Publisher: 2000 AD
Writers: Rob Williams, Gordon Rennie, Ian Eginton, T. C. Eglington
Artists: Henry Flint, Tiernan Trevallion, Simon Coleby, Karl Richardson, D’Israeli
Release date: UK: OUT NOW!!!! North America 29 August 2015
Price: £2.45/$2.99
2000 AD
Anthology titles, some say, have some very obvious restrictions making it difficult to develop both characters and plot within the available page count. As all the stories here are part of ongoing narratives it can make it hard for new readers to really connect with the characters or to understand what’s going on. On the other hand, a reader could just throw caution to the wind and jump onboard. But, be wary, the stories here are not for the faint hearted. But certainly for the brave!
So, kicking off with Judge Dredd, whose reputation certainly makes him deserving of the prime spot the strip occupies here, in part two of a story arc Enceladus:Old Life. A ship from the Saturn moon Enceladus has crashed just outside Mega City 1 and an ice storm has engulfed the city threatening extinction for millions and bringing with it a spectre from Dredd’s past. Although Dredd is the obvious star of the show the rest of the material is well worth a look.
Helium depicts old fashioned dog fights in a distant future Earth cowering beneath the lethal fog known as the Poison Belt. Outlier continues the trials and tribulations of PI Jared Carcer as he investigates a series of murders on the salvage ship Outlier. Jaegir sees Nordland State Security Police Kapitan-Inspector Atalia Jaegir investigating war criminals amongst her own ranks.
However, for my money (and probably yours) the best of the rest is Harry Absalom, the oldest copper in town, as he continues to enforce the diplomatic treaty between the throne of England and the powers of Hell in the story arc ‘Under A False Fla’g. Strong characterisation with no wasted effort makes for strong storytelling here and the monotone rendering gives it a distinctive, grainy look making it the standout story in 2000 AD Prog 1941.
Buy it or Harry Absalom could be knocking on your door next! And you know what the filth are like? Particularly if they haven’t had their breakfast.
Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker