OK, it has no Dreddlines but that's no excuse for no Meg thread by 6.30 pm.
As the title suggests it's a bumper issue with loads of movie stuff including Jock's concept art.
Dredd gets two good outings - 'Ratfink's Revenge' sees the scabby Angel plot his iso-cube escape and 'Killer Elite' sees GRennie expand on his previously dormant 'Global Psycho' plotline. Starts out well and it looks like it's going to be a serial killer version of 'Crusade' - but in a good way!
Anderson continues her assessment and Snapshot moves along at the regulation pace.
Great issue with lots to read including the short story comp. winner.
Didn't want to start a thread since I made a vow not too (after several users complained about my previous threads)!!!
Prog but no Meg? Royal fail strike's again.
Loving Pye Pare's cover for the Ratfink collection.
Quote from: radiator on 08 September, 2012, 10:13:30 PM
Loving Pye Pare's cover for the Ratfink collection.
Aye.
Also, that Rennie story's great work. I'm only dipping into the Meg for now, though, until I see the film. Hopefully I'll manage it this week.
Great Meg this month.
However ... I don't want to sound cynical, but didn't Gordon Rennie say he'd stopped writing Dredd stories a while back? Given that, and the pre-DOC timeline, it sound suspiciously like the story has been lain in a drawer for some time.
No Dreddlines? Gah... I worked hard on that letter as well. WIll have to bludgeon my way into the next issue, but is discussing the Meg or the film more likely to see print?
I was so happy when, still buzzing from the movie, I woke up Saturday morning to see this and 2000AD had arrived. That's the kind of thing that makes a great weekend even better.
Was a great read too, the movie interviews were very welcome (although I think one of them contained a bit of a spoilerific reference to the very end of the movie which would be a shame for folks who haven't watched it yet).
Also, before I turned the page and saw her from the front and heard her name I was convinced Judge Zeff was based on Yolandi Visser. 'Zef' is a bit of South African slang she throws around a lot so would make sense.
(http://kimtherabbitmusic.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dwdwwd.jpg?w=209&h=209)
Guys I have been buying the prog from Christmas together with a fork lift truck's worth of trades-I am now considering subscribing to the meg. Is there any idea of what the line up of the meg is going to be in the near future in the same manner as you get news of what is coming up in the prog?
Thanks guys.
Quote from: A.Cow on 09 September, 2012, 04:58:08 AM
Great Meg this month.
However ... I don't want to sound cynical, but didn't Gordon Rennie say he'd stopped writing Dredd stories a while back? Given that, and the pre-DOC timeline, it sound suspiciously like the story has been lain in a drawer for some time.
No, he's been working on Dredd and other comics stuff. What he said was his time was being taken up with other work.
Quote from: Trout on 10 September, 2012, 03:25:45 AM
Quote from: A.Cow on 09 September, 2012, 04:58:08 AM
However ... I don't want to sound cynical, but didn't Gordon Rennie say he'd stopped writing Dredd stories a while back? Given that, and the pre-DOC timeline, it sound suspiciously like the story has been lain in a drawer for some time.
No, he's been working on Dredd and other comics stuff. What he said was his time was being taken up with other work.
That's great news. In my (humble) opinion, he's the best non-Wagner Dredd writer (with Michael Carroll & Al Ewing coming up close behind).
Well dispite my family's attempts to stop it, Saturday was the closest I think I could come to TPO without Tharg giving me the keys to the Nerve Centre and saying 'Here, fill your hands you son of a gun'...
First thing, out to see the movie then home to a doorstep full of Meg, Prog and Ratfink!! and no Step Hen of Paisley on the letters page to marr the Meg.
A fine handful of thrills in the Megazine, lots of text and movie background stuff to rumage through, great wee short story winner too.
Ratfink, Movie primer, Global nutters all good, even Anderaon manages to thrill and keep her clothes on!! Snapsnot seems to hit a peak and will hopefully wrap up nice and quick from here.
Quote from: Keef Monkey on 09 September, 2012, 06:21:51 PM
I was so happy when, still buzzing from the movie, I woke up Saturday morning to see this and 2000AD had arrived. That's the kind of thing that makes a great weekend even better.
Was a great read too, the movie interviews were very welcome (although I think one of them contained a bit of a spoilerific reference to the very end of the movie which would be a shame for folks who haven't watched it yet).
Also, before I turned the page and saw her from the front and heard her name I was convinced Judge Zeff was based on Yolandi Visser. 'Zef' is a bit of South African slang she throws around a lot so would make sense.
(http://kimtherabbitmusic.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dwdwwd.jpg?w=209&h=209)
I've got a mate who knows Boo Cook and I got him to ask about this via Facebook.
Boo's reply simply read; "Zeffside!"
Ha, nice one!
BTW, if anyone reading this thread hasn't seen the film yet, it's best not to read the interviews with Alex Garland and Karl Urban until you have -- possible spoilers.
(Mind you, Alex Garland has some nice things to say about the people who use this forum.)
Quote from: Lee Bates on 10 September, 2012, 10:30:36 AM
Quote from: Keef Monkey on 09 September, 2012, 06:21:51 PM
I was so happy when, still buzzing from the movie, I woke up Saturday morning to see this and 2000AD had arrived. That's the kind of thing that makes a great weekend even better.
Was a great read too, the movie interviews were very welcome (although I think one of them contained a bit of a spoilerific reference to the very end of the movie which would be a shame for folks who haven't watched it yet).
Also, before I turned the page and saw her from the front and heard her name I was convinced Judge Zeff was based on Yolandi Visser. 'Zef' is a bit of South African slang she throws around a lot so would make sense.
(http://kimtherabbitmusic.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dwdwwd.jpg?w=209&h=209)
I've got a mate who knows Boo Cook and I got him to ask about this via Facebook.
Boo's reply simply read; "Zeffside!"
Quote from: Lee Bates on 10 September, 2012, 10:30:36 AM
Quote from: Keef Monkey on 09 September, 2012, 06:21:51 PM
I was so happy when, still buzzing from the movie, I woke up Saturday morning to see this and 2000AD had arrived. That's the kind of thing that makes a great weekend even better.
Was a great read too, the movie interviews were very welcome (although I think one of them contained a bit of a spoilerific reference to the very end of the movie which would be a shame for folks who haven't watched it yet).
Also, before I turned the page and saw her from the front and heard her name I was convinced Judge Zeff was based on Yolandi Visser. 'Zef' is a bit of South African slang she throws around a lot so would make sense.
(http://kimtherabbitmusic.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dwdwwd.jpg?w=209&h=209)
I've got a mate who knows Boo Cook and I got him to ask about this via Facebook.
Boo's reply simply read; "Zeffside!"
I had to wiki her - is it a coincidence that her first group was called MaxNormal.TV?
A very disappointing Meg, I thought. Lots of movie stuff that (most of us) would already be more than familiar with.
Biggest disappointment though was Alan Grant's Ratfink story, Probably suffered 'cos I read Wagner's brilliant original in the floppy first but WTF was going on here? He's in a iso-block that we're told is specifically designed to cut the perps off from the outside world and yet he (with a hitherto unknown super-power) sings ... and this is heard, not just outside his ISOLATION (sic) Cube, but by rats and rad-ants hundreds of feet underground through rockcrete etc. These critters then chew down a whole iso block. Yup. Now either they do this in the "few hours" they mention, which is ridiculous, or they've been gnawing for months and nobody notices that the block is crumbling, which is also daft. The block collapses, apparently killing everybody but leaving Ratfink totally unscathed. This felt like a rejected Pied Piper script from DC, absolute tosh.
I may review the rest later, if I can be arsed, but a Meg that is as weak as the prog is strong this week.
Damn that vanishing MODIFY button!
DDD: Rad ants, Rad rats in their millions, and I think they only got the wee bit in the execution courtyard.
Bet you complianed about the flying rats in the cur-sed earth too.
QuoteBiggest disappointment though was Alan Grant's Ratfink story, Probably suffered 'cos I read Wagner's brilliant original in the floppy first but WTF was going on here? He's in a iso-block that we're told is specifically designed to cut the perps off from the outside world and yet he (with a hitherto unknown super-power) sings ... and this is heard, not just outside his ISOLATION (sic) Cube, but by rats and rad-ants hundreds of feet underground through rockcrete etc. These critters then chew down a whole iso block. Yup. Now either they do this in the "few hours" they mention, which is ridiculous, or they've been gnawing for months and nobody notices that the block is crumbling, which is also daft. The block collapses, apparently killing everybody but leaving Ratfink totally unscathed. This felt like a rejected Pied Piper script from DC, absolute tosh.
Weirdly the only thing that stood out to me was when the judge was about to execute Ratfink. Would they really use a bullet in the head to carry out a schedule execution? Seemed a bit weird.
Surely the logical story here was to have Ratfink escape during Chaos Day?
I dunno. Humdrum script raised up by some pretty awesome artwork.
Alan Grant wrote some great stuff back-in-the-day, but his 2000AD/Meg stuff in the last decade has fallen far short of that.
Maybe he should avoid the Anderson & Dredd and spend his time creating original stuff instead.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 11 September, 2012, 04:39:01 PM
DDD: Rad ants, Rad rats in their millions, and I think they only got the wee bit in the execution courtyard.
Bet you complained about the flying rats in the cur-sed earth too.
a) putting 'rad' in front of it doesn't make it any less silly.
b) no, but I was 10 and they were cool!
c) curs'd CURS'D - listen to Urban, not Stallone!
