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I think ypu might be right Cactus, Generica probably is off world. There's a small clue on this weeks prog, page 2 of Sin Dex, last panel. It could probably explain why all the buildings look similar and recall New York of the 40's/50's. The off world contractors probably wanted to recreate a well known city from earth!

As a squaddie, he would've had a good laugh at that Mabs

Heh, thanks CF. Just really saddened by this whole affair really. And the repurcussions too, with the EDL/BNP trying to hijack the tragedy for their own purposes (which usually revolves around anti-Muslim vitriol). They're just as bad as those two idiots that killed that young man. I really worry for our country at times....

Sorry, Lee Rigby. Apologies.

I take it's okay to give tribute to someone who's not a celeb that passed away? If so I just want to to say R.I.P to Lee Bigley, the young man who so tragically lost his life yesterday at the hands of those two murdering bastards. I am absolutely gutted for his family especially his 2 year old boy. 

If I remember correctly Generica is on another planet, the kind of frontier backwater that wouldn't look out of place in Strontium Dog or Halo Jones.

Another planet? Woah. Funt me! I thought it was somewhere on this planet. Still, interesting if it is the case. Cheers!

[Judge Dredd - The Forsaken Part Three by Mike Carroll & P.J Holden]

An outstanding cover by Cliff Robinson & Dylan Teague! The sense of perspective with the lit cigar butt almost leaping off the page is superbly done, add to that the noirish setting and rain (hey it just started raining outside as soon as I typed that!) as well as the neon sign and advertisements and you have a piece of work which would really impress all Blade Runner enthusiasts (myself included!). It's a very striking cover and definitely one of my favourites of the year thus far.

Judge Dredd - The Forsaken Part Three by Mike Carroll & P.J Holden

I didn't enjoy last weeks episode as much as the opening one, but here things start getting very interesting when Dolman and Dredd go looking for one of the missing Cadets, Tanuma. More insight too into all the horrific incidents that the Cadets had to contend with. Carroll potrays brilliantly via Holden's excellent artwork the flashback scenes and how lawless things had become during the Chaos war and the effects it has had on these young Cadets. I really enjoyed this weeks instalment and look forward next week to its continuation.

Tharg's 3rillers - Gunheadz Part Three by T.C. Eclington & Boo Cook

Alas! We finally come to the end of this brilliant run of Tharg's 3rillers - and a fitting end it is too. The Ghostship Mathematica still remains my favourite of the 3riller's but Gunheadz is not too far off. In this concluding episode we get  more insight into Aitken's father's role behind the creation or more rightly, nurture of the Gunheadz. Not to mention Aitken's own childhood and inspiration behind his comics. I love how the vintage strip we see has certain correlations with what is actually happening in the story, for example the evil Popcon's true intentions are mirrored with the revelation of what really went on with the real Gunheadz. Boo Cook's artwork is so drokking awesome and complements the story brilliantly. In the end I felt it was a satisfying conclusion to not only Gunheadz but this whole run of 3rillers. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next run. Well done to everyone involved for a stellar job!

Sinister Dexter - Witless Protection by Dan Abnett & John Burns

I'm thankfully a little familiar with the character of Sinister Finnigan having encountered him in the Meg's Floppy's of late. But even if I wasn't this first episode does a great job at recapping what has gone on before, and how Finnigan finds himself in Generica away from his beloved Download. I must say I really enjoyed it - more than I thought I would. And a large part of that is due to John Burn's magnificent artwork. I was gushing about how great his artwork for the Judge Dredd Story on last months Megazine was, but here it's equally as impressive - if not more. There's a certain dreamy daylight noir feel to certain scenes - especially on page 3 with Finnigan walking down the streets of Generica (and at night in the following page). It reminded me of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver and the New York of the 70's. And if Download was an European city, where is Generica? Is it America? (also I swear Finnigan looks like Martin Sheen on Page 1, panel 5!)

Stickleback - Number of the Beast Part Nine by Ian Edginton & D'Israeli

A more action orientated episode this time, with Stickleback and co trying to escape from the dino hordes through the mazelike tunnels of the sewer. We also bump into a familiar character and frankly I'm glad, I was missing Stickleback's old crew from the first few series. D'Israeli's artwork still has the power to amaze especially on the 2nd page (centre panel) with a hooded figure sitting in front of a fire. Enjoyable stuff.

Zombo - Planet Zombo Part Eight by Al Ewing & Henry Flint

More hilarious exploits of our favourite Zombie and his deranged friends! The panel with all the Star Wars characters on 'Endor' awaiting Disney's revolution was absolutely hilarious, as was the mishap involving a laser sword (read lightsaber) later on! Henry Flint's artwork is gorgeous (and gruesome) as ever especially where the mentioned Endor panel was concerned. I'm enjoying the hell out of Zombo and look forward to more next week.

So a strong line-up overall, with ALL the strips really great.

5/5

Done! 

Thanks Recrewt! And you're right about the features; some really insightful and genuinely interesting articles and interviews. This months Meg we have  Luke Skywalker getting interrogated! As a Star Wars fan I went ape shit when I saw that! 

[awesome!]

That shit looks awesome!

