Preview: 2000 AD Prog 2234

After a break from usual proceedings last week for the second all-ages Regened issue of 2021, things are back to normal. There are FOUR new stories this week. Alongside Feral & Foe, you’ll find within these pages the start of the first full-length series for Regened hit Department K, with Dan Cornwell joining regular writer Rory McConville, plus the Kenneth Niemand and PJ Holden reunite for Noam Chimpsky's first solo strip. Add to that the return of demonic robot Mechastopheles from the Two Rennies and Boo Cook, and a complete Dredd thriller from Chris Weston, marking the end of a particular aspect of Judge Dredd history. What an issue it is this week!

• UK and DIGITAL: 2 June £3.10
• NORTH AMERICA: 25 August $21 (per pack)
• DIAMOND: MAY211660
• COVER: PJ HOLDEN

In this issue:

Judge Dredd: Adios, Rowdy Yates
by Chris Weston (writer + artist) Annie Parkhouse (letterer)

Mega-City One, 2143 AD. Home to over 160 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America, with the irradiated wasteland known as the Cursed Earth to the west. Unemployment is rife, boredom universal and crime is rampant. Tensions rest on a knife-edge and only the zero-tolerance Judges can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!

Mechastopholes: The Hunting Party
by Gordon Rennie, Laurence Rennie (writer) Boo Cook (artist) Annie Parkhouse (letterer)

It is over a year since the Fall, when the demons rose and society collapsed. A band of human survivors have sought refuge in a demonically powered robot called MECHASTOPHELES, and they use this infernal ark as a means to seek sanctuary, searching for a safe haven away from the creatures that now stalk the land. But the demon bound to the mek, Apollyoneth Morga, has enemies in Hell too... 

Department K: Cosmic Chaos
by Rory McConville (writer) Dan Cornwell (artist) Len O'Grady (colourist) Simon Bowland (letterer)

Mega-City One, 2143 AD. Justice Dept has many divisions tasked with dealing with the threats that face the metropolis, and the mysterious DEPARTMENT K is a branch of Tek-Div, whose brief is to tackle interdimensional enemies seeking to break through the walls of reality. Headed by Judge Kirby, and comprising of intern Afua, Mechanismo droid Estabon and the alien Blackcurrant, they’ve recently returned to MC-1...

Feral & Foe II
by Dan Abnett (writer) Richard Elson (artist) Jim Campbell (letterer)

It is five years after the Last-of-All-War, when the Monarchy succeeded in defeating the Malign Lord. With their leader dead, his minions are scattered, fleeing retribution from the Wretchfinders. Necromancer Bode and warrior Wrath are two such beings, and were offered a deal — hunt and kill their own kind or be declared FERAL & FOE. Now, they’ve returned to Golgone the Necromancer, having retrieved the Chalice of Malice...

Chimpsky's Law: The Talented Mr Chimpsky
by Kenneth Niemand (writer) PJ Holden (artist) Chris Blythe (colourist) Simon Bowland (letterer)

Mega-City One, 2143 AD. Late 21st-century science gave primates the ability to speak and socialise with humans, and there’s an enclave within the metropolis, Apetown, where simian citizens can live and work. Noam Chimpsky is a super-intelligent ape, who has chosen to look after his fellow human civilians in his local sector, ensuring criminality is discouraged — often under the Judges’ noses — and people are cared for...

Available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android, Windows 10