REVIEW: 2000AD - Prog 1919

So, it’s kind of difficult to give an anthology book and overall rating, so here I am going to look at the individual stories, before summing up the collection of it’s parts.

Judge Dredd: Dark JusticeÂ by John Wagner & Greg Staples

The Dark Judges are back on prowl, this time terrorising a star-ship, The Mayflower.Â I have been a fan of John Wagner since his very short lived Detective Comics run.Â So I am pleased to see more of his work, especially the sentenceÂ passedÂ on the Dark Judge.Â The art is what I have come to expect with the painted element certainly bringing out the best in Judge Fire.Â That said some of the poses do look a tad forced, the one of Anderson in particular.

Story: 3; Art 3;Â Colours 4

Survival Geeks:Â Steampunk’d by Gordon Rennie, Emma Beeby & Neil Googe

With a logo very reminiscent of Star Wars and another floating city (see review of Cannons in the Clouds), I was unsure of what to expect. I loved the whole Milton Keynes joke (am sure other UK residentsÂ will appreciate it), and felt Si’s pain when he recognised that the bane of his life at home, is equally the bane of his life in this dimension.Â The script by Gordon Rennie and Emma Beeby is reminiscent of The Big Bang Theory, which I don’t mind.Â The art by Neil Googe is crisp and clear across both dialogue sections and action sections.Â The revelations in the last couple of panels promise big things. in the next instalment.

Story: 4; Art 4; Colours 4

Tharg’s 3rillers: Station to Station by Eddie Robson & Darren Douglas

Here we go with an alien under London scenario.Â Story wise, you will have seen something similar before.Â The art of Darren Douglas is the strength of the story, with a stylised approach, with the muted colour scheme helping to build a level of tension.Â For a second part of a serial, there is quite an information dump.Â At this juncture, there are clear good guys and bad guys but is there two sides to this story?Â Only time will tell.

Story: 3; Art 4; Colours 4

The OrderÂ by Kek-W & John Burns

Next up is part nine of this medieval body snatchers story.Â The art of John Burns fit this story well.Â Again the colours add the vibrancy to proceedings, adding a sense of life to all the characters.Â Story wise, there is a good little debate over religion which I would have like to see expanded.Â Hopefully it will in future parts as this a time where the format of the book can work against it.

Story: 3; Art 4; Colours 4

Savage: Grinders Part 9Â by Pat Mills & Patrick Goddard

Right, it’s part 9. I have read this a couple of times and I gotta say, I have no idea what is going on! Â This chapter is an action piece, moving the characters to what you would have to assume, is a nearby conclusion. Â Pat Mills script is tight, and the action is solid. The lack of colour is quite jarring against the previous story’s fantastic colour, which may have been the point.

Story: 2; Art 2; Colour N/A

Overall, Dredd is definitely the marquis player in the 2000AD stable, becoming a mass media icon with two motion pictures to his name.Â Â So for reader pulling power, it’s obvious that his story is first.Â That said, you do run the risk of Dredd fans picking the book up and then putting down after the Dredd pages. Â So a mixed bag from the longest running UK comic.

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Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network