2000 AD Online Forum

Several months ago, I picked up Dark Horse's Boba Fett Omnibus.  I'd heard that some of our favorite droids had contributed to these comics, and a quick page-through showed Ian Gibson and Carlos Ezquerra, along with some... lesser models.  There's about 110 pages of a story called The Yavin Vassilika.  Good story by Mike Kennedy, but the art, by Carlos Meglia... I did not think that my eyes would ever recover.

But then there is "Death, Lies & Treachery."  It's 140 pages of absolutely prime Wagner and Cam Kennedy.  I'm about halfway through the story now and I have been laughing my head off.  This is completely terrific, over-the-top, Robo-Hunter-level situations spiraling out of control, space pirates getting eaten, crazy super-technology, brilliant character designs, just A+ work across the board.  This is a MUST for anybody who loves 2000 AD... the other Wagner/Gibson/Ezquerra stories are also really good, and, Meglia's artwork aside, I've enjoyed everything else in the book, but damned if "Death, Lies & Treachery" isn't one of Wagner's very best stories ever.  I had to pause reading it just to share with you guys.

Since Dark Horse lost the Star Wars license, there may not be many reprints coming, or copies floating around, so go track this book down NOW while you still can!

Sold!   :)

£10.78 second hand on Amazon. Ordered one...!

Cheers

Jim

Thanks for the recommendation, Grant. I'll put it high on my list.

I recently bought the Kennedy-drawn Dark Empire series and marvelled at its beauty.

Quote from: Trout on 29 May, 2013, 02:35:07 PM

I recently bought the Kennedy-drawn Dark Empire series and marvelled at its beauty.

Some lovely work by Cam in that alright.

I think I only read two of Wagner's Boba Fett stories back in the day, will be well worth getting the collected edition.

I on the other hand didn't particularly like it and as such its on my 'to sell pile'. If anybodies interested, based on Jim's price (the one he bought it at) I'm happy to part with it for a tenner plus postage? BUT its in storage at the moment, getting liberated Friday (with any luck).

Oh, Colin.

Is there no end to your wrongness?

Colin - if it ain't already been claimed I'll go for it at that price!

Quote from: Grant Goggans on 29 May, 2013, 04:33:23 PM
Oh, Colin.

Is there no end to your wrongness?

I worry that I do it now just to contradict you Grant!

I did like the Shadow of the Empire Omnibus, well enough of it to keep it anyway, if that provides any redemption?

Ta for the reccomendation. Consider it approved.

Being of the opinion that Boba Fett is one of the few things about Star Wars that is still genuinely interesting, I picked that omnibus up a while back.

Yup, it's the dog's. Absolutely lovely stuff from cover to cover, and it's great to see how much of John Wagner, Ian Gibson and Cam Kennedy there is in there.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered a copy of this. I was having a look at my Dark Empire books the other day so any other Cam drawn Star Wars will be great. I had just lent them to my nephew, I'm enjoying steering his comic choices towards my own :D

While we've got a non-2000AD Wagner / Kennedy comics recommendation thread, some of you might like to track down the 12-issue Outcasts series (DC, 1987): Wagner, Grant, Kennedy (inked by someone else but not badly as far as I recall).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outcasts_%28DC_Comics%29

Probably pick-up-able cheap on eBay, e.g.: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outcasts-1-12-VF-NM-complete-series-alan-grant-john-wagner-dc-comics-set-/380649843030?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item58a07fa956

Quote from: ming on 30 May, 2013, 06:53:31 PM
While we've got a non-2000AD Wagner / Kennedy comics recommendation thread, some of you might like to track down the 12-issue Outcasts series (DC, 1987): Wagner, Grant, Kennedy (inked by someone else but not badly as far as I recall).

Yeah, it's solid Wagner/Grant fare, with a lot to like. Cam (ISTR) hated the inking but it seemed to settle into some vague understanding of what Cam was putting into the pencils and I didn't think it was too bad, either.

Cheers

Jim

Outcasts is an absolute favourite of mine, I bloomin' love it. Well worth tracking down. Its a 2000ad story but given the space of a 22 page 12 issue series, which gives it a very different pacing, all be it class Wagner sensibilities.

 I bought the Star Wars, Boba Fett and Outcasts comics solely for Cam's excellent art. Members of the Outcasts also turned up in the Lobo miniseries UnAmerican Gladiators, also by Wagner, Grant & Kennedy.

