I figure this one needs a thread of its own. 2000 AD has just announced that Regened wasn't dead after all – it was just sleeping:
https://2000ad.com/news/thrills-for-the-future-all-ages-comics-return-to-2000-ad-this-summer/
Judging by this, relevant series will continue to exist in 2000 AD, but initially will be in the Meg. We'll be getting new Pandora Perfect and Dept. K, and later in the year more Cadet Dredd.
Now, I'm all for two of those. Langridge/Welsh on Pandora and Harltey/Walters on Dept. K seem like good pairings. And while I don't care for Cadet Dredd, it's notable that these strips will replace a chunk of reprint. So, for now at least, we'll be getting more original strip, for the same cover price.
This all seems good. The one snag will be the massive tonal whiplash in the Meg from these strips, and the rather obvious point that no-one in their right mind will let their kids leaf through quite a few Megs for those strips. So this must just be a case of using page count in the Meg to build content for subsequent collections.
Either way, it's certainly an interesting approach. And, again, I'm happy to see the return of two fab strips. But how this will actually work out, I've no idea.
The Meg seems a very odd home for all-ages. I'd be happy to see those strips you mentioned continue in tooth.
There are arguably 3 all-ages strips running in tooth at the moment. Dredd, with its Stephen King like young protagonists (hey, I said arguably, c'mon), the 3riller, and Intestinauts. All top tales as far as I'm concerned. All-ages is fine if it's done well.
I'm looking forward to Scrappy-Jargo taking over editorial duties in the Meg.
++Harsh punishments bring results in Dreadnoughts Daycare!++
++Laugh as Devlin Waugh and his naughty demon sidekick, Cucumber Sid, get up to their usual shenanigans!++
++Armitage promotes welfare reform for youth offenders in Nappies for an Old Man.++
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 21 May, 2024, 06:08:12 PMSo this must just be a case of using page count in the Meg to build content for subsequent collections.
Pure speculation on my part, but this suggests that the TPBs have sold well enough for it not to really matter
where the serialised pages run, as long as there's a book's worth at the end. (Which would kind of bear out what we've both been saying about Da Kidz preferred format for comic consumption.)
QuoteSo, for now at least, we'll be getting more original strip, for the same cover price.
Given that a lot of people say they don't read much of the reprint anyway, you'd think this was a win-win — they can just not read this new material as well, but at least it
is new material. Well, you'd think it was win-win, but I've seen people bitching about the announcement on FB already.
Ahhh...
fans.
Interesting move. Basically it is just replacing the reprints (which in most cases I have not read at all)
adding to this it will have a more regular run as well
Matt mentioned this in last month's Meg: "from next issue we'll be replacing one of the reprint slots with a pair of brand-new stories". So that suggests something in the region of two 10- or 11-page strips (which would match the Regened lengths). I've no idea how long these will run for, but you'd need, what, at least 60 pages for even a skinny trade? Unless they're going to be mashed together rather than standalone.
And, yeah, I've seen people bellyaching about this already. Thing is, the IDW well has run dry. Almost all the good stuff has been reprinted. I'd sooner have new strip in that slot than increasingly iffy reprint. And I certainly don't care for rebuying yet more strips I already own unless that keeps the comic alive should it hit a very rough patch (as has happened in the past).
So despite the weird tonal mismatch, I'm cautiously optimistic about this, although admittedly my thinking might change if we hear Lowborn High will be rocking up in the Meg next year.
Why not just go straight to the TPB with out putting it in a comic first?
Not sure I'm too keen on it being in the Meg; I've actually been way more inclined to read the re-prints when part of the main Meg than the floppies.
And as others had said, regened content doesn't sit well alongside some of the Meg content. Especially Devlin Waugh and his... you know what...I'm not going to type it.
Quote from: Magnetica on 21 May, 2024, 07:43:00 PMWhy not just go straight to the TPB with out putting it in a comic first?
