The latest instalments of “Judge Dredd”, “Enemy Earth”, “Hershey”, “Hope” and “Chimpsky’s Law” feature in 2000AD Prog 2307 this week, a pretty quiet seven days from Tharg and co, with only the second Steel Claw collection – Reign of the Brain – also released by Rebellion.
Next week, however, brings us something pretty special – the return of a classic 2000AD tie-in, forty years after it was first released — the Judge Dredd board game, created by Fighting Fantasy legend Ian Livingstone and originally published by Games Workshop.
The publisher’s tabletop division, Rebellion Unplugged, have updated the game, featuring art by Brian Bolland and Ian Gibson, with a recoloured board and a Specialist Judges expansion, available now from shop.2000AD.com — and web store orders come with an exclusive Judge Fish promo!
Don’t forget that Tharg’s minions are heading to Thought Bubble Festival in Harrogate soon (12th – 13th November), too, with panels, signings, and more at the two-day convention.
Check out the schedule here on the 2000AD web site which includes the annual Artist and Writer Talent Search, and appearances by a host of droids!
This Week’s Releases…
2000AD Prog 2307
UK and Digital: 9th November £3.50
North America: 4th January 2024
Diamond: SEP221930
Cover: Luke Horsman
In this issue:
Judge Dredd: Buratino Must Die by Rob Williams (Writer) Henry Flint (Artist) 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, two East-Meg Judges have been granted sanctuary in MC-1, but Sov psi-powers are attacking the city…
Chimpsky’s Law: A Terrifically Disturbing Adventure by Ken Niemand (Writer) PJ Holden (Artist) Chris Blythe (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Mega-City One, 2144 AD. Noam Chimpsky is a super-intelligent ape living in Ludi Wittgenstein block, and he sees it as his mission to protect his fellow residents from the various threats and problems that can befall a citizen of the Big Meg. He does all this secretly, allowing others to take the credit, such as Wittgenstein’s useless block Judge Stan. But now a malicious pair of psychic juves have moved into the block…
Hope… In The Shadows: Reel Two by Guy Adams (Writer) Jimmy Broxton (Artist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)
An alternate 1940s USA. World War Two is over, victory having been secured by occult means, and consequently magic is a part of everyday life. Mallory HOPE is one such skilled operative, though calling on the dark arts takes its toll on the user. He ’s also a P.I., hired for all manner of down n’ dirty jobs — and an investigation into a cursed movie has led to the reappearance of Hope ’s missing wife, Alice, who has plans for the film…
Enemy Earth: Book One by Cavan Scott (Writer) Luke Horsman (Artist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)
The near future. Mother Nature has turned against the people that live upon the Earth ’s surface. Now, the planet’s flora and fauna have mutated and are viciously attacking humanity. As society crumbles, and survivors seek safety, young Zoe, who has lost her own family, has rescued a young boy, who has been living for five years in a bunker with his protective robot. It turns out he’s the prime minister’s son…
Hershey by Rob Williams (Writer) Simon Fraser (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Judge Barbara Hershey was one of Justice Department’s most respected and capable young officers before she became Chief Judge. Leading the city through numerous challenges, she only occasionally clashed with Dredd — until the “Small House” affair and the revelation of Judge Smiley’s clandestine operations on her watch. Now, seriously ill from a microbial virus, she’s faked her death to deal with Smiley’s legacy…
THE STEEL CLAW: REIGN OF THE BRAIN
Creative Team: Tom Tully (Writer) Jesús Blasco (Artist)
Out: 10th November 2022
Paperback, 112 pages
Price: £16.99
ISBN: 978-1786186812
• Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
One of Britain’s most enduring comic book heroes returns in two stories reprinted here for the first time! The second collection of the sci-fi classic, the Steel Claw collects writer Tom Tully’s first two stories originally published in the comic Valiant between 1963 and 1964.
Featuring the stunning, realistic black and white art of Spanish comics’ legend Jesus Blasco, this collection is introduced by comics writer, editor and publisher John Freeman.
Coming Next Week…
JUDGE DREDD: THE GAME OF CRIME-FIGHTING IN MEGA-CITY ONE
Created by Ian Livingstone
Out: Monday 14th November 2022
Cover by Brian Bolland
Price: £40
Mega-City One. A vast 22nd metropolis of 800 million citizens, each one a potential criminal. Under the watchful eye of the Judges no one escapes justice, whether their crime is littering or murder.
And now, YOU ARE THE LAW!
Head out onto the streets of Mega-City One and prove you are worth of the badge. Bring the Angel Gang, Judge Death, Orlok the Assassin and other notorious lawbreakers to justice! But be warned – they won’t go down without a fight, and even a lowlife sugar-addict can take you out if they get lucky.
40 YEARS, CREEPS!
Designed by legendary Fighting Fantasy author and Games Workshop founder Ian Livingstone, Judge Dredd is an iconic British game of crushing crime and/or your friends. Timed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original classic, this new edition offers the ultimate Judge Dredd experience with updated cards, revised rules for faster play, and newly recoloured artwork from iconic 2000 AD artists Brian Bolland and Ian Gibson.
This edition also introduces the Specialist Judges expansion, letting players choose between six unique Judges from across the history of Mega-City One. Each Judge has a special ability that will change how players approach the game, be it the brute strength of the Mechanismo droid, the innate abilities of the Psi Judge, the unrivalled authority of the Chief Judge, the added support available to the fresh-faced Cadet, the brutal methods of the Special Judicial Squad, or the… unique skills of the undercover Wally Squad!
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, Games, Other Worlds
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