After last week’s 45th anniversary Prog, the adventure continues apace in this week’s 2000AD, (2271), with a dramatic Judge Dredd cover from Cliff Robinson, coloured by Dylan Teague.
Back to its regular page-count a murky tale of Judge Dredd’s past continues to unfold this week, but for me, the stand out story is surely “Proteus Vex”, with cracking art from Jake Lynch, although that’s not to say the strips in the rest of the Prog aren’t as eye-catching, by any means. There’s a heck of an info dump in the latest episode of “Kingmaker”, for example, but Leigh Gallagher still pulls you along with his art in the story, as it reaches a climax.
Tharg also reminds us 2000AD’s forty-fifth celebrations are far from over – not least because this March marks the anniversary of a certain 22nd century lawman’s debut. As downthetubes readers already know, the Command Module is hosting a special free online convention at 2000AD.com on 26th – 27th March that will feature a plethora of zarjaz guests, talking about all aspects of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic.
Not only will there be comics creators like John Wagner, Garth Ennis, Alex De Campi and Dan Cornwell attending, but also fans from outside the field, including Robin Ince, Ian Rankin, Mitch Benn, Dane Baptiste, and more. Don’t miss it!
2000AD Prog 2271 is available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android and Windows 10
On Sale Now…
2000AD Prog 2271
Cover: Cliff Robinson (Artist) Dylan Teague (Colourist)
Judge Dredd: The Citadel by John Wagner (Writer) Dan Cornwell (Artist) Dylan Teague (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)
Mega-City One, 2144 AD. Home to over 180 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America. Crime is rampant and only the Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law! Now, a former cadet called Winterton, due to be euthanised, is relating a story from the Apocalypse War forty years ago…
Proteus Vex: Desire Paths by Michael Carroll (Writer)
Jake Lynch (Artist) Jim Boswell (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Another galaxy, the far future. The centuries-long war between the Alliance and the Obdurate people is over, a conflict brought to an end with the deaths of billions when the Alliance teleported a dying white dwarf star into the Obdurate system. Imperium agent PROTEUS VEX — who is operated by a flesh-pilot — has now become an enemy of the Alliance when he released information about past war crimes…
The Order: Fantastic Voyage by Kek-W (Writer) John Burns (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Throughout history, mankind has been under threat of extermination by the Wurms, creatures that break into our reality. Defending humanity are THE ORDER, a band of warriors that have fought the entities across the centuries. But time has become fractured, and the despotic Francis Bacon is determined to rule a vast empire. Now, the various members of The Order have become separated at the edge of time…
Kingmaker by Ian Edginton (Writer) Leigh Gallagher (Artist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)
The Nine Kingdoms may have defeated Ichnar the Wraith King to live in relative peace, but they hadn’t reckoned on the Thorn — a race of aliens that occupied their world with the intention of strip-mining its magic. Wizard Ablard, ork Crixus and dryad Princess Yarrow believed they may have the means to stop them — but Ichnar manifested in Ablard, and Crixus and Yarrow were forced to kill him. Ichnar’s spirit escaped…
Brink: Mercury Retrograde by Dan Abnett (Writer) INJ Culbard (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
The late 21st century, and through environmental catastrophe and industrial overload Earth has been reduced to a wasteland. Mankind finally evacuated the planet in 2072 and millions were housed in a number of deep-space Habitats. But life on these cramped, overcrowded stations is tense, often spilling over into madness. Sects are rife, and both the Habitat Security Division and certain journalists are investigating …
2000AD Prog 2271 is available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android and Windows 10
New Books Out Now
Judge Dredd: Blaze of Glory
By Al Ewing (Writer), Simon Fraser, Paul Marshall PJ Holden, Andrew Currie, Patrick Goddard, John Higgins, Liam McCormack-Sharp, Ben Willsher, Leigh Gallagher and Jake Lynch (Artists)
Out: 1st March 2022
ISBN: 9781786184832
Showcasing the work of one of the best writers of the new generation of Judge Dredd scribes – Al Ewing. Beginning his career at 2000AD, Ewing quickly established himself as one of comics’ most unique voices.
A master of character, plot, and wit, Ewing’s work on Judge Dredd sealed his reputation as one of 2000AD’s most exciting creators, as he has gone to work extensively for Marvel Comics on critically-acclaimed titles such as Immortal Hulk and Guardians of the Galaxy. The Blaze of Glory collection will bring together his best stories of the ‘lawman of the future’ and provide fans with an overview of his energetic and enthralling writing.
Al Ewing has been a Judge Dredd aficionado since the age of nine, and is best known in the UK for his work on Dredd in 2000AD, where he also co-created Zombo and Damnation Station. In addition, Ewing has written various novels for Solaris and Abaddon Books, including The Fictional Man, Pax Omega and Gods of Manhattan, and is currently writing for Marvel Comics.
Simon Fraser is best known to 2000AD fans as the co-creator of Russian rogue Nikolai Dante. Fraser is also the co-creator of “Family” in the Judge Dredd Megazine, and has drawn “Judge Dredd” and “Shimura”. His best-known non-2000AD work is Lux & Alby: Sign On and Save the Universe, a collaboration with Scottish post-punk author Martin Millar. His credits also include an adaptation of Richard Matheson’s Hell House and he’s writer and artist on Lilly Mackenzie and the Mines of Charybdis.
Paul Marshall co-created “The Corps” and “Firekind”, and has also pencilled “Judge Dredd”, “Mean Machine”, “One-Offs”, “Sinister Dexter”, “Tharg’s Future Shocks”, “Tyranny Rex” and “Vector 13”. His other work can be seen in Harris Comics’ Avalon.