I suspect, at least in part, because it's monstrously expensive and ties up great wedges of your cashflow for many, many months. Meanwhile, as IP notes, options for reprint are running low and pages still need filling. I'd certainly rather see a chunk of Pandora Perfect than some bottom-of-the-barrel reprint with a tenuous Dredd/2000AD connection.
Indeed. Or endless fucking months of Mega-City Zero or Judge Beardy in The Blessed Earth. I really really hope Matt doesn't have to foist those on us. I'd sooner read the risible DC Dredds again. Not that I'd like to do that either.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 21 May, 2024, 07:49:00 PMQuote from: Magnetica on 21 May, 2024, 07:43:00 PMWhy not just go straight to the TPB with out putting it in a comic first?
I suspect, at least in part, because it's monstrously expensive and ties up great wedges of your cashflow for many, many months. Meanwhile, as IP notes, options for reprint are running low and pages still need filling. I'd certainly rather see a chunk of Pandora Perfect than some bottom-of-the-barrel reprint with a tenuous Dredd/2000AD connection.
Serious question, and I know you probably know better than me, but why would it be more expensive to go straight for a TPB, than to print it in the Prog or Meg and then put it in a TPB?
Quote from: Magnetica on 21 May, 2024, 07:43:00 PMEspecially Devlin Waugh and his... you know what...I'm not going to type it.
Moustache? Exquisite flower-arrangements? Impressive biceps?
I did want to play a game of which Regened thrills I'd like to see more of.
This is the listing to choose from:
(https://i.imgur.com/bKOt3md.png)
Definitely:
- Pandora Perfect
- Mayflies
- 'Splorers
Maybe:
- Cadet Dredd, but only the version where they're climbing out of Grudzilla's arse at the end. They need Dredd and other cadets fighting alien or monstrous menaces. When he goes undercover and arrests teenage squatters he just comes off as a git. Judge Rimmer.
- Department K - I thought the initial premise was promising but the follow-ups a bit less punchy.
- Strontium Dug - first one was very good.
Quote from: Magnetica on 21 May, 2024, 10:13:22 PMSerious question, and I know you probably know better than me, but why would it be more expensive to go straight for a TPB, than to print it in the Prog or Meg and then put it in a TPB?
Technically, if it's issued
only in book format it's an original graphic novel (OGN) rather than a trade paperback (which is a collection of material previously published in a different format).
The big difference is right there: with an OGN, you've only used the material once. You have to cover the entire commissioning costs upfront and swallow those costs for the length of time it takes for the creators to produce the
entire book. I ran through the basic maths of the whole thing in this post. (https://forums.2000ad.com/index.php?topic=38128.msg748747#msg748747)
This is great news. Really looking forward to it, especially with some of the titles annouced - more Pandora Perfect can only be a good thing. The new artist on the strip looks good too.
I'm not sure the tonal shift in the Meg will be such an issue. After all we've had a ton of 50 and 60s kids comics reprints in the Meg, so if anything this will be less of a shift than that?
As a not-regular Meg reader, I think this makes the Meg a much more attractive prospect than bogus IDW Dredd or a horrible Hookjaw reprint.
Serious question, and I know you probably know better than me, but why would it be more expensive to go straight for a TPB, than to print it in the Prog or Meg and then put it in a TPB?
[/quote]
Because someone has to write, draw, colour & letter that exclusive graohic novel material in addition to the strips running in the Prog & the Meg.
Is it possible these strips were already commissioned and/or complete in the can before the decision to cease the Regened prog takeover issues happened? The Meg is a hungry beast after all. I'm happy with this decision.
I think maybe it is to do that in the meg you can measure its popularity and know if it is going to worthwhile releasing it as a TPB. Going straight to TPB you might not be sure how well it will sell
The Hawk The Slayer series ran in the meg before going to US size issues and then collected.
Quote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 22 May, 2024, 09:41:10 AMBecause someone has to write, draw, colour & letter that exclusive graohic novel material in addition to the strips running in the Prog & the Meg.
My post near the bottom of the previous page has a link breaking down the maths on that, in case anyone misses it now that we're onto page two of this thread...
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 May, 2024, 10:15:05 AMQuote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 22 May, 2024, 09:41:10 AMBecause someone has to write, draw, colour & letter that exclusive graohic novel material in addition to the strips running in the Prog & the Meg.
My post near the bottom of the previous page has a link breaking down the maths on that, in case anyone misses it now that we're onto page two of this thread...
That was a helpful informative post Jim. Whatever happened to Drowntown?
I feel it's important also to acknowledge that running NEW Regened strips in the Meg, means more possibilites for NEW creators to get an outlet for their work - and a chance to hone their talents - in a regular comic. This was a VITAL part of the early years of the Megazine and even though it meant for some uneven reading expereinces - e.g. the hyper-professional likes of Return of the Taxidermist and Anderson Psi alongside the sub-professional early work of Calhab Justice, Pan-African Judges and Harmony.
I want there to be space for new comics people to learn how to do comics good, and the Megazine has been that for so long, glad to see it can still be that! (Even if the reason then as now might be as much to do with cost-saving as anything more noble)
I ssupexct it comes up on the Thread Mr Campbell jhas linked to but the Phoenix's business model very much seems to be: keep the weekly comic going even at a loss, but reap mega-profits from trade reprints down the line. As long as you can bankroll a comic for 3-5 years at the start, it seems ot work. If, you know, there are enough good comics coming out of it!
Excellent point, Alex. The Meg in its current format certainly has the page count to carry the ratio between top tier thrills & new creators learning the ropes. Would we have had Nikolai Dante & Shakara without Shimura, Brit Cit Brute, Lawman of the Future & Sumos and Sporrans first?
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 May, 2024, 10:15:05 AMQuote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 22 May, 2024, 09:41:10 AMBecause someone has to write, draw, colour & letter that exclusive graohic novel material inQuote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 May, 2024, 10:15:05 AMQuote from: O Lucky Stevie! on 22 May, 2024, 09:41:10 AMBecause someone has to write, draw, colour & letter that exclusive graohic novel material in addition to the strips running in the Prog & the Meg.
My post near the bottom of the previous page has a link breaking down the maths on that, in case anyone misses it now that we're onto page two of this thread...
My post near the bottom of the previous page has a link breaking down the maths on that, in case anyone misses it now that we're onto page two of this thread...
Cheers Jim!
Indeed to the above posts. Seeing people lose their minds over this on Facebook is astonishing. It's all comics. Are people really that put out by reading strips intended for a YA audience that they'd cancel their subscriptions for everything else? Good grief. (And with Full Tilt Boogie, to take one example – or even, frankly, Pandora – if it had debuted in 2000 AD as-is, no-one would have been any the wiser about the target audience. They'd have just been seen as pleasant and low-violence 2000 AD strips. And it's not like we haven't had a bunch of those in the past.)
As for The Phoenix, I'm not sure how that works as a business, but I'm glad it exists. But Jamie Smart did recently reveal he's now sold over a million books on that imprint (which I'm glad to hear – his work is ace). And I did some swift mental maths at one of their recent video events and figured out those have to be pulling in a chunk of change. So they have an interesting cross-media thing going, which I do hope continues. (The one downside for me remains the weird distribution of the weekly. But that special offer at least sometimes works. I've converted a couple of parents to the comic through that.)
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 May, 2024, 01:24:42 PMIt's all comics. Are people really that put out by reading strips intended for a YA audience that they'd cancel their subscriptions for everything else? Good grief.
Some people seem to have pinned their online fan 'identity' to a visceral, knee-jerk hatred of anything branded 'Regened'. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me, either.
Probably worth bearing in mind that I
strongly suspect a non-trivial percentage of the "I'm cancelling my subscription" brigade haven't bought either 2000AD or the Meg for decades.
For the brigade which do not read (hate) the regen stuff quite easily DO NOT READ IT, skip it - that is what I have done with any of the floppies/reprint strips off the past if it did not fancy me.
I like the idea now it is going to be released every month and it will not break-up the prog run.
