Thrill Hunter: 2000AD Prog 1999
Borag Thungg Fellow Earthlets,
Time for another dose of thrill-power from the galaxies greatest comic. As prog 2000 is almost upon us, this prog is something of a mixed bag, with concluding parts and lead-ins to potential follow up runs abound. We kick off, as is only fitting with Mega-City's JUDGE DREDD, in a one-shot for this prog. Not to spoil any major plots here, the cover gives a massive (eh?) clue to the problems in the big meg this week. These one-shots can go either way for me personally. They often seem to be played mainly for laughs/satire, or further towards the grittier heart of Dredd as per Judge Dredd: Megazine 375's 'Carousel'. The strip this prog tends towards the former and it certainly succeeded in raising a smile. Plot-wise we are looking at an example of the early mechanics of Dredd. A straightforward problem/resolution narrative, with Dredd mainly involved for commentary, I did, however, enjoy the real world references that often find their way into Dredd strips (Titchmarsh Avenue, location of the, was a particular highlight).
Swiftly following on we have the last strip in the current run of JAEGIR with a solid payoff in this prog on several counts. For a start, it was good to have a bit of variety in the colour palette. The panels featuring War Marshall Jaegir bring a warmer neutral colouring, that, at the very least gave contrast throughout the strip. As this run of Jaegir has run it's course, the dialogues of old/young and the blending of war based trauma and the 'taint' have been building towards a violent conclusion and that is definitely what we get here. I felt that the scenes involving Atalia's father, referenced in earlier progs, could perhaps have been worked into the strip more gradually through each prog or served as material for another Jaegir strip altogether. Despite this, this was still a well crafted, if brief, revisit to the lives of the Southers and one which may well be referenced in later Jaegir strips.
The last strip of SCARLET TRACES: COLD WAR still stands somewhat at odds with some of the contemporary 'hard' sci-fi elsewhere in 2000AD at the moment, but that is partly why it has worked so well, in my view. As with previous progs, the artwork throughout has been faithful to it's roots, acknowledging the 1950's/60's 'little green-men' school of science fiction. The humour in the strip, perhaps more modern and knowing than the strips roots, works nicely within the confines of the fast paced plot, peppered lightly rather than heavily loaded and overwhelming.
We also get something of a bittersweet finale for OUTLIER: SURVIVOR GUILT this week. Without giving too much away, the Hurde 'go nuclear' this prog, leaving Sornell, Luthra, Jess and Caul with very few viable options. The conclusion leaves Outlier in an odd place, with some viable room for it to potentially be reprised in a later strip, though this will more than likely be in a wholly different form.
Cass plays a trump (eh?) card in the tense concluding part of ANDERSON: PSI DIVISION: THE CANDIDATE. With her options looking distinctly limited: shoot Carol Smart, make her a martyr of the citizens army, end result: chaos ensues or alternatively allow Smart to subtly assume complete psychic control. Emma Beeby's scripting has been solid throughout and given real weight to the consequences of Cass's intervention, something which isn't always managed elsewhere in the comics industry (lookin' at you Marvel). I hope to see some fallout form this in later Anderson strips as its been a nicely balanced strip and a great climax to close on.
In all then, probably not a good point to jump on 2000AD with, but that is probably partly what Prog 2000 will be. A 'greatest hits' of one-offs, with past and present talent back on board. As things stand we are set to get a one-off Judge Dredd (natch) from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, a special Nemesis the Warlock story by Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill and even a new Rogue Trooper tale from Gordon Rennie and Richard Elson. Joining the old favourites will be Dan Abnett's gun-sharks Sinister Dexter and new strip Counterfeit Girl by Rufus Dayglo and Peter Milligan. Till next time.
Splundig Vur Thrigg