All right, all right, we suckered you in, but blame Tharg, not us! Alongside the latest instalments of “The Out”, “Scarlet Traces”, “Dexter” and “The Diaboliks”, this week’s 2000AD, with a cover by Tazio Bettin, sees the start of all-new “Judge Dredd” story from Rob Williams and Chris Weston, featuring a certain Klegg who’s become something of a Mega-City star in recent years.
“If you humes thought Hamilton was the must-see musical, then prepare yourselves for the Ol’ Stoney-Face extravaganza heading your way, this showstopper is truly not to be missed!” Tharg himself enthuses!
As ever, Rob Williams sets the scene nicely for this story, ably complemented, of course, by Chris Weston’s terrific art – but will The Producers let The Sound of Music go on? (I’ll get my coat…)
But, “School of Drokk”, anyone? (Thanks to Dr Cole Henley for being first in with that one!)
In This Week’s 2000AD – Prog 2259
JUDGE DREDD // THE MUSICAL
Script: Rob Williams | Art: Chris Weston | Colours: Gary Caldwell | Letters: Annie Parkhouse
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 unemployment endemic and boredom universal, tensions rest on constant knife-edge. Crime is rampant and only the Judges — zero-tolerance cops empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!
THE DIABOLIKS // LONDON CALLING
Script: Gordon Rennie | Art: Dom Reardon | Letters: Jim Campbell
Solomon Ravne and Jennifer Simmons were once part of Caballistics, Inc., a paranormal troubleshooting outfit put together by reclusive rock star Ethan Kostabi. Jennifer, however, was thrown into Hell, and became possessed by a demon. After Caballistics was disbanded, Ravne and Jenny became a couple, and are now working on behalf of the Malleus. Now, in London, Ravne and co are battling a paranormal band of villains…
DEXTER // LORDY JORDY, KING OF EVERYTHING
Script: Dan Abnett | Art: Tazio Bettin | Colours: Matt Soffe | Letters: Simon Bowland
Gun-sharks Finnigan SINISTER and Ramone DEXTER were the best hitmen money could buy in the future city of Downlode. Having whacked Holy Moses Tanenbaum, a ganglord from an alternate dimension, they found killing him reset the continuum, meaning no one knew who they were. But now a rogue A.I. is at large, which took control of Sinister, forcing Dex to kill him. But Sinister has been resurrected, and Dex, Billi and Carrie are on the run…
SCARLET TRACES // STORM FRONT
Script: Ian Edginton | Art: D’israeli | Letters: Simon Bowland
It is decades since Mars waged war on Earth, and the major nations have access to Martian-derived technology, but Britain is still recovering from Martian bombardment in the 1940s, when much of the south of England was destroyed. This was followed by the arrival in the 1950s of two million Venusians, seeking refuge from Martian occupation.
Now, the Martians are on the attack, and Jupiter has to come to Earth’s aid…
THE OUT // BOOK TWO
Script: Dan Abnett | Art: Mark Harrison | Letters: Annie Parkhouse
The furthest edge of the universe, far into the future. Cyd Finlea is photo-journalist working for the publishers Global Neographic, travelling deep into outer space — otherwise known as THE OUT — and cataloguing the alien societies that she encounters. She left Earth ten years ago and has lost track of how far she is from home, but regardless she keeps going, accompanied by her sentient flatspace bag, seeking other ex-pat humans…
• 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine are on sale in all good newsagents, and from the 2000AD web shop
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Christmas jumpers available from shop.2000AD.com
Rebellion and Treasury of British Comic Collections On Sale Now
• Check out our full guide to 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics releases in 2021 here
Misty Presents: The Jaume Rumeu Collection
ISBN: 9781781089378
Out Now
Price: £12.99
Pages: 112
Format: Paperback
Dimensions: 259×187mm
Black widows, mad scientists, femme fatales and giant spiders abound in this collection of horrifying Misty stories, all drawn by comics maestro Jaume Rumeu Perera! This collection celebrates one of the most iconic villains in British girls’ comics: the lethal Mrs. Webb, a raging femme fatale with killer style and a bone to pick with the British Establishment.
Determined to take over the country with her army of giant arachnids, only two schoolgirls stand between her and global domination! Full of stunning artwork, terrifying twists, beautiful – but deadly – women, and, of course – giant spiders, this is an essential comic for any horror connoisseur.
• Read our Creator Spotlight on Jaume Rumeu
Brink Volume 4
ISBN: 9781781089392
Release Date: 23rd November 2021
Price: £12.99
Pages: 112
Format: Paperback
Dimensions: 259 × 187 mm
The entire planet of Mercury seems to have vanished and a video clip is implicated in what looks like a mass-kill … as always on the brink of existence, truth may be stranger than fiction. In the late 21st century, after humanity has left the Earth it poisoned and now huddles in deep-space Habitats, life on these cramped, overcrowded stations is tense, with many spilling over into madness. HSD cop Bridget Kurtis has investigated cults and murders that have driven her to the very edge, but now she must stop the spread of a viral video clip which sends viewers insane…
The Treasury of British Comics Presents: The Tom Paterson Collection
ISBN: 9781781089408
Out: 25th November 2021
Price: £19.99
Pages: 192
Format: Standard hardcover and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by Tom Paterson
Dimensions: 210x276mm
Scottish artist Tom Paterson is one of the most inventive and influential cartoonists British comics have produced. Inspired by the work of George Martin, Leo Baxendale and Ken Reid, Tom’s work was unmistakable – packed with visual comedic gags and giving each one that instant re-readability.
• Read Lew Stringer’s review of the Tom Paterson Collection
• Check out our full guide to 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics releases in 2021 here
• 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine are on sale in all good newsagents, and from the 2000AD web shop
- About the Author
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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