As for the rest, nothing too impressive. Anderson has been a character in search of a decent story for a long time, and I didn't care much for the latter Dredd either. How long has Roboguthrie been running The Raft, sorry, The Barge? Did like the office-judge's name - not a major character evidently! All points that Mr Marshall accrued with that and the Ezquerra-style H-wagon were squandered by an over-the-top fanwank montage that ticked all the cliché boxes - Alien, Fett Doom, ALF, Predator etc.
A Wagner-free Meg, and boy it shows.
Never gave this a proper review so here goes...
Cover - Exactly what I wanted through my letterbox the morning after the movie. Man, Urban just looks so good as Dredd.
Dredd: Ratfink's Revenge - I really enjoyed this, despite it being pretty ridiculous. If we're honest there have been wackier and weirder ideas in Dredd over the years than Ratfink's escape. Seemed like a bit of a blend of old-school and new-school Dredd.
Coleby interview - One of my favorite artists so was a good read. That Rogue page looks amazing.
Anderson: Stone Voices - This is a decent Anderson story so far, although I've just recently re-read the PSI Files Vol. 1 and I found myself pining a bit for Arthur Ranson. I think Boo Cook is incredible, but I always felt like his style grounded everything and made things seem sinister where they would otherwise be a bit hokey. Still great fun, and again, I think the art is beautiful. Other than Yolandi's cameo the highlight was definitely Will Smith getting forked.
Karl Urban interview - I'd avoided too much of this kind of thing in the run-up to the film, so the insights here were new to me and fascinating. He's done such an incredible job and comes across great here. I'd like to shake him by the hand (and I know some of you lot already got the chance!)
Snapshot - Have to admit I've lost the plot on this one a bit. I'm still enjoying it (Jock's art in particular always floats my boat) and I've put it down to one that needs read in a oner. I'm pretty confident when I do that it'll all hold together really well, I just have trouble following things over this many months and small doses sometimes.
The Art Of Law - Just gorgeous. More of this next month? Please?
Movie Prologue - Had already read this on the ipad app, but was great to read it after seeing the film. A friend who saw the film with me commented that (film spoiler) [spoiler]he half-expected Anderson to let Ma Ma go at the end because she was clearly from an awful background so was as much a victim as the Tech. That was something that didn't even cross my mind watching the movie, but the prologue does have that at its core.[/spoiler] I've mentioned elsewhere that I think I might even like the movie outfit more than Dredd's comic outfit (controversial I know) so it was great to see it in comic form to be, ahem, judged properly. I does look awesome.
Alex Garland interview - Again, like Urban, he's taken on a task I always thought impossible. I really didn't think the Dredd I know and love would ever work on screen properly, but this man has made that happen. Great interview, although spoilers for anyone who hasn't made the trip to the cinema yet.
Judgement Call - I really liked this, particularly the ending, and the way you're not (I don't think) let in on whether the cadet is a pass or not. Was an interesting way to leave things. I'm all for more of these text stories, they're far preferable to the spoilerific movie reviews and I really feel like I get more bang for my buck with them in the meg.
Dredd: Killer Elite - The 'This story is set before Day of Chaos' disclaimer did have me worried this would be of low quality, purely because it gives the impression that it's been completed a while back and not published. That may or may not be the case, but it's certainly shaping up to be a lot of fun. Really enjoyed it.
Ratfink floppy - Read this when it was originally printed, and I remember at the time thinking it was pretty dark. I just don't think I really expected a Dredd story to feature rape so casually, especially one with ties to the Angel Gang (they're stories are all fun and japes). It's great though, and very reminiscent of The Hills Have Eyes or something, properly grimy with great art.
I thought the meg was really strong this month, as was the prog. I was a very, very happy Dredd fan this weekend :)
ooh yeah, forgot the short story - possibly the best thing in the Meg, loved it. Is Robert Murphy a native of this parish? Don't recognise the name.
Quote from: Dandontdare on 11 September, 2012, 09:49:00 PM
a) putting 'rad' in front of it doesn't make it any less silly.
RADDandontdare ... you're right :D
Quote from: Dandontdare on 11 September, 2012, 09:49:00 PM
Anderson has been a character in search of a decent story for a long time
So very true, as for Guthrie I'm sure he's been running that Prisonship/rig for a while now.
Now that prisonship post DoC will be interesting...
I could never understand why Guthrie couldnt have been given more sympathetic prosthetics and gone back to street duty. His cybernetics seem to be excessively chunky for no reason. When Rico needed a new chin they didn't make him look like lockjaw from he-man
I haven't read this month's Dredd story but I have to admit I've lost all interest in Guthrie these days. What's happened to him just seems... silly. I know the idea is that Dredd's supposed to have forced through the absolute best in cyberntic prosthetics for his friend, but it would have seemed a lot more in keeping with Dredd's world had he ended up in some horrific iron lung contraption with a gangly steel claw or two, despairing and bitter at the monstrosity he's become, while top brass made vague noises about prioritising funds and budget cuts and Dredd angrily ground his teeth and did lots of brooding monologues about death and age and a Judge's fate in a series of big caption boxes.
