Welcome, citizens, to this week’s installment of Multiver-City One! Every Wednesday we examine the latest offerings from Tharg and the droids over at 2000 AD, the galaxy’s leading producers of Thrill-Power entertainment! Between the weekly “2000 AD” itself, the monthly “Judge Dredd Megazine”, an extensive library of graphic novel collections, and new US-format one-shots and mini-series, they have decades of zarjaz comics for you to enjoy.
There’s a brand-new Prog out this week, so after a quick public service announcement we’ll jump right into the Thrills!
I. AN EARTHLET’S GUIDE TO 2000 AD
We understand that having such a large selection of comics to choose from can make knowing where to start with 2000 AD seem daunting. What do they publish? Where can I get it? What’s up with Judge Dredd? Can I still read “2000 AD” if I don’t like Judge Dredd?
So to help new & potential readers, we’ve put together An Earthlet’s Guide to 2000 AD. This FAQ collects everything you need to make your initial foray into the 2000 AD Thrill-verse as simple as possible.
II. THIS WEEK IN PROG 1956
NOW DEPARTING
Sinister Dexter: The Taking of the Michael, Part 6
The Michael has been taken, and as such, this run of ‘Sinister Dexter’ comes to a close (albeit a brief one). As we saw last week, the two gun sharks managed to pull off the hit on Moses Tanenbaum. And as you can see above, they lived to tell of the experience. Or did they?
Abnett is known for his long-term plotting and affinity of slow-burn storytelling, but this string of ‘Sinister Dexter’ stories may just take the cake. I haven’t been following the strip nearly long enough to speak of this first-hand, but my research tells me that we’re looking at almost 8 years of the Tanenbaum story being in play, either foreground or background. That’s a LONG time, but given that amount of backstory, Abnett never let me feel like I was missing anything because he only brought those elements into play sparingly. Focusing on the hit was the way to go; the ‘why’ of it will come in later.
But now the hit has gone down. Things are…different. I’m going to wait until the next run if stories before getting into what happened on the Michael. But don’t worry, the two motherfunters are already slated to come back in Prog 1961, so there won’t be too long to wait.
And hopefully Patrick Goddard & Eva de la Cruz are coming back with them. I’ve said this before but it certainly bears repeating: Goddard’s work, while striking in black & white, takes to color very well, especially for a strip as out-there as this one. ‘Sinister Dexter’ has fluctuated from black&white to full color in the past (even in the short time we’ve been covering “2000 AD”), but here’s hoping when we see these two in five weeks, they’ll be in color!
Credits: Dan Abnett (script), Patrick Goddard (art), Eva de la Cruz (colors), Ellie de Ville (letters)
Judge Dredd: Sleeping Duty
Michael Carroll is back for another one-off Dredd strip, this time with Nick Dyer in tow!
This week’s strip examines the mythology that has been built around Judge Dredd. When you consider how many years he’s been on the streets, and figure in that he’s been working at least 20 hours a day for the last two decades, it’s easy to see how he’d have the opportunity to make sure his name is known amongst the Meg’s criminal class. But then what about those who’ve only heard second-hand accounts of Dredd’s wrath? And the third- and fourth-generation retellings of the old lawman’s deeds from there? Well, I’d say that that’s how a good urban legend starts, isn’t it?
“It’s true, Dredd pinched my cousin’s girlfriend’s brother’s best friend one time! He ran through a wall to get to him!”
As great as it was to see Dredd make three arrests without even disturbing his nap, I think the real thrills came from Dyer’s art. His affinity for the work of McMahon and Ezquerra is plain as day, but never feels derivative. He’s obviously an incredibly talented artist, so it was nice to see him present a very classic-feeling Dredd. It made me feel that even though he’d be more than capable of giving ol’ stoney face some sort of stylization, his reverence for the character compelled him to approach the design in the same way as the masters before him. Add to that his decision to draw the Lawmaster as if it were a big block, and Dyer’s earning even more points from me. I’m a firm believer that Dredd’s bike should always look more like a refrigerator box than an actual motorcycle.
Continued belowCredits: Michael Carroll (script), Nick Dyer (art), Abigail Ryder (colors), Annie Parkhouse (letters)
Defoe: The Hanged, Part 7
Like most of the best kinds of genre fiction, ‘Defoe’ isn’t about what it looks like it’s about. Yes there are zombies roaming around 17th Century London, but this isn’t a simple zombie outbreak story. Not anymore, anyways (if it ever really was). The reeks are the novum in this case; the one idea that sets this apart from our reality. But the basic take Mills is trying to get across is one of class struggle and just how shitty those with power treat those without it at every turn.
Pretty standard Mills. And delivered with more the sledgehammer than the scalpel. But that doesn’t mean the telling isn’t entertaining, especially with Leigh Gallagher on board. The man nails period detail and horror detail in equal measure. The capes and masks worn by the Vizards in their inner sanctum look like a cross between costumes of Eyes Wide Shutand Amadeus, unnerving in their grotesqueness for a group supposedly charged with protecting people. But that has to play into Mills’s worldview as well, doesn’t it? They may save you but don’t think for a moment they are on your level; the Vizards are a step removed and above you, the masses.
Gallagher can also render the hell out if some reeks when called on. He gets a little chance to stretch that muscle this week. But next week? Oh, man, does he get to cut loose! Only seven days until you get to see what I mean…
Credits: Pat Mills (script), Leigh Gallagher (art), Annie Parkhouse (letters)
Brass Sun: Motor Head, Part 7
So we find our heroes somehow NOT either recaptured or dead. I honestly didn’t see how that was possible, but that’s why I’m not writing this strip. Edginton throws us another curve with the reappearance of the aspect in her head. The “key” she’s carrying in her head is killing her and, therefore, she’s got to find a new host for it. While trapped with very little means in what is for the most part hostile territory. No biggie, right?
Culbard continues to make everything look easy: sleek designs, simply effective storytelling & panel placement/spacing, solid color choices. There’s something he’s been doing ever since the start of ‘Motor Head’ that’s been really effective, at least to me. His choice of color for Septimus & Wren has been almost unnerving at times. When they were captured, their heads were shaved. Culbard’s coloring of their heads, given their initial hair color, could be seen as their hair stubbly growing back or their scalps just having massive amounts of scabbing from a rough head shave. It’s a little thing but, for me, it just drives home that these characters are suffering every time I look at them.
You could say Wren’s looks worse because of her red hair roots, but she’s also been subjected to so much head trauma from the Order trying to unlock the key secrets that the red is a physical manifestation of that. Some of the color doesn’t quite match up with where I think her hairline should be, so I start thinking its trauma discoloration and that’s just unnerving. Plus the cuts on Septimus’ face aren’t exactly heartwarming either. These characters have been through Hell and Culbard does not want the reader to forget that at any point.
So where can she put the key now that we know how dangerous carrying it is? Somewhere that isn’t going to inflict that fate on someone rose, presumably. I’ve got an idea and I think Edginton would agree, but getting things from here to there is going to be pretty interesting!
Credits: Ian Edginton (script), INJ Culbard (art), Ellie de Ville (letters)
Bad Company: First Casualties, Part 6
So the company is sliding deeper and deeper into their memories, and for the first time it looks as if the suppression they experienced may have actually been a good thing. I may get a little spoilery here, so be mindful if you’d rather avoid such things.
Continued belowWhat’s going on with Tommy? He’s been clear of his meds for three more days than the rest of the company, but seems to have actually become saner than anyone else. Is it because he’s had more time to adjust? Will the rest of the crew level out in the next few days and join Tommy in his clarity? Or is something else at play? Was Tommy on different medication, or suppressing different memories?
Amongst all of the questions this week’s strip raises, the biggest has got to be whether or not any of this is even real anymore. I’m pretty green when it comes to Bad Company, but I’m pretty sure at least a couple of these guys were dead at some point. Am I wrong on that? Whatever their previous histories, the gang’a together and tearing up anyone who can be seen as an enemy. While one of them has seemed to find a type of clarity in all of this, others may be backsliding into the bad behaviors that are learned in war. As we see this week, taking innocent lives is pretty easy for at least two members of the company. What if, at the end of things, the medications weren’t dispensed cover up the misdeeds of the powerful, but instead to relieve the Company of the memories of atrocities they themselves committed?
Credits: Peter Milligan (script), Rufus Dayglo & Jim McCarthy (art), Simon Bowland (letters)
III. FREE COMIC BOOK DAY NAY!
2000 AD has participated in the last four Free Comic Book Days. The FCBD Progs have been 48-page comics that combine choice reprints with newly commissioned strips. Why, the 2015 Prog had a new Judge Dredd strip by Chris Burnham! Zarjaz indeed!
As you know, “2000 AD” and “Judge Dredd Megazine” are printed at what North American retailers consider magazine size (8.5×11) instead of standard US comic size (6.625×10.25). This size disparity means that a disappointing amount of shops will not stock the larger comics because they don’t easily fit onto shelves made for the smaller comics. Although 2000 AD has participated at this larger trim size for four years already, that won’t be the case for 2016, as the FCBD board decided not to select 2000 AD as one of the publishers included in the initiative. It seems the sticking point wasn’t with the 2016 comic’s content (slated to carry new material by Joelle Jones, Mike & Laura Allred, and Eric Powell!) but rather that larger trim size.
So this size-ist conspiracy is going to keep us from the Thrill-Powered awesomeness that is Eric Powell on Judge Dredd? Say it ain’t so!
It ain’t so.
Here’s 2000 AD/Rebellion’s statement on the matter:
2000 AD is very proud of the success of our FCBD issue, which saw orders grow in huge jumps every single year, exceeding 60,000 units in 2015. We value FCBD, and the effort Diamond and the retailers put into making the day so successful, for the opportunity to support comic book stores, reach out to new audiences both within and beyond the UK, and to give something extra to readers. As such, we have proudly and routinely commissioned original content from top flight talent for our FCBD issues and increased the page count to a hefty 48 pages.
“It is therefore very disappointing to not be taking part in the 2016 event, particularly since we were so excited about including work by such huge talents as Eric Powell, Joelle Jones, and Laura and Mike Allred.
“We don’t want to keep that from our readers, so we have therefore taken the decision to still bring this amazing work out in May 2016 in a new Summer Special issue, full details of which will be forthcoming.
“Meanwhile we hope readers and retailers who are disappointed not to be able to pick up a 2000 AD FCBD issue next year will give their support to us and the Summer Special. We very much hope to be back in FCBD in 2017 and will be working hard for that to happen.
So while we aren’t going to be getting it for free, we WILL be seeing that FCBD content as the 2016 Summer Special. Hopefully by the time FCBD 2017 rolls around, Tharg will have shown the FCBD committee the error of its ways. And if any of you humes out there feel like speaking your mind to power in this instance, you could always send a respectfully worded email to fans@freecomicbookday.com to do that. Just saying…
Continued below
That’s gonna do it for us this week! “2000 AD” Prog 1956 is on sale this week and available from:
- The 2000 AD Newsstand app for iPad and iPhone,
- The 2000 AD app for Android devices,
- 2000ADonline.com in print or DRM-free PDF and CBZ formats,
- Select US newsstands, and
- Finer comic shops everywhere
So as Tharg the Mighty himself would say, “Splundig vur thrigg!”
