There are a lot of comics out there but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we take look at 2000 AD, the long running weekly anthology, currently published by Rebellion.
Who’s This By?
This list of creators who got their start at 2000 AD is long and varied, as is the current roster of creators who publish stories regularly there. I know this seems like a cop out answer, but due to its anthology nature, each issue has at least 5 writers and artists on board.
What’s This All About?
2000 AD is, essentially, an anthology of science fiction stories, though there are often stories that would more accurately described as horror, or adventure, or fantasy as well. The format is simple: each week, there are (usually) 5 stories, each of which (usually) gets a five-page installment. The book comes out every week, so every month, you are essentially getting a full length issue of a comic, just serialized over the course or four issues.
Stories range from one to twelve (and occasionally longer) chapters, and with only one consistent feature: the first story in each issue is always a Judge Dredd story.
So, Why Should I Read This?
As an American comic reader, there are certain touchstones that I share with other comic readers of my approximate age. But whenever I find myself talking to a comic reader from the UK, 2000 AD is the touchstone for their fandom. It’s not hard to see why it is such a popular comic for young readers, as it offers so many different types of stories under one roof.
Obviously, Judge Dredd is an incredibly well known character, although I’d argue he’s a very misunderstood one. The best Dredd stories are clear satire, and are extremely critical of law enforcement, militarization, and the idea of ‘solving’ crime. I think for many Americans, we see the costume, mask, and the giant gun, and presume that it represents something very different.
Similarly, I think people see 2000 AD and just think about Dredd. But that makes up 1/5 of each issue. I want to take some time to highlight two exceptional stories from the past year or so.
The second volume of “Thistlebone” just wrapped up in May. The strip, by T.C. Eglington and Simon Davis, is reminiscent of The Wicker Man and the moody, British horror films from companies like Hammer. It is a supernatural cult story, as much a story about groupthink as it is about actual supernatural chicanery. Davis’s artwork is evocative and creepy, with a realism that adds another layer to the spooky story.
“The Out” by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison was, ostensibly, a space-set sci-fi story, but is really a story about loss and running from your problems. Harrison’s art is unlike anything you see elsewhere in comics. His painterly style is more impressionistic than most comic art, and the washes of color and streaks of action blend shockingly well with an emotional story.
One of the most difficult parts of 2000 AD is describing it effectively. From black and white monster one-shots to humorous buddy cop stories to painted vampire stories, there are just so many different looks inside this book. But if you’re a reader of primarily American comics, give this a try and you’ll find something you’ve likely never seen before.
Also, we are one of the few US-based sites to cover 2000 AD in depth, so make sure you’re reading Multiver-City One, our weekly column.
How Can You Read It?
Finer comic shops everywhere often carry 2000 AD and its sister series, Judge Dredd Megazine, but if yours doesn’t, or if you prefer you comics digitally, you can find them at 2000AD.com, either using their app or downloading issues from their store.