Well, quite (to both of the above). I wonder also if the Venn diagram of "people whining about Regened in the Meg" and "the only proper 2000 AD is the 2000 AD of my own childhood" and "comics for children would be better and a huge success if they were only like they were when I was growing up" is basically a circle.
Probably worth pointing out at this stage that it's perfectly reasonable to not like some of the proposed content ideas for your favorite (or second favorite) publication. You know, without that being "whining" or "bitching".
I was a big cheerleader for Regened for a good chunk of the run but, in all honesty, the significant lack of quality in some strips and then character missteps (with Dredd & Chopper) in others wore me down over time.
Folk have valid complaints. Even folk from the 90s.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 22 May, 2024, 03:41:21 PMProbably worth pointing out at this stage that it's perfectly reasonable to not like some of the proposed content ideas for your favorite (or second favorite) publication. You know, without that being "whining" or "bitching".
Ahem. I've said, right the way through these
endless debates, that people are
absolutely entitled dislike any strip for any reason — they pays their money, that's absolutely fair.
However, the people I'm talking about
are whining and bitching. If they don't like "kids' stuff" then they're almost certainly not reading a big chunk of the reprint already so they're going to get exactly the same amount of 'worthwhile' pages as before and be not reading pages that they already weren't reading — this is hardly "I'm cancelling my sub"-worthy. They are literally no worse off than they were with the previous line-up.
That's before we go anywhere near the people who simply won't countenance that
anything from the all-ages experiments has merit — they just dismiss it all as "Regened crap". (And, yes, that's a direct quote that I've seen several times today.)
What Jim said. I'm not dismissing people who have constructive criticism and genuine concerns. I'm talking about people who are whining. I've seen enough bullshit about Full Tilt Boogie alone today to last me a lifetime. And that's not even going in the Meg. (And, yes, the "Regened crap" brush is being used often sine the announcement.)
If you don't like Regened, it will be a lot easier to skip as part of the Meg than it was when it took up an entire prog 4 times a year.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 May, 2024, 04:08:46 PMWhat Jim said. I'm not dismissing people who have constructive criticism and genuine concerns. I'm talking about people who are whining. I've seen enough bullshit about Full Tilt Boogie alone today to last me a lifetime. And that's not even going in the Meg. (And, yes, the "Regened crap" brush is being used often sine the announcement.)
Fair enough - it's a bit difficult when I'm not seeing the other statements - although that's not a request to print Farcebook/Twatter diatribes in here. (Just in case it's not obvious, I shy away from those platforms.)
I really liked the last series of Boogie Wonderland - I thought it built well from the first. If I was going to complain, it would only be about the time between series.
Regened, for whatever value it holds, has never really had a suitable home - and I don't think that's done it any favors in terms of perception (even if it has worked out in other ways).
Quote from: nxylas on 22 May, 2024, 05:33:36 PMIf you don't like Regened, it will be a lot easier to skip as part of the Meg than it was when it took up an entire prog 4 times a year.
Defo this.
I shouldn't have looked but I looked. The natching of teeth over at one Facebook Group (not that one I'm not desperate enough to go there!) is astonishing.
Its absolutely fine not to like Regened. In fact I rather ranted and lost it about the quality of the last me to my shame (but love it in principle I should note). But folks are saying they'll cancel their sub over this.
I mean you pays ya money and takes ya choice. I like what you like. All that stuff, but really cancelling your sub cos your getting new content over reprint... really...
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 22 May, 2024, 06:41:20 PMcancelling your sub cos your getting new content over reprint... really...
That
is mad when you think of the history of the Megazine. If you made it through Volume #3 intact, then it's all gravy from there.
Two years of Preacher. Two years. And it just stopped. Didn't even get completed. nearly 600 pages of comic, and it just stopped. But, yeah, it's 11 pages of Pandora Perfect that's the reason to cancel a sub.
(The people laying into that doubly pissed me off today because I really like Roger Langridge. I'd like to see more of his stuff, not less.)
Well does not matter what other people are saying and doing I will enjoy my meg every month. Yes, sometimes I will say that some strips are not my cup of tea but the sun will rise tomorrow again.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 21 May, 2024, 07:08:56 PMPure speculation on my part, but this suggests that the TPBs have sold well enough for it not to really matter where the serialised pages run, as long as there's a book's worth at the end.
