I mean I gues you could say the tag line is either the above, or one of:
Complete Rogue Trooper story insaide!
Epic Sci-fi thrills!
No real tag line this week... which feels weird. What is also weird is there are two examples of art from talents I really like not at all on top of their game.
First of those is in Dredd with R M Guero, whose work I really like seeming a bit... off. Nothing horrible just not as good as I'd expect. The story is very interesting, but is setting things up. Looking forward to seeing how Moon develops.
Full Tilt Boogie has another great if steadly paced episode. This one just keeps bubbling along really nicely.
Thistlebone has a brilliantly brutal ending you'd expect and that final panel might be as revealing a panel as we've had?
Indigo Prime is so playfully superb. Its getting a meta as meta can be but in such a delightful way.
Rogue Trooper is my other artistic disappointment as I love Paul Marshall's art but this was far from his best work. Some panels has loose anatomy to my eyey and it just lacked his normal punch. Not headed by a colour job that just looked like the kinda early 90s colour work when folks were still trying to work out how to make the most of computer colouring. The story felt almost trite in covering well trodden ground as well.
Proteus Vex was just a brilliant return on the other hand.
Some good news on the returning thrills front too with Azimuth in Thrills of the future and the promise of more Thistlebone for the X-Mas Prog (I think one off by the sound?
We also all but it confirmed that Regened is gone for the foresable as someone asks after Joko in the letters and is told he's had to go back to Quaxxann.
What comes in next Prog I think its Aquila making a welcome (and I think final) return with Brink on its heals?
I guess that confirms Regened is over, then. Well, if nothing else we got Pandora Perfect (which I thought was superb and would love to see more of, as unlikely as that probably is now), Full Tilt Boogie, Dept K, and some other fun strips out of it. I wonder whether Mayflies is dead? It'd be a shame if that just fizzled.
Thank goodness we're getting another Regened discussion, just about a week after the last one.
:lol:
Cover by John McCrea:
(https://dyn.media.forbiddenplanet.com/BIlaK9xg_ziGIdyE1nB8Ic9Z71o=/trim/fit-in/779x1024/filters:format(webp)/https://media.forbiddenplanet.com/products/e3/81/b19eae065078a2a072e5eea39f5dfad44fd6.jpg)
Tempted now to discuss Regened in every prog review thread for the next twenty-three years. I suppose we could've avoided this by having some kind of announcement or something which would have prompted a thread all of its own and quelled the rumor mill (to some extent).
Quote from: Funt Solo on 24 March, 2024, 03:46:35 PMhaving some kind of announcement
Mind you, they could've made an announcement on a
twelve meter high sign, in fluorescent lettering with a neon surround that flashes on and off every five seconds*, and I wouldn't have noticed because I'd stopped reading Regened in 2022.
(https://i.imgur.com/gdKVoDY.png)
*After Moore
"Joko-Jargo died on the way back to his home planet."
its not quite the men in black pushing tharg into a white van tharg buggering off home because david bishop thought tharg was old hat now is it :lol:
not yet reached glasgow yet but i really like the old school annualesque cover
So is aquilla back next prog? looking forward to that if it is
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 23 March, 2024, 08:21:22 PMFirst of those is in Dredd with R M Guero, whose work I really like seeming a bit... off. Nothing horrible just not as good as I'd expect.
I'm surprised at colourist Brusco's slip-up on page 6 with Hale's helmet. Threw me for a minute, until I realised who this was supposed to be.
Quote from: GordonR on 24 March, 2024, 06:43:24 PM"Joko-Jargo died on the way back to his home planet."
One can only hope, ey?
A DIY / Domesticated themed cover this week, Dredd looks like he's been doing a bit of painting the back drop and he's been using his big stick to stir the paint pot.
That funny looking fella at the bottom has been to the shops to get some knives and Rogue Trooper has a handy spanner or two hanging from his helmet, which is nice if his bike gets a puncture.
They all look like they are in some discomfort though, maybe Dredd's old enermy, Emma Roids is back to give him grief.
Not the best of covers to entice new readers, is it?
Not the best image of JD and he looks awkward/uncomfortable? Shoulder pad and Eagle way too big.
