Writers: Rob Williams, Arthur Wyatt, Pat Mills, Dan Abnett and John Wagner
Artists: Henry Flint, Jake Lynch, Simon Davis, Mark Harrison and Carlos Ezquerra
Cover artist: Mark Harrison
Colourist: Henry Flint, Jake Lynch, Simon Davis, Mark Harrison and Carlos Ezquerra
Release date: April 27, 2015 (UK); May 27,2015 (USA)
Price: £2.75 (UK); $2.99 (USA)

Nobody, I’ll tell ya, nobody does it better, makes me feel kinda sad for the rest. As the song for that great British institution, James Bond, used to go, more or less. And speaking of venerable institutions, here is another one! Certainly, more at the peak of its game than at any other time; definitely shaken and stirred.

Prog 1928 proves without a doubt, after all this time, 2000 AD comic can still produce quality. From Rob William’s tight and satisfying Dredd script, along with Henry Flint, the guy I think of as the John Buscema of 2000 AD, grinding out dramatic, chunky figure work with a cinematic eye, covering angles other artists would rather avoid. Flint’s art is as dangerous as its subject matter, reminding me of the carefree dexterity of a Duncan Fegredo.

Simon Davis and his superb, sprawling vista panoramas recall the heyday of the best of Heavy Metal; drawing the eye into a world of Panavision, colour and sultry savagery that is note perfect for Slaine.

Mark Harrison steps up to the plate on Grey Area and meets the challenge head on, standing firmly on the shoulders of all the other creators here, providing calligraphic visuals with the demotic flaring confidence of an experienced operator, opening the sluice gates of carnage; crying havoc.

Then there is Carlos on Strontium Dog. The man who some recognise as the European Jack Kirby. Once described by somebody who should know as one of the cornerstone artist/creators responsible for the hard core genre that 2000 AD has evolved over the years. The effortlessly wrought, urban grime with his serrated blade style inking and meaty figure work labouring on our olfactory senses, filling them with the pollution of carcinogenic industry from a post holocaust world.

This, the most famous anthology comic, delivers intelligent taught scripts,  from the alumni of Mills, Wagner and Abnett, rendered from good to excellent standard. Against that backdrop, Wyatt and Lynch’s Drover’s Return seems eclipsed by the high standards of the rest of the comic. It’s a good effort though, deserving praise for its stolid workmanlike delivery.

2000 AD as a dramatic rediscovery for someone who hasn’t read it in decades. And the renaissance is still here, still gong on. The best comic in the universe is still kicking butt.

Drokk!!!!!

Reviewer: CybexAl
Review Editor: Steve Hooker