Dredd: The most wonderful thing about Judge Dredd strips is that they can be literally anything - From high drama to low comedy. Sedate, ponderous musings on the essence of existence or zany, fun-filled action that doesn't take itself too seriously. It can gently get you to think about a relevant topic of the day or just aggressively push an agenda in your face and tell you to believe what the writer tells you. Every week they story can change and I wouldn't have it any other way. This week's offering is a great fluff piece not to be studied too closely, but great fun for what it is. Strangely enough, the most confusing element about this week's story is that I can't tell what sex the protagonist is. The name suggests male but the ponytail suggests female.
Durham Red: I was getting Die Hard II vibes from this week's episode.
Proteus Vex: Still getting used to new art style in this strip. Story's coming along well though.
Slaine: Can't fault the art this week. Very exciting action. I have a feeling Mr Mills is trying to send a message with the treatment of the condemned that may be his way to speak about another persecuted minority, not just an anti-imperialism message of this overall story arc.
Hershey: [spoiler]What did she expect was going to happen? Frank is a seriously damaged individual, dealing with a huge amount of guilt for deaths at his own hand. Did she think she could just keep giving him orders and it would be all okay? [/spoiler]
All in all a very above average prog. I know that Slaine, Durham Red and Hershey have been getting flak on this forum for a while now but I have no problem with them as stories.
Best prog this year for me.
Dredd: Like McNulty says above this is a fluff piece and one where [spoiler]the humour comes from someone trying not to look at Dredd's daystick.[/spoiler] Dredd in the grav-tube is my favourite bit. I really enjoyed this: I dig a bit of farce in my Dredd, it's a daft concept and a fun read. Dan Cornwell's art is lovely: his cits and perps are wacky, Hallam's facial expressions rule, and Dredd's arse is in a lot better trim than mine. This is the sort of Dredd I wouldn't want to read every week but when one comes along once in a while it's a delight. Top thrill.
Durham Red: This is doing what it's doing and doing it well. The panels in the snow look cool. Didn't see the last panel coming either. Cool stuff.
Proteus Vex: As usual there's a lot going on here and the plot is thickening. Interesting that Vex being [spoiler]a flesh pilot was not known to his Imperium bosses. Does this mean the 'real' Vex is the little dude, rather than the host, and he could jump hosts Altered Carbon style in the future?[/spoiler]
Slaine: Much better this week: nicely told all-action strip without any of what I've disliked about the previous episodes: it feels snappy instead of turgid.[spoiler]Slaine goes a bit Hulk after first picking up a chariot and hitting some guys with it and then being all "I'm a monster": not sure about that second bit but we'll see where this is going[/spoiler] The real world analogy is about as subtle as a sledgehammer but so what? As ever the art is stupendous and, despite no dragons, I think better this week for the palette and more open backgrounds. I've been a critic of this series but really enjoyed this one.
Brilliant cover from Dan Cornwell. Dredd looking gnarly: the Meg looking 80s!
Cover by Dan Cornwell:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esz_fRmWMAIYo1k?format=jpg&name=large)
Cover and logo:
(https://dyn.media.forbiddenplanet.com/KEbRMMGvvOLUkeUAk94G2-2a7wU=/trim/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format(webp)/https://media.forbiddenplanet.com/products/75/c2/4fb4e4c97aa38568cceaa1f9acebcfe42d4d.jpg)
Interesting fact about the cover is that this is Dan Cornwell first cover for the prog. I was actually quite surprised when I read his twitter that this is his first cover.
Great Dredd, though it does feel like Niemand has filled up his "Psychic Citizens" card for the foreseeable. I was thinking how the story might have played out if the guard had been an actual perve with x-ray implants, with Dredd cottoning on in classic "arrest everyone" style. Perhaps less original, but also less psychic! Good stuff though and what a missed cover opportunity - "I am the Raw"? I really like Cornwells Dredd, but do wish his inking style would develop a bit - still feels a little.. raw?
Slaine was also an improvement and I liked the Shoggey saving, contrasting with that early McM tale of shoggey-cide. As others ahve pointed out, the idea of family as being the arc of Slaine feels like a good hook to being the tale to an end, if end it be.
Red next on the list - well told, solid stuff - not earth shattering, but well crafted.
Proteus Vex had a good episdoe too - still not sure that Michael Carroll is a step too caught up in the world he has created and as a reader I'm one step behind his enthusiasm, partly because he can see why I should be excited, but I haven't been given (or have missed) the hooks to grab me fully in, but still, enjoying this all the same.
That only leaves Hershey as a miss for me, for reasons that have been expressed many times previous
Quote from: broodblik on 01 February, 2021, 04:07:07 PM
Interesting fact about the cover is that this is Dan Cornwell first cover for the prog. I was actually quite surprised when I read his twitter that this is his first cover.
He seemed genuinely chuffed over on Facebook and rightly so. No only is it his first cover its an absolute doozy as well.
As for the Prog itself - yep that's a doozy too. Indeed an absolute humdinger.
Dredd one of this golden Dredd's from yester-year. Cheeky, funny and perfectly crafted. An absolute delight.
Durham Red a different type of delight, but equally (almost) as enjoyable. Energetic, thrilling with a suitable hard action edge. Wonderfully rendered too.
Proteus Vex continues to be fantastic as pasts and plots start to be revealed and Vex's position seems trickly. All this delivered with a fantastically alien vibe.
Slaine the only muh in the Prog. That first page was so refreshing. Different palette, different pace, I held hope. Barely a page later the superhero violence is in full swing and while the palette has changed no much else has.
Hershey unlike in Hershey all about lose and change and you have to embrace that or you'll spend time shrilling that its not how Hershey would do this or that. That's the point, it is a different Hershey and older, sadder, beaten Hershey... who keeps going and is finding a way. If you are struggling with this just read the scene end of page 3 into page 4, that's this story, that's this Hershey and that's why it needs to be our Hershey. This is brilliant stuff. And then we get the same with Frank.
Great prog. As Barrington Boots says its the best of the year. Not cos the others have been weak, far, far from it just that in this one almost all the stories hit their perfect stride.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 01 February, 2021, 08:26:31 PM
If you are struggling with this just read the scene end of page 3 into page 4, that's this story, that's this Hershey and that's why it needs to be our Hershey. This is brilliant stuff. And then we get the same with Frank.
See, for me that very scene just drove home how this wasn't my Hershey at all
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 01 February, 2021, 08:26:31 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 01 February, 2021, 04:07:07 PM
Interesting fact about the cover is that this is Dan Cornwell first cover for the prog. I was actually quite surprised when I read his twitter that this is his first cover.
He seemed genuinely chuffed over on Facebook and rightly so. No only is it his first cover its an absolute doozy as well.
Yes great stuff. For a first cover this is awesome. That people is a chin, a Dreddsmiley :) This cover will be high-up for cover of the year.
Quote from: broodblik on 01 February, 2021, 04:03:26 PM
Cover by Dan Cornwell:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esz_fRmWMAIYo1k?format=jpg&name=large)
Looks quite relaxed for a man falling to his death.
Brilliant cover though. Dan Cornwell keeps getting better and better, and I can see him becoming as indispensable to Dredd as your Flints and Willshers.
That chin is keeping him afloat............
That cover is just stunning. I keep looking at it and noticing new things, like the road networks throughout the buildings. It is fantastic and an early runner for cover of the year? I think so.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 02 February, 2021, 09:09:46 AM
That cover is just stunning. I keep looking at it and noticing new things, like the road networks throughout the buildings. It is fantastic and an early runner for cover of the year? I think so.
Yeah the Manta Tank and the depth he gives it with levels of roadway - its just amazing the way things pop out at you.
Seeing new Prog review threads is making me a little frustrated now... No 2211, 2213, 2214, 2215, 2216 or 2217... Makes me feel like my subscription has lapsed (it hasn't); maybe time to get onto someone at subs about this but I suspect they'll turn up eventually and it's just the vagaries of international postage at the mo. I really don't want to switch to digital but the lack of a Prog of any description since early December (other than the Christmas issue, which somehow made it through) is getting me down slightly.
That is one phenomenal cover. Quite a way for the Cornwell droid to break his duck. Hope there's an article on how he created it. I bet he's drawn a whole mass of roadways in the centre of the buildings even though they're obscured by Dredd.
Dredd - After the last few weeks of more intense darker Dredd tale, we receive a stripped tale of disrobed proportions (please do not look down) This is the reason why Dredd stories are so diverse one week dark the next lighter. A good one-off again from Nobody.
Red – Although we are in familiar ground this story is well told and the art is great. The story ends with a cliff-hanger so next week will be interesting.
Vex – Some interesting turn of events as we delve deeper in the world of Vex. [spoiler]Now we know that he is a not only a flesh-pilot but the species body he occupies is not. So, is a flesh-pilot almost like a symbiosis rather than something as wearing a sleeve ala Alter Carbon?[/spoiler] Great storytelling from both Carroll and Lynch.
Slaine – Little bit of "superpowers" here as Slaine uses go full Green Arrow on us. The art as always are sublime the story feels like it is traying to stay with the art but just cannot get there yet.
Hershey – More of Hershey's state of mind is revealed and it all an internal struggle. Frank just had enough. The story just got darker and bleaker as we roll out the weeks. Just some great storytelling.
Cover – As already mentioned this one is already early favourite for cover of the year.
This was a real bumper prog, enjoying this run.
I love Dan Cornwell's art so I delighted to see him on the front cover of the prog this week - if you're a fan too you might find my complete guide to Dan's work for Tharg useful - cheers!
https://boysadventurecomics.blogspot.com/2021/02/updated-dan-cornwell-for-2000ad-megazine.html (https://boysadventurecomics.blogspot.com/2021/02/updated-dan-cornwell-for-2000ad-megazine.html)
Great cover, very hard to believe this Is Dan's first front-of-house, feels like he's part of the furnishings at this point.
Dredd is just plain silliness lifted by Cornwell's enthusiasm and a solid punchline. Moe Hallam/Hallam Foe voyeur gag works well too. It's telling that I don't find myself irritated by the 'Dredd outdone by new sidekick' angle when it's this entertaining. Niemand is perhaps overusing the Chimpsky/The Samaritan magic-do-gooder template (I might have preferred a bionic-eyes-gone-wrong angle) but look, it's fun, well-told and well-drawn.
Durham Red remains a stylish actionner, no complaints here.
Sláine enjoys probably his best episode since the peeing Gog. Not only is Manco's art insanely good and ever-improving, but Pat absolutely packs the pages with plot, violence, trademark heavy-handed commentary on ethno-nationalism and sexuality/identity, deep callbacks and thematic development.
It's great to see the threads of Sláine's long story pulling together like this, embracing the Skathan/Sepha/Estrella stuff from Carnival, his own true nature from Lord of Beasts, Macha's teachings from Brutannia... even Ukko's tavern. Ah hey, it's just great chunky Millsy stuff.
Proteus Vex continues to keep things at boiling point with more flesh-pilot revelations... although I was a bit surprised to see a Silent speak. See what you get when you make assumptions.
Hershey. I do find this series drawing me in (looking this good how could it not), but then we get Hershey wondering if Dredd has ever lost something that's a part of him. Well maybe his actual eyes. Or his clone brother. Or even his badge, multiple times. I don't like this Hershey, I don't recognize her and I doubt I ever will. But it is skillful comics, no question.
After your highlighting certain aspects of the Slaine story Tordel I feel a need (not for speed) but rather to re-read Slaine from a certain point.
