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In Review: 2000AD Prog 2033 – Dumb Learner Drivers and Echoes of “Charley’s War”

By John Freeman on May 31, 2017

Rich Mega-City One “learner drivers” look like they’re about to get a deadly comeuppance as Judge Dredd investigates a missing person case in this week’s thrill-packed 2000AD, with art from Brendan McCarthy putting a suitably macabre spin on the story from TC Eglington. “Hoverrods” kicks off a jam-packed Prog on sale now in all good newsagents and comic shops – and various digital platforms.

Here’s what else is in another great issue issue, which includes a nice visual tribute to artist Edmund Bagwell (read our tribute here) in the Nerve Centre and a reminder that donations should be made to pancreaticcancer.org.uk in his memory.

For me, “Scarlet Traces” continues to fire on all cylinders (and there’s a lot of fire in this episode!) with some lovely echoes of “Charley’s War” to the tale from Ian Edginton and D’Israeli… The story conjures a real sense of incoing doomsday, a scenario that of course isn’t a rarity in 2000AD, but the final page of the chapter leave you in awe – and with a sense of sickening dread.

Judge Dredd: Hoverods – Part 1
Writer: T.C. Eglington Artist: Brendan McCarthy Letterer: Annie Parkhouse

Mega-City One, 2139 AD. Home to over 72 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America. Unemployment is rife, poverty widespread, and crime is rampant. Tensions rest on a constant knife-edge, and only the zero-tolerance Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!

Brink: Skeleton Life – Part 11
Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: INJ Culbard Letterer: Simon Bowland

The late 21st century, and through environmental catastrophe and industrial overload Earth has been reduced to a uninhabitable wasteland. Mankind finally evacuated the planet in 2072 and millions were housed in a number of deep-space Habitats. Bridget Kurtis, investigator with the Habitat Security Division, was involved in a sect-crime case that saw her partner murdered. Now, all communications with Mercury have been lost…

Defoe: Diehards – Part 8
Writer: Pat Mills Artist: Colin MacNeil Letterer: Ellie de Ville

It is five years since London was devastated by the Great Fire, the inferno caused by a comet passing over the capital, and from the ashes rose the undead, hungry for the flesh of the living. Protecting the populace is former Leveller Titus DEFOE, who led an elite squad of zombie hunters. Having defeated the evil magician Faust, who was controlling the stenches, he tried to retire — but the reeks have returned once more…

Scarlet Traces: Cold War Book 2 – Part 11
Writer: Ian Edginton Artist: D’Israeli Letterer: Annie Parkhouse

It is several decades since Mars waged war on Earth, and the major nations have access to Martian-derived technology. Britain, however, 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 planning to wipe out the solar system…

The Fall of Deadworld: Cursed – Part 11
Writer: Kek-W Artist: Dave Kendall Letterer: Ellie de Ville

The planet that eventually became known as DEADWORLD was once a regular civilisation existing in a dimension parallel to our own. But the end of days is coming: riots, storms, food shortages. Creatures known as the Dark Judges are spreading their contagion, exterminating all life. Judge Fairfax and his ward Jess are attempting to seek a safe haven as the world around them is being mercilessly destroyed…

John Freeman

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.