So I guess Killer Elite is a "The Killing" (Stronty Dog) type of thing by the looks of it. Here's hoping it adds a spark or originality somewhere.
Almost bought this today, but was put off by the Ratfink reprint. I remember that from the Meg a couple of years back. Surely 90%+ of current readers will have already read it?
Quote from: Jimmy Baker's Assistant on 12 September, 2012, 08:03:47 PM
Almost bought this today, but was put off by the Ratfink reprint. I remember that from the Meg a couple of years back. Surely 90%+ of current readers will have already read it?
100% of this particular reader owns everything ever published under a 2000AD or Dredd logo, but still happily buys trade paperback collections of the stuff he really, really likes. So most of it, then! I for one am extremely happy to have Ratfink under one cover in a nice handy readable edition... but you're right in that it is very recent. But then again, isn't is absolutely the best Dredd story, outside of the main recent "epics" Tharg has printed in yonks? As far as I'm concerned it's probably the best Dredd in the Meg since America, and only possibly equalled even more recently by that 'Great Expectations' multi-parter that finished last month (did it?).
Of this month's strippage- I really, really, really, really, really like the new Ratfink story. Singing to rats and ants to chew away the foundations of an iso-block and get free? Yes bloody please! My fear is, in the wake of the new movie, everything is going to get terribly serious and "gritty" with lots of swearing, drugs and prostitution, and very little in the way of citywide fads for exploding trousers and multiple murderers doing it because they are misinterpreting the broadcast of old Emmerdale episodes from somewhere in the Cursed Earth. Ratfink is the closest Dredd has had to a classic villain since probably the birth of PJ, and I hope they keep him alive for a while yet. I doubly like him because he scares the absolute crap out of me, due to being reminiscent of Dr Rat from COR!! comic, who I found terrifying as a child. Long may he remain free.
Next best was the Anderson story, even though that was largely due to Boo Cook's art- which as usual was pink and shiny and there's nothing wrong with that.
Wasn't keen on the movie prelude- this is what I mean when I voice my fear of what the strip is to become. That said, it may be time to tinker with the uniform a bit and bring it a little into line with the movie version. If, that is, the film's a success. if not, keep it exactly how it is! The movie uniform looks great in comic form. But to be honest, there's no reason why we can't have some strips drawn like that and others like we know him already- there should
never be a "correct" way to draw the judge uniform. That way lies boring boring arguments about links in chains, stripes on respirators and number of pouches on belts. Artists should always be free to experiment, I reckon. Continuity fascists should be locked away where they can do no harm. But no thanks- didn't like that strip at all.
The back up Dredd, with the gathering of psychos... have I read that before? It seems familiar in concept at least. Nice idea though, and again- a slice of Dredd that amuses and thrills in equal measure.
Haven't bothered with Snapshot since part three, and this month it seems even more out of place than usual. Be glad when it's over, truthfully.
Lovely to see an interview with Mr Coleby, who is not only one of those artists whose work has developed so much over the years as to be genuinely astonishing, but also a bloody nice chap as well, if his Facebook persona is to be believed- and I see no reason for it not to be. I very much want to see more of him in the prog and the Meg, if you don't mind Tharg...
The articles and fiction and whatnot I'll read later- but, while not everything is to my taste, this month's Meg must surely be the best value for money the comic has been in absolutely years. A great one to tie-in with the movie, and I hope it sells by the shitload.
SBT
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 12 September, 2012, 09:08:35 PM
there should never be a "correct" way to draw the judge uniform. That way lies boring boring arguments about links in chains, stripes on respirators and number of pouches on belts. Artists should always be free to experiment, I reckon. Continuity fascists should be locked away where they can do no harm.
I agree, within reason. I even have a fondness for some of Siku's experiments.
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 12 September, 2012, 09:17:12 PM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 12 September, 2012, 09:08:35 PM
there should never be a "correct" way to draw the judge uniform. That way lies boring boring arguments about links in chains, stripes on respirators and number of pouches on belts. Artists should always be free to experiment, I reckon. Continuity fascists should be locked away where they can do no harm.
I agree, within reason. I even have a fondness for some of Siku's experiments.
I have a sick desire to see a Liefeld Dredd. It's like some sort of fetish.
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 12 September, 2012, 09:08:35 PM
The back up Dredd, with the gathering of psychos... have I read that before? It seems familiar in concept at least.
"The Killing" and "The Ultimate Riddle"
Quote from: Proudhuff on 10 September, 2012, 09:54:44 AMeven Anderaon manages to thrill and keep her clothes on!!
You say that like it's a good thing. ;)
I know what you're thinking.
Quote from: SmallBlueThing on 12 September, 2012, 09:08:35 PM
100% of this particular reader owns everything ever published under a 2000AD or Dredd logo, but still happily buys trade paperback collections of the stuff he really, really likes. So most of it, then! I for one am extremely happy to have Ratfink under one cover in a nice handy readable edition... but you're right in that it is very recent. But then again, isn't is absolutely the best Dredd story, outside of the main recent "epics" Tharg has printed in yonks? As far as I'm concerned it's probably the best Dredd in the Meg since America, and only possibly equalled even more recently by that 'Great Expectations' multi-parter that finished last month (did it?).
I agree about trades of the best stuff, but we're not really talking about trades here. I personally see the value of the reprint comic as a chance to catch up on chunks of Tooth I've either missed completely or haven't seen for a whole (I was quite happy with the Chopper reprints, for example).
Ratfink was ok, but I have no pressing desire to read it again yet.
Ratfink was four years ago and I would hope that the Megazine has picked up some new readers since then, especially in the month that the Dredd film is released. So when printing a story called "Ratfink's Revenge" it makes sense to have the original story in the supplement. Get over it.
Quote from: radiator on 11 September, 2012, 04:45:59 PM
Surely the logical story here was to have Ratfink escape during Chaos Day?
They kinda did that already though. Trapper Hag escaping during Doomsday. How much le-way can you give these high security prison's?
BAM! There's the Meg!
Cover - Karl Urban IS Dredd. 'Nuff said.
Judge Dredd - Ratfink was one of my favourite Dredd stories of recent(ish) years and a sequel was long overdue. I don't mind at all that Ratfink can suddenly talk to ants and rats. It's a development that expands on the character and opens the door to new stories. Tiernen Trevellion is an absolutely brilliant artist.
Anderson - Nothing much happening here although we're getting the first hint that Anderson is feeling her age in the scene where she's dealing with the spunky upstart Psi Judges.
Snapshot - Hmm. I was enjoying this for a time but it now seems like I've been watching a car chase for eight months. There's no doubt that this will read better in one go but the 'de-compressed' nature would mean it would take about 10 minutes. I'm ready for it to finish now so we can see what's next. Anybody know what'll be replacing it?
Judge Dredd - It may be slightly cliched but it's a fun set-up and allows for lots of ass kickery. I love having two Dredd strips in the Meg too.
Ratfink - Brilliant. For the first time ever I read the floppy before the Meg. Love it. Ratfink is the nastiest bastard Dredd has faced and I hope the new series can live up to this one.
Of the articles, I haven't read the Simon Coleby interview yet but the film related articles are great even if I've already read most of what's said elsewhere. The concept art is lovely and makes me feel greatful that we got such a faithful representation of Dredd's uniform in the finished film.
All in all: BAM!
Oh yeah, I was really pleased to see Tiernon doing Dredd too but didn't mention it in my post. He's amazing, more please.
Also, with you on the double Dredd, I know it's probably a decision relating to the film being out this month, but I'd happily take double Dredd as a regular thing.
Quote from: Keef Monkey on 14 September, 2012, 02:47:35 PM
Also, with you on the double Dredd, I know it's probably a decision relating to the film being out this month, but I'd happily take double Dredd as a regular thing.
me too, but I'd insist on a "Minimum One Wagner" quota! I'd rather have one stonking Wagner Dredd (or Carroll or Ewing) than a Grant/Rennie doible bill that I found a bit underwhelming.
Quote from: Richard on 13 September, 2012, 12:41:58 PM
Ratfink was four years ago and I would hope that the Megazine has picked up some new readers since then, especially in the month that the Dredd film is released. So when printing a story called "Ratfink's Revenge" it makes sense to have the original story in the supplement. Get over it.
I'm totally over it, I don't care if Rebellion don't want my money. It's great that they've got yours.
I have to say as someone who came on board at christmas its a huge draw for me to be picking up such material.
Having slept on this I don't feel nearly so strongly.
I guess I was just disappointed because the reprint comic is often new to me and this time it wasn't. I may even go back an buy it now!
Lovely Meg. ratfink is a horrible goblin but both the first Dredd story and the freebie were well done. The other Dredd story was a delight wth uncredited appearances by Boba Fett an alien (from Aliens movies) and Greedo and I'm sure some star wars robot who's name escapes me. The script I liked as well with the murderous "ordinary" cit amongst the killers.
Anderson i thought was my fave with great art and a good tale and tip of the hat maybe to warhammer "Blood for the blood God" Granny.
Not read any of the interviews but Simon Coleby art and Dredd art for the movie was fun.
Really enjoyed this Meg. My only niggle is that Killer Elite is a bit PJ Maybe.
Quote from: The Enigmatic Dr X on 15 September, 2012, 01:21:37 PM
Really enjoyed this Meg. My only niggle is that Killer Elite is a bit PJ Maybe.
That was my initial reaction. How has someone killed so many and got away with it for so long .. and we hadn't heard about it. Discounting mass killings, how many one on one murders has PJ made. It's got to be on par.
Quote from: James Stacey on 17 September, 2012, 09:32:25 AM
Quote from: The Enigmatic Dr X on 15 September, 2012, 01:21:37 PM
Really enjoyed this Meg. My only niggle is that Killer Elite is a bit PJ Maybe.
That was my initial reaction. How has someone killed so many and got away with it for so long .. and we hadn't heard about it. Discounting mass killings, how many one on one murders has PJ made. It's got to be on par.
Two hundred and forty three people may seem a lot and would normally quickly draw the attention of the Judges. But this guy has been doing it over a long period, whilst living in six different addresses and using eight different methods. The Judges might not have noticed any sort of pattern and would be looking for a number of individuals. How many of the murders using vehicles were written off as one-off hit and runs? How many of the falls were classed as suicides?
If the victims were chosen at random there wouldn't be a pattern there either.
That's what I thought as well Tombo. It's clear this guy is taking pains to make it hard to connect the killings. PJ Maybe, despite his genius, tends to kill people he knows who irritate him which leads to Judges knocking on the door.
Cover - it's a photo. But it's a cool photo.
Dredd (1) - Not sure I love the art, all seems a bit overly pointy. Not that I know about art. Not having read the original Ratfink, I don- oh, wait, there's a floppy. Good news for us irregulars! Right, having read it, that works as there was no realistic way of getting a powerless gimp out of ultra-high-security. Is Ratfink the offspring of Fink and Ratty? Art certainly seems to be pointing that way. Was Ratty a girl?
Anderson - She's a jolly well-preserved older judge, isn't she? What's the age gap between Anderson and Dredd? Did anything happen with that idea that Psi-powers burn out with age? That aside, great, great, great art from Boo Cook.
Snapshot - not very much happening, very stylishly.
Dredd (2) - This is why I went off Grennie's Dredd - too many dangling plot threads. Let's hope the main plot actually gets tied off this time. You know, like Wagner does it. Still, a fun setup and should be some great interaction.
Floppy - made buying the mag worthwhile. Seriously. Love me some Doherty.
Interviews - all really well done.
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Dredd (2) - This is why I went off Grennie's Dredd - too many dangling plot threads. Let's hope the main plot actually gets tied off this time.
I had kinda hoped that everyone at the bunfight was going to be all the hanging chads from previous GRennie Dredds
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Anderson - She's a jolly well-preserved older judge, isn't she? What's the age gap between Anderson and Dredd? Did anything happen with that idea that Psi-powers burn out with age?
Don't get me started on her menopause again :D
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Is Ratfink the offspring of Fink and Ratty? Art certainly seems to be pointing that way. Was Ratty a girl?
Good questions! I think we have a right to know...
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Is Ratfink the offspring of Fink and Ratty? Art certainly seems to be pointing that way. Was Ratty a girl?
Haw! I
love that idea!
Ratty was definately a boy, though - he had at least one devoted son, whose mother thought Ratty was a bad influence.* Ratty Junior ran away to Mega-City One to be with Dad, only to watch, traumatised, as he and his pet human Fink were brutally murdered by Dredd before his beady little eyes.**
*Yeah, I know how that sounds, but... it's mutant rats in bowler hats, it's already pretty silly.
**1989 Judge Dredd Mega-Special.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 21 September, 2012, 10:56:58 AM
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Is Ratfink the offspring of Fink and Ratty? Art certainly seems to be pointing that way. Was Ratty a girl?
Haw! I love that idea!
Ratty was definately a boy, though - he had at least one devoted son, whose mother thought Ratty was a bad influence.* Ratty Junior ran away to Mega-City One to be with Dad, only to watch, traumatised, as he and his pet human Fink were brutally murdered by Dredd before his beady little eyes.**
*Yeah, I know how that sounds, but... it's mutant rats in bowler hats, it's already pretty silly.
**1989 Judge Dredd Mega-Special.
Got to love a synopsis like that. Only in 2000ad . . .
Having a good read of the Ratfink floppy. So glad he's making a come back too and the editor's have decided to coincide new with old story..
The floppy provides an excellent horror/thriller with plenty of "Hills Have Eyes" horror and Justice Department thriller. And sci-fi, of course! The Cursed Earth providing some of it's own material in the mix. Great story and relentless in it's undertaking.
Quote from: Dudley on 20 September, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Anderson - She's a jolly well-preserved older judge, isn't she? What's the age gap between Anderson and Dredd? Did anything happen with that idea that Psi-powers burn out with age? That aside, great, great, great art from Boo Cook.
Anderson's looking very hot in that vest and leather pants combo - now that's what I want to see in the Dredd sequel!
Yus, hell of a meg.
Just thundered through it
Cover -- Karl Urban. Hello.
Judge Dredd (1) --
"Trevallion Is God" is graffitied all over my manor. And my missus is getting is getting right browned off with it and no mistake. Seriously, I want his brains. I want to eat his brains. He posted this on FB earlier -
(http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533795_10151098443248229_1134337419_n.jpg)
Which just about says it all. In terms of it being silly that rats can nibble through iso-blocks - yep. It's dumb. But there we go. I feel we're going to get a much sillier story than the stone-cold-brilliant first ratfink (which I'll talk about in a minute) which is a shame. But, y'know, not wanting to overstate it but -
TREVALLION IS GOD.
Interrogation: Simon Coleby --
Nice interview and it's interesting to get THE COLEBY PERSPECTIVE (tm). As a long-locked rocker meself it's neat to see the metal 'ead behind "Rock and a Hard Place"'s numerous references. Loved that guitar with engines on it! He's brilliant on FB as well - here's a choice status from recently: "Just learned something - an acoustic guitar and a digeridoo are not the correct instruments with which to attempt Iron Maiden's 'The Trooper'" :D
I'm quite looking forward to his Simping Detective but those boots of Frazer's... they be tough to step into. Or even near. I probably would rather go barefoot.
Anderson --
So... Boo can consistently draw Will Smith's face but he still can't nail down Anderson's? Just saying. She looks like Deborah Meaden in one panel! Can't fault the Boo on his beautiful colouring and striking setpieces though - the man is inspiring. Each panel is like eyecrisps. Sharp.
Interrogation: Karl Urban --
Whoever he is. Like Keef I've missed a lot of the guff and huzzle about the film, so it was really nice to read 'im gassing about Quality reprints, Boing and the Dead Man. Great to get his insight really, seems like a top chap.
Snapshot --
Lovely thrilling little part - at this point though the episodes just rush by. I read this in like, a second. But then - it's cinema comics really (not in an American Reaper way) - fast-paced. Not my favourite type of story but jaysus has Jock got the goods.
Dredd 3D Concept Art --
Jaysus has Jock got the goods. Beautiful stuff - I have seen the film and the beige decay of urban blocks was believable - a brilliantly solid vision really and sticking Dredd into it was just astonishing. Good work that design team!
Dredd Prologue --
Henry Flint. HENRY FLINT. Lovely, grimy, very much a prequel. Bit heavy on the expositional boxes (this ain't no novel, Smith!) HENRY FLINT, though.
Interrogation: Alex Garland --
Probably should've put a spoilers box in, but I who wouldn't have seen the film first, eh? Well I had. I don't think my opinion of Alex Garland can get much higher so I'll just say this: he's welcome to a pint 'round here any time. Not just ONE pint, mind. BUT SEVERAL PINTS. Unless he doesn't drink of course, in which case he's welcome to a pie 'round here any time. Not just ANY pie, mind BUT A BRISTOL PIE MINISTER PIE. Unless he's vegan of course, in which case he's welcome to a salad 'round here any time. Not just ANY salad, mind BUT QUITE A LARGE SALAD. WITH BREAD CROUTONS IN IT.
Judge Dredd (Fiction) --
Again - very hacked off with the archive uncredited Dredd pictures appearing alongside the short stories. Don't mind the archive, but at least credit the original bloody artist.
Storywise: Nice one the Murphy, very neat wee story this and should be praised more in this thread. He's one of BOLT'S disciples don't you know. JOIN US.
Judge Dredd (2) --
Hm. People have spoke about this being a story from the archives and I really wouldn't be surprised given it contains an explicit reference to some Rennie continuity from wayback. What puts a dog in that ointment is that JOHN-PAUL BOVE is a newey having done colouring for the IDW Dredd (and Transformers). Also Simon Bowland wasn't kicking around back then. Also - on the subject of Bove, since when d'ya have a separate greytones dude? Part of me thinks it launches into colour in an upcoming episode. Or maybe not. I don't know, I'm not a futurewizard.
Ratfink (RP) --
The Pye cover to this is superb. I really wish he did more of those these for the reprints, it makes them feel quite quite special. The Ratfink story is gold, as wise SBT said before me. Paced beautifully and drawn magically by Doherty who's not only amazing but VERY amazing. The atmosphere is palpable. Brilliant brilliant story. Also - the idea of him being a result of union twixt Fink and dear old male Ratty is a brilliant one. It's the cursed earth you know - it's been said elsewhere on the thread but putting "rad" in front of something may very well give it special properties. I don't want to say radsperm but I literally just did.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 21 September, 2012, 10:56:58 AM
Ratty was definately a boy, though - he had at least one devoted son, whose mother thought Ratty was a bad influence.
Ah, OK. Radsperm aside, Fink could easily have been a hermaphrodite, I guess.
I really enjoyed "Top of the World, Ma-Ma". Smith's script conveyed the altered perspective of 'movieverse' Dredd, and Flint was an ideal choice to really grind that grime into the seamier corners of the setting. However, I feel as though it's under-served by its place in the Megazine. A story like this should be handed out as a free or cheap chapbook in the cinemas - it'd be ideal for generating interest in Tharg's Mighty Organ to those newcomers who are seeing the film but haven't yet experienced the comic. I fear that its inclusion in the Megazine is really limiting its appeal to the regular readers, and I think that it's a missed marketing opportunity.
For some reason I assumed the Mama comic would be extra comic that comes with the Meg, rather than a tale inside the Megazine itself. (Not that we were shortchanged with the Ratfink comic we actually got.) Thinking about it, that was rather dumb of me considering the length of the story, although I suppose they could have padded it out with extra strips.
But yeah, it worked well in bringing extra dimension to the Mama character, [spoiler]while making her treatment of the tech guy in the film, all the more atrocious. A classic example of the bullied becoming the bullies I suppose. Not that all bullied kids do that.[/spoiler]
We bullied have a saying. Careful of fighting bullies lest ye become a bully yeself.
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #328
COVER: Nice cover. A grimacing Karl Urban made my day!
JUDGE DREDD; RATFINK'S REVENGE: I decided to read this after finishing the RATFINK supplemental. Overall, a nice a nice story. Really liked Tiermen Trevallion's artwork - theres was something very Mignola-esque about it. Ratfink's escape was a bit silly, but then again he's an insane S.O.B so I would've expected nothing less! :D
ANDERSON PSI DIVISION PART 2: I thought it was a really good read. The artwork by Boo Cook is both good and bad in places. I''m not a big fan of Anderson's look - as someone else has mentioned - it look's too 'Deobrah Meaden' for my tastes! But I did love the moment Judge (Will) Smith had a knife plunged into his eye and fork into his neck! :D, its uncanny how close he look's to 'The Fresh Prince' - was it intentional by Cook? The look of the cityscape and surrounding's was brilliant - it reminded me of a great sci-fi comic I read a while ago - Orbital. The book on 'Brian Cox' in Anderson's apartment was quite funny. And on the same panel, I found my eyes wondering off more than once to that shapely booty of Judge Zeff! :D
SNAPSHOT PART 7: Nice black and white artwork by Jock. As for the story i'm pretty much in the dark, seeing as i've missed previous instalmets.
DREDD; TOP OF THE WORLD, MA-MA: I really liked this prologue! Henry Flint's artwork was superb, and realised the MC-1 of the movie very well. It's quite a brutal tale, and quite tragic aswell. Especially her relationship with Eric, and her miserable existence. Eric was her only hope for escape, but it doesn't work out. I thought the pimp Les was a nasty piece of work, and was really glad to see him get his comeuppance. After reading this you get a better understanding of Madeline Madrigal before she became the notorious Ma-Ma, and her rise to power.
KILLER ELITE PART 1: the first thing that entered my head when I read the first page was P.J Maybe! It was okay. The artwork by Paul Marshall was really good. Looking forward to the next instalment.
EXTRAS;
SIMON COLEBY: a really interesting look into Coleby's works.
DOING DREDD JUSTICE: Really enjoyed this! Nice read about Urban's love of Judge Dredd / 2000 AD growing up in New Zealand. A really top guy. I alway thought Karl Urban was a bit of hit and miss as an actor. He did some great work in the past (LOTR), and not so great works (Doom?). But with Dredd he has put in a star perfomance. One of the best of his career in my opinion! A really great piece.
THE ART OF LAW: really excellent (albeit very short) look into the concept art of Dredd. Nice seeing how the artists tried to capture the look and feel of Dredd. That Peach Tree concept art on the 2nd page is absolutely awesome.
WRITERS MEGA-BLOCK; ALEX GARLAND: same as the piece onn Karl Urban, this was a really insightful piece getting Garland's views on the making of Dredd.
JUDGE DREDD: FICTION: A great read.
And so, onto the 'floppy';
RATFINK: Absolutely superb! The artwork by Peter Doherty is bloody brilliant. His art helps bring the villanous Ratfink alive not to mention the Cursed Earth landscape. There's a really foreboding and uneasy feeling to the whole proceeding. The story itself is quite brutal at times, showing the lengths that Ratfink will go to, shooting his victims with his trademark poison, before offing them. He's a savage bastard thats for sure! (His character reminded me of the inbred psycho's Jon Voight and co encounter in John Boorman's excellent Deliverance). I really enjoyed it, especially the brilliant plan that Dredd concuts in capturing this vermin!
I also loved the short at the end; 'Blow out' about a Judge who goes absolutely raving bonkers when a citizen lets out a terrible, canary killing fart on the hoverbus! All in all a really great read!
So all in all a great Megazine, but I wished we had a piece on Olivia Thirlby seeing as she was absolutely smoking in the film, and I wished we could've gotten a piece on Lena Headey too. But we can't have everything can we?
- Mabs (NW)