2000 AD Online Forum

In Pat's wonderful intro to Charlies War he states that he wanted to continue with the story with Charlies' brother progress in the RAF, including the bombing /gassing Kurds in the 30's (somethings dont change eh?)

Do you think there would be a home for that story in either the meg or the 2K?

I'd love it myself especially with Cam Kennedy on the artwork, oh and the controversy, sure to push up sales...

For a moment, I thought the title of this thread was in the vein of 'Debbie does the Dallas Cowboys'.

Tally Ho! Wizard Prang! Ginger's bought it! Hun in the sun!

koff koff Mills koff best days behind him koff

Before I nip out to the pub in ten minutes for a hard afternoon's work, can someone please please post that Pat Mills Sings piccie?

I want to walk along the road gigglignto myself like a loon and gettign a wide berth from passers-by.

You wish is my command, oh master

Hurrah!  You've made me a very happy man, Gary.

-Gordon, off to the pub with a skip in his step and a song on his lips

Do you think there would be a home for that story in either the meg or the 2K?

I'd certainly have considered such a story if he'd pitched it to me (which he didn't). Of course, it'd still have to be good.

Link: The Andy Diggle Forum

I've just submitted this as a sample review to 411mania which will hopefully lead to me getting a UK Comics review slot. Tell me what you think...


Review for 2000AD PROG 1358

Hello all, my name is William Cooling and I am writing this is in some godforsaken village in the middle of England. Now of course growing up in a small village means there are no dedicated comic shops so until you can take the bus into the nearest city the only titles available were newstand titles like 2000AD. What I  love most about 2000AD is its variety. It is this that makes 2000AD the best comic around. 2000AD although nominally a weekly science fiction anthology has long since became simply an anthology of good comic stories. As usual this week's Prog contains five stories/episodes the longest of which is only six pages. Because of this the padding and writing for trade mentality that you see in many American comics is completely absent (unless Pat Mills is writing). What you see in 2000AD is compressed story telling at its finest and most extreme.

With the introduction out the way lets tuck into Prog 1358...

Cover: Very, very poor. Let's not speak of it again.

JUDGE DREDD IN CLUB SLOV (SIX PAGES)

Script   : Gordon Rennie
Art   : Simon Frasier

A complete six page story which sees Judge Dredd (most respected officer of Mega-City One's ruling elite that is called the Judges. Each Judge is empowered to dispense instant justice) come across a parody of Nikolai Dante (Russian rogue and thief). This is a cracker of a story that offers some of a Dredd strip's primary traits- the satire on fashion and other crazes, the clan like nature of youth society (a la Clockwork Orange) and of course the taking the mick out of every and any political affiliation. The writing is superb with a lively script that is full of action and jokes whilst the art is simply breathtaking. Simon Frasier is one of my favourite artist yet its years since I've seen him colour his own work and it adds so much to the art. If you want to picture the art think of the drab art in the current Authority and then picture its opposite and you'll have an idea at how good it actually is. The only problem with the strip is that it is heavily based in 2000AD continuity so a lot of the jokes are in-jokes that may not mean as much to newcomers. That said it's still a great strip.

LEVIATHAN: PART 8 (FIVE PAGES)

SCRIPT   : IAN EDGINTON
ART   : D'ISRAELI      

This is what I mean by variety. From the beautiful, loud colour of Club Sov to the dingy, dark and spooky black and white of the good ship Leviathan. The story so far is that DS Lament has been asked to investigate a series of murders that have taken place on a ship he has been staying on...for twenty years. After being forced off the case by the upper classes after they obtain a suspect confession he receives a tip to descend into the lower decks of the ship to find the murderer. There with the help of one of the inhabitants he meets the demonic murderer (btw all that story was told in 35 pages, see what I mean by compressed storytelling?).

This is easily my favourite strip of the past few weeks. Ian Edginton writes a script that is full of characterisation and has a genuinely creepy feel to it. However nothing can quite compare to the genius that is D'Israeli's artwork. In his trademark black and white D'Israeli's stylised art is perfectly suited to this story and his portrayal of the demon and hell is second to none. This episode which sees the demon explain who he is, the mystery of the Leviathan and offer Lament a deal is a must read for anyone with an appreciation of the occult. However it should be noted that this is quite far into the series so you will find yourself lost if you read without the back issues.



