Messages

"I don't think it's that US readers aren't interested, more that the format & price of 2000AD over there make it less likely to be stocked by most stores. It's a weekly anthology that's priced (IIRC) at about $1 more than your typical US monthly - not exactly the most enticing package, even if you can find it in a comics store!"

Yeah but you forget its the Galaxy's Greatest Comic. Plus lets face it if your a Superman, Batman, Spiderman or an X-Men fan then its like picking up a weekly comic if not more with the 18 issues per year with the marvel comics.


"That's a really encouraging review... I liked the almost simpering adoration he pours over the comic!

I do get the impression that most US comic fans have possibly heard of 2000AD but it never really occurred to them to read it. Reading this one reviewers' story of getting round to reading the Galaxy's Greatest was quite heartwarming really - so well done Will for getting him interested! "

I find it encouraging to, I must admit when I approached Daron (head guy over at 411mania/comics) about reviewing 2000AD my principle hope was to just shout very louding about how great 2000AD is...and then we got the Autumn Line-Up which put paid to that idea for three months (well it earned me along with others a cryptic/grudging mention in a David Bishop interview) but these past six months have been great. Hopefully when the DC Comics deal kicks in (although it'd be a lot better if they were published under the Vertigo imprint) more will gain access to them. Hopefully Rebellion and/or DC have a wedge of comp copies to make the American websites read/review them and then fall in love with them; because well you know. Equally hopefully I'll have some money so I can buy them all.

Will

411mania has just been updated with reviews on some of the best comics including Daredevil 61. However of most interest to us lot is the review of 2000AD, which for the first time is done not by me but by my American sub-editor Chris who's just picked up with the start of Terror. Naturally he's loving an his excellent review can be accessed through the link at the bottom.

I'm forwarded this link to him so any feedback I'm sure would be appericated.

Will

Link: http://www.411mania.com/comics/reviews/article.php?reviews_id=3548" target="_blank">He likes it, he really likes it!

That Klegg actually has quite a laidback, cynical character-great picture!


Will

I do too, but hey columns a column

Will

There are on their too-would be perfect for Captain America or Avengers in my opinion.

Glad everyone likes my choices; kinda think that the top 3 are almost a no-brainer but when the lower choices come in to be filled there's more dispute.

Also quick question-would you include Abnett? He's a great writer and all but has he with his Legion, Superman and now Mr. Majestic work broke America to the extent that he doesn't really qualify?

Will

Currently planning a column where I list the 10 2000AD creators who are my "picks" to break America. At the moment their all swirling around in my head although I've settle on a top 3 (in reverse order) of Henry Flint, Chris Blythe and Gordon Rennie. However, before I put the finishing touches I throw it to debate-who do you think could or should break America soon?

Will

Remember Andy Diggle over at ADF saying that story is written and with Bolland and its just a matter of him getting it done.

Will

Er, why does it pain you to say it?

What have I done now?

Will

I haven't got them on-its coming up normal writing on my computer!

Will

OUCH!!!

Okay for those who attacked me as following the usual "Mills is crap" bigrade lets back up and remember/let me tell you that I used to post under here as Mills' Fan. I love his work most of the time even more recent stuff like Dreadlock, Books of Invasions and the recent ABC Warriors book. Now usually I'm used to being on the right of Mills due to his crazed, angry radicalism yet in all his work this year he's seemingly been slightly old man reactionary. On the whole it doesn't piss me off; he's stories have on the whole been quite good this year yet to me its seems interesting why there's been such a change.

The only expection and probably what caused me to be so sacrastic in my review is his attitude towards gays, which is questionable at least. This year we've had jokes about gay rape in Slaine, a HIV suffering as a villian in Black Siddha and the constant references to evil FAGGOT GENERAL in Savage and all this following the hardly gay-friendly tone in Marshal Law and Slaine. And yes as a bi-sexual I do judge Mills on these sorts of things-I don't see why a comic that is so earnest and proud of its "progressive" qualities let alone a writer that has made a career out of bashing reactionary institutions should be allowed to get away with what appears to me to be peddling hate.

Again I like Mills' writing and I'm looking to his work later this year but if I'm reading him write (and I accept I may be over sensitive) then he's treating gays in way that no writer would be allowed to treat ethnic minorities.

Will

I've mentioned this before in passing but does anyone else see that Mills is becoming bloody reactionary in his old age? I mean look at Pt. 7 if it wasn't for the fact that I've got a soft spot for the guy and the action's good I'd be howling outrage over some very dodgy in parts politics. In addition there's stuff I'd agree with but its bloody right wing such as the stuff on education. I put it glibbly in my forthcoming review like this


"Savage

Title: Book One ~ Taking Liberties 7
Writer: Robert Kilroy-Silk
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Letterer: Ellie De Ville

There now follows a Party Political Broadcast for the Patriotic Majority Tangent?