Fans of Kennedy might also like to track down The Light and Darkness War, his watercolour colouring is fantastic.

Stew.   

Dug up some more barely conherent thoughts on Outcasts I wrote here.

http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,31881.0.html (http://forums.2000adonline.com/index.php/topic,31881.0.html)

I recently discovered Outcasts while thumbing through some back-issue boxes in my LCS; I treat myself to an issue everytime I head down there now! Classic Wagner stuff, and Kennedy's art is great if a little marred by the okayish inking and lacklustre colouring.

I only finished The Light and Darkness War yesterday after picking it up in one go last year, what a hidden gem! Both Veitch and Cam have crafted a world like no other; the lore is fantastic and the writer's essays into what inspired the concept only enrich it. It's great to see what the Nam vets had to say about it too.


Any opinions of Wagner's Chain Gang War? Or even the pair's Punisher one-shot, Blood on the Moors?

At my Bookshelf blog (http://bit.ly/14kg3co), I have a slightly longer review of this collection.  It really is terrific.  Every home should have a copy.

Quote from: CLOUDMAN on 05 June, 2013, 12:18:37 AM
I recently discovered Outcasts while thumbing through some back-issue boxes in my LCS; I treat myself to an issue everytime I head down there now! Classic Wagner stuff, and Kennedy's art is great if a little marred by the okayish inking and lacklustre colouring.

I only finished The Light and Darkness War yesterday after picking it up in one go last year, what a hidden gem! Both Veitch and Cam have crafted a world like no other; the lore is fantastic and the writer's essays into what inspired the concept only enrich it. It's great to see what the Nam vets had to say about it too.


Any opinions of Wagner's Chain Gang War? Or even the pair's Punisher one-shot, Blood on the Moors?

I really enjoyed Chain Gang War at the time - haven't read it in ages though.
It was a little jarring when Azrael/Batman showed up (which I guess was in a bid to boost sales) as up until then it was a pretty realistic vigilante story.

I didn't realise Wagner had ever done a Punisher story. The Punisher is one of my favourites so I'll have to check that out.

Meant to say: my copy of this turned up a week or so back. I haven't had time for anything more than a quick thumb through it, but it's a fine looking book with a stack of prime Cam Kennedy goodness that's completely new to me. Obviously, this makes me Very Happy.

Cheers

Jim

Hello Goggins you state that: Since Dark Horse lost the Star Wars license, .

Have they really because I just started reading their new Star Wars written by Brian Wood that slips between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back in the story line (don't know what they are 4 and 5 or?? but you know what I mean the original first movie and the second ;-) )

Cos if they have lost it this might not be a run worth following if it does a Vertigo and halts the story line mid flow. Which would be a shame as I am quite enjoying it, don't like the art much but enjoying the story.

So have they lost it?

cheers

Quote from: gurnard on 20 June, 2013, 11:56:11 AMSo have they lost it?

I believe no new contracts will be given to Dark Horse and the license reverts back to Marvel after 2013.

What Joe said is what I read, yes.

Quote from: CLOUDMAN on 05 June, 2013, 12:18:37 AM
Any opinions of Wagner's Chain Gang War?

I think you'll find that John doesn't rate Chain Gang War that highly.

I got an attempted delivery ticket from the Post Office last night.  I'm hoping that's my copy of this volume waiting for me in the depot.  I'm looking forward to some lovely Wagner/Kennedy goodness tonight!  PLus I haven't read this weeks 2000AD yet, so the Xbox isn't going to get a look in this evening.

Cam made quite a Good job on those Fett stories. Also the Dark Empire I and II(not the End of the Empire), alongside Tom Veitch, are some of the best SW comics ever. Way ahead of the Prequel Trilogy movies(DH put them to shame).

And it ya want more Veitch/Kennedy goodness: check out the 6 issue miniseries "The Light and Darkness War". Abslolutely gorgeous, imaginative, well drawn and painted... and difficult to get. Think that i had issues 1 to 4 and 6 in 1991, more or less, and i lost track of issue 5. I finally got it, on ¡2011!. I'm talking about the spanish edition.

This mini was out of Marvels "Epic Comics" line. Somehow the Vertigo of the 80s-90s. Full of fantastic, wild, and original stuff, like Marshal Law, The Last American, Alien Legion, and so on. I recommend it.

I dunno who has the rights of the Epic Stuff... we've seen Dynamite with Dreadstar, or DC with Marshal... or Dark Horse with the Legion... but ¿the other stuff?.