Replying to an older comment here; I'd agree however the planned fifth volume, solicited for May last year, never materialised. Instead, more recently, Cadet Dredd is getting its own collection. So did Pandora and Department K, perhaps more that I'm not aware of.
Does this suggest the collected Regened volumes didn't sell as expected? Or is it just changing to character-specific collections instead now? I guess every reader will have their favourites.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 22 May, 2024, 01:28:13 PMProbably worth bearing in mind that I strongly suspect a non-trivial percentage of the "I'm cancelling my subscription" brigade haven't bought either 2000AD or the Meg for decades.
It makes me laugh when I see posts along the lines of "the Prog is crap these days...I haven't read it in years".
Because you can really get a feel for it by flicking through it in WHSmith's.
I don't frequent any facebook groups so I'm not aware of the griping, but I don't get people who don't just move on from things they grow out of or don't like anymore. Until recently I hadn't bought 2000ad for about 20 years. At no time during those 20 years did I find myself seething with anger over any perceived betrayal by Tharg for me losing interest in his output.
Quote from: Vector14 on 22 May, 2024, 09:54:28 PMI don't frequent any facebook groups so I'm not aware of the griping, but I don't get people who don't just move on from things they grow out of or don't like anymore. Until recently I hadn't bought 2000ad for about 20 years. At no time during those 20 years did I find myself seething with anger over any perceived betrayal by Tharg for me losing interest in his output.
Possibly because you're not part of a comics podcast & don't rely on stirring the pot to generate views?
Just an observation.
Thats why i avoid those facebook groups like the plague.
As to this news....
more pandora perfect and less chance of more idw dredd? yes please
I'm not a massive fan of all the content of Regened and generally skim read it on a prog slog but it's not absolutely horrendous. Granted there is a bit of a tendency to assume that it has to be school based to appeal to youngsters and Lowborn High has been flogged to death for my money.
Overall though, there has been a good balance of stuff. I'd say some of the strongest has been the original material; Pandora Perfect, Enemy Earth. That said, there have also been successes with material set in established Tooth worlds.
You can forgive a degree of inconsistency when folks are trying out new stuff to see if they can find something fresh. Would I rather have a section in the Meg each month given over to experimental material as opposed to regurgitating American dross?
If anything this makes me more likely to continue supporting the Meg. Give new artists and writers a platform to try out ideas and build a new audience. Push the envelope a bit and see what succeeds.
And yes, I'd prefer it as part of the Meg rather than interrupting the flow of the prog every couple of months or so.
It'll also be interesting to see what Matt does regarding commissioning. Obviously, there will be an eye on collections. But might there be space to be a bit more experimental? I mean, 22 pages is more or less standard comic length as it is. So while I'll be happy to read Pandora Perfect and Dept. K, and while I don't want puzzles or whatever in the comic, maybe the odd one-pager, or a page of three-panel strips? They can be a lot of fun and could provide space for Rebellion to experiment further with new creators – or bring in some people I'd like to see more of, like Lew Stringer. (The Phoenix has done this for a while, and those little strips can be really great.)
Just wow. If you think the comments on FB on this were bad up til now, just read the one from last night. It's next level.
I don't buy the Meg, for budgetary reasons, so this doesn't really affect me, but it's a shame Pandora Perfect will no longer be around in the regular prog.
(Didn't the Meg used to come with a free extra comic? Couldn't they reinstate that and put all the Regened content into it?)
The Meg used to have a 'floppy' – a small format reprint of, IIRC, 64 pages. That simply got integrated into the main comic (the page count of which increased accordingly). So in a sense, the Regened stuff is going into that, just not in a magazine with separate binding.
I dipped a tentative toe into the 77 Farcebook with my cornflakes this morning. One thing that struck me as amusing was how many people equate mature comic content with swearing, as if being a grown up means having access to swears. Then they'd linked the Regened announcement to some kind of imagined threat of their swears being taken away.