PJ Holden has illustrated “The 86ers”, “Judge Dredd”, “Tharg’s Future Shocks”, “Rogue Trooper” and “Johnny Woo” for 2000AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine. P.J. lives and works in Belfast, and is married with two children.
Liam McCormack-Sharp is best known today for his work on DC Comics Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Batman, but started his career in comics in the 1990s at 2000AD and Marvel UK, co-creating Death’s Head II there with Dan Abnett and Paul Neary. He is currently working on his own original project, Starhenge.
Andrew Currie made his 2000AD debut with Judge Dredd, following success in America with series like Ninjakand Seeker 3000. He has also worked on “Sinister Dexter”, “The Inspectre” and “Bato Loco”.
The Mean Arena Volume 2: Eat, Slay, Shove! (digital)
Out: 2nd March 2022, Digital Only, 112 Pages
ISBN: 9781786186669
In a dystopian future where the ultra-violent sport street football is played in evacuated towns, Matt Talon isn’t playing just to win – he’s playing for revenge! In the second instalment of this violent, action packed 2000ADclassic, Slater’s Slayers take on the the Penzance Riggers, the Edinburgh Executioners, the Salford Slicers and the Oxford Invaders! In the Mean Arena, it’s not just football – it’s mayhem, madness and murder!
The second volume of The Mean Arena by Tom Tully (Roy of the Rovers), Eric Bradbury (Invasion!, Hook Jaw) and Mike White (Abelard Snazz) is collected for the first time ever in a digital exclusive graphic novel!
Coming Soon..
The Complete Scarlet Traces, Volume Three
By Ian Edginton (Writer) and D’Israeli (Artist)
Out: 15th March 2022, Paperback
ISBN: 9781781089439
It is 1968 and the Martians have finally returned and are ready to wreck their terrible revenge. Can a ragtag team of Humans and Venusian survivors, spread across the solar system, stop the Martian plan to weaponise the sun itself and wipe humanity off the Earth?
Ian Edginton is a New York Times bestselling author and multiple Eisner Award nominee. His credits include Batman’66 meets The Avengers (Steed and Mrs Peel, not the other ones!) for DC Comics as well as “Judge Dredd”, “Stickleback”, “Helium”, “Kingmaker” and “Brass Sun” for 2000AD. He lives and works in Birmingham, England.
Under the pen name D’Israeli, Matt Brooker has been a comic artist since 1988. He is perhaps best known for his collaborations with writer Ian Edginton, including Leviathan, Kingdom of the Wicked, The War of the Worlds, Scarlet Traces, and Batman. Other career highlights include work on Sandman, collaborations with Warren Ellis, including Lazarus Churchyard and the cryptic SVK, and his colouring on the later Miracleman stories, to which he’ll be returning in 2015. Since 2003, he’s been a regular contributor to 2000AD, mostly as series artist on “Stickleback” with Ian Edginton and “Low Life” with Rob Williams. His and Rob’s creator owned series, Ordinary, was published in the Judge Dredd Megazine and is available as a graphic novel. He lives in Nottingham, UK and wishes he had a cat.
2000AD Regened Volume 3
Out: 15 March 2022, Paperback, 112 pages
ISBN: 9781786184849
The galaxy’s favourite thrill-powered science fiction comic is back with another line up of electrifying stories aimed at all ages! Reimagined versions of classic 2000AD characters like Judge Dredd, star alongside brand new characters, specially created for a younger audience. In this, the third smashing volume, follow the action packed adventures of Cadet Dredd as he battles robots! Save the world from aliens with Judge Anderson! Meet the mightiest cat burglar of Mega-City One! Marvel at the brain-busting and jaw dropping Future Shocks! Plus, in an exclusive new strip, classic 2000AD characters the Harlem Heroes return! Critically acclaimed and beloved by old and new fans alike, 2000AD Regened storms into its third brilliant collection. Can you handle the awesomeness of 2000AD Regened?
Birdman and Chicken: The Krazy Crusaders
by Trevor Metcalfe
Out: 17th March 2022, Paperback, £14.99, 192 Pages
ISBN: 9781786184924
To the outside world, Dick Lane and Chic Dodds look like two average, law-abiding citizens. However, they lead an amazing double life – for when fiendish finks and vile villains step over the line, Dick and Chic strike back as the crime-fighting duo, Birdman and Chicken!
Cowled, caped and equipped with a vast array of crime-busting gadgets, Birdman and Chicken fight back against the likes of The Giggler, Sourpuss, The Puzzler and Father Time – and sometimes they win!
A rib-tickling parody of the 1966 Batman television series, Trevor Metcalfe’s super-series was a highlight of Krazy comic every week and is finally collected here for the first time.
Hawk the Slayer #1
Garth Ennis (Writer) Henry Flint (Artist) Rob Steen (Letterer)
Out: 13th April (UK) | 11th May (US)
DIAMOND: FEB221649
Cover: Greg Staples
A few years have passed since Hawk and his trusty band of warriors defeated the evil wizard Voltan, but Hawk is still uneasy, fearing that the Dark wizards have only temporarily disappeared and are due to return. Once again, Hawk must assemble a team of warriors to confront the returning evil. The Mind Sword may be the key to saving the world, but is it also responsible for the resurgence of these ungodly forces?
Out in April…
• Proteus Vex: Another Dawn Volume One – 14th April
• The House of Dolmann – 14th April
• Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 39 – 28th April
• Thistlebone Book Two – Poisoned Roots – 10th May
2000AD Prog 2271 is available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android and Windows 10
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Reviews
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