2000AD Prog 1569 - 23 January 08

Cover by Richard Elson

John Amans: A rather unusual cover that doesn't do much justice to the Dredd story inside. It is a little to quirky to really work. Can't fault the artwork it's just the wrong cover for this story.

Richmond Clements: Not really sure what to make of this one. On the one hand, it’s a pretty good image- it’s certainly striking. On the other hand, it’s all a bit ‘eh?’  

It’s like Tharg said to Davis, ‘Draw something with muties in it’, and this was what he sent it. It comes across, to me at least, as having no connection with the story inside. But like I said- it is a good image.

Emphatically Evil - Part 1 Script: John Wagner Art: Colin Macneil Colours: Chris Blythe Letters: Annie Parkhouse

Joe tells it like it is...

Synopsis: Dredd and Cadet Beeny investigate the death of a supposed mutie as demonstrations over the mutant vote are starting all over the city. Plus - a PJ Maybe biography has just been published...

JA: After what seems weeks of single episode fillers we at last have some meat to "chew" on so to speak. What I like about 2000AD is how modern concerns which affect us now can be portrayed without being obvious and blatant. The opening panels have the kind of sentiments from MC-1 citizens about sections of our society that wouldn't be out of place in the letters pages of certain tabloid newspapers.

Anyhow…the opening episode has the great Colin McNeil producing some sharp, simple and effective art with an excellent John Wagner script to wet our appetites for future weeks. It's good to have some threads from previous stories being woven in and the whole "Mutant" question being addressed by the Judges with Dredd in particular showing some dedication to the cause. Its stories like these that show that Dredd has developed as a character and is not just wheeled out to waste whatever villain is wheeled out to face him. Ok those stories have their place, but the wonder of Dredd is that you can put out this kind of story and it feels natural and not forced just to pander to those who want something a little more deeper. Can't wait to see how this unfolds as it's a brilliant start.

Plus, good to see Judge Beeny out on the streets!

RC: This is rather good. Wagner is the complete and utter master at this kind of smouldering, slow burn of a plot. Marvel at the elements he’s been setting in place for years come together into something altogether wonderful. And this from a reader (possibly the only one!) who is fed up with PJ Maybe.  

And what’s best of all though, is that we genuinely don’t know where this is going. Will Dredd win the vote? If he does, what then for the city? If he doesn’t, will he then carry out his treat to resign? Drokked if I know, but I learned a long time ago not to try second guessing Wagner.  

Colin MacNeil, as usual, doesn’t put a foot wrong. Beautiful stuff from him, as well as some great colouring from Blythe. 

The Defiant - Part 4 Script: Robbie Morrison Art: Henry Flint Letters: Annie Parkhouse

Shaklara makes a point...

Synopsis: Eva Procopio tracks down Shakara, as her own crew warn her not to seek vengeance. They board a craft to offer medical assistance to those being attacked by Shakara only to be attacked themselves. The fighting is soon stopped by Shakara himself...

JA: I was so glad when I saw the return of Shakara. What started as a basic hack-fest with excellent stylish art by Henry Flint has grown into a story with a little bit more depth every series. It still has the mix of violence and fantastic locations and ok it doesn't have a rich narrative. The beauty of this story is the depth is hidden away to be fed to the reader bit-by-bit and as the reader you just sort of sit back and enjoy it. Some may find this annoying but I think it suits the feel of the series. Where-as the first series was lovely art with no real story just killfest episodes, this series builds on what has come before but retained the violence that is its hallmark and this week episode doesn't disappoint on that score.

RC: Confession time: I don’t like this strip. I know everyone else does, but I just don’t get it. It really is just the same thing over and over, isn’t it? Shakara flies in and kills a load of folks, then flies off again. 
Shakara is, to me, a character like The Predator. There’s really nothing else you can do with it other than watch it kill people in a variety of ways. But Shakara has the added handicap of having a protagonist who is indestructible, thus robbing the strip of any tension that might result in his/her/it’s predicament.  
Having said all that, there’s still time for me to be proven wrong, and the story may well go somewhere unexpected. 

Flint is very good. But then, you all already knew that. There’s not as much O’Neill influence here as there was in The Gingerbread Man, which is a good thing. The further Flint gets from his influences, the better an artist he is.

The Promised Land - Part 4 Script: Dan Abnett Art: Richard Elson Letters: Simon Bowland

Gene sniffs something out...

Synopsis: The town meet to discuss the arrival of Gene, and many are suspicious of him. However, Gene realises Them are about to attack and a "borer" breaks into the compound. Gene easily defeats the borer and agrees to stay and protect the people...

JA: While I’ve been enthralled by Shakara from the beginning, the same couldn’t be said of Kingdom. I found the first series a little “by the numbers” and in places dull. Genetically engineered dog soldiers fight insect /bug monsters…

However, like Shakara, this story has actually benefited from the series before it and its measured build-up. I went back and re-read the previous series and actually ended up re-appraising it. This latest storyline has a little more depth with the introduction of the humans and therefore it garners a little more interest. Well drawn as ever Richard Elson, this is falls into the “pleasantly surprised” file. And what’s more, I can only see it getting better.

RC: The end of last week was one of the best WTF? panels ever. The end of this week’s episode is one of the coolest panels ever. Abnett’s just having fun here, isn’t he? The dialogue at the town meeting between Gene and Learner John is perfect. The big fight with the borer is visceral. And Gene... Gene is cool.  

Elson’s art is just this side of mind blowing. The fourth panel on page two- I love the look on Gene’s face. I love the way Elson has laid out the last page with the panel below nudging into the one above. And like I already said- the final panel is a killer.  

It’s like the bastard son of The Magnificent Seven and Old Yeller. I don’t want this strip to end.

England's Glory - Part 4 Script: Ian Edginton Art: D'israeli Letters: Ellie De Ville

Dancing with zombies...

Synopsis: Stickleback's crew manage to defeat the zombies, but the shop is destroyed and the cowgirl gets away in the confusion. But Stickleback pulls a bullet from one of the zombies' heads, ready to use it to track her down...

JA: Another surprise in the fact that we have another series that has got better when it could have easily got a lot worse! But with a snappy script and appropriately atmospheric black-and-white art this, like Kingdom, really grabbed my attention after an OK first series. Making Stickleback an anti-hero was the logical way to go. You know he’s a crook but the motivation behind the story makes sense. Plus, our eponymous friend has a wonderful array of side-kicks which all add to the ensemble. While this week was a glorified zombie slug match, it had enough great dialogue and action.

Rather like that surprise dish at a restaurant which you had convinced yourself that you wouldn’t like, but is in fact rather lovely.

RC: Edginton and the absolute genius that is D’Israeli have created a monster. I could wax on for ages about just how great this is and why, but it can be summed up with just one word: Mental. 

The Glum Affair - Part 4 Script: John Wagner Art: Carlos Ezquerra Letters: Annie Parkhouse

Alpha plays with the odds. Tsk.

Synopsis: Alpha, Sternhammer and Glum arrive at the space station Club Paradiso. They have no jurisdiction there and are forced to hand in their weapons - meaning they can't bring in any of the criminals hiding there. Alpha starts gambling, using his abilities to cheat until the table he's on is closed. However, one of the Criminals, Groule the Slayer (backed up by his gang) invites Alpha to play Skibosh...

JA: Unlike most of the other stories this week, Strontium Dog doesn’t pull any surprises; it does what it has always said on the tin. The art is the same as always and the story isn’t that original. But I don’t really care. I like this steady warhorse of a series plugging away. It has a neat script and good artwork and has some nice touches. Ok it may be functional, steady but it’s entertaining and enjoyable. Can’t ask for much more.

RC: My favourite comic character ever is Johnny Alpha. I’ve already mentioned my awe at Wagner’s storytelling prowess. Carlos Ezquerra is the bloody master and I reckon when other comic artists say their prayers at night, he’s who they speak to. I wasn’t too enamoured with the last SD tale, but this one’s get Johnny and Wulf back to what they’re doing best. Busting people out of jail and getting into scraps, all with an underlying feel of seriousness running just below the surface.  

My only complaint is that Wagner doesn’t write enough Strontium Dog! Ten episodes (I’m assuming) every couple of years is not enough!

JA: I can’t remember a prog over the last few years where their was all killer and no filler. This week certainly didn’t have any. The best prog for ages and I wanted to put every story as the best, but couldn’t. The coming weeks look very promising indeed

Best Story: Shakara (but only just)

RC: If I was a normal person and liked Shakara the same as everyone else, this would be a perfect prog. It’s also so strong that I’m forces into a position where my favourite story ever is not even the best one in the issue- it’s not even second best! Stickleback’s craziness is all very well, but giant cool guys with big huge knives...

Best Story: Kingdom