The latest 2000AD – Prog 2237, with a cover from Dave Kendall, on sale in the UK today in all good newsagents and comic shops – is joined on the stands this week by Black Beth & The Devils of Al-Kadesh, a Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics Special we trailed last week here on downthetubes.
Also out this week is the physical edition of the excellent War Picture Library: Battler Britton collection, the second book in a series reprinting every story drawn by Hugo Pratt, the Italian art maestro meets one of the most popular British comic book characters: Battler Britton.
Battler Britton is a World War Two air ace as skilled a fighter on land as he is in his Spitfire. In 1960, Pratt drew two of his adventures, reprinted in graphic novel format for the first time.
The digital edition was released a while back, but I’m sure many of you have been holding on for the print edition featuring this vintage material from a comics maestro.
On offer are two fast-paced adventure stories, the first, “Rockets of Revenge”, pitting Britton against the Nazis to discover the secrets of a new and deadly rocket, deep behind enemy lines.
In the longer story “Wagons of Gold”, Pratt really gets the chance to flex his artistic muscles, with plenty of aerial combat as well as face to face fisticuffs, as Britton embroils himself in a bid to recover stolen gold, aided by Yugoslavian partisans.
Of the two, the latter is the better tale, benefitting from a greater page count, with Pratt, as ever, on fine form.
Echoing praise from artist Keith Page about Pratt’s work, in this feature here on downthetubes, I’d say this collection is worth checking out!
Out This Week from Rebellion
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to pick up your copy of Judge Dredd Megazine 433, released last week, with a cover by Nick Percival – details here!
2000AD Prog 2237
Cover by Dave Kendall
Judge Dredd: Removal Man by John Wagner (Writer) Colin MacNeil (Artist) Chris Blythe (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)
Mechastopholes: The Hunting Party by Gordon Rennie, Laurence Rennie (Writer) Boo Cook (Artist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)
Department K: Cosmic Chaos by Rory McConville (Writer) Dan Cornwell (Artist) Len O’Grady (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Chimpsky’s Law: The Talented Mr Chimpsky by Kenneth Niemand (Writer) PJ Holden (Artist) Chris Blythe (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)
Skip Tracer: Eden by James Peaty (Writer) Paul Marshall (Artist) Dylan Teague (Colourist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)
Black Beth & The Devils of Al-Kadesh
By Alec Worley (Writer) and DaNi (Art)
Coffin Bound artist DaNi goes full-on Sergio Toppi with this swords ‘n’ sorcery special written by Alec Worley bringing this forgotten British comic book character back to life in a breathtakingly new way – accompanied by some extras, such as a full page pin-up by David Roach.
Available in print from 23rd June: 2000AD webshop, book stores, Amazon, and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android, Windows 10
Judge Dredd: Guatemala
Creators: John Wagner, Colin MacNeil, Carlos Ezquerra, Henry Flint
ISBN: 9781781088951
Release Date: 22 Jun 2021
Price: £14.99
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback with 2000AD.com exclusive hardcover
Dimensions: 259 × 187 mm
Viva los humanos! A deathbed request sends Judge Dredd on a diplomatic mission to Guatemala, a dictatorship ruled by the despotic robot El Presidente. Under the military rule of robots, humans are enslaved, trafficked and farmed for parts.
El Presidente seeks to expand its repressive regime – and if Mega-City One doesn’t give into its demands, its nuclear arsenal will blow the city off the map!
From legendary Judge Dredd scribe John Wagner and fan favourite artist Colin MacNeil comes an action-packed Dredd tale of robots and revolution! Also featuring bonus Dredd stories with art by Carlos Ezquerra and Henry Flint.
War Picture Library: Battler Britton
V.A.L. Holding, Hugo Pratt
ISBN: 9781781087664
Digital – Available Now
Standard print edition: 24th June 2021
UK £14.99 // US $19.99 // CAN $26.99
Pages: 64 // Hardcover
In this second book in the series of collections reprinting every story drawn by Hugo Pratt, the Italian art maestro meets one of the most popular British comic book characters: Battler Britton!
Battler Britton is a World War Two air ace as skilled a fighter on land as he is in his Spitfire. In 1960, Hugo Pratt drew two of his adventures – “Wagons of Gold” and “Rockets of Revenge” – reprinted in graphic novel format for the first time.
These fast-paced adventure stories feature the classic character facing off against the Nazis and this second book continues Rebellion’s mission to bring all of Pratt’s work back into print. Readers of Corto Maltese will love these forgotten classic war stories from the world-renowned comic book artist, published in a format larger than originally published to show off his impressive and universally-lauded artwork.
• Comic Creator Spotlight – The Picasso of Comics, Hugo Pratt, by Keith Page
• Check out our guide to all Roy of the Rovers collections, new books and graphic novels here
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Reviews
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