Reviewer: William Cooling
Editor: Matt Smith
Publisher: Rebellion
Judge Dredd
Title: S.A.M
Written by: John Wagner
Pencilled by: Val Semeiks
Inked by: Cliff Robinson
Lettered by: Tom Frame
If there are two things that have proven to be rich mines of humour for John Wagner over the years, it has been technology and bureaucracy. This week, with the tale of Mike Groober who takes a Government office hostage after losing a state house due to their red tape he strikes gold again. You see, Mike lacks in confidence a bit, so he brings along with a Self Arming Munition (S.A.M) a smart bomb that conducts the hostage situation for its owner with hilarity following.
Wagner is on sparkling form with an enjoyable, throwaway Dredd-com one shot with the satire against (local) Government red tape and its purpose being delivered in a wry and affectionate way, whilst the end is a fantastic joke against robots and again shows that Dredd isn’t just a violent bully-boy (Mark Millar take note), but is also clever. Like the best of these one-offs the focus isn’t on Dredd, but on the developing comedy something that allows the hostage system to develop.
The art compliments the classic feel of the story. With special reference to Semeiks Dredd, which has more in common with the Golden Age style than the modern Ezquerra/Bisley style. While the art isn’t amazing, Semeiks does a good and steady job in regards to storytelling managing to handle 8 panel pages without making his art seem cramped or the pages cluttered. His character designs are slightly unoriginal but in truth the story doesn’t lend itself to imaginative character designs. Robinson must also be applauded for his inks as their detail and smoothness help the art reflect the feel of the script.
A good Dredd-com that is content to be light, harmless fun.
Tharg’s Terror Tales
Title: Frozen Stiffs
Written by: Steve Moore
Art by: Phil Winsdale
Lettered by: Tom Frame
Tharg’s Terror Tales is another brand of one-offs with a twist, in the Future Shock mould, only this time with a horror theme. For this story we see another purpose for these stories, as opposed to blooding newcomers, and that is to offer an established but slow/busy artist the chance to stretch their muscles in 2000AD. Here we see Phil Winsdale, the artist (I think) of Garth Ennis’ Goddess mini-series, lend his detailed line-work to Moore’s story concerning the corpse using “artist†Mr. Mort and his feud with Dr. Zanir Rashmoun.
Moore’s story is very effective, as whilst building to a predictable twist ending, he imbues his story not only with contemporary satire on body part using modern “art,†but also (shock) characterisation with the relationship between Rashmoun and his young assistant Sophie being subtly developed with just a few panels. Mort is a well-developed character who fits snugly into many modern artist stereotypes even if he comes over a bit Fantomex. Moore also very cleverly constructs his story to the strengths of Winsdale’s art, with the anatomy work required being the perfect showpiece for Winsdale very detailed line-work. The dialogue heavy nature of the script allows the art to be centred on Winsdale’s excellent facial characterisation.
Moore’s story with its mixture of jealously, gore and mysticism, along with Winsdale’s excellent and detailed art gives this story a slightly dark feel that elevates it above standard one off-filler fare.
Slaine
Title: The Books of Invasions ~ Scota
Written by: Pat Mills
Art by: Clint Langely
Lettered by: Ellie De Ville
Last week, Slaine and the Atlantean leadership managed to gain the Atlantean fire staffs that Slaine had decided were the key to victory, only to find that the Sea-Demons had sent all their reinforcements to the battleground. We begin this part with Slaine and co. rushing back to the battlefield before the Sea-Demons make good their victory.
Whatever my concerns about some aspects of the plot of this book there can be no doubt that Mills and Langely have really hit their stride when it came to depicting the grandiose and brutal battles. In this part they return to said battles with what is a glorious prelude to the coming set piece battle. We see Slaine unveil his offer of Alliance to the Irish and Atlanteans in addition to seeing the fate of Gael. Mills’ writing is amazing with his characterisation of Odacon confirming him as an excellent villain, while the offer of alliance is made in such an epic way as to push aside all doubts about its logic.
However, where Mills succeeds the most is in harnessing the ability of Langely by giving him fantastic visuals, including the grotesque shell of human that Gael has become and the incredible double spread at the end. The hellish, fire-strewn landscape is perfect for Langely and allows him to deliver some awe-inspiring pages which are a must see for any serious sword and sorcery fan.
An amazing part that hopefully is a prelude to what should be an amazing final part next week.
The V.C.s
Title: Book III Pt. 5 ~ Home
Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Anthony Williams
Lettered by: Ellie De Ville
Last week, in a strange twist, Abnett confused his narrative by reintroducing Smith and Keege to the story whilst showing those, like Jupe, who had been shown to be dead in part 1, when we last saw Smith. This week, Abnett finally begins to explain what is happening to Smith, in what is a fairly predictable twist, but one that if developed correctly could be interesting.
However, I’m not going to spoil it, so lets just say that Abnett does introduce the true status quo, in regards to Smith, quite nicely with an abrupt beginning in a med facility and then weaving the mystery more and more. Abnett shows good characterisation, although his Smith seems a little more than half-bonkers. This part does see a shift from the enjoyable space solider fighting, although it doesn’t affect Williams’ art, which is (as ever) extremely pleasing on the eye.
A well-written part with an intriguing if predictable twist that could remove the doubts I have about this story. Having said that, I do wish Abnett would stop monkeying around with his narrative.
The Red Seas
Title: Twilight of the Idols Pt. 5
Written by: Ian Edginton
Art by: Steve Yeowell
Lettered by: Annie Parkhouse
Last week, Dancer and crew managed to retrieve the first half of the map, only to find themselves stranded in the sea with their ship not in sight. This week, their mysterious benefactor arrives just in time to rescue them only to be forced to reveal a shocking surprise about himself and his motivation for getting on to Laputa.
Edginton continues to weave a delightful tale of pirates and myth, with his appropriation of mythology being very similar Rucka’s in Wonder Woman. Not only in the high quality, but also in the tone, with Edginton managing not only a lightness of touch, but also an ability to tackle myth from an inventive and imaginative angle. This ability is best shown with the revelations concerning the benefactor, which is a wonderful surprise that only adds to the story. Edginton’s writing also maintains all the charm and quality that it has hitherto shown in this series in the fields of characterisation, plot, etc. Steve Yeowell whose art with its simple and straightforward storytelling and measured character designs perfectly captures the tone of the story ably transfers all of this to page.
This is another excellent part of what is an amazingly reliable story.
Five Progs into the new line up and 2000AD is still on a roll with the stories maintaining not only a consistent quality, but also being very varied. The existence of Future Shock style one-offs does not weaken the quality of the Prog speaks volumes as to their quality.
