Well the cover by Rowland worked well for me. Another quality piece for what is the highlight of the prog for me. Coleby is perfect for the strip and again this is developing nicely, flicking between past and present to develop the lead character.
Future Shock with art by John Higgins! Reads a bit old school but works nicely.
I think I've lost it a bit with this series of Outlier. Going to need to go back and re-read from the start I think. Richardson gets to let loose with a quality double spread. Actually, thinking about it this again harks back to the good old days.
Helium lets loose with a couple of old cliches it seems that had been laid out over the last few issues. Bit of a wordy filler compared to the action of the last couple of weeks. Not horrendous, just a change of pace.
Judge Dredd starts channeling Game of Thrones as the White Walkers finally approach the wall. Comedy timing from Dirty Frank: "Dirty Frank always wants to go toilet when Judge Dredd is in immediate proximity. But he feels safe too. And look he gets a cuddle!" Plus an interesting use of multiple artists for flashback. Flint has really excelled himself though.
Flint and Williams are kicking all kinds of ass right now. The D'Israeli cameo is a lovely touch (or is it a very accurate imitation?) and the moments of comic relief ("I can no longer feel my balls") are well placed. Maitland's one of my favourite supporting Judges so [spoiler]I'm glad Nixon hasn't killed her... yet[/spoiler].
No big surprises in Helium but it's perfectly executed, as always.
I don't think Outlier's ever going to be anyone's favourite, but it's been getting better with every episode and I'm interested to see how it wraps up.
The Future Shock is... a Future Shock, and I'm saving Jaegir till next week so I can read it in one sitting. Good prog!
Same thoughts here re Maitland. Also, it just struck me that there's a decent gender balance in the Prog right now, which is nice to see. (I'm also finding it a really good read, and loved that close to this week's Dredd.)
No Prog in Paisley - is it Meg week too? Didn't get that either! Did get my art prints for renewing my sub - very nice!
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/A4FBC335-5026-47D3-B209-EF2D2C7D9460_zpsvew96qpp.jpg)
Superb cover. Only read Dredd so far, as I've not yet completely read last weeks prog. This one strip is probably my fave of recent years. Story is, as you'd expect, famtastic. Flint has seriously hit it out of the park with his art here. Sublime comics! ;)
Awesome cover. Z
Quote from: Buttonman on 08 August, 2015, 05:32:52 PM
No Prog in Paisley - is it Meg week too? Didn't get that either! Did get my art prints for renewing my sub - very nice!
No sign of my prog today either :'(
Is Rowland Ronald, 'cos it looks very Alex Ronald ? Best depiction of Atalia yet seen in my opinion. Spoiled for covers, we are.
Been on me holidays and so got back yesterday to two progs.When that happens I treat myself to readin gstories back to back, i.e. 2 Dredd's 2 Heliums etc etc. Nice change but makes the Prog review a little tricky. That said everything is on the fine form that its all been on of late. Dredd is just superb, Helium divine, Jaegir but far the best its been and Outlier great fun. The Future Shock was a little loose and over indulged for what was a fairly standard 'twist' - still looked great and did no harm.
Quote from: Fungus on 09 August, 2015, 12:42:00 AM
Is Rowland Ronald, 'cos it looks very Alex Ronald ? Best depiction of Atalia yet seen in my opinion. Spoiled for covers, we are.
Yes, it's by Alex Ronald. Cover of the year....?
Cover - Really good - action packed and really well painted. I'm not sure Atalia looks much like she does in the strip but that probably has more to do with Coleby's very distinct style on the strip that anything else.
Dredd - I'm really enjoying this and got a thrill out of the little flashback using a different artist. I hope the threat all kicks off next prog and isn't hand-waved away as sometimes happens.
Helium - Wonderful. This strip gets better as it goes on.
Future Shock - Pure class throughout. The artwork is beautiful and the strip was fun and to the point. The aliens were like an opposite version of what's-his-face out of The Order.
Outlier - I've been skipping this the past few weeks - not because I don't like it but I was a bit confused and needed a recap. I'm intending to read it all in one go.
Jaegir - Another entertaining episode. I'm getting a little tired of the Strigoi baddies that keep popping up - I'd like some variety in the baddie grunts.
Another great prog all in all.
Quote from: JamesC on 09 August, 2015, 07:26:36 PM
Future Shock - Pure class throughout. The artwork is beautiful and the strip was fun and to the point. The aliens were like an opposite version of what's-his-face out of The Order.
Glad I'm not the only one that thought the Higgins artwork was back to some of his best. Lovely paints and colours that reminded me of the days he painted those lush purple Dredd tales. Much better than the muddy computer graphics... More please!
Si
I'd love to see John do another Dredd in that style, maybe in the Megazine to give it some room to breathe.