Coprolites.
(It does bend the mind a little to imagine some poor parent trying to do the right thing and maybe cutting out the Pandora Perfect pages so their little darling doesn't accidentally flip the page to a Titivillus scene.)
Quote from: norton canes on 23 May, 2024, 11:00:42 AMI don't buy the Meg, for budgetary reasons, so this doesn't really affect me...
(Didn't the Meg used to come with a free extra comic? Couldn't they reinstate that and put all the Regened content into it?)
Same here, so I'm not really qualified to comment on this thread.
But, like the brave Farcebook warriors, I'm going to comment anyway!
Honestly, this is a great idea.
No more moaning about missing out on 4 'proper' Progs a year, and ReGened becoming more regular in it's output (So hopefully some longer stories for Cadet Dredd, not just one-parters)
Maybe edit the Megazine so that the ReGened pages are printed in the middle, and can be easily removed from all the images of talking c*cks in Devlin Waugh?
Kinda like 2000AD Gold back in the Alan Barnes days (to which I owe my first ever reading of Fiends of the Eastern Front!)
Either way this is a win-win situation in my eyes, and I'll definitely be trying out the first Meg that features the new content.
Quote from: Woolly on 23 May, 2024, 05:21:47 PMMaybe edit the Megazine so that the ReGened pages are printed in the middle, and can be easily removed from all the images of talking c*cks in Devlin Waugh?
That would only work if the comic reverted to stapled format rather than perfect bound. Unless Matt's got another surprise for us next month and the reprint is in fact packaged separately, like the floppy used to be.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 23 May, 2024, 06:22:45 PMThat would only work if the comic reverted to stapled format rather than perfect bound. Unless Matt's got another surprise for us next month and the reprint is in fact packaged separately, like the floppy used to be.
I'd be surprised if they go back to the floppy to be honest. Whilst awesome at times, there was a definite throw-away quality to the floppy that could make ReGened look a bit... cheap.
As for the Meg's current format... I'd forgotten that it wasn't stapled any more. Bugger.
That said, taking the centre wad of pages out of a comic would look even cheaper.
Floppy would work better.
I clearly have no idea what I'm talking about, do I Ted? ;)
Sir Jaysen of Kangsley's entirely fictional response that I'm making up for the purpose of satire:
"In medieval times, talking genital automatons were often part of family entertainment. This time on Modern History, we reenact a typical village play involving a gay, vampiric exorcist, filled with ennui, whose only companion is a jolly phallus possessed by a demon!"
Quote from: Funt Solo on 23 May, 2024, 06:44:20 PMSir Jaysen of Kangsley's entirely fictional response that I'm making up for the purpose of satire:
"In medieval times, talking genital automatons were often part of family entertainment. This time on Modern History, we reenact a typical village play involving a gay, vampiric exorcist, filled with ennui, whose only companion is a jolly phallus possessed by a demon!"
I follow him on Farcebook. Recently, one of his stallions had a nasty kick in the c*ck.
Don't know where I'm going with this, but I reckon it can be written into Devlin somehow :thumbsup:
Quote from: Woolly on 23 May, 2024, 05:21:47 PMMaybe edit the Megazine so that the ReGened pages are printed in the middle
Like Whizzer & Chips of old?
Are you a ReGen-kid or a Megite?
I actually cancelled my International Tooth/Meg subs, due to financial constraints, a few years ago now. Simple as unticking the auto-renew button in the account page. Found it totally strange after 22 years subscription I didn't even get a "sorry to see you go, can we entice you to renew?" email. Subs communication went downhill after Denise-droid was allowed to retire on a small oil pension. She was great, went above and beyond if you ever had the slightest subs problem.
If Zuckerberg's Zombies are getting their U-fronts in a twist over YA comic pages in the Meg and threatening cancelling, don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.
Me, I'll resub when I see the promo for the Megazine ReGened/Sex Olympics issue :-[
I've been cherry-picking the stories I read in the Meg for years now. So adding new stuff I don't want to read doesn't bother me so long as there's still something in the mix I do (and I like Pandora Perfect, so that's a plus).
But adding the Regened material does also add a little to the perception that the Meg's a bit of a dumping ground. As far as the economics of it go, I get that it needs reprint or other material to keep it viable. But the wild swings in what the reprint / other material is over the years have left the impression that those slots will be filled with whatever's available, which does make it feel a bit disposable.
Sometimes it does feel like the meg is a dumping ground but then you sit with excellent series like: Lawless, Dreadnoughts, Megatropolis, Devlin Waugh just to name a few
QuoteI didn't even get a "sorry to see you go, can we entice you to renew?" email
Although that's respectful. In fed up with services with dark patterns in cancellation, where it takes a dozen clicks to make your wishes known. Just being able to stop with one click is fair enough.
As for the dumping ground comments in this thread, I get the impression the Meg has flirted with viability on a number of occasions and so editors have done whatever they can to keep it alive. As someone with a full collection of "Preacher (half of), now featuring Judge Dredd", I find it hard to understand the backlash to 22 pages being given to some new strip. Especially given that those 22 pages have for several issues been reprinting Hookjaw. (Sorry, Spurrier: I like a bunch of your stuff. But this one really wasn't for me.)
While I'm sure there is a lot of faux outrage, I do think there's a genuine question as to how you integrate all ages content (not YA, pretty much all of 2000AD is YA appropriate) material with Devlin Waugh.
Just thinking of the practicality of a parent with a 10 yr old who has really been taken by Regened stuff (we have to assume they exist) who has to be told "nah, wait for the colections" or "OK, but dont read the rest" or "OK, let me explain about that side character in Devlin is before you ask"....
Am I the only person who wishes they would lower the page count and ditch the filler? I guess there must be some economic reason for preferring a 132-page magazine padded out with creaky old Robot Archie strips to a 64-page magazine (or whatever it would be with all the reprints and text features taken out) with all-new material.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 21 May, 2024, 06:08:12 PM2000 AD has just announced that Regened wasn't dead after all – it was just sleeping:
https://2000ad.com/news/thrills-for-the-future-all-ages-comics-return-to-2000-ad-this-summer/
They missed a trick by not announcing this merger with a "Great news for all our readers" headline.
Regen and Meg or Meg and Regen or The Regen Meg or "The Meg Regen"
One has to assume that this is not how they wanted things to play out (re. Regened), so they're making the best of a bad hand. Like Devlin, they're making a good fist of it.
In terms of the economics (re. the idea that they could cut out a bunch of stuff and still have it be viable), I assume the bean counters at Reb-Central know their shit from their Shinola.
Lastly, cast your minds back to March 2000, and Megazine 3.63. After two years of Preacher reprint (and Daily Star Dredd, with only one new story per issue), we were heading for a relaunch. The event was marked by a Wagner-scripted Dredd analogy of the Megazine's woes: J.D. Megson: A Near-Death Experience. "Half of it's recycled - old fittings they picked up cheap from Ennis Dillon Conapts."
Twenty-four years later, it's still standing.
Quote from: broodblik on 24 May, 2024, 03:55:36 PMRegen and Meg or Meg and Regen or The Regen Meg or "The Meg Regen"
Megen?
The Reg?
The Regenazine Featureeng Teen Mean Machine.
The Cadet Dredd Megazine, guest starring Geriatric Dredd
So here's the solution to Regened and the issue of Dredd aging discussed on another recent thread- just go with Cadet Dredd full time.
I'll get my coat.
And when Cadet Dredd gets to whatever age Dredd was in prog 2,they can just start reprinting the oldies!
Quote from: Vector14 on 27 May, 2024, 05:58:21 PMAnd when Cadet Dredd gets to whatever age Dredd was in prog 2,they can just start reprinting the oldies!
He was 33 in prog 2, so they've got a way to go yet.
There has been a bit of a flurry of Thrills of the Future panels recently in the nerve centre. I wonder how many of them are destined for Regened in the Meg. Barrel and Hammer seems a likely candidate, for example.