Aaarrgggh there'a Proudfoot!
Si Spurrier back on Dredd and a Graveyard Shift Lost Case - more to follow when I've finished flushing the Dreddlines!
...and the last appearance of Tank Girl this issue. Strange I may actually miss this strip as some of the more recent ones have been kinda entertaining!!
Been enjoying the Meg recently, but I'm also looking forward to the new wave of stories too.
Can't believe they went ahead and put Raptaur in the reprint - it's set to appear in the next Case Files volume (out in August) so it seems very odd to publish it twice in such a short space of time.
Haven't read the Dredd yet, but it's great to see Spurrier back. Actually quite sad to see the back of The Lost Cases - especially as its to be replaced with Black Museum (Zzzzzz). Hope there's a series two in the works.
Very much looking forward to the start of Lily Mackenzie next moth!
I thought the Meg was rather poor this month.
The Dredd strip was mediocre in my opinion, didn't really like the comedic script.
I'm glad Tank Girl is over as it didn't really tickle my fancy.
However, I did enjoy Tempest; the story has been great with artwork to match, and a nice set up for future stories.
The Lost Cases have been particularly enjoyable parts of the Meg and this one did not disappoint with very nice artwork and a solid story.
Will read all the articles later as well as the reprinted mini graphic novel collection thingy.
The finale of Tempest was a bit tame but the "next series" set-up looks interesting; given the location of the wounds, I'm guessing [spoiler]the man in the Judge uniform is the real Tempest, somehow healed/resurrected/whatever[/spoiler].
The Dredd was good fun, but imo went way over the top with the gore - in some ways it reminded me of Garth Ennis' sillier Dredd stuff. It was also a bit weird to see another X Men parody following Mutopia about 18 months ago.
Looks good overall, but I haven't read all of it yet. I enjoyed the retro stylings of Alan Grant and David Roach, but perversely I started with the text pieces. I like a meatier read these days - what a horrible metaphor from a vegetarian - so I am well up for words without pictures.
Berridge's X-Men review was brief, informative and elegantly written, even if the familiarity-denoting epithet 'dog,' dropped in here for tongue-in-cheek effect, is anachronistic for the '60s.
The Dave Gibbons interview by one Mike Molcher is beautifully written, allowing Dave Gibbons to tell his story without authorial intrusion, and is clearly the result of meticulous research and intelligent interviewing. The only thing I'd take issue with is the characterization of Ro-Busters as a satire on Thatcherite Britain. The dates just don't add up.
Quote from: Buttonman on 24 April, 2010, 12:06:17 PM
Aaarrgggh there'a Proudfoot!
BAWRRRR! BAWRRR! BAWRHAHAHHAHAA! say uncle!
Is it me or in most non Wagner Dredds other Judges get killed off too easy. Don't get me wrong the stories are good fun and well written but the Judges go through a rough fifteen years of intensive training to become the best of the best just to be off'ed so easily.
Tempest for one is a brilliant story but ISO 666 staff were cut down far too easily. For such a high risk prison surly they would have been the better of the desk jockeys.
Just an observation.
V
Last night I read Spurrier's Judge Dredd story. I'm sure it's the funniest thing he's ever written!
:D
(and I don't mean just for the word 'ay-niss,' but that was pretty damn funny)
I agree about Judges getting killed off far too easily. I think it was justified in this case - the guy was, after all, the best there is at what he does *ahem*.
Outside the case of a really kick-ass villain, though, I don't think writers should readily kill off judges every time they show a bank robbery or a mugging. Judges have got to be seen to be tougher than some punk chancer with a bunt gun, especially with their shoot first ask questions later approach.
The X-Men Dredd pastiche was good fun, and Tempest continues to kick butt. I enjoyed Tank Girl - even the panel when she seemed to be glaring out of the page at the critical readership - and I'll miss it a lot. Also, I'm always happy to see art by David Roach.
Not a bad Meg, overall.
- Trout
Is it me or is there too little comment on this thread given its the other half of 2000ad?
Yeah, yeah your letter was great Tom you big suck up. Golden Age? golden tongue up the ass!
I also was thinking about the ease in which Judges die in the Big Meg, when Tempest recalled all those names and I now hope the bastard dies.
See what you did there Al, you turned me against him, thanks!
raptaur's the gn? goto stop watching on ebay now ...free stuff rocks!
The lead Dredd was good fun I thought, but I found myself hankering after something more substantial, probably because of the Prog. But yeah, a good one off.
The Lost Case just lost me this month; to me it felt like a series of images with some words thrown in, but not in a good way. But the series has been great overall and I'd gladly take some more. I like Grant not doing Anderson!
Tempest I felt let down by as it seemed a very hasty end to an enjoyable run. It's about time we learned something more about him and, happily, it looks like that's on the cards. The artwork has been a consistent joy IMO - really dynamic and engaging.
Tank Girl - I too got the impression there was a bit of a swipe going on there!
I couldn't muster the enthusiasm for the text articles apart from the excellent Gibbons interview.
Overall, for me this month's Meg was OK. Looking forward to Lilly McKenzie!
M
Bleurgh, Raptaur soured me on this month's Meg and no mistake. I was steeling myself to buy it again as part of the Casefiles, and here it is again. I just can't warm to ormston's art and and the story is dull and derivative - disappointing all over again, to the point that it's still the first thing I think of whenever I think of early Meg Dredds. A poor choice.
The departure of Tank Girl and associated lettercol griping continued the job, very annoying to see a bright and breezy strip that I have grown to enjoy getting the same treatment as Soul Sisters. At least Rufus turned in a defiantly stunning job on the art - I kept imagining almost every panel as a trading card or poster.
As to the rest I thought the Spurrier Dredd was very good, and a nice counterpoint to the grim introspection of Dredd in the Progs. I do agree about the over-the-top Judge slaughter, but it was a gag strip and a very funny one at that, Bob. Bears repeating that the current crop of non-Wagners are a formidable body of men.
Tempest was good fun, but there were a few hiccoughs in the storytelling for me. The position of warp/rip/thingie wasn't clearly highlighted so that when Deathfist fell towards it my first thought was 'where did that spring from?'. I know it was there last month, but that was weeks ago. Scriptwise, why did the Stumm hide Tempest but not Deathfist? Still, impressive art thrughut from Davis-Hunt and I'd welcome any future outing.
Lost Cases changed the goalposts this week. Apart from Hershey in street gear and the 2105 tagline, what makes this a 'lost case'? Swap Hershey for Beeny and this is just a one-off set during any Graveyard Shift, the whole point of that magnificent story being taht this happens every night. I've been enjoying the art showcase aspect of this series hugely, and hope it returns, but this installment... this was obviously just an excuse for Roach to draw pretty girls in their underwear, which despite being both an interest of mine and very successfully accomplished seemed a rather tenuous use of the series. Cheesecake for cheesecake's sake... I dunno, Roach deserves better. His art was fab, mind, and this is pretty much my first gripe with this series.
A mixed bag of strips, with the Tempest conclusion being the only 'essential' part, and the Dredd being the most entertaining.
Haven't started into the articles yet (cracks knuckles).
Quote from: Mikey on 29 April, 2010, 12:10:09 PM
to me it felt like a series of images with some words thrown in, but not in a good way.
Re reading that I thought I should clarify I wasn't getting a dig in specifically at Roach at all, just saying I wasn't as engaged as on other episodes.
And I forgot about Raptaur - I am quite fond of Ormston's work, but I agree
Quotethe stroy is dull and derivative
.
M.
I thought the Dredd story was hilarious, especially after it took me two looks to realise who the group of muties at the end were! :o :lol: Wasn't there another story where the antagonist called everyone Bob? In the old days there would be a thargnote directing clueless grexnix to the relevant issue(s).
I really liked this month's Tempest too. I'd lost interest over the last few episodes as the plot revolved around that unmaking the universe bollocks so seeing Tempest defeat the Lees by out-smarting them with some lateral thinking was a lot of fun. The last-page teaser has me eagerly anticipating the next series.
Quote from: radiator on 25 April, 2010, 04:34:06 PM
The Dredd was good fun, but imo went way over the top with the gore - in some ways it reminded me of Garth Ennis' sillier Dredd stuff.
You're right! I never thought of that before but the 'somebody/thing is killing lots of judges' stories generally are less interesting. In this case I was surprised there wasn't more, considering the boinging Weasel, but I suppose that displays his general lack of competence.
It was really clever to write a stupefying incident surrounding Dredd when you have, as a reader all this knowledge of the character battling with grim introspection and sordid politics. Having the Cursed Earth throwing something so crazy and idiotic at Dredd (as if he's not got enough on his plate) left more than a hint of pathos. Quite brilliant. :lol: The lawgiver having a central role was a touch of Keating class.
Didn't enjoy the Raptaur GN this prog. Boring.
Loved the rest of it though!
Ugh, they're bringing back 'Tales from the Black Museaum'.
I thought the whole point of lost cases was to replace tales, I mean we never see 'What Ever Happened to the Taxerdimst?' anymore, do we?
I really am gonna miss the Lost Cases but not Tank Girl. The JD Megazine has gotta realise it'll never be Starlord, Vertgio Comics, Battle Weekly or even Deadline. It is what is; Judge Dredd.
I'm still waiting for What Ever Happened to..."Max Normal".
Raptaur's due in the next casefile isn't it? Sigh. I love the art, but I've always enjoyed Ormston's work. But the story? It was quite dull the first time, I'll read it when I get the appropriate casefile.
Oddly enough, Raptaur was very similar to TG for me - great art, no interest in the story or characters.
'Great art'?
Hummmmm.. is it safe to say something is bobbins 10 years after it was first printed on here? Cause its bobbins.
Unlike the LOVELY cover - much like PJ's use early in the year the spot colour on the B&W was brilliantly effective and evocative. Best Meg cover in ages. Best Dredd Cover in ages.
Brilliant Dredd comedy number too. Hurrah.
Quote from: TordelBack on 29 April, 2010, 12:46:26 PM
it was a gag strip and a very funny one at that, Bob.
Oh, I get it now. Bob = Bub. ::) :lol:
Oh. I like Raptaur. And Ormston. Original and claylike.Of course there is the direct snatch from alien and predator but it was a solid effort. I don't think it was boring, more an easier than most read.
It didn't make me go "Gah". And I remember quite enjoying it at the time
How many times did the Megazine do something inspired by Alien? For a minute there I thought Ashley Wood had illustrated a Raptaur strip, but that was something else, wasn't it? And yet it was kind of the same.
By the way, I liked Raptaur too. And Dean Ormston.
While i think he went on to be a rather good artist i don't think anyone can sustain that Raptur is good art - there are hints here and there but really its like McCarthy done with crayola. At times its shockingly flat, the anatomy is wonky, perspective and scale constantly off and the storytelling is non-existent. Its right up there in the Steve Sampson levels of 'not good'. Its VERY sub-par Deadlines 'second swathe' art.
On the whole 2000AD has to support an artist developing and like I said he went on to be a good artist so that decision is justified - there are a few in the current crop who are in the same position (although they are on the whole much better if still 'learning') and its a bit unfair to bitch about em. Long as the professional editors think they will grow into a good professional and its not the bulk of the art on show then thats grand by me as a punter. Mind you dosn't mean you have to think reprinting Raptur was a good idea.
Didn't the original print have 'Monster design by Tony Luke' credited to it? (Venom meets Predator hardly took hours to come up with tho).
Quote from: Proudhuff on 27 April, 2010, 08:19:23 PM
Is it me or is there too little comment on this thread given its the other half of 2000ad?
I repeat... given this is the official website how few people can be arsed commenting here? Come back Rufus!!!!
What i can't understand about Jon Davis Hunt is why when he has such a grasp on shapes, perspective, line and form he completely disregards any of his training/natural talent when it comes to faces? Its most frustrating and they are just shape, form, perspective and line on differing scales anyway.
The Dredds are good and I hope Grant hasn't got so disheartened by a certain slide in acknowledgement of his contribution that he skates over his stories. He certainly doesn't with the Lost Cases. Fun Grit.
Quote'What Ever Happened to the Taxerdimst?' anymore, do we?
short version: he died
as for what ever happened to max normal I had this insane idea of Max normal hosting a show on the vids called "MAX Fashion" where each week he would dress cits up like him. It would turn into a fad and he would end up just another cit of the meg and it would have driven him mad. He would have ended his days in a meg cube, the arresting officer? Dredd of course
Sadly my computer died with the story written on it before I could send it to bolt-1.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 07 May, 2010, 12:19:21 AM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 27 April, 2010, 08:19:23 PM
Is it me or is there too little comment on this thread given its the other half of 2000ad?
I repeat... given this is the official website how few people can be arsed commenting here? Come back Rufus!!!!
Rufus' hissy fit is the reason I no longer do reviews. If we're not allowed to be honest and blunt in our criticism for fear of offending over-senstive creators, then I don't see the point. At my work, there's no such thing as "negative feedback" it has to be "formative feedback", but I refuse to couch everything in mealy mouthed politician speak to find a nice or constructive way of saying i think something's crap.
If they can't take it, balls to 'em, I say.
I'm trying to catch up with the meg on clickwheel but as usual with me if its not one thing? Its another. Do the clickwheel megs have the free graphic novels?
Um Tank Girl had good art and typically bonkers story.
Sorry. My last two posts were just shit off the top of me head. I have it in front of me now. After a visit to the water closet. Yep. I'm a water-closet-comic-reader. Aheh.
This piece on TURF is good. John Ross and T.L. Edwards are a rare combo. And the letterer does it by hand. They look well crafted but John looks like he needs to work on the dialogue more. It'd be good if the meg gets its own interview with the wossi. Eh?
Also re@huff, I think the meg for me is a slow saturation of a read.
I think I enjoyed this, It actually took me a couple of reads to appreciate the lead Dredd. At first I just dismissed it as throwaway but when I reread it in a better mood, it actually made me chuckle a couple of times; especially the quick thinking resolution from Dredd. Too many Judges too easily killed though.
Wasn't keen on the Lost Cases, Tank Girl was fun enough and if there was another strip then, sorry, I've forgotten it.
Right liked the text articles; would still prefer a bit more depth to stuff like the Italian Studio Rip Off things rather than just, you know, a big long list of Italian Rip Offs.
I'm sad to see the back of lost cases, however didn't think this one was a very strong one, enjoyed the GN, happy to see tank girl go. There, that's all I have to say. Oh wait no, urm, I look forward to Tempests return as I enjoyed it, and now that they're again replacing stuff, I think there should be a bit more Dredd, they should at least replace the lost cases with something else Dredd. I'm not saying every single thing should be Dredd, but we should see more of him, or at least more stories based in the big meg like Tempest. After all, it is called the Judge Dredd Megazine.
I have no inside knowledge here, and maybe I'm being thick - but is the Lost Cases actually finished? I'd imagine if Alan wanted to write some more, Tharg wouldn't stop him...
-pj
Quote from: pauljholden on 15 May, 2010, 04:19:18 PM
but is the Lost Cases actually finished? I'd imagine if Alan wanted to write some more, Tharg wouldn't stop him...
-pj
well, it's finished officially , but I guess you're but I suppose it could carry on if he wanted it to.
It says in the editorial that this is the last one - so it's the last one for now.
yeh, for now. does anyone have any idea why he decided to stop?
Quote from: radiator on 15 May, 2010, 04:27:34 PM
It says in the editorial that this is the last one - so it's the last one for now.
Ah! Didn't read the editorial.
Oh well. Shame, as I'd love to do another.
-pj
nope, but I imagine there was a: 'Lost cases?' 'ok' 'how many?' 'half a dozen.' 'ok' sort of conversation, between Mr Grant and Mr Smith.
Quote from: Proudhuff on 15 May, 2010, 04:44:18 PM
nope, but I imagine there was a: 'Lost cases?' 'ok' 'how many?' 'half a dozen.' 'ok' sort of conversation, between Mr Grant and Mr Smith.
Yeh, probably. It's a shame though.