Are sickened by bloody faggot rapists leering at good to honest East End lads like their slabs of meet?

Doesn?t it anger you that bloody women are just eager to be rape by a passing soldier? I mean sure we?re all know that when they say no they really mean yes but an f?ing foreigner?

Are you outraged by the treachery of mealy-mouth middle class teachers bending over to Europe and perverting the education system by teaching stuff about the importance of Europe in the modern world, European History and foreign languages (I mean what?s the bloody point-everyone speaks English anyway)?

Are fed up of hordes of no good Johnny foreigners flooding this honest country, taking homes meant for our own kind and then not paying the bloody rent?

Are you disgusted at the thought of you children and you children?s children looking at leading members of the community such as politicians and not seeing people to respect but sexual perverts?

And are you sick to the back teeth of the mentally ?less able? having jobs and generally getting in the way of real men?

If you are then I Pat Mills want your vote!

Together we can take our country back and make her great once more!"


And I really think there's something nasty under the surface in Savage and this is coming from ME!

Will

But he's a nasty homphobe! Surely even when old blightly's being rapped and pillage we don't just forget the progress we've made in the field of gay rights...

Okay maybe we do.

Personally thought the Prog was ever excellent with all five stories being near enough on top form, Chopper probably the weakest but much, much improved on previous eps with the twist well delievered and the art finally seeming to gell with the character. Still not great but you know a prog's good when a story of that quality is the weakest.

Also check out 411mania on Tuesday as my American submission editor who I managed to persuade to subscribe to 2000AD and the Meg is doing his first review of 2000AD. Should be interesting...

Will

Yes its me...did you miss me?

...

I'll get my coat.

Will

Anyone who read the Reagan thread (or any other political threads I posted in under (the) Mill's Fan will know that I'm very right-wing on most issues with exception of gay rights.

Will

Okay here goes:

1) Immediate withdrawl from the EU

The EU is a worthwhile geo-political counterweight to the Americans which we're just going to screw up if we stay in (The American's Trojan Horse as De Gaulle would say) especially with the Eastern Europe states and Turkey if they ever let her in. Plus I don't want to be run by the bloody krauts & frogs (FUCKING ZIDANE).

2) Supply-Side Reform of the Tax System

If you tax something you get less of it because there's less to get out of producing so we should try to shift what tax from good things like jobs, investment and savings to bad things like alcohol, cigarattes and The Sun. In addition I'd merge Personal National Insurance with Income Tax-its essentially a different form of Income Tax (there's no longer any petence at hypothecation) and with the more progressive tax bands it'll be a good way to redistrubute the tax burden from the poor/middle class to the rich.

3) Instant Suspension of Asylumn Applications

The Asylumn and Immigratiion system is in chaos with a Home Office minister recently admitting that the true figure may be double the offical figures. We need breathing space to get a grip, process the outstanding claims & DEPORT those who fail. Reform of the process is also needed based on the principle that the granting of Asylumn is not judical act but a governmental one therefore special Home Office appointed officals should ajudicate on Asylumn cases with only one appeal and the burden proof on the applicant. No doubt this sounds extreme but the only people who benefit in the long-term from vast influxes of immigrants are social workers, businesses who want to screw wages down and the far-right.

4) Protectionism

A country's world power and prestige is based on its industrial base you cannot just possess a thriving tertiary sector and expect to be taken seriously in the long-term. We must establish subtle protection of our remaining industrial areas and plot a recovery course from their eighties death after the excesses of Nationalisation and Trade Unionism.

5) Nationalise the Railways

Good, well run railways are essential to a growing and well-off city. However, the cost of such a railway system is expensive and not one that can be met by reasonable affairs so no matter who runs them they have to recieve large state handouts. Seeing as this is so, the railways integral part to the infrastructyre and the lack of competition then having them state owned would be the most sensible optition.

6) Privatise all Schools and Hospitals

Okay we can all agree that no one should be forced to directly pay for their child's education or when they need a serious op therefore it should be funded through taxation. However where does the "services must be provided by the government" follow? There's no contradiction between supporting tax-funding of healthcare and education and yet having the services themselves private which would allow real competition and choice probably through a voucher scheme.

7) Take an axe to the Government

Abolish the Departments of Education, Health, Trade and Industry, Rural Affairs, International Development, Wales Office, Scottish Office, Culture, Transport. Most of their functions are either absolute, better off in the hands of local government or the indiviual or can easily done by a free-standing quango for less.

8) Solve the devolution mess

Either we have an English Parliament and bring its, Wales and Ulster's powers into line with Scotland's or we scrap the later three.

Will