Rogue Trooper, yes what are those things hanging from his helmet meant to be? Straps? but his chin strap is already done up, so why would the helmet need more straps if that's what they're supposed to be. The announcement of a complete story on the cover seems unnecessary. What is so great about this that it had to be on the cover? Wouldn't it have been better to say how many strips are in the comic?
Maybe as its for new readers, perhaps put the story name under the character circle pics?
The whole cover looks rushed or unfinished or not much thought gone into it.
Im very disappointed with this cover for a relaunch issue.
I dont normally feel the need to critise 2k and don't like doing so, but this cover....
Thought has definitely gone into it, because it's a spot-on emulation of the kind of thing to be found on the front of 1980s annuals, (with cues from the 1985 one in particular), though whether or not it'll draw in new readers is open to question.
I like it, (in spite of Rogue's extraneous dangly bits).
Quote from: Doomlord66 on 25 March, 2024, 10:45:27 PMNot the best of covers to entice new readers, is it?
The announcement of a complete story on the cover seems unnecessary. What is so great about this that it had to be on the cover?
Maybe as its for new readers, perhaps put the story name under the character circle pics?
I like the cover. I suspect Rogue is highlighted because of noise about the upcoming film
Quote from: M.I.K. on 25 March, 2024, 11:48:25 PMwith cues from the 1985 one in particular
(https://dyn.media.forbiddenplanet.com/BIlaK9xg_ziGIdyE1nB8Ic9Z71o=/trim/fit-in/779x1024/filters:format(webp)/https://media.forbiddenplanet.com/products/e3/81/b19eae065078a2a072e5eea39f5dfad44fd6.jpg) (https://www.2000ad.org/covers/specials/hires/2000AD85.jpg)
That Thistlebone, with art not a mile away from McMahon's Slaine, is giving me the Slough Feg vibes.
I think that, rather than complain about the funny little wrenches hanging from Helm, we should complain if any subsequent artist doesn't include them. Because it's John McCrea. Nobody puts McCrea in the corner!
I mean, I like John McCrea art, so I'm on board. I find the criticism of "Shoulder pad and Eagle way too big" quite a funny one, given Dredd over the years (including the gigantic Ezquerra armour). Rogue looks a bit weird, but the tribute Ezquerra dotted lines made me happy.
But what of the issue itself? Well, it's better than any of the recent Regened ones, that's for sure. And it has a reasonable crack at onboarding new readers. It's a bit weird to say "new readers start here" and fully end one tale, but there you go. The double hit of Proteus Vex was wise, as was the new Dredd and one-off Rogue Trooper. It'll be interesting to see how things go for the next bumper prog in terms of scheduling. More of this mix? Or a few new series alongside sone one-offs?
Anyway, the strips:
Dredd shows the aftermath of the previous run, with Dredd clearly annoyed at Logan, and Logan lacking the strength/authority to push back. Here's hoping Moon doesn't get horribly killed in the next series. Also, I got caught out by that colouring error.
After a Slaytime (Worley + Coleby!) ad, Full Tilt Boogie dials things up a notch. Still very much enjoying this. I hope De Campi is OK, given her recent post on Bluesky about work and asking for good vibes to be sent her way. Then Thistlebone ends in predictably gruesome fashion, albeit not in the specific way I'd have predicted. Not sure what happened to Mr Glassed, although maybe that doesn't matter. So an odd one for me, in that it does stick the landing, but I feel less satisfied than with previous series. Not sure I'll be picking this up in HC.
Indigo Prime surprised me, in how much I enjoyed it. Yes, it's all terribly meta. And you have expect Kek and Lee to make an appearance, the way things are going. But it's weird and fun. Rogue, meanwhile, was... fine? I'm not a massive fan of the character anyway, but when it's done well – Ennis; Cinnabar; the IDW run – I can be drawn right in. This felt like an annual story head beamed in from 1986. Perhaps that's apt for a bumper Prog.
Then Proteus Vex gets a double helping to kick off the new run, which – as I said – was in my opinion a very smart decision. There's enough her to get new readers on board, and to help existing ones refresh their memories. All very good indeed.
Oh, and there's a letters page. Which is nice.
Indigo Prime > Proteus Vex > Full Tilt Boogie > Dredd > Thistlebone > Rogue
Definite annual vibes from the cover! I thought billing this one as a 'new readers start here' one was an odd decision given it has the last episode of Thistlebone, two stories midway and the reasonably high concept Proteus Vex - not new reader friendly at all I'd thought! Stoked to see Alec Worley will be writing Hawk The Slayer.
Dredd is pure setup, but reading comments above about Dredd / Logan it does highlight their deteriorating relationship in their interaction. Interested to see what's next.
Full Tilt Boogie Cool stuff, pushing the story forward with some new elements, I'm a fan of this run!
Thistlebone wasn't the ending I predicted either and dare I say it, felt a little anticlimatic for all its gruseomeness - although I suppose the weight of the ending should be less Camerons fate but more that final panel? This has been an unusual series - parts of it have been stellar, and in both that final panel and the panel where Thistlebone appeared on celluloid we've had more evidence than in all the previous series put together that it might be an actual entity. Other bits of it I felt weren't as strong as the previous series, although it did capture more of that 70s schlocky feel. I'm a huge fan of this thrill though and looking forward to it coming back.
Indigo Prime also really enjoying this - it's hugely meta and weird and fascinating. Vista's explantion about reality changes had a little nod, for me, of how the change of writer has changed up the cast. As ever this looks terrific.
Rogue Trooper - this was pretty poor imo. It did feel like an old annual episode - or indeed, one that could have been written for Regened as it was very lightweight. Paul Marshall definitely not up to his usual standards on the art, nothing to the story, still don't understand why there are civvies on Nu-Earth. I'll happily admit I'm not a huge fan of Rogue - the concept is awesome, but take out the revenge story and I find him very bland: he works best, for me, when the environment or the antagonists really drive the story and here it didn't: possibly because all those stories have been told already?
Proteus Vex Great to have this back with a long episode. The world seems so fully formed now that it feels like the strip could continue even without Vex himself so a Vex-less episode is no problem! Amusing to see not-Tharg and his 2000ad allstars appear (and get eaten off panel, I assume).
Quote from: Jacqusie on 25 March, 2024, 07:41:22 PMA DIY / Domesticated themed cover this week, Dredd looks like he's been doing a bit of painting the back drop and he's been using his big stick to stir the paint pot.
That backdrop definitely needs a second coat, too.
Snidiness aside, I love that cover. John McCrea is one of the old school now, and has never stopped developing his style, so spanner-festooned hats off to him.
Love the cover - McCrea for President.
Rogue is always a welcome addition to any Prog - providing it's not the standard rote one-off, as we have here.
Bring back Ennis if possible, and if not, I think Mike Carroll could proffer some very decent Thrillage.
Rennie, Kek-W or the non-commissioned Ruckly Droid would also provide safe chem-suited hands.
There's a movie on the horizon, and blue fever is about to hit approx 85 new readers - we need top talent on the strip.
I thought that was a pretty decent Rogue Trooper story.
Dredd with R M Guero,I enjoyed this single story , one point ( no spolier ) is that the colourist messed up as one Cadet has a RED Helmet , in one scene ( thats vital to know its a Cadet )
whereas it should be a WHITE Helmet . I had to re-read it .
I am also looking forward to seeing how Moon develops.
Full Tilt Boogie - enjoyable .
Thistlebone - great serial , and artwork . No Complaints
Indigo Prime - not for me . Struggle to understand much of it . if others love it , fine .
Rogue Trooper not too bad .
Proteus Vex This was just amazing , and also a very welcome return
Now Tharg - When do we get Gordon Rennie's Jaegir back please ??
I like the cover, especially the fact that it feels like the old annuals of yesteryear. I still think we are suffering from some scheduling issues here going back to the xmas prog. I am not sure from my point of view that this can really be seen as a point where new readers can just pick up and go. We have a few stories that are either in the middle or near the end of their respective runs. Maybe that is part of the plan to showcase and pull in readers to entice them to buy the back progs but to have a few stories starting. I still prefer a natural break. Back to the prog it was a good solid prog.
Dredd – A good start to a new arc – this was just a prelude. I am not too familiar with the artist, but I do like it.
Full Tilt Boogie – Interesting new twist in the story. As always, a good solid episode. Love this.
Thistlebone – This was one twisted tale. I do feel that by the last episode this was dragging its feet a little bit but still a good horrorfest. Simon Davis does know how to gore us out.
