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Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: Tjm86 on 11 May, 2019, 07:17:04 PM

Title: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Tjm86 on 11 May, 2019, 07:17:04 PM
This week gives an interesting read.  Dredd is quite an apposite tale considering some of the issues we've seen this week.  The world according to Chimpsky certainly takes on a different reading in light of the Danny Baker faux pas.  Holden's artwork definitely holds up to the situation.  "I'm fluent in fascist" has to be the go-to line of the strip though.  Lots of interesting ideas in this one as a one-off.

Scarlet Traces draws us into the earlier tales.  Love the old beeb test cards.  As always d'israeli's art is something to admire.  An exposition heavy episode to be sure but lots to like.

Normal has never been a character that has done much for me but this strip is certainly enjoyable enough.  Once again though I find myself wondering if this was not better suited to the meg.  Giving over so much of the prog to Dreddworld kind of negates the purpose of the magazine for me.  Mind, this is just being pedantic.

3rillers starts off well enough.  Certainly can't fault Corcoran's artwork and Peaty throws together some interesting ideas.  This is one of a few that has got me intrigued from the off.  There are a number of directions in which this can be taken but it is by no means clear which one Peaty is going to go for.  Considering the title it is nice to find one of these that tantilises.

Kingmaker certainly seems to run the risk of living too much up to its title although given Gallagher's artwork it is tempting to be a little forgiving.  Observations about similarities to plot twists in Brass Sun don't help though.

So overall a perfectly serviceable prog.  Not exactly awe inspiring but the beauty of tooth is that even when it is not exactly firing on all cylinders it tends to leave its American counterparts in the shade.

Not entirely sure I agree with the Star Letter this week regarding the Long Game and I'm still trying to work out the Falk pun in Droid life.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 11 May, 2019, 07:22:07 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/cMP8XpL.jpg)

PJ Holden on cover duties
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Fungus on 11 May, 2019, 08:07:56 PM
Ooooo. Best cover for ages.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Colin YNWA on 11 May, 2019, 08:48:21 PM
Okay who is Kenneth Niemand? We did this last time he gave us good Dredd and once again he gives us good Dredd. Damned good Dredd. It was bloomin' hilarious and I sat reading it grinning joyfully beginning to end. Looked great, moved well and was an absolute delight... its only two problems were its two teases

1. Don't give us Nerm Chimpsky then snatch him away like that. You tease you... you...

2. Who are you? As we learnt last time Neimand is 'no one' in German, similar to Keiner which means pretty much the same and is a bit like Kenneth... so who are you you marvelous tease?

Anyway bring back Chimpsky soon and all will be forgiven.

There was other good stuff in the Prog. Max Normal continues to be the absolute best story I never knew I needed and I hope the cubing of Mo Bland so many years ago sets up a sequel I never knew I needed. Scarlet Traces is also great fun as it has been to date. Is it me or is D'Israeli's colouring very Cam Kennedy this episode? Anyway like the way the story based on War of the World's has essentiall come full circle and taken us back to War of the Worlds.

Kingmaker is likewise probably as good as normal but it fuddled me noggin a little but too much. I mean I enjoyed it... I think ... but I spend too much time trying to piece things together and spot the connections and that did stop me enjoying it as much as I have to date. The worst thing is I'm too dense to have come up with any real links beyond the obvious so all that effort and distraction was wasted!

Finally the 3riller was okay. set things up, okay but as weknow with 3riller never judge a 3riller by its openner. So we'll see.

For all the other good stuff in there the only thing that gets close to the Dredd is that back cover - I mean just how good does that cover for this month's Meg look! As good a K Neimand Dredd that's how good!
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Tjm86 on 12 May, 2019, 10:26:06 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 11 May, 2019, 08:48:21 PM
For all the other good stuff in there the only thing that gets close to the Dredd is that back cover - I mean just how good does that cover for this month's Meg look! As good a K Neimand Dredd that's how good!

You think the cover looks good?  Wait 'til you read it.  Firing on all cylinders and MindWars to boot!
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: titchard on 13 May, 2019, 09:03:24 AM
Finally caught up to date last night - wasn't really sold on the Max Normal strip to start with but have definitely warmed to it as it's gone on!

Loving Scarlett Traces, the constant use of red/orange really gives it that feeling of apocalypse when they are above ground.  Love the art work, definitely has got me digging out my trade of Leviathan after I finish what I am reading at the moment.

Dredd was a great one shot, as has been mention "I am fluent in facist" really made me smile, and I love how Dredd is just responding in trope descriptions.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: CalHab on 13 May, 2019, 11:35:23 AM
Whoever Kenneth Niemand is, they know their Dredd.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Colin YNWA on 13 May, 2019, 12:46:03 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 12 May, 2019, 10:26:06 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 11 May, 2019, 08:48:21 PM
For all the other good stuff in there the only thing that gets close to the Dredd is that back cover - I mean just how good does that cover for this month's Meg look! As good a K Neimand Dredd that's how good!