SINISTER DEXTER IN JUNK BOND: PART 3 (FIVE PAGES)

SCRIPT   : DAN ABNETT
ART   : SIMON DAVIS

Sinister Dexter is very much a love/hate script among the 2000AD faithful. Its basically a Pulp Fiction rip off starring two hitmen and usually doesn't offer much more than puns 'n' violence. That formula can be very good and has elevated the script to second place behind Dredd in the most important 2000AD franchise. However there was a feeling before this year that the story had jumped the shark with increasingly tired plots and poor art. This year its made a comeback with a good run earlier in the year and now this multi-part story which the dynamic duo trying rescue their friend Rocky's fianc?e after she was abducted on their wedding day. This has brought them to Managpore where Sinister's ex-wife is the local crime-lord. The story is very much in a holding pattern with very little happening (although someone used to only American comics might not think this) aside from some character interaction between Sin-Dex and Sinister's Wife (a character who I have completely forgotten about). The art is by Simon Davis who is to my mind THE Sinister Dexter artist, as he's gritty fully painted work seems to suit the script perfectly. Despite that this is still the weakest story this week although it's perfectly readable.

From Grace: Part 2

SCRIPT   : SIMON SPURRIER
ART   : FRAZER IRVING

YESSSS! These are two of my favourite creators out of the newer generation of 2000AD creators and their working together is in many ways a dream pairing. This story is about the descent of Kaith (a member of the winged race Shee) from a bullied child to a monster with each episode showing a different stage of that descent told from the perspective of Kaith's last days. Last week we see him rescued from bullying by his brother and this week after an interlude of seven years we see that relationship sour amid jealously and fear. We also the development of the sadistic side of Kaith first shown last week when he attacked and killed a human (the wingless) tramp. The writing is very weird and very oblique and is all the better for it showing Spurrier to be a fast developing and varied talent whilst the art by Irving is of his usual excellent standard. An interesting innovation is the colouring of the art that is by Irving himself. Instead of colouring each thing and creature individually Irving chooses to paint whole panels in one colour giving the art an original and intriguing look. This is sci-fi/fantasy at its finest and you do not want to miss it.

Strontium Dog in the Tax Dodge: Part 9

SCRIPT   : JOHN WAGNER
ART         : CARLOS EZQUERRA   

John Wagner is quite simply the most consistent and versatile writer that has ever written comics. His
current writing in 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine sees him tackle comedy in one and horror in
another. This strip shows the comedic side to Wagner's writing as we come to the conclusion of the mutant
bounty hunter Johnny Alpha's latest adventure. Alpha and his partner Wulf had been tracking the
Unrighteous Brothers (a group of criminals that believe that theft is just) not only for the multi-million
reward but also to stop them stealing the religious icon the Kabob of Gnob. They have failed to do this and
now they are being fingered as the thieves. However to complicate matters the taxman was in pursuit of
Johnny Alpha for unpaid taxes and has handcuffed himself to Alpha.
Wow that's a lot of story to recap but believe me this story is worth it. Wagner is on top form as always delivering a great twist that concludes everything nicely and of Ezquerra's art is just his usual greatness that we 2000AD fans always expect from him. Saying that those who only know Ezquerra from his work with Garth Ennis should prepare themselves for how much Ezquerra colouring his own work adds to a his art. Great Stuff!

CONCLUSION

Great issue with a wide range of styles in both writing and art. However with two of the stories either at their or nearing their conclusions and another two deeply tied in with continuity it may not be the best jumping in point although there is a back issue service which I strongly suggest you utilise as the stories over the past 9 weeks have been astounding.

I hope you've enjoyed the review and I'd appreciate any feedback.

Will

Summary-2000AD is the greatest comic in the world and I will repeat this every week until you all buy it!

Score: 9.0

Wouldn't the sight of our glorious boys bombing and gassing civilians be too much for some?
Would Cam and Pat get on workwise?
how would we avoid Pat drifting off topic? as in my option, Pat like most artists does best when he has something to push against.

Brilcream Huff  

What are you doing going down the pub? Get back to work and wite us some more Dredd and Caballistics!

Where do you think he wites them?

I've seen him, all alonesome sribbling away on beermats in Edinbra pubs. Enough! back to Mills, Thargy get on it!

I can't wait for the Nerve Centre listings for this not-yet-even-commissioned series:

Charley's War - Part 600.

Charley and his mates have stumbled across a mysterious priestly figure - who explains his strange new religion to them.  They realise that they have been nothing but pawns in a struggle against the eternal evil of the English upper classes...