In Review: 2000AD Prog 2060

2000AD 2060 - Cover

With a Slaine-inspired cover from Simon Davis, the latest 2000AD wraps up every story ahead of the awesome 2000AD Prog 2061 with its special Starlord story.

There’s a sting in the tale of “Judge Dredd” this issue, which leads directly into a story that is positively dripping with fingernails across a blackboard set up next Prog: plus a hint, perhaps, that this won’t the the last time we’ll encounter a certain East Meg judge. PJ Holden ably delivers the art on this concluding episode, despite it being quite a “talkie” wrap as Dredd proves, once again, that he’s at his most devious when cornered.

As I expected (although not quite as I expected), Eddie Robson played readers right up to the end of “The House of Gilded Peak“, a fantasy-laden “Tharg’s 3rillers” that leaves the D&D style thieves is a lot of trouble. For me, artist Steve Austin uses too many mid shots and full figures on some pages in this finale, which means one “action” page is a little cramped, which may perhaps be down to his regular storyboard work. He has potential though – his work on “Revolution 001” in  FutureQuake  Issue 28 (which you can see here on his own web site) is outstanding and I hope we’ll be seeing more from him in 2000AD.

Simon Davis is firing on all cylinders in the final episode of “Slaine – Archon“, a tale paving the way for “Dragontamer”. Pat Mills deliver some great touches and one line from Slaine for a vengeful Emperor  that harks right back to the warrior anti-hero’s origins. Davis’ visuals of the goddess Yalaboath are stunning, and a silent sequence that follows Slaine announcing his name, echoed by people across the land, is beautifully handled.

I would say I’m not entirely convinced by the use of the fonts used for the gods’ balloons in this story – I can see why the choice was made, but personally, I wasn’t keen on it.

This Prog wraps with “Absalom“, and artist Tiernan Trevallion absolutely nails it as this first act wraps on this story, with the promise of much more all-out action in the next round of “Terminal Diagnosis”. Gordon Rennie’s dialogue’s crisp with some great one liners, and Absalom is as defiant and obnoxious as ever. Definitely my favourite thrill of the Prog.

In This Prog…

2000AD Prog 2060 Judge Dredd

Judge Dredd – Black Snow (Part 6)
By Michael Carroll (Writer) PJ Holden (Artist) Quinton Winter (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

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! Now, a Siberian mining facility is under attack by nomad raiders, and Justice Department forces led by Dredd have intercepted the distress call. But officers from East-Meg Two have also joined the fray, and together the two natural enemies must defeat the menace…

2000AD Prog 2060 - Tharg's 3rillers Present - The House of Gilded Peak

Tharg’s 3rillers Present – The House of Gilded Peak (part 3)
By Eddie Robson (Writer) Steven Austin (Artist) Gary Caldwell (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

Three episodes, one complete, self-contained story — a condensed hit of super-charged Thrill-power beamed to you directly from the Nerve Centre! The vast city of Emporarius is populated by all manner of beings, both human and otherwise, and on its crowded
streets magic is in everyday use. Now a criminal gang has infiltrated the notoriously reclusive House of Gilded Peak in a bid to rob it of its fabled treasure — led by Pris, who has the ability to move unseen, she’s recruited disgraced knight Sir Aranchet to get them in. But Aranchet has betrayed them, and the vault appears empty of treasure…

2000AD Prog 2060 - Sláine - Archon (part 11)

Sláine – Archon (part 11)
By Pat Mills (Writer) Simon Davis (Artist) Ellie De Ville (Letterer)

Albion. Celtic warrior SL ÁINE united the tribes of the Earth Goddess and became the first High King of Ireland, but is now a wanderer. Having journeyed to Monadh to rescue Sinead from the Drune Lords, he’s discovered that they have been experimenting on their own creations, much to the displeasure of the Cyths’ jailer, the Archon Yaldabaoth. Now, having escaped the island, Sláine has learned the truth behind his parentage — that he was fathered by the rogue druid Duban — but he and Sinead have once more
been attacked by the Archon’s stone army and the vengeful Cyth Gododin…

2000AD Prog 2060 - Absalom - Terminal Diagnosis Book 01 (part 8)

Absalom – Terminal Diagnosis Book 01 (part 8)
By Gordon Rennie (Writer) Tiernan Trevallion (Artist) Ellie De Ville (Letterer)

UK, 2017. Inspector Harry ABSALOM is an old-school copper — curmudgeonly antiauthoritarian, he’s been with the force for over forty years. Suffering from inoperable cancer, he’s the head of a special squad that enforces The Accord, a diplomatic treaty made in the 16th century between the throne of England and the powers of Hell. Now, he’s preparing to enter The Mills, a demon stronghold, to rescue his grandchildren, and he’s been gathering a squad to aid him in this seemingly suicidal mission. But his masters at the Stylite Club may not be so keen to lose him…

2000AD Prog 2060 is on sale now in all good comic shops and UK newsagents, and digital platforms. You can buy it direct (and subscribe) from the 2000AD Online Shop

• Also on sale in all good newsagents and comic shops (including Forbidden Planet) – The Judge Dredd Mega Collection Issue 76 – Mega City Underworld



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