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Oh, yeah. Devons Daddy is the Daddy. But I believe Wake, Slips, and Wils are also Daddy's. And Bou is the Mummy.

Possibly sooner than you think. But it'll take a while to get them all out.

The collection only misses out 'Russias Greatest Love Machine', and 'Full Dante', both by non Simon artists. I can well see why they weren't included.

And hey, Smiley, quibble away.

Ooookay. Apart from the Collected edition and the stories after Prog 2002 I hadn't read any Dante until a fortnight ago. Even then I'd only read the first few. Tonight I gorged myself on a goodly chunk, and I have to say I'm loving this strip.

As I read more and more Nikolai endeared himself to me more and more. He's crept up behind and overtaken Johnny Alpha in the second favourite character stakes.

Signs are that they are going to start releasing collections in the 'Rain Dogs' style. If they do this will be one of the few strips I'd be prepared to buy even though I have the progs.

So here we go. Masses of big, red, shiney Spoilers.

Nikolai Dante/Romanov Dynasty - Impressive how the strip starts off running. The work that's gone into developing the ideas really pays dividends. I could see right away why this strip was recommisioned. From the moment Dmitri tells Dante how he was conceived I was rooting for him to be defeated.

Russias Greatest Love Machine - Yeah, follow the revelation that the lead is a product of rape with a sex comedy. The only mis-step in the series so far.

Gentleman Thief - Good stuff. Nice little romp, with a satisfying ending.

The Full Dante - Another odd one parter. And did no-one really notice that the wrong sibling had been drawn?

Moscow Duellists - Now that's better. Extremely funny, with some great moments. It also serves to introduce Dantes world and set up future plot moments. Nice ending with Jenna starting to see more to Dante. Frasers really getting into the swing of it now, the arts great.

Gulag Apocalyptic - Not really keen on this one. The art didn't seem to suit, and the story didn't seem to grow out of the characters or the set up. Still, it might link in later.

Trouble with Arbatovs/Cruel Brittania - Much better. Perhaps the one offs feel more fitting with Fraser on board?

The Great Game - Now this is fantastic. Laugh out loud funny, decent plot, and wonderful moments for the character. But it was pretty obvious that Eloise was doomed as soon as she was introduced.

Octobriana Seduction - Again funny, and Viktor is an intriguing character.

Masque of Dante/Moveable Feast/Tour of Duty - Good stories all, good way to meet the siblings. Liked the return of the Countess, and the church in M.F.

Cadre Infernale - Another one I really liked. Dante's moral reaction to the situations were fascinating, to me at least. There's something really creepy about the masks (especially when the msked revellers refuse to help the terrified woman) and the set up, nicely Hammer Gothic.

The Hunting Party - Possibly everyones favourite Sinister Dexter story. Liked Dantes deliberatley missing the animals he was supposed to be hunting. Says a lot about his character.

Fists of Fury - Another Arbatov. About time too. Basically one long fight scene, but the ending progresses the ongoing story well.

Last Dance of the Trans-Siberians - A brave thing to try, to tell a dance story in a static medium, but one that they pull of well. Really enjoyed this one. Charlie Adlard has drawn a few Dante strips by now, and has one of the best takes of the characters.

Cruel Seas - Dante once again stands up for the under-dog. What would be a story we've seen before is changed by the presence of Katarina Dante. Fascinating to meet her, and to see her reaction to the man Dante has become. Oh, and John Burns is great on this strip. He's an artist that I don't often think suits 'other peoples' characters, but he's perfect here.

Requiem for Lost Love - Dante punishes himself on the first anniversary of Eloise's death. A gentle story, with the sort of soppy ending that wouldn't have worked if Dante hadn't grown into a well rounded character.

I'm just saddened that I'm running out of Dante to read, but interested to see how the war will change things, and how they'll get to where I came in - Return of the Gentleman Thief.

Hmmm. Long review that. Doubt anyone has managed to get this far...

I do. I do appreciate it.

And that's one point per Alien, yeah?

This weeks issue still counts right? Not officially released yet...

I bagsy Alien!

How many people thought that this thread was about Cabalistics Inc?

It takes longer for a letter to go from Oxford to Scotland than it does to go to Denmark.

Draw your own conclusions.

The raft looked like it had been formed out of the wreckage of the vehicle he was in, so it mustn't have sunk. Luck of the devil that man. And his Goatee too.

Yeah, sorry. Should have put a Spoiler heading on it. And Meg 202 is due next week.

Yay. New Prog. I've missed these little fellas.

Cover - Looks as good as it did in the Prog 2003. Nice one.

Dredd - Lots of cast members introduced and a bit of forward motion. Looking good.

Cabalistics - Looking good. The cast are gathered together and the situation is delineated a bit more. And always nice to see Nicholas Courtney.

Slaine - Getting a bit silly, but still good. The art holds but I'm hoping he doesn't warp too much in this tale, as I don't like the way it's realised here. Why does Slaine get it's own credits box?

Sinister Dexter - Different type of story in the familiar style. Looks like it should be fun, but I don't think it's going to win over anyone that's gone off them.

Nikolai Dante - Hard to comment on this one but a nice opening part, will be interesting to see where this one goes.

Weather - Bitterly cold.

NO

Well Pete, I made it up. Why don't you try calling yourself PeteXMaskreplica and see if it sticks?

Name- David Xavier Brunt.

From- Lancashire.

Likes- Theatre, nice cups of tea, the novels of Jane Austen.

Dislikes- Crowds, sport, hard work.

Favourite Film- Ring of Bright Water.

Favourite T.V.- Doctor Who.

Favourite Music- Rhapsody in Blue.

Favourite Sexual Position- What's wrong with
abstinance?

Most embarassing moment - Answering that last question.

Anything else I can think of- I can think of Monkeys, Holland, and Penelope Keith at the drop of a hat.