Comic Book Review - 2000 AD Prog 2238

Rob reviews 2000 AD Prog 2238...

It's another returnee this week as the immortal gladiator, Aquila makes his comeback. Alongside Aquila it's all systems normal as we get continuations of - Removal Man, Department K, Skip Tracer, and Chimpsky's Law.

In "Rob News" I feel a little more human this week, although my suspected hernia is giving me some shit. Anyway enough about me, let's get on with the show...

Judge Dredd: Removal Man - Part 3

Removal Man is fastly becoming my favourite Judge Dredd strip of 2021. John Wagner is giving us classic Dredd without Dredd. Three episodes in and the Lawman has been in about four scenes. Yet even without too much Dredd (if there's ever such a thing