Comic Book Review - 2000 AD Prog 2221

Rob Lake reviews 2000 AD Prog 2221...

After last weeks break for the first of four Regened Progs coming our way in 2021. This week sees the return to the normal programme with Prog 2221. 

Prog 2221 brings with it the start of a new Dredd story brought to us by Prog regular - Kenneth Niemand, a new series of Thistleborn and continuations of Sláine, Durham Red and Proteus Vex. 

Judge Dredd: Who Killed Captain Cookies - Part 1

Kenneth Niemand seems to be camped out in the Progs these last week. The veteran writer is back this week with the start of Who Killed Captain Cookies. This time around Niemand teams up with PJ Holden and Quinton Winters, to dive into the realms of the perils of being a do-gooder in Mega-City 1. 

Captain Cookies is one of these "do-gooders". Cookies gimmick is to give out cookies to juves - but alas, the good Captain is now over to Resyk. With the Judges seemingly happy to brush the murder under the carpet, it's over to *redacted* to organise his investigation. 

Of course, I'm not going to wreck who the real star of this series is going to be, but you know it's going to be one of those silly Meg adventures - which is never a bad thing! 

Holden's art starts this strip off with a bang. The veteran artist always does great work with his Dredd strips. Along with Quinton Waters, the duo sets the tone of this strip with some fantastic aerial shots and close-ups.

Sláine: Dragontamer - Part 9

Alban, the demonic offspring of Emperor Brutus is loose. The demons first port of call is to rant to some academics about his father's vision - even if he is a demon himself. Then it's over to Sláine as the warrior does what he does best. 

Dragontamer is one of those strips that just flows from A-B. It's at its best when Mills is firing on all cylinders, we've got some social commentary, followed by gratuitous action. Add Leonardo Manco's phenomenal art to the mix and Sláine is so far going out with a bang. 

Thistleborn: Poisoned Roots - Part 1

Thistleborn is back for another series of horror and intrigue. 

I've not read the first series Thistleborn (which coincidentally is out soon as part of the 2000 AD Digital Collection) so Eglinton's opening part of this new series washed over me. 

There's something about a book that's unwritten which ties into something that's been found within the woods. Whilst I read the advanced preview of the first series, check out the gorgeous art by Simon Davis.

Proteus Vex: Shadow Chancellor - Part 8

Mike Carroll's space opera goes into overdrive this week. Vex discovers that there's more to the Silent than originally lead to believe. This then sends Vex, Midnight and the 'captured Silent' to escape both the Empire and the Citheronian's as fast as they can. 

As an avid sci-fi fan, Proteus Vex is becoming my favourite strip in the Prog right now. It's got everything that makes a good sci-fi tale - politics, backstabbing, action and the threat of intergalactic war. Just who are the 'bad guys'?

Shadow Chancellor has been slowly building up its story over the last few weeks and it's slow to start is now paying off. With the tables turned it gives Carroll more opportunities to build this world and gives Lynch more angular art to show off. 

Durham Red: Served Cold - Part 9

We're finally at the reveal as to why Warren Haddler wants Red. And of course, it's a good old fashioned revenge play! 

The story of Durham Red has evolved over the last few weeks. Alec Worley has given us plenty of action with the siege of the prison, and now we're into the nitty-gritty of the tale. It's a simple story, with a lot of characterisation thrown in. Durham Red is a complicated character but Worley had given the vampire a human touch. 

While the ending to Served Cold could potentially play it safe, we've got a few more weeks to find out. 

Rating 8/10

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