I didn't get the Hallam Foe gag at all, nicely spotted Tordel!
Also I hadn't realised just how many callbacks were in this weeks Slaine. I've been critical of the writing of this series but this episode was a really good one.
Quote from: Barrington Boots on 03 February, 2021, 11:22:25 AM
I didn't get the Hallam Foe gag at all, nicely spotted Tordel!
Where's that 'Think that went over my head' thread...
This weeks prog's title should have been "The naked truth of the bare necessities"
Quote from: broodblik on 03 February, 2021, 10:52:26 AM
After your highlighting certain aspects of the Slaine story Tordel I feel a need (not for speed) but rather to re-read Slaine from a certain point.
Never take my ramblings too seriously, BB, I enjoy dredging up whatever links/theories I can, but few enough stand up to later examination. Treating stories like a cryptic crossword is just a way of adding value for myself. Authorial intent be damned.
I'm loving the current line-up and this prog was particularly good.
Comedy, action, drama, it had it all, plus, Dredd's arse!
I just want to say that Dan Cornwell is, for me, one of the most important new artists the Prog has seen in years. Watching his work just get better and better, and at an incredible page count when all his works are taken into consideration, is absolute bliss for this happy squaxx!
Extra oil rations, and a Dredd mega-epic for the Cornwell droid please Tharg :)
Here is how Dan made that awesome cover for this week's prog:
https://2000ad.com/news/2000-ad-covers-uncovered-dan-cornwell-shows-us-dredds-big-nightstick/ (https://2000ad.com/news/2000-ad-covers-uncovered-dan-cornwell-shows-us-dredds-big-nightstick/)
(https://2000ad.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/His-City-BW-lowdpi-701x1024.jpg)
I often think that one of the great skills in comics art is combining satisfying detail with absolute clarity - Cornwell has that nailed.
Agree with that and echo the praise of Dan Cornwell in general - he's so good and I think could be a 'big' artist for Tharg in years to come.
I really enjoyed Dredd - Kenneth Niemand has brought something back to MC1 that I really missed, which was the citizen's point of view. This gave me a bit of an 80s buzz, despite all the things that wouldn't have been printed in Dredd back then. Wonder what Dredd's [spoiler]secret is? Big? Small? Piercing?
Two? None?[/spoiler]
Sláine - A nice, action-packed episode, and the artwork is outstanding. I kind of think Sláine has been winding down to a finish for a very long time - the old Steptoe-and-son double act with Ukko was a huge part of it for me, and I don't know if I like the self near-omnipotence and self-righteousness that the main man is full of these days - but I could stand a few more rip-roaring episodes like this.
Red is a decent, action movie type thing - not much in the way of depth or nuance, but good fun. She sounds very American for someone from Durham, but that's always been a Strontium Dog thing, hasn't it?
Hershey - I'm with Tordelback on this one. If you really, really have to undo her incredible death scene, make her recognisable as Hershey. It's a good story, well written and well drawn, but I still wish it had a different protagonist. I suppose I'm just going to have to suck it up one of these days but I'm not there yet. Sorry.
Proteus - I'm an idiot. I haven't read it since about the second episode of the first series. I'm doing that more and more with the prog now - I don't know the story, so I put it in the 'I'll get round to it' file in my brain. Really must go back and read it.
The damage report - heh heh. I don't think Cyber-Matt's going to be getting too many complaints about political partisanship.
What a difference a Dredd makes, the Prog feels like it's back to firing on all cylinders this week. It's a silly premise but it sets up some great gags which the are brilliantly realised by Dan's art. A great one and done and just the pallete cleanser needed after Desperadlands which just didn't do it for me.
Durham Red continues to be an action packed escapade. Proteus Vex delivers another twist in the plot which sets up the cliffhanger ending... looking forward to seeing how this gets resolved. And Slaine delivers possibly the best episode yet in this current story. The only thing that's not really doing it for me is Hershey, love the art but I'm just not really gripped by the tale of Hershey and Franks boxing career.
