Well, looks like the Judge Dredd Megazine is early this month. At least it feels that way with the line up this week. Dredd, Department K, Chimpsy ... definitely a Dreddworld heavy prog. Feral and Foe / Mechistopheles make for an interesting contrast but again the similarities are obvious with those two.
Weston's script and art on Dredd serves up a cracking one-and-done that brings down the house on ol' Rowdy Yates. Nice nod back to a seminal moment in Dredd's history too ... "No Dredd - I'm with Rowdy Yates!"
Department-K looks like its serving up an answer to the question of where it might be going with the idea. Plenty of standard MC-1 insanity with the staring contest backdrop to the setup. Cornwall delivers visuals with his usual panache and this looks like it may well live up to the early potential.
Chimpsky's Law: The Talented Mr Chimpsky looks like it may well be taking some of the concerns about the character seriously. Turning his attention to off-world problems deals with the problem of running up against Dredd time and again which, as has been observed before, is only likely to end one way. Niemand Holden serve up a quality opener that reminds readers of the character, serves up the 'historical' context and sets the scene for the tale.
Mechistopheles shares similar traits to Dep-K and Chimpsky, plenty of scene setting and recapping. Boo Cook's artwork suits the strip perfectly. For those struggling to remember the previous series (guilty as charged) this month's meg floppy covers that for you. Personally the last outing didn't overly enthral but maybe this one will change that.
... and rounded out with Feral and Foe, the one where everyone is swapped back ... Bit of a talking heads episode with the usual flippancy thrown in for good measure. For all that this is midway through the tale, as with much of the prog this week there is quite a bit of setting up the next act. TBH I've lost the thread a little on this. Feel like I need to go back and re-read the tale so far so in some respects it's just as well that this treads water the way it does.
All this, a letters page and Tharg pays his respects to Bolt too.
Cover by PJ Holden:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2Ym8aZWEAQp-qm?format=jpg&name=large)
Cover and Logo:
(https://dyn.media.forbiddenplanet.com/qjDVht5uDoEta24dqM6awhIClhA=/trim/fit-in/779x1024/filters:format(webp)/https://media.forbiddenplanet.com/products/f2/ef/e73461508a874f5e13199cacc008fbe6fe76.jpeg)
Quote from: Tjm86 on 29 May, 2021, 11:58:51 AM
All this, a letters page and Tharg pays his respects to Bolt too.
So glad to hear that. Well done TMO.
It might just be me, but the cover and logo image isn't working. It's just a little box.
This Prog feels like its a strong follow on from the Regened issue. I mean its a fun Prog in and of itself but also in the context of where it sits in the run as well.
A lovely simple Dredd, with wonderful Chris Weston art (on script duties as well). New readers have a nice fun introduction to Dredd and his world.
Mechastopheles is an interesting restart and Boo Cook is an entirely suitable replacement on art duties.
Department K well we'll miss PJ Holden (for like 10 pages anyway) but damn Dan Cornwell does a stunning job here. Its a strong introduction to the series - with the characters boldly and coolly re-introduced. The series sets up what appears to be a fun new turn of events. Great opener.
Feral and Foe might be mid stream but it wraps old things up and set new things up nicely and its FUN. So all good here.
Chimpsky's Law what an opener. I've been looking forward to this one and it well and truly feels like strides are being taken to move Chimpsky safely into new territory. Packs him up with a nice intro to what he is, where he came from and where he's going. Bangin' stuff.
Good fun entertainment. Pretty much perfect for the new reader and nothing that would put of the YA audience to my eye. Great stuff.
I'm thinking this is the inspiration, possibly, but there's another bell ringing that I can't quite place - might be a false alarm, though.
(https://i.etsystatic.com/5148979/r/il/fd96c1/340906617/il_570xN.340906617.jpg)
Pretty much a perfect prog for me - great tribute to Bolt in the nerve centre, ace shoutout in the Damage Report, loads of promising new stories beginning, and a BELTING Dredd that gives a knowing nod to the entire history of the strip. Happy Squaxx over here in Preston.
Cheers, Tharg.
one of the best progs in a long long time
Love the cover image, but drokk me that lettering does it no favours. Turns something stylish into a cheap mess.
