Here's a little something to pass the time. How many 2000 AD stories, excluding Dredd spin-offs, exist as part of the Dredd universe? Personally, I can think of at least ten.
In the beginning of 2000ad, there was a concerted attempt to link all the stories together. Satanus appeared in Judge Dredd, where we learned he was the cloned son of Old One Eye (Flesh I,II + III). Satanus' son, Golgotha, shows up on Mars in the ABC Warriors story. Satanus again shows up in Nemesis the Warlock with Nemesis' son, Thoth. Judge Giant's father appeared in the Harlem Heroes strip. Johnny Alpha and Rogue Trooper both made visits to Dredd's time. The Volgon Wars also link Dredd's time to Invasion 1999 and the ABC Warriors (again). Hammerstein (Robusters and ABC Warriors) fought in the Battle of Armageddon, the site of which Dredd visited. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Yep, pretty much what I came up with, 'cept I also had 'Inferno', 'Invasion', and, ahem, 'Disaster 1990'. The 'Rogue Trooper' connection is new to me, though.
Kleggs appeared in a very early Ace Trucking story, so that's linked to the Dredd universe. As Tharg also put in an appearance in Ace Trucking, we can link all Tharg stories to the Dredd universe!
Blackhawk also featured a smiling Chukwalla, linking it to Strontium Dog and therefore the Dredd universe.
Obviously Harlem Heroes and the sequel Inferno are linked by Giant.
Much of the joining up of stories was Mills' idea. Wagner was never keen on establishing a 2000AD universe as he felt the concept too limiting - for example he has stated that Sam Slades Brit-Cit is not the same as Dredds worlds.
Blackhawk also featured a robot built by Tharg's race, so that brings Tharg once again into Dredd continuity! How long before Dredd brings the green bonced nerk to justice?!
Didn't the 1979 2000 AD annual have all the (then)current characters aiding Tharg prevent some nefarious scheme? Which would mean. . . AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH! ! !
On the subject of Blackhawk, it's lucky that Alan Grant didn't get away with his original ending for the series - Blackhawk was going to be cornered in an impossible to win situation. However Tharg was going to appear and reveal to Blackhawk that although he was a comic character, he had fought bravely and he would rescue him. Blackhawk declines the invitation saying he would rather die a warrior (albeit a fictional one!).
Who says Alan Grant is in favour of illegal substances!?!
Yeah, isn't there was a story in a Starlord annual where there is a party thrown by all of the current characters, including Tharg. IIRC Dredd arrests everyone (including himself!) for disturbing the peace! Either that or Alan Grant slipped something in my drink at the last Dreddcon...
Then, of course, we have all those times when Tharg brought to life just about every character there was to date in order to foil the Dictators of Zrag / the zombified Alec Trench / Margaret Thatcher, etc., etc..
This is somewhat beside the point, I've noticed that Alan Grant's apparent pro-drugs stance has been brought up a couple of times. Has anyone ever read his Batman series that was given the familiar title 'Leaves of Grass'? It was an incredibly patronizing and naive view of marijuana use - It did actually list some of the benefits of the hemp plant, but also showed a teenager rolling about in the street having terrifying hallucinations because he smoked a joint. It ends with the irritating little do-gooder Robin giving a speech about how he 'will never take drugs'.
Maybe the Americans encourage him to write stuff like that. I don't know.
To finish this pointless rant, I shall quote Paul Calf:
Got any rizlas? I'm DYING to skin up.
Nothing could be as bad as the teen anti-drugs and anti-smoking adverts that are interspersed with videogame ads in US comics (there's probably some comic strip in there somewhere too).
Unlike the UK, where the goverment seem to have finally figured this out, the Americans still seem to be under the impression that the best way to keep kids away from drugs is by patronising them and insulting their intelligence.
>How long before Dredd brings the green bonced nerk to justice?!
Er, keep an eye out for the anniversary cover if you want an answer to that one...