Having now read 'Naked City', the thing about the cover is that although it's so brilliant I can't help but think "Yeah, but what if..."!
Dredd's secret? Maybe there are clues. When he first talks to Hallam he's standing outside an eaterie that I presume is called 'Dodgy Doughnuts' (or 'Dodgy Douche'?!). And at the end he's riding past Richard E. Grant block - but I must confess I'm reluctant to Google 'Richard E. Grant naked'...
One nice little thing about the art in 'Naked City' - as opposed to recent incidences in [name of story redacted], it's lovely to see the names of shopfronts actually drawn rather than lettered.
Agreed that this is a sterling prog. I'm laid up right now with a bandaged foot so it's great that I've been able to read it through three or four times. Durham Red is slick and action-packed as ever and Proteus Vex has really found some focus after a slightly sprawling first chapter. I'm totally on board with Hershey going through character evolution - in fact my only misgiving about the strip is that along with Dredd (most recently in 'Desperadlands') it perpetrates the stereotype of South America being chronically and irredeemably corrupt. Not that there isn't truth there, but, you know.
Finally Slaine, which pips Dredd to Top Thrill this week. This is absolutely not the work of a man who's seeing out his penultimate contribution with a load of lazy filler - rather, it's Pat Mills utterly invigorated and brimming with his trademark anger. Gonna miss him.
Quote from: norton canes on 05 February, 2021, 03:20:25 PM
..Dredd's secret?..
I know we've all been very excited by the art and story but surely this is the big discussion point from the strip. I suspect he's not packing anything at all, Action Man style.
He's got them. He just ain't scratching.
Surely the punch line relates to Dredds dislike of excessive hair?
First review for the Prog since the turn of the year - been a nightmare with work in the Operating Theatre
( wearing the PPE takes it out of you , its so bloody hot - and its like being on Nu Earth )
in Edinburgh taking a lot of my energy , so when the Prog has arrived weeks late or
not until the end of the week ( I am a Subscriber ) just not had the time or energy to review the Prog
- on the plus side the Prog has been great for me , for morale .
Dredd - jst a sheer delight , as others have said , Dan Cornwell is a fabulous artist
( I spotted him in the 1st issue of Rok of the Reds )
Durham Red - really good , above average story , with great art - good story as well
Proteus Vex - simply fantastic , great art which has picked up from Henry Flint and run with it -
the reveal at the end - leaves a nice cliff-hanger .
Slaine - Pat Mills story has been pretty good , with the undertones to the present day
and I like the art . I understand its not to all tastes , but its miles better than THE ORDER
I just wish ABC Warriors would come out next .
Hershey - I have really , really enjoyed the second series - great art and tension building up - also the flashbacks in Hershey . This is great story telling and then we get to see a different Dirty Frank.
so overall 5 out of 5 ( and I did love the Front Cover )
My Prog supply was a nightmare in December and part of January - Xmas Post - what can you expect
stramge times
Quote from: 73north on 06 February, 2021, 09:27:40 AM
I just wish ABC Warriors would come out next .
Unfortunately Slaine will be Mills last story in the prog. Not sure if he will return in the future. Apparently Clint Langley is working on a Joe Pineapples series.
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 06 February, 2021, 08:46:34 AM
Surely the punch line relates to Dredds dislike of excessive hair?
"A judge should be clean, upright...", to selectively quote the man himself.
Maybe he has a Willsher?
Dredd, "no one makes an ass of the law!" :D
Very strong prog (and I've finally caught up)
Excellent cover
Damage Report lol
Enjoyed all 5 thrills :)
My Top 3 for Prog 2217
1st - Judge Dredd - great fun, had me chuckling which I enjoy in Dredd stories
"I hate grav-tubes. I mean really hate them" lol
2nd - Proteus Vex - Enjoying this universe
3rd - Durham Red - definitely a Die Hard type feel to this one
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 05 February, 2021, 11:42:43 AM
Wonder what Dredd's [spoiler]secret is? Big? Small? Piercing?
