The Dirty Half-Dozen - a Rebellion TPB round-up...

[The Amstor Computer]

We're now three months and six releases into the new Rebellion/DC line of graphic novels, so I thought it was about time to post some thoughts on the finished product. Feel free to join in!

The Batman/Judge Dredd Files

Collects Judgement on Gotham, The Ultimate Riddle and Die Laughing.

A decent first release. It may not be complete, but this is probably enough Batman/Dredd crossover for most readers!

It's interesting to read the three main crossover stories in one go, but it's clear that these stories were really a case of diminishing returns. Judgement on Gotham is an entertaining action piece with some lovely Bisley artwork and a few nicely observed moments with the two leads, but The Ultimate Riddle quickly disintegrates into a fightfest, and Die Laughing is just a non-starter, IMO. Neither is helped by some wildly variable artwork.

Presentation-wise, this is a solid book. The painted artwork on all three stories is clean, bright and sharp & the resizing has been handled capably. Reproductions of the original cover art serve as chapter dividers for each story, and while it would have been nice to have some extra material on the behind-the-scenes work that went into the crossovers, this is a great presentation of these stories.

One minor nitpick - as one of the titles most likely to attract non-2000AD readers, it would have been nice to see some adverts for future 2000AD releases on the inside back cover. A missed opportunity.

Availability

Amazon, Tharg's Future Shop and Play all stock this title. Initial problems with Amazon seem to have been overcome.

Price

?12.99 RRP, but you can find it for ?1 less at Play. Pretty good value for money considering what you're getting.

Verdict

A solid, if slightly uninspiring start.

[Queen Firey-Bou]

mmm good idea, wish i could join in..

i saw Alan Moores -swamp thing , second hand bit battered in leakeys bookshop Inverness, for ?7, too expensive ?

[The Amstor Computer]

Bold off?

That sounds like a decent price, Bou.

[Queen Firey-Bou]

damn... i shoulda bought it instead of that book on the trans siberian railway then.

any other GN reviews boys ?

[Richard McTighe]

Help!  It seems to me that there aren't enough people in the Glasgow area going to the pub on a regular basis and talking genre-related nonsense (apart from those blokes who play CCGs in the Hogs Head).

Hence, in an effort to save me from my humdrum life and get chatting to people about such unbelievably important things as comics, films, Doctor Who and other matters, may I suggest a monthly meeting of chat, beers and nonsense?

It's just an idea.  Would any takers like to suggest a monthly central-Glasgow venue, and monthly date?  The first person who turns up and knows how to pronounce "McTighe" properly wins a special prize (like a pint or something.  All right, just a pint.  OK, maybe a half).