[Judge Dredd Megazine #335]

Judge Dredd Megazine #335

A superb cover by Fay Dalton. Very reminiscent of spy/action movie posters. I think the cover would've looked better without the Reaper file art at the bottom, it takes some of the coolness away from the main picture. But thats just my view of course.

Judge Dredd - Shotgun by Mike Carroll (script) John Burns (art) and Annie Parkhouse (letters)

John Burns is fast becoming one of my favourite artists on 2000AD/ Judge Dredd Megazine. His linework and watercolour technique is so darn beautiful - not to mention very special aswell. The story by Mike Carroll was a nice one too involving a bank robbery by a woman who's seemingly at the end of her tethers in terms of financial hardship and having to support her family after the Chaos bug devestation. The story had a nice twist at the end which i genuinely did not see coming.

Bob Byrne's Twisted Tales

This Twisted Tale from Byrne's was absolutely brilliant! Wordless yet articulate thanks to Byrne's superbly illustrated panels; it involves a convict and a teddy bear and their heart warming relationship in the face of opression from the prison doctors and guards. It was both funny and heart warming, one of the best of the Twisted Tales up till now and the highlight of this months Megazine in my view.

The Streets Of Dan Fransico Part One by Arthur Wyatt (Script), Paul Marshall (Art), Chris Bythe (Colours) and Elle De Ville (Letters)

I'm only a little familar with the character of Dan Fransico. I think i encountered him last in the 'Mega City Justice' TPB. He's a very interesting character though and this new series was a great read, as our vid-star Judge goes back on the streets to dish out justice - live. He comes up against looters and juves - but its clear later on that that's half the problem because the 'Dune Sharks' have come-a-calling.

I really enjoyed this opening story, sure it's only getting started but i feel its been set up pretty well. And the artwork by Paul Marshall is just plain awesome - especially the double page spread at the start. That was...something. In fact if I hadn't of turned the page over when I did i'm pretty certain my eyes would have leapt out of their sockets! Superb stuff.

American Reaper II Part Four by Pat Mills (Script), Clint Langley & Fay Dalton (Art)

I've been a fan of American Reaper since the start of the series, i've found it exciting and the premise was very interesting. Hell I even thought the artwork was cool, something different at least. But reading this months instalment...it just lost me a couple of pages in. Yes it was bloody boring, I'm sorry to say, but thankfully the Reaper File which followed was anything but. Although brief at a mere two pages it was beautifully illustrated by Fay Dalton. Absolutely mesmerising to say the least. And a very enjoyable short story or case file to boot. Those two pages were better than the whole of the eight pages which preceeded it in my opinon.

Insurrection III Part Two by Dan Abnett (script), Colin MacNeil (Art), Jean-Paul Bove (Greytone) and Simon Bowland (Letters)

A lot of discussion on the forum regarding the change in style of the artwork. While I am a massive fan of MacNeil's 'soft style' I also love his 'normal' stuff too (by 'normal' I mean extraordinary; Colin MacNeil's art is still special no matter what technique is used). My qualm was the fact the stylistic change took place mid-story and also that i missed the 'dreamy' feel of the opening episode (I described it as if 'my soul had ascended to Zarjaz heaven' in my review for it!) but since Colin so kindly took the time to address the reasons for his change, I will not delve on the matter any further.

The story was very exciting, akin to a storm after the relative calmness of the first episode. MacNeil's gorgeous black and white artwork helped to convey a sense of high octane drama in the midst of war. It was also quite astonishing to see how effective the explosion scenes were without colour and the last panel/page was excellent. Great stuff.

As for the features; Interrogation was a joy to read because our interviewee was none other than Paul Marshall. It was great to learn about his influences and his love of other comic strips. Some of Marshall's work on show was a pleasure to see. Going Wheely (Part Two) - the short story by T.C Eglington was also an enjoyable read.

So all in all a really fun Meg - Twisted Tales and Judge Dredd being my favourite, but the others also being very good. I've yet to read the floppy (Downlode Tales Vol. 3), so I'll forward my thoughts on it later.

4/5

Yeah that was a nice moment in the story. I also love this moment here;

Mabs - I met that Joff Winterhart (such an unintentional GoT name) at a Bristol comics event recently he's a lovely man let  us know how that one is!

I just did, CrazyFoxMachine, and I must say it is brilliant! A beautifully illustrated, moving and funny story about a mother, Sue Bagnold (52) and her son Daniel (15) who spends the summer vacation with his mum after his initial plan to join his father in Florida (with his pregnant new wife) is cancelled. Thus begins a funny, poignant and moving at times, look into a mother and son relationship; one strained by Daniel's adolescene and insecurites and Sue who herself is lumbered with self doubt  and memories from the past about her father whom she lost at a young age, and her first 'crush' and the effects it has had on her now as a grown mother. It's a really special graphic novel indeed and i recommend it wholeheartedly!

I love you too Alabama! Wow - awesome stuff Mr. Kennedy!

The Reaper File was quite good wasn't it? I thoroughly enjoyed it, even more-so than the actual AR strip itself! Fay Dalton's artwork is simply irresistible.

I managed to locate a few copies on ebay, Hawkmonger. I think this is the best one starting at £1.99 & £3.00 P&P:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=221225815611&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=70693564435

I'd put a bid down and get it if i was you!