Indigo Prime – Like the usage of B/W in the strip still as always, a lot of head-scratching going on what is really going on and yes, I think that is the idea.
Rogue – The bigger disappointment with the strip is not the story but rather the art of Paul Marshall which is not up to his normal high standards. The story itself is fine, nothing spectacular.
Vex – Glad to have this back since this has been my favorite series the last few years. The first episode covers a lot of ground. This was an excellent opening.
Wham, bam, thank you Quaxxann! Now that is a prog. To think that in a parallel continuity not to very far from here, they're wading through 36 pages of Lowborn High. Ugh... let's not go there.
The McCrea/Davies cover is better than perfect. When I first saw it I was so certain it was based exactly on the layout of an 80's 2000 AD annual that I went through the whole collection three times before I realised 1985 was the closest. Why is Dredd in that agonised pose? Who cares! It's brilliant! Create your own backstory, and explain the mk.I Lawgiver while you're at it! The customised borders around the character cameos are a touch of genius, as are Rogue's spanners and the blades vexing Vex. More multi-character covers in this vein please, Tharg!
The first instalment of 'Next Man Up' makes for a perfect introductory Dredd, dispensing with all the usual clichéd spiel about where Mega City One is and who the Judges are in favour of some lean, action-packed scene-setting. Brilliantly fluid, muscular penwork from Guera, so good in fact that Giulia Brusco forgot where she was for a moment (Or did she? Perhaps Dredd saw a little of himself as Hale emerged from that vehicle..?). And the little puzzle at the end provided a lovely note of uncertainty - why choose the subpar Moon over the patently more capable Hale? Stay tuned!
An absolutely exquisite opening page for Full Tilt Boogie, and the grisly effects of the crystal on Patrick weren't too shoddy either. Indigo Prime however just seems to be tortuously complex for its own sake and isn't grabbing me.
I thought Rogue Trooper was just great - the strip's roots are in the down-to-(nu-)earth war comic attitude of Gerry Finley-Day's run, and 'War Child' stuck to that welcome simplicity. Didn't see any problem with the Marshall droid's art either, his scrawny Nort figures working well against some of their more draconian pronouncements. Interesting, incidentally, to compare this with that other Nu-Earth child soldier tale, Mayflies - now where did I see that..? Nope, escapes me.
Finally, Proteus Vex continues its stratospheric trajectory. I was hooked at 'Still Immortal - My Excellent Book About Me', chapter 1732.
Oh hang on, almost forgot Thistlebone! How do you pick a favourite page out of that? (it's page 4, obviously)
All in all a proper old-school thrill-packed prog, and a massive improvement on... what was it called..?
Quote from: norton canes on 27 March, 2024, 02:03:52 PMAnd the little puzzle at the end provided a lovely note of uncertainty - why choose the subpar Moon over the patently more capable Hale? Stay tuned!
She proved herself to be a good Judge when Dredd questioned her about her injuries. And Maitland was a good Judge.
As for Hale, I imagine Dredd saw too much of himself there. No need for two Dredd's on this mission I guess!
Quote from: Woolly on 27 March, 2024, 08:05:02 PMAs for Hale, I imagine Dredd saw too much of himself there. No need for two Dredd's on this mission I guess!
Nah, Dredd inferred his logic earlier in the story: a heatseeker would have done the job. I don't think he's impressed by showboating; he wants someone who knows their duty.
Quote from: A.Cow on 27 March, 2024, 10:21:14 PMQuote from: Woolly on 27 March, 2024, 08:05:02 PMAs for Hale, I imagine Dredd saw too much of himself there. No need for two Dredd's on this mission I guess!
Nah, Dredd inferred his logic earlier in the story: a heatseeker would have done the job. I don't think he's impressed by showboating; he wants someone who knows their duty.
This is what I thought too. Also Dredd would naturally be leading the mission and doesn't want this tryhard getting in the way.
Moon showed she was someone he could rely on to have his back.
Quote from: A.Cow on 27 March, 2024, 10:21:14 PMNah, Dredd inferred his logic earlier in the story: a heatseeker would have done the job. I don't think he's impressed by showboating; he wants someone who knows their duty.
Nothing impresses the Judge.