Thought that was the strongest prog so far this year, which I wasn't expecting.
(https://i.imgur.com/g7ap8z2.png)
Close, but look closer! There may have been a ... Survivor!
QuoteEnhance 224 to 176. Enhance, stop. Move in, stop. Pull out, track right, stop. Center in, pull back. Stop. Track 45 right. Stop. Center and stop. Enhance 34 to 36. Pan right and pull back. Stop. Enhance 34 to 46. Pull back. Wait a minute, go right, stop. Enhance 57 to 19. Track 45 left. Stop. Enhance 15 to 23. Give me a hard copy right there
Quote from: Funt Solo on 01 June, 2021, 09:40:34 PM
I'm thinking this is the inspiration, possibly, but there's another bell ringing that I can't quite place - might be a false alarm, though.
Vertigo's definitely the inspiration but that's not the version of the poster/cover I'm familiar with. Was thinking there had been a previous Prog cover riffing on the same source. Really & Truly maybe? But this was the closest I could find.
(http://www.2000ad.org/covers/2000ad/hires/605.jpg)
Quote from: I, Cosh on 02 June, 2021, 09:39:02 PM
(http://www.2000ad.org/covers/2000ad/hires/605.jpg)
Awesome issue; holds a special place in my heart as I had my first and only letter published in 605.
but back to the thread. 2234 was all round superb.
not sure if it was the mood i was in but chris weston's art defo. helped
most amazing and brilliant prog for ages !
plus, gotta love boo's work
This is a great line-up of strips that bodes well for the next few weeks (though talking of Bode I presume Feral & Foe will be bowing out soon).
'Adios, Rowdy Yates': Great old-school knockabout stuff from the Weston brothers (what? oh) with some lovely touches like the dignitary taken out by the ricochet and Dredd's mangled respirator at the end. Would it be churlish to ask why Dredd thought he could survive the block's demolition? Probably.
Mechastopheles: Apart from his being generally brilliant, I've noticed that across all his strips, the Rennie droid really knows how to sell an opening instalment; and this is no exception, hurtling from the fantastic trio of imps, to the Broken Crowns, to a majestically rendered sea battle (Boo Cook was an inspired choice as replacement artist) and finally the titular mecha itself... and still finding a spare frame to fill in the backstory! Exquisite... absolutely exquisite.
Department K: I have to admit I didn't really pay this much attention on its Regened appearances, but I'm very much liking what I'm reading here. And let's face it, art courtesy of top-tier art droid Dan Cornwell is never gonna hold a strip back, is it. Although I don't think this is the first time the Staring Championships have been interrupted by a furry starfish...
(https://cultbox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/staring-contest-600x337.jpg)
Feral & Foe: One of the things I love about Dan Abnett's scripts is that even in a five-page instalment where not a great deal happens, there's still something worth reading in every frame. Just a little joke, or a turn of phrase, or something to give a character colour. They're never just treading water.
Chimpsky's Law: Freed of any need to crowbar Dredd into the story, this absolutely shines. Special mention to the gorgeous little tableaux of the run-down apartment interior on the third page.
I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to the next instalments of all four back-up stories, and great as 2000 AD is, that's not always true. As the time-honoured phrase goes: good proggage.
What a good meg (I just wonder what happened to the other 1802 issues from May to June, mmm maybe that pesky dimensional shift or something)
Dredd – Weston on pictures and words and it turns out to be a delightful read. Like to tribute to the king himself, Carlos on the third page.
Mechastopheles – A great introduction to the world of the demons. Great to have this back the first full series was good stuff. Not always the biggest Boo fan but his work does suite the theme here.
Department K – Good first few pages and again a good staring start. Everything is just setup so lets see were this ride takes us. Cornwell's art also works well with the strip.
Feral & Foe – A lot of talking with a twisting end to the story. At one stage I tough it was Krog's soul that possesses Gyre. Great story from Abnett and Elson.
Chimpksy – Super opening episode with super splash screen to start off.
VOTE HERE!
List your three favourite stories
IN THIS PROG on the coupon and
enclose it with your entry.
