Will you buy the revamped Megazine? I already buy it - and will carry on doing so. It's a bit too pricey, no more Meg for me Yes, I'll start picking it up again I'll try one issue and see if it's improved. Nope, it's still not for me

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Home ¦ Reviews ¦ 2004AD Review - Part 3

31st December 04 Back to part 2

Edward Berridge - reviewer and interviewer

2004 Overview

We’ve certainly had our fair share of Thrills this year, no matter what your taste. With strips like ABC Warriors, Tyranny Rex, Savage, A.H.A.B, Low Life, Strontium Dog, Black Siddha, Caballistics Inc, The Simping Detective and The Red Seas this has been one of the most memorable set of stories in recent years.

Of course there’s been the occasional briar in the patch, like Valkyries, that didn’t sit well with the readership, or the odd disappointing mixed-bag strip, such as the recent Faces. Yet overall the quality has been astoundingly high.

Judge Dredd has had something of a mixed bag in terms of strips in 2000AD: despite a few amusing one-offs, the only strips of any significant note were Terror, Gulag and the recent Total War. The Megazine fared somewhat better: after the disappointing Damned Ranger we had thrills and surprises aplenty, and in both Six and Meat Patrol, providing two of the highpoints of the year.

If they manage to keep up the momentum, then roll on 2005!

Funnily enough, when this first appeared in the prog, I thought I really wouldn’t like this. But by the time the second series appeared at the beginning of the year, it was firmly established in my mind as an indispensable feature of the comic. Ian Edginton’s writing and Steve Yeowell’s art have combined to make an excellent modern twist on a great age of stories from the past. The surprise mini-series at the end of the year only helped to cement its position as one of the best and most interesting of the new strips premièred in the past few years.

Best Writer- John Wagner

Despite the odd wobble (Damned Ranger, Cincinnati), Wagner’s work this year has been almost routinely excellent: Traitor to his Kind, Six, Terror and Total War all justify his position, with Honourable Mentions for Gordon Rennie and Ian Edginton.

Best Artist - Henry Flint

Could it really be anyone else? Given the amount of work he has done this year – Alien Invasions; Low Life; ABC Warriors; Total War; I’m surprised his wrist hasn’t dropped off, and he definitely deserves the top position. Honourable Mentions go to Carl Critchlow, Chris Weston and Frazer Irving.

Best Cover - Megazine 215

Honourable mentions for (2000AD progs 1374 and 1396)

Best Judge Dredd Story - Total War

Excellent writing, art, colouring and letters all come together to make the best Dredd strip bar none this year, although Six came closest.

Best Non - Judge Dredd Story - Savage

Surprisingly, what looked like being something of a turkey turned out to be one of the highlights of the year. Pat Mills writes with surprising deftness of hand, making the heroes just as violent (and sometimes psychotic) as the soldiers they fight against. Charlie Adlard’s art is just exceptional, and he really makes the character his own, as well as beautifully realising Mills’ detailed script.

Best Single Episode - Judge Dredd: Six episode 1

That writer, That artist, THAT twist!

Metro Dredd Opinions

I’ve much enjoyed flicking through the pages of Metro to find the daily Dredd strip. Inaki Miranda and Eva De La Cruz have certainly made the strip their own, but since their departure Andy Clarke has certainly made a very strong start. The writing tends to be a bit patchier, generally because both as the form is restrictive, the level of violence has to necessarily toned down to suit the publication, and the character is effectively being introduced afresh to a new audience. However, there have been some enjoyable written episodes provided by Gordon Rennie and David Bishop.
For the future, I’d like to see more art by Andy Clarke, but maybe a few other 2000AD artists as well: D’Israeli Metro strip anyone?

A.H.A.B – Great art by Richard Elson and interestingly literary writing by Nigel Kitching, this was a strip which wasn’t perhaps best appreciated when it debuted in 2000AD. I feel that there was definitely something genuinely enjoyable about the strip, not least its charismatic (as well as psychotic) lead character. I for one would relish a sequel, not least as it might help to both broaden the series and maybe establish it in readers minds too.

The Best Thing in 2000AD This Year

Given the quality this year it could be any number of things: the DC republishing deal; Savage, Strontium Dog, Total War, or any number of other strips, but I think for me the highlight of the year had to be the return of criminal maniac P.J. Maybe: undoubtedly the greatest moment in a strip for a long time!

The Worst Thing in 2000AD This Year

I’d probably have to say Valkyries for this one…

What Would You Recommend for Dreddcon Next Year?

Perhaps a concerted attempt to stick to timetables? But to be honest I’d be afraid to interfere with the inner workings of the event, as there is such a relaxed almost family atmosphere during the proceeding, both amongst the creators and the (surprisingly) mixed selection of fans, that really the only request I can make is more of the same, please…

What Would You Like to See From 2000AD in 2005?

More collections (both DC and Rebellion’s own line); more Caballistics Inc; more Red Seas; more Savage, more Tyranny Rex and Devlin Waugh. But by and large, if they can manage to keep the Thrill levels at an equivalent level, I’ll be more than pleased.

What Would You Like to See From 2000AD Review in 2005?

More interviews, more fan fiction, and more features (how long has it been since we had the last Sprout column?). Basically, if Mr. Hanly manages to keep on nurturing the site the way he has for the last few years, then he’ll be heading in the right direction.

Go to part 4