Not a bad prog. Thistlebone wrapped up nicely, even if nothing spectacular happened - The whole story was more a series of connected creepy events than a cohesive plot, but it worked for me.
I liked Dredd, though was also a bit confused by Dredd's decision at the end. Nice art but there was something very strange about it - it was kind of like the artist had never seen a Dredd strip before but someone read a few of them out to him. The Lawmaster's skinny wheels were particularly weird; it gave it the look of my very unimpressive 125cc Suzuki.
Rogue was a decent little tale but I like my Rogue strips morally ambiguous, rather than a white hats / black hats dynamic like this. The whole idea that Southers never commit atrocities sounded like Rogue was drinking the Milli-com Kool-Aid. Bagman had a pretty brave stab at it at the end of Cinnabar, though maybe that hadn't happened yet in the timeline. I like Paul Marshall but I don't think he's ever bettered Firekind, and Rogue's torso and arms fit together a bit oddly.
I'll get back to the rest of the prog soon.
Quote from: A.Cow on 27 March, 2024, 10:21:14 PMQuote from: Woolly on 27 March, 2024, 08:05:02 PMAs for Hale, I imagine Dredd saw too much of himself there. No need for two Dredd's on this mission I guess!
Nah, Dredd inferred his logic earlier in the story: a heatseeker would have done the job. I don't think he's impressed by showboating; he wants someone who knows their duty.
This.^^^
Dredd: Good tale, but that Lawmaster is soooo not where they have been going since the movie!
Full Tilt Boogie -Just don't get it, five pages of talking heads...
Thistlebone - great serial , and artwork, didn't 'get' the ending though.
Indigo Prime - not for me, seems a throw whatever you like in the pot whenever you like,why? well cause its cool.
Rogue Trooper shockingly bad, like someone phoned it in from another strip, colouring didn't help either.
Proteus Vex: lots to like looking at it, but I struggle caring tbh.
Prog really not doing it for me just now, this certainly wouldn't have grabbed me if I was a newbie
On Rogue, I forgot to mention that black and white aspect of atrocity. There was a bit of that in the original strip – that notion the Southers were mostly moral and the Norts were a bunch of psychos. But I thought Rogue's own thinking was more nuanced – he mostly fought for 'his' side, but had been burned enough to recognise that everyone was pretty bad. That simplism of having to believe we're the good guys, or what else is there all felt a bit weird. Especially for a more modern incarnation of the character.
Original Rogue leaned heavily into that World War II notion of a just war, with the Norts depicted as an entire army of SS-type fanatics, and the Southers more or less the American GIs. You could still have top brass baddies on the Souther side.
One of the reasons why Jaegir is so good - it muddies the waters.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 28 March, 2024, 03:37:35 PMOriginal Rogue leaned heavily into that World War II notion of a just war, with the Norts depicted as an entire army of SS-type fanatics, and the Southers more or less the American GIs. You could still have top brass baddies on the Souther side.
One of the reasons why Jaegir is so good - it muddies the waters.
:thumbsup:
Dredd pretty decent with some lively rugged art. Is it Dredd's paranoia preventing him from picking the candidate everyone else is pushing him towards? Or is he just ornery?
Full Tilt Boogie enjoying this run, breezy stuff.
Thistlebone ends and it feels a bit pointless. Our two protagonists have been run through one hell of a mill and end up sort of killing each other? Erm, what? The villagers can't even do their evil worst, which I thought was rather the point.
Indigo Prime has taken a few episodes to get into but now I've acclimatised it's super stuff. There's either less technobabble now or I've just got used to it. Carter should do some more black and white, looks great.
Rogue Trooper - bang average.
Proteus Vex one of the best new strips. Quite a lot going on, needs a reread, which is cool as the Hachette book is on the shelf. Hooray!
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 26 March, 2024, 09:34:41 AMI mean, I like John McCrea art, so I'm on board. I find the criticism of "Shoulder pad and Eagle way too big" quite a funny one, given Dredd over the years (including the gigantic Ezquerra armour).
I'll just drop this here:
(https://i.imgur.com/bYEBAko.jpeg)
(Cam Kennedy rocks)
I'm a big McCrea fan. I like the cover.
Oh and I forgot to mention Regened.