1. Feral & Foe
2. Noam Chimpsky
3. Dredd
Quote from: norton canes on 04 June, 2021, 11:17:21 AM
This is a great line-up of strips that bodes well for the next few weeks (though talking of Bode I presume Feral & Foe will be bowing out soon).
'Adios, Rowdy Yates': Great old-school knockabout stuff from the Weston brothers (what? oh) with some lovely touches like the dignitary taken out by the ricochet and Dredd's mangled respirator at the end. Would it be churlish to ask why Dredd thought he could survive the block's demolition? Probably.
Mechastopheles: Apart from his being generally brilliant, I've noticed that across all his strips, the Rennie droid really knows how to sell an opening instalment; and this is no exception, hurtling from the fantastic trio of imps, to the Broken Crowns, to a majestically rendered sea battle (Boo Cook was an inspired choice as replacement artist) and finally the titular mecha itself... and still finding a spare frame to fill in the backstory! Exquisite... absolutely exquisite.
Department K: I have to admit I didn't really pay this much attention on its Regened appearances, but I'm very much liking what I'm reading here. And let's face it, art courtesy of top-tier art droid Dan Cornwell is never gonna hold a strip back, is it. Although I don't think this is the first time the Staring Championships have been interrupted by a furry starfish...
(https://cultbox.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/staring-contest-600x337.jpg)
Feral & Foe: One of the things I love about Dan Abnett's scripts is that even in a five-page instalment where not a great deal happens, there's still something worth reading in every frame. Just a little joke, or a turn of phrase, or something to give a character colour. They're never just treading water.
Chimpsky's Law: Freed of any need to crowbar Dredd into the story, this absolutely shines. Special mention to the gorgeous little tableaux of the run-down apartment interior on the third page.
I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to the next instalments of all four back-up stories, and great as 2000 AD is, that's not always true. As the time-honoured phrase goes: good proggage.
no need to review this prog - couldn't have put it better for every strip
My Top 3 for Prog 2234
1st - Mechastopheles - Great start with imps sharing the narrating and then Boo Cook's art esp. the second page with levitating "Broken Crowns"
2nd - Dredd - great story and art by Chris Weston, love the link between Rowdy Yates/Clint Eastwood/Dredd, well done Chris
3rd - Chimpsky's Law - Chimpsky on the case with some ape backstory
Really fun enjoyable prog well done Tharg and his droids
Quote from: Sean SD on 06 June, 2021, 12:42:10 PM
Dredd - great story and art by Chris Weston, love the link between Rowdy Yates/Clint Eastwood/Dredd, well done Chris
Yeah, that "..well whoever he was, I owe him my life" punchline was inspired!!!! :)
Quality prog. I especially enjoyed the ramp-up in Department-K from the previous week's Regened prog. Feral & Foe continues to make me snort with laughter. Chimpsky's Law nailed its opener with an intriguing historical backdrop. Mechastopholes looks amazing and seems ready to rock after a laid-back intro episode. Bloody great!
I didn't get a chance to write this Prog up last week, but I really enjoyed it. Dredd was especially awesome but all round full marks for me.
Quote from: I, Cosh on 02 June, 2021, 09:39:02 PM
Quote from: Funt Solo on 01 June, 2021, 09:40:34 PM
I'm thinking this is the inspiration, possibly, but there's another bell ringing that I can't quite place - might be a false alarm, though.
Vertigo's definitely the inspiration but that's not the version of the poster/cover I'm familiar with. Was thinking there had been a previous Prog cover riffing on the same source. Really & Truly maybe? But this was the closest I could find.
(http://www.2000ad.org/covers/2000ad/hires/605.jpg)
TV's Timetunnel?
Very strong prog. Very strong indeed.
Loved seeing a full Weston Dredd, especially one written by the great man himself.
The Broken Crowns in Mechastopheles was a great concept and Boo's art worked really well.
Dept K is looking strong, again with lovely art. Curious to see what the dark and sinister threat is.
Feral and Foe continues to sparkle, lots of comedy moments and, yet again, very solid art.
Chimpsky makes an excellent non-Dredd debut. V interested to see where this goes. Plus bonus points for PJ on art duties.
Basically, like I said up top. Awesome prog. Lovely to see the tribute to Dave too.