Comic Book Review - 2000 AD Prog 2229

Rob reviews 2000 AD Prog 2229...

After last weeks ending to both Sláine and Chorus and the Ring, we've got two openings in the program...

Due to this Prog 2229 sees the welcomed  return of another Visions of Deadworld tale, and a one-off Future Shocks. The rest of the Prog is made up of the usual suspects; Judge Dredd goes toe-to-boot with the SJS, there's more horror in Thistlebone, and fantasy meets comedy of errors in Feral and Foe II. 

Judge Dredd: A Penitent Man - Part 5 

Ashers on the run from the SJS, Dredds on their tale, and inbetween them are two very different sets of droids. Whilst the SJS tangle with Asher's workmates, Dredd contends with an SJS Mechanismo. 

'A Penitent Man' has been an interesting tale that's (as I keep saying) has dived into a show of how shifty the SJS can be. With clandestine activities such as the 'Welcome Wagon' what else does the SJS have up it's sleeve? 

Naturally Ken Niemand continues to weave his storytelling magic, and coupled with Tom Foster and Nick Blyth, 'A Penitent Man' has been a great tale. 

Thistlebone: Poisoned Roots - Part 9

Just what's going on with Malcolm Kinniburgh and those woods? Well Seema is still on the trail, and hopefully we get some answers soon

We're back in the past as that eventful scouting trip is opened up. Of course Mr. Kinniburgh is right in the middle of it all. 

Davis returns to the more cartoon style to highlight the horrors that surround the scouts. Davis' work has been fantastic throughout 'Poisoned Roots' and its really brought the folklore horror in this tale to life. The cartoon-style portrayal of the Scouting trip does a wonderful way of bringing the horror in the woods to life. Just what is Malcolm up to? 

Visons of Deadworld: Transpolar - Part 1

Yes! A two-part Visions of Deadworld! This time Kek-W takes us to the frozen North as a Gas Extraction Planet gets a visit from the Sovs. As you can imagine, it isn't long before the horrors of the Dark Judges is unleashed on both the plants workers - and the Sovs.

It's a somewhat different tale as Kek-W moves away from the happenings surrounding the main continuity and dives into this side tale. Add in a Warewolf, the Sovs and some pissed off and confused workers, then you've got all the makings of some fantastic 'popcorn horror'. 

Dave Kendall's art is grusome and grotesque and Kek-W continues to dive head first into the Deadworld rabbit hole...

Future Shocks: Regarding Henry 

School girl, Jane has been marked by a screening system to have potential anti-social tendencies. And as such has been placed into a school with every other (potential) anti-social delinquent. As you can imagine it's a powder keg waiting to explode, and in a more sickening twist - its something that the UK Government could themselves put into place. 

Glenn Fabry is back on Prog duty which sees the veteran artist illustrate Mark McCann's twisted education system. It's a gorgeous looking, and naturally has that classic Future Shocks ending. 

Feral and Foe II: Part 6

Having to preform a quest for the Necromancer Golgone, the trio plan to find the Malign Chalice - Chalice of Malice.

As you can imagine, it isn't long before everything's been thrown out of the window and it depends into chaos. This time out the group stumbles across the Woodroes who plan to make Bode, Wraith and Krogun Part of their upcoming ritual...

It's more fun from Dan Abnett and Richard Elson. Both deliver some whitty writing and some fantastic art. The whole story feels much like a Dungeons & Dragons game gone wrong...and it's brilliant! 

Rating 8/10

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev