Publisher: 2000 AD
Writers: Michael Carroll, Gordon Rennie, Pat Mills, Ian Edginton,
Artists: Colin MacNeil, Tiernen Trevallion, Simon Davis, D’Israeli
Editor: Thurg
Release date: £2.45/$2.99 (USA)
Price: 10 June 2015/10 July 2015

 

I could regale you with tales of yore, back in the days of 2000 AD, say one thousand nine hundred progs ago, when 2000 AD entered a golden age.

I am that long in the tooth, that old bloke enough, to recall seeing the first issue of 2000 AD, plastic bagged and pinned to the wall of the long-gone, but not forgotten comic book shop ‘Dark They Were And Golden Eyed’, down a side alley off London’s Soho in the late 1970s. The asking price, back then, an alarming £15.00; with free gift. Way beyond my teenage desire and besides, IPC’s Star Lord had my full attention and I did not budge until 2000 AD hoovered Star Lord up. I have a long history of backing comic book losers. Jet anyone? But moving on.

I could regal you but I am not, why should you have to put up – suffer – with my brand of personal, you really had to be there, nostalgia. There is nothing to get misty eyed about here because 2000 AD is still in a golden age. And 2000 AD Prog #1934 proves with every page here.

The opening instalment of the latest Judge Dredd story ‘Blood of Emeralds Part One’, is in the very capable hands of writer Michael Carroll and artist Colin MacNeil. ‘Blood of Emeralds’ has all the hallmarks of the Dredd tradition, not homage, the impressive team of Carroll and MacNeil do not fall into the weakness of that trap. Instead, ‘Blood of Emeralds’cracks along and the artwork underscores not the blind love of fans and fandom but an acknowledgement of all things, all the motifs, the themes, the embodiment of the character that is Judge Dredd. To those coming back to Dredd after say one thousand nine hundred progs, it will feel like they have never been away.

Sticking to the anthology format means next up is Inspector Harry Absalom, in the opening instalment of ‘Under A False Flag’, the sort of English policeman that makes ‘The Sweeny’ look tame and the US drama ‘Murder In The First’ seem like a walk in the park. Set in England’s Newcastle Upon Tyne, Absalom skates the parochial aspect well; you don’t need to be Northern, Soft Southern will do and for the USA there are sub-titles…..no there are not, no need for them at all, in this police procedural meets the supernatural tale. Writer Gordon Rennie never loses his focus on the plot or the narrative; it is tight and written with economy and strong characterisation. Tiernen Trevallion’s black and white artwork is pitch-perfect for the job; colour would be too gaudy.

The experienced hand Pat Mills dishes up some more Slaine in The Brutania Chronicles Book Two Primordial Part Eleven and Simon Davis provides suitable art for the slaughter. Slaine holds together well and whilst I am no fan I can see where the excitement is and Mills can always tell a story well and that is much the same here.

2000 AD prog 1934 rounds the issue off with the brand new series Helium from writer Ian Edginton and artist D’Israeli. Earth has become enveloped in toxic smog, resulting in life only flourishing above the choking clouds or on valued high ground. It is not just a dream team; it is a perfect combination of narrative and artwork. Helium has that European feel and dimension in both story and art, with a sprinkling of Brit comic books, melded into a North American story-telling motif. And that combination, in these hands works!

If you have stayed away from 2000 AD, for whatever reason, maybe for nostalgia, maybe thinking you have outgrown it, forget all that and jump back in here, right now. 2000 AD is, I can assure you, as good, if not better than it has always been. Meet the new boss……..

Review: Steve Hooker