Two? None?[/spoiler]
I would say
small based on nothing but vague speculation.
Being the nigh unstoppable force he is might just be a product of over-compensation on his part, or something. Combine that with the absolutely massive
Daystick on the cover and I think that you'll find I've probably read far too much into the story and quite possibly had one too many beers!
All nonsense aside it was the best tale in a very good Prog!
Cheers
I had to parse that picture of Dredd's groin for ages before I figured out it was a drone carrying a Hottie passing in front of his knob and not an actual attachment. Cute story though.
First time in a while I've enjoyed the whole prog. This Slaine run is one of the best for a while.
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 05 February, 2021, 11:42:43 AM
Wonder what Dredd's [spoiler]secret is? Big? Small? Piercing?
Two? [spoiler]
Could be a [spoiler]micro-penis[spoiler]. It'd help explain why he said he 'couldn't' when offered a shag in Guatemala...
Quote from: norton canes on 05 February, 2021, 03:20:25 PM
Dredd's secret?
Cybernetic replacement with mean-machine style dial
Quote from: Barrington Boots on 09 February, 2021, 09:17:02 AM
Quote from: norton canes on 05 February, 2021, 03:20:25 PM
Dredd's secret?
Cybernetic replacement with mean-machine style dial
So how does it work can the clock at least go up to 12?
Quote from: Barrington Boots on 09 February, 2021, 09:17:02 AM
Cybernetic replacement with mean-machine style dial
"On one, nothin' happenin' down there. Two, I'm a bit frisky, three, I'm positively horny... on four, I'm downright rampant."
Fantastic.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 09 February, 2021, 09:56:43 AM
Quote from: Barrington Boots on 09 February, 2021, 09:17:02 AM
Cybernetic replacement with mean-machine style dial
"On one, nothin' happenin' down there. Two, I'm a bit frisky, three, I'm positively horny... on four, I'm downright rampant."
Coincidentally I overheard my wife complaining that she was "stuck with a four-and-a-half", which I can now take as a compliment.
I've just noticed that on Dan Cornwell's cover, Dredd is sporting an older-style or 'Ezquerra variant' Lawgiver, but in the story it's a regular mk.II. Wonder why that was?
Quote from: norton canes on 09 February, 2021, 02:33:35 PM
I've just noticed that on Dan Cornwell's cover, Dredd is sporting an older-style or 'Ezquerra variant' Lawgiver, but in the story it's a regular mk.II. Wonder why that was?
From what Dan said on on the cover, he drew it and then sent it to Tharg so see if he wanted it rather than it was comissioned for this story. I guess he just thought it looked cooler* than the MKII
*
it does
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 08 February, 2021, 08:42:00 PM
I had to parse that picture of Dredd's groin for ages before I figured out it was a drone carrying a Hottie passing in front of his knob and not an actual attachment. Cute story though.
Same here - but maybe the 'secret's safe' comment suggests it is an attachment!
Have to say this prog finally hit the full mark for me after a longish run of (for me) hit and miss filled issues.
The Dredd was indeed awesome and like others have said it was nice to see a Megger focused story for a change.
I'll not go over everything as this is a necro post, but something that struck me was the absence of the fada in the lettering of Sláine - have I a false memory of it usually being present before this series? Yes, I know Pat says it's pronounced
slain but it just looks odd on the page without the accent.
And regarding Hershey - yes, I was a bit disappointed she wasn't actually dead (likewise Frank) as that scene brought a lump to my throat, but am enjoying the story and the limited but deliberate use of colour. However, I feel it might have worked just as well with another character, even a hitherto unknown, apart from Hershey really.
Still really great to see her as a character developed beyond the Chief Judge office mind.