I'd like to see him do some Strontium Dog in that style. I don't think he's ever done that strip has he?
Not that I recall - not even sure if he's drawn any character montages with Strontium Dog in them.
That's what I thought. John's great at doing those sweeping landscapes full of wonderful colours though - I could just imagine Johnny bombing along on his rented skimmer.
(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_large/0/9116/1810900-1988.jpg)
This is the only one I remember
Yes, more John Higgins - on anything really, but Dredd in particular.
Also loved the flashback and comedy in this weeks Dredd, it's really on a roll at the moment. 'Winter is Coming'.
Jaegir and Helium continue to thrill and Outlier to baffle.
Great prog.
Quote from: Geoff on 10 August, 2015, 12:21:31 PM
Yes, more John Higgins - on anything really, but Dredd in particular.
John is one of the definitive Dredd artists from the mid- to late-eighties - would love to see what he makes of the older, feels-the-cold more Joe.
Quote from: sheridan on 10 August, 2015, 01:43:58 PM
Quote from: Geoff on 10 August, 2015, 12:21:31 PM
Yes, more John Higgins - on anything really, but Dredd in particular.
John is one of the definitive Dredd artists from the mid- to late-eighties - would love to see what he makes of the older, feels-the-cold more Joe.
You make it sound like he's been long gone from the strip, but he did a big chunk of
Tour of Duty.
The current Dredd is absolutely superb. A rich story working multiple characters, tons of action, great dialogue (I too enjoyed "I can't feel my balls"), and amazing art. It's the high-point of an excellent prog.
Of the others, Helium is all kinds of perfect, the Future Shock...didn't, Jaegir remains slightly impenetrable but I'm looking forward to re-reading the whole thing, and I must admit I haven't bothered with Outlier very much.
Great work.
Ooooft. That cover really grabbed me this week. A lot of that might be down to how much I'm enjoying Jaegir but damn that's a kick-ass cover.
Dredd - Fantastic, as this whole arc has been. Surprised nobody seems to have thought of flamethrowers yet, but then neither did I actually. Brilliant final page, all that menace looming on the horizon. Have to love when something this bloody huge attacks the city. Dirty Frank acting out his flashback got a big laugh.
Helium - Will be very, very slightly disappointed if the plot ends up going where it seems to be going (the idea of her being born from nobility or being some kind of important figure just struck me as a bit predictable in a strip that's been anything but predictable), and a slower episode than usual, but still really enjoyable. The bright and colourful artwork really leaps out from the rest of the prog (which all looks great but in a different way)!
Future Shock - I didn't really follow this too well, unless it was a lot simpler than I thought. Art was gorgeous though.
Outlier - One for reading back to back I think, I'm enjoying it but it's one of those strips where my poor memory causes problems and I'm not totally sure what's going on. My problem, not the strip's!
Jaegir - I love Jaegir. It is so damn good. The stories all read better in a oner and I can't wait to do that with this series.
This will no doubt be up on Pete Wells' blog at some point but Alex Ronald posted the cover image without the logos on his Facebook page.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/E2FE08D1-58A0-4CC5-AE8F-166C2C8D60B6_zps4bbmmsxy.jpg)
Stunning.
S'not half bad. Z
Was late arriving this week.....but worth waiting for as always.
Cover: Well, Mr Ronald does his usual sterling work, great form and lighting.
Dredd: Continuing to be good...but a minor point....not so much a quibble as a question...how the hell do the two wall Judges know that it's the Titan prisoners?? They look nothing like what was sent to titan...they haven't seen Nixon....so it seems a bit of a jarring assumption to me.
Helium: Nah, still not grabbing me in any way.
Outlier: Art continues to impress....but all investment I had in the characters has gone at this point, I just don't care what their fate is any longer.
Future Shock Great art that made a simple story interesting.
Jaegir: Cracking stuff. Wee bit hackneyed running out of ammo just as the ships arrive in the nick of time, but it gets away with it.
Grand prog.
That twist in Dredd courtesy of a very special guest is very, very nice indeed.
Quote from: Hawkmonger on 12 August, 2015, 07:43:24 PM
That twist in Dredd courtesy of a very special guest is very, very nice indeed.
Is there a twist...? Lovely touch, all the same, those four special panels!
Well...for dummies who don't read the creators roll their is. :P
Was so busy hadn't time to grab the prog today. Can't wait! Z
I've been reserved in my appreciation of the current Dredd tale, bar the art. Well this week changed that - apparently all I needed was Dirty Frank to give me a way in, because that was a fantastic episode.
Cover – Can that man scribble or what? Alex is on fire at the mo.
Dredd - Can that man scribble or what? Story has picked up for me this week but I thought the same as above comment. Monsters attack city so lets just assume they are escaped prisoners who are already presumed dead? How?
Helium - Can that man scribble or what? Script is chugging along nicely too.
FS - Can that man scribble or what? Love to see Higgins back on Dredd and enjoyed what was quite a dark wee tale.
Jaegir - Can that man scribble or what? Rennie delivers another solid ep. Never been a great fan of Rogue so who knew I would enjoy this so much.
Outlier – Not a fucking clue what's going on or who's who. Gave up caring a few progs back.
Overall really enjoying this run.
Quote from: Satanist on 13 August, 2015, 11:15:13 AM
Cover – Can that man scribble or what? Alex is on fire at the mo.
Dredd - Can that man scribble or what? Story has picked up for me this week but I thought the same as above comment. Monsters attack city so lets just assume they are escaped prisoners who are already presumed dead? How?
Helium - Can that man scribble or what? Script is chugging along nicely too.
FS - Can that man scribble or what? Love to see Higgins back on Dredd and enjoyed what was quite a dark wee tale.
Jaegir - Can that man scribble or what? Rennie delivers another solid ep. Never been a great fan of Rogue so who knew I would enjoy this so much.
Outlier – Not a fucking clue what's going on or who's who. Gave up caring a few progs back.
Overall really enjoying this run.
That ^^ about sums it up for me too
Quote from: Proudhuff on 13 August, 2015, 02:47:59 PM
Overall really enjoying this run.
That ^^ about sums it up for me too
[/quote]
Me three - although I don't think Outlier is too bad (if ultimately fairly unmemorable), and like Keef I though the 'child of destiny' plot in Helium was a dissapointing lapse into cliche that it didn't really need. All ticking along nicely though.
Eventually got time to read the prog and boy was it worth waiting for. This is the second prog within a matter of weeks which is well nigh flawless. The cover is dynamic, and enthralling. Dredd is as good as it'll get. The future shock is a great heark back to silver age Sci Fi and the art is superb (as one of the girls in work said: 'nearly 3 dimensional'). Jaegir just hits a spot with me.
The plethora of strong female characters and the Future Shock written by a woman is particularly heartening for me. Well may this last.
Over the moon at the moment. Z
Loving Jaegir great female character and loving the art
Quote from: moly on 14 August, 2015, 06:48:46 PM
Loving Jaegir great female character
Jeez, guess who just got married ::)
(http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/anaconda888/stick_whip_zpsip4wrcpu.gif)
All thrill engines firing at full blast for me. Excellent prog AGAIN! Looking forward to tomorrow's digital downloads!
I concur with the miniature hippo above. Not a duff one in there for me, speaking as a growing fan of Outlier.
Dredd, Helium, tipping along nicely. Two of the 2000AD's top artist on these, they really are hitting the ball.
A memorable Future Shock, nicely done, with fantastic art by John Higgins, funnily I was rereading Titans collection of Razorjack when this prog was read, I felt as if the final panel was a reveal of sorts, has this character appeared before, its nigglingly familiar?
Jaegir has to be singled out. Reading 2000AD as a kid, Dredd, Stront and Rogue were the staple, Rogue shaded it as my favourite up till the re-gene storyline.
It never grabbed me after that, the countless reboots, revisits and apocryphal revisions was just messy, the stand alone Cinnabar and War Machine were the strange exceptions to be better than the original.
Jaegir has managed to make the old Nu-Earth conflict interesting and entertaining, and I think carry the spirit of the old Rogue Trooper by putting it in the original timeline and avoiding all the continuity nonsense. Its a well rounded package, the story, art, colouring and lettering seem to give flawless storytelling. For me this is 2000AD at its best.
Quote from: maryanddavid on 18 August, 2015, 11:59:25 PM
Jaegir has managed to make the old Nu-Earth conflict interesting and entertaining, and I think carry the spirit of the old Rogue Trooper by putting it in the original timeline and avoiding all the continuity nonsense. Its a well rounded package, the story, art, colouring and lettering seem to give flawless storytelling. For me this is 2000AD at its best.
Well said. Slogging through the 90's guff, it's great to see some thought injected to Rogue's world in today's prog.
John Wagner watches Game of Thrones, I think. The Wall of MC1 is slightly more porous than that of Brandon the Builder though.
Quote from: Theblazeuk on 24 August, 2015, 03:54:59 PM
John Wagner watches Game of Thrones, I think. The Wall of MC1 is slightly more porous than that of Brandon the Builder though.
But at least it doesn't have a handy sea crossing at either end.
(and perhaps you mean Rob Williams?).
Quote from: Theblazeuk on 24 August, 2015, 03:54:59 PM
John Wagner watches Game of Thrones, I think.
What, in 1978?