Judge Dredd
Are we supposed to know who it is that Dredd's tracking from MC-1 to Scandinavia? Or, wait, now that I'm thinking about it - is that the flight path taken by HW 302 and Dredd's wondering what it was doing there? Apart from not quite getting that bit of the story, I really enjoyed the dynamic of this episode - the slow fracturing of the trust between Logan and Dredd, and the foreshadowing of the bait and switch with the choice of cadet. Hale, all puffed up at success, is somewhat reminiscent of Kraken on his final assessment, and Dredd seems to prefer the calculated tactics and bravery of Moon. (It's not entirely clear whether Dredd had someone in mind before he got there.)
Art-wise, I didn't notice the coloring mistake until someone on here mentioned it. The fat back wheel and thin front wheel Lawmaster makes it look a little too much like a tricycle, but I quite liked the wide field-of-view helmets.
Full Tilt Boogie
Turns out that magic crystals from downed warships aren't a magic cure. I really like how this series works both as a standalone, but also manages to teach us about the overarching plot. I'm finding it a lot more sophisticated-seeming than I was expecting from my emotional memory of the first series.
Thistlebone
Oh, but it's dark. I can't even do justice to a proper review without re-reading it in one sitting. I think this topples Cradlegrave as most disturbing thing in the prog.
Indigo Prime
Wuh? Wait - the three color panels in the middle - are they happening in another reality? I'm definitely enjoying this and certainly not sure why. Last Lug to Abbo Dabbo, eat your heart out.
Rogue Trooper
Oh dear. Was this intended for some kind of all-ages spin-off version of 2000 AD? (Of course, you'd have to think of a snappy title for that.) It would be too easy to pick it apart like a vulture pecking at roadkill, so I'll instead celebrate the "For Nordland!" panel as the best thing in it. (Of course, she should have choked to death at that point, because this is 2000 AD, not the Dandy.) Last thing - why does Rogue transform into Andy Sipowicz? That's a weird new character trait. (Lots of love to all the creators - I know it's not easy and what the fuck do I know anyway?)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mQl6Z1rShS8/hq720.jpg)
Proteus Vex
I do love this series. I was a bit confused by the Citheronian stalkers seeming to be onto Bihet setting a trap for them, and then falling straight into the trap. What detail did I miss here? Good to see that we're back looking at the little people inside big people's heads, because the last series completely skirted that entire aspect of things. Why is Midnight Indicating Shame so much more powerful than others of her species? Never mind - it's cool when she eats spaceships.
---
Summary - great prog, but you don't need to neuter Rogue just because there's going to be a movie. He's a soldier, not a social worker.
Quote from: Le Fink on 28 March, 2024, 08:26:58 PMThistlebone ends and it feels a bit pointless. Our two protagonists have been run through one hell of a mill and end up sort of killing each other? Erm, what? The villagers can't even do their evil worst, which I thought was rather the point.
I want to reread the entire series to get a bit more of a handle on Yvonne's fate. I think she's just a victim of the terror of the woods. Callum's death is far more complicated, and ties into the inescapable trauma and guilt he feels over the murder of his father. Having the villagers murder him for being gay would not have been a story that I would've been comfortable reading (all things being equal), and so his fate had to be some form of happenstance, or self-inflicted.
Still, as I said upthread, all very dark. (That rather being the point.) Are there any creator interviews on this one? I'd be fascinated.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 29 March, 2024, 03:32:43 AMI want to reread the entire series to get a bit more of a handle on Yvonne's fate. I think she's just a victim of the terror of the woods. Callum's death is far more complicated, and ties into the inescapable trauma and guilt he feels over the murder of his father.
Good points. Theres that spectral image of his father. Callum is tripping balls at this point though.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 29 March, 2024, 03:32:43 AMHaving the villagers murder him for being gay would not have been a story that I would've been comfortable reading (all things being equal), and so his fate had to be some form of happenstance, or self-inflicted.
Yes, I mean totally agree it would have been ghastly. I note though we've already had some abhorrent scenes of gay-bashing and consequent victim shaming. There's a line of regression to a homophobic lynching. It appeared that was the intent of the villagers. There was plenty of foreshadowing of hangings. So - much - foreshadowing! I was expecting the villagers and monstrous director to string them both up. A fittingly vile ending for such a nasty strip.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 29 March, 2024, 03:32:43 AMStill, as I said upthread, all very dark. (That rather being the point.) Are there any creator interviews on this one? I'd be fascinated.
Me too. I didn't like this strip but it still has much to admire and certainly grabbed my attention.
One thing that strikes me is that the recent Milligan and Dayglo strip Devil's Railroad got a fair bit of opprobrium. Both strips have evil bullies doing ghastly things to vulnerable people, and the bullies win. But this strip is getting much more of a pass.
Is it mainly the cartoony vs realistic art that is making the difference?
Quote from: Le Fink on 29 March, 2024, 09:53:34 AMOne thing that strikes me is that the recent Milligan and Dayglo strip Devil's Railroad got a fair bit of opprobrium. Both strips have evil bullies doing ghastly things to vulnerable people, and the bullies win. But this strip is getting much more of a pass.
Is it mainly the cartoony vs realistic art that is making the difference?
For me the big difference is that in the one the focus is on the horror whereas the other's focus was mostly on horrible characters. Also it did not help the strip in Devil's that I literally did not care for any of the characters
Quote from: broodblik on 29 March, 2024, 10:05:23 AMFor me the big difference is that in the one the focus is on the horror whereas the other's focus was mostly on horrible characters. Also it did not help the strip in Devil's that I literally did not care for any of the characters
Yeah that's fair - Palamon was a hot-tempered idiot, and a killer. Constance was there to be put in jeopardy and was rather underwritten.
Quote from: Le Fink on 28 March, 2024, 08:26:58 PMIs it Dredd's paranoia preventing him from picking the candidate everyone else is pushing him towards? Or is he just ornery?
I like this idea. my other thought is that for some awful reason he's just taking someone as cannon fodder.
The "he doesn't want some young hothead out to make an impression" explanation is the one that makes most sense to me.
Hale probably reminds him of his brother at the same age.
Bloke on bike was tactically inept. A showboater. They get you killed.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 29 March, 2024, 02:54:50 AMProteus Vex
I do love this series. I was a bit confused by the Citheronian stalkers seeming to be onto Bihet setting a trap for them, and then falling straight into the trap. What detail did I miss here?
I read that as them not following into the trap and trying to go around it, which of course was anticipated and they fell into the real trap.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 29 March, 2024, 02:54:50 AMProteus Vex
Why is Midnight Indicating Shame so much more powerful than others of her species?
She's a potential queen isn't she? That's the reason she doesn't get the urge to return to the hive.
Quote from: don wiskerando on 29 March, 2024, 07:22:32 PMQuoteProteus Vex
Why is Midnight Indicating Shame so much more powerful than others of her species?
She's a potential queen isn't she? That's the reason she doesn't get the urge to return to the hive.
She is a potential threat to the current queen. She mind start her own hive thus se must be neutralized.
I quite like the art on Dredd.An old school annual type vibe.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 28 March, 2024, 03:18:55 PMThistlebone - great serial , and artwork, didn't 'get' the ending though.
Glad it's not just me. I've read it several times now and I still don't get it.
Anyone care to explain?
Do you mean the police interview bit? That was the framing for the whole series from episode 1.
If you mean, what happened with the characters, the writer is killed by Yvonne by accident. She thinks it's the director. The villagers look like they intended to make a sacrifice but it goes wrong because of Yvonne. The old lady at the end was the extra who was painting the tree and has lived in the village ever since.
I haven't read the first two series of thistlebone so don't know if any of this ties back to previous events, but from picking up bits and bobs on here it seems like each story is effectively stand-alone.
Quote from: don wiskerando on 02 April, 2024, 01:28:29 PMDo you mean the police interview bit? That was the framing for the whole series from episode 1.
If you mean, what happened with the characters, the writer is killed by Yvonne by accident. She thinks it's the director. The villagers look like they intended to make a sacrifice but it goes wrong because of Yvonne. The old lady at the end was the extra who was painting the tree and has lived in the village ever since.
I haven't read the first two series of thistlebone so don't know if any of this ties back to previous events, but from picking up bits and bobs on here it seems like each story is effectively stand-alone.
Didn't get the 'WHY?'
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 29 March, 2024, 07:03:51 PMBloke on bike was tactically inept. A showboater. They get you killed.
:thumbsup: