't think of many examples of older strips that really hold up to a binge read: Asterix was originally serialised wasn't it? That's one perhaps.

I always have time for a classic Tharg cover (apart from that one with the bongos)

I thought this was a good Prog. Vex is the highlight by some way, but that isn't because the other strips suck. Really enjoying this series of IP and great to see Aquila back: it's looking as terrific as ever.

I also hope that the next series of FTB won't be the last - it feels like it's just getting going, really. What happened to the big floaty head guy in ther heroes ship? We haven't seen him at all this time around, did he get the boot in the last series?
Dredd is action packed and brilliantly executed but still lacks any engagement for me. I expect this will change as the story unfolds a bit. Also I hope this bear chases them for the entire series like an ursine tyrant from RE2.

This would be great, limited only by the fact that by 2027, a first class stamp will cost £500.

What an awesome thing to find on a Monday morning - TGDR! Such a great listen, as ever.
2007 being almost twenty years ago sucks. 20 years ago should still be the early 80s.

Thanks so much for answering my questions and for the shout out to my cat (he took off like a rocket when the opening theme came in again, the big coward that he is). Looking forward to seeing you both at Lawless! I have a page of old Dante artwork that I hope Simon will sign if I bring it along.

Agreed. Excited to see these collected BAF strips.

I have some huge deluxe Hellboy editions and they're absolutely glorious - massive pages for the art, look awesome on the shelf - but to read them you do need to either sit down at a big, clear table or potentially stand at a medieval style pulpit as they're far too unwieldy for reading on the sofa or in bed.

I'd no real knowledge of Liberty Meadows and my main Frank Cho exposure is cheesecakey Marvel covers, so this was an interesting read, thanks Colin - I assumed it was something that might have run in Heavy Metal rather than newspapers. That Calvin & Hobbes strip is delightful.

Absolutely great stuff McF!

I agree, the shoulder isn't my favourite version of it.. I'm not a fan of the tiny little badges or the Stallone-esque helmet personally either, but no real problem with the artist making it their own.

Congrats Jim!

[Dredd]

Definitely looks like a cover intended for last week.

I'm not a fan of this Dredd / judge interpretation either, but as others have also said, I like the fact that his look is open to interpretation by various artists, so no real issues here.

Dredd - I like the fact that the story starts mid-action but yeah, there's nothing intriguing or even especially interesting about the way it starts. It's only the opening episode, but this wasn't an enjoyable episode for me, it was just there. Maybe its just setting flashbacks to that terrible story where Dredd surfed a wolf.

Terror Tales I didn't enjoy this either. Colin nails it with his description above. Lovely splash page: bit of a waste of the art imo, sadly.

Full Tilt Boogie Big improvement! Although how are we on part ten already? The next part of the plot is set up. This is very easy to read and the art for me feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Indigo Prime mildly confusing in the best way. M*A*S*H mashups.

Proteus Vex Highlight this week: the world seems fully formed, the action and characters are ridiculous and interesting all at once. Horrible tongue-scene!

As the Prog went on it got stronger and stronger.

Absolutely this!

Funnily enough, I was just skimming the PDF of You Are The Hero from the recent Kickstarter and there's mention of the Hungarian art being comissioned because the publishers felt the art for the UK editions was aimed at the YA market, but the market in Hungary was for adults on a nostalgia trip (like us)