Publisher: 2000 AD
Writers: Ian Edginton, Gordon Rennie+Emma Beeby, David Ballie, Kek-W
Artists: Dave Taylor, Eoin Coveney, Nick Brokenshire, Dave Kendall
Release date: UK & Digital: OUT NOW!! North America 23 October 2015
Price: £2.45/$2.99

One of the changes I have noticed in comic book covers, in the last decade or so, is how bright and glossy and garish they seem to have become. At times a veritable assault on the optic nerves, in an understandable, eye-catching attempt to lure in the buyers. I get that but I also get fatigued by it and overloaded by it. And if this is the overly bright future of comic book covers then I am, as the song suggests, going to need shades.

Which, in a roundabout way, brings me to the cover of 2000 AD Prog by1949 by Dave Kendall. The polar opposite, a ray of sunshine in an otherwise over coloured medium. Should the cover be hanging in the Tate Modern? Of course it should. Kendall has achieved that rare goal in comic books, a piece of artwork both disturbing and attention-grabbing at the same time. The late William Gaines, of EC fame, would have been proud.

And can you judge a comic book by its cover? With 2000 AD Prog by1949 you certainly can. Judge Dredd: Ghost Town continues with style and depth. The Alienist: The Haunting of Hex House shows how pleasing the mix between typically British story telling sensibilities and North American ones can work. Future Shocks makes a surprising and welcome return. Dreams of Deadworld// Death though, well, not only does it need shifting to the lead story status, but it is the best thing in 2000 AD Prog 1949.

Sorry Joe.

Reviewer: Steve Hooker