You think the cover looks good?  Wait 'til you read it.  Firing on all cylinders and MindWars to boot!

Ohhhh I'd forgotten about Mindwars. Can't wait until Wednesday.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: titchard on 13 May, 2019, 01:27:15 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 11 May, 2019, 08:48:21 PM
Ohhhh I'd forgotten about Mindwars. Can't wait until Wednesday.

I had a quick flick through, I am definitely looking forward to reading that this week!
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Proudhuff on 14 May, 2019, 04:51:33 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 11 May, 2019, 08:48:21 PM
Okay who is Kenneth Niemand? We did this last time he gave us good Dredd and once again he gives us good Dredd. Damned good Dredd. It was bloomin' hilarious and I sat reading it grinning joyfully beginning to end. Looked great, moved well and was an absolute delight... its only two problems were its two teases

1. Don't give us Nerm Chimpsky then snatch him away like that. You tease you... you...

2. Who are you? As we learnt last time Neimand is 'no one' in German, similar to Keiner which means pretty much the same and is a bit like Kenneth... so who are you you marvelous tease?

Anyway bring back Chimpsky soon and all will be forgiven.

Scarlet Traces is also great fun as it has been to date. Is it me or is D'Israeli's colouring very Cam Kennedy this episode? Anyway like the way the story based on War of the World's has essentiall come full circle and taken us back to War of the Worlds.

This x2 ^^^^
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: broodblik on 15 May, 2019, 01:35:26 PM
A good solid Dredd. That first page really nailed it for me. Hopefully we see more of Chimpsky in the future.  Kingmaker was just awesome. Great art and great writing.  Even the 3riller has nice start and it looks very interesting. Like Max and Scarlet as well. A very good prog after the mini break.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Richard on 15 May, 2019, 11:43:12 PM
When I saw the cover I thought "oh no, not yet another ape story." But it was fantastic. Like broodblik, the first page impressed me, and the rest of the story lived up to its promise. I especially liked Dredd's "dialogue."

This would have worked as the first episode to something longer. Maybe we'll see this character again. Whether we do or not, I'd like to see more from Kenny Who? Kenneth Niemand.

I'm not a fan of this Max Normal series, but I did like the bit where he [spoiler]met Dredd for the first time.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: norton canes on 17 May, 2019, 09:52:24 AM
A pretty good prog, Dredd being the standout - a lovely comic conceit expertly exploited. Anyone else think the holo-Judge on the first page look a bit early-prog old-school? Scarlet Traces seems a very different beast to the previous chapter, which I seem to recall was dominated by nondescript spindly bald men of various planetary origins. Much prefer this iteration. Max Normal has been a delight. It would be even more fantastic if the Adams droid had reigned in the rhyming language a bit. The 3riller looked good but I have to say the plot seemed a bit cliched, still, two episodes to go, so anything could happen. Kingmaker remains a great read and fortunately the presence of a character from episodes of a strip I hadn't read didn't make it any less enjoyable.

<Concludes with amusing pun>
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 18 May, 2019, 09:01:56 AM
That was a lovely little Dredd alright. Bit of a warm glow of nostalgia for me - a witty, self-contained one-off about the citizens instead of the machinations of the Justice Dept.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: TordelBack on 18 May, 2019, 09:32:29 PM
An instant classic of a Dredd, that. Fantastic characterful art from Holden, perfect vibrant colours from Charles and a beautifully executed running gag from 'Niemand' They don't get much better than that, holding its own with the very best single-part Dredds. Extra lube for all involved.

Enjoyed everything else too: in particular the Brass Sun links in Kingmaker seem more distant than I had feared, James Peaty's Chimera has a strong opener and  Scarlet Traces gets all maudlin in high style. Max Normal continues to thrill, an expected meeting with Baby Joe going even better than hoped.

Such a good comic.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 18 May, 2019, 11:57:19 PM
A top prog in every respect, but I can't articulate how much I'm enjoying D'israeli's art job on Scarlet Traces. Reminiscent both of those amazing McMahon art jobs in the 84/85 Dredd annuals and Cam Kennedy's Light and Darkness War art, in the way he uses washes in areas that would normally be solid black/colour.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: TordelBack on 19 May, 2019, 08:14:24 AM
Completely agree with Jim's praise and observations there, and if I remember correctly there's an extra layer to this, in that D'Israeli provided the (very different) colours for some of Cam's later Dredds?
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: broodblik on 19 May, 2019, 09:11:28 AM
Spot on Jim, D'Israeli's unique artwork plus his coloring makes Scarlet Traces a joy to read. You mentioning Cam just  points to me how much I miss his artwork in the prog (he is certainly one of my favorite artists of all time).
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Tjm86 on 19 May, 2019, 09:27:46 AM
More to the point, his work on Light and Darkness was sublime, on every level.  I doubt very much it would have worked as well with many other artists.  How many artists could take the hard core tech of Vietnam and merge it with Da Vinci's Renaissance tech?  My greatest shame is that I missed the chance to buy some of his work on it back in the day.   
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Frank on 19 May, 2019, 09:48:28 AM
Quote from: TordelBack on 19 May, 2019, 08:14:24 AM
Completely agree with Jim's praise and observations there, and if I remember correctly there's an extra layer to this, in that D'Israeli provided the (very different) colours for some of Cam's later Dredds?

Doomsday (http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=droid&page=thrills&Comic=2000AD&Field=Artist&choice=camk), mate. D'israeli and Flint are contenders for McMahon's crown as most accomplished and innovative artist.


Although Henry Flint is also the new Kev O'Neill AND Carlos Ezquerra, so that's got to be worth extra points. Staples and Weston are Bolland, the late Edmund Bagwell was our generation's Gibbons, and let's hope Leonardo Manco can be our Blasco.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: TordelBack on 19 May, 2019, 03:11:07 PM
Never made the Gibbons/Bagwell connection, but there's a lot of truth in that. So tragic he never got the chance to be the world-striding colossus he should have been.

I change with the wind, but I think my no-particular-order all-time top-three 2000AD artists are C. Kennedy, Ezquerra and D'Israeli. Current Scarlet Traces is a good explanation why a relative whippersnapper* gets onto the leaders' grid.


*I know Matt's served his time a dozen times over, but in that company he's still starting out...
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: JOE SOAP on 19 May, 2019, 03:38:48 PM


I'd like to see Henry Flint get a signature strip that's all his own. It's been a long time since Shakara.

Although anything that takes him away from doing as much JD as possible is a toughie as he's stamped his boots all over that.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: broodblik on 19 May, 2019, 04:14:23 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 19 May, 2019, 03:11:07 PM
I change with the wind, but I think my no-particular-order all-time top-three 2000AD artists are C. Kennedy, Ezquerra and D'Israeli. Current Scarlet Traces is a good explanation why a relative whippersnapper* gets onto the leaders' grid.

The prog has been blessed with great artist the last 40 years. What bout Weston,Flint, Bolland (just to name  few) ?
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: TordelBack on 19 May, 2019, 04:46:02 PM
Gods every one, and I'll happily add O'Neill, MacNeil, Coleby, Belladinelli, Holden, McMahon, Googe, Gibson, Staples, Ewins, Ranson, Elson, Hairsine, Wilson, Redondo, McCarthy, Dyer, Davis, Davies, Williams, Gallagher, Yeowell, Culbard, and on and on and not come close to a list of my favourites... but if I had to pick a Top 3, D'IsraelI would be in it (today).
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 19 May, 2019, 07:48:46 PM
Just to add in that any list of my top [number] 2000AD artists will always include Cam. There's so much stuff to gush over in his work, but underlying it all is a standard of draughtsmanship that's just breathtaking and which he makes look completely effortless.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: BPP on 20 May, 2019, 10:25:00 AM
2000ad is blessed with so many artists who have a unique style and who are masters of it.


Whenever the yanks had their 'artists don't push the needle' conversation last year I laughed... so much of their art is so terribly generic in style it's no surprise (not to say they don't have similar greats too). If 2000ad was similar I'm not sure I'd still be reading it but as long as Flint, Disraeli, Dom, Clint, Colin etc etc are producing the amazing work they do I'm all in,
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Dandontdare on 22 May, 2019, 01:38:05 PM
well my prog finally arrived this Tuesday - along with the meg and the following week's prog all on the same day!

Excellent Dredd (including the awesome cover) - I heard an intriguing theory about who Niemand was at Lawless, and having now read this I think it's extremely plausible, but if it's true there's a very good reason why he's anonymous, so I won't share it.

Enjoying everything else in the prog, and it's a good variety of strips. Kingmaker steps out of the action for some worldbuilding, but still interesting; I'm loving Max Normal (does everybody in Dreddworld have to have an ape buddy though? It's getting a bit cliche), I especially like the design of the psychotic juvies.

Reckon I need to do that Scarlet Traces re-read as I have trouble remembering what went before, but I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

Hard to judge the 3hriller until we can be sure it doesn't suffer from the "disappointing third part" syndrome, but a nice opener
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: broodblik on 22 May, 2019, 03:26:23 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 22 May, 2019, 01:38:05 PM
Excellent Dredd (including the awesome cover) - I heard an intriguing theory about who Niemand was at Lawless, and having now read this I think it's extremely plausible, but if it's true there's a very good reason why he's anonymous, so I won't share it.

Mister Dare you cannot just open the box and not share  :)

But I do respect peoples want to be anonymous
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Richard on 26 May, 2019, 05:03:07 PM
If anyone missed this prog, I now have two by accident, so whoever is first to ask for a free one may have it. Free p&p if you live in the UK.
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 26 May, 2019, 06:52:35 PM
Ooh! May I?
Title: Re: Prog 2131 - The Ape of Good Hope
Post by: Richard on 26 May, 2019, 06:55:23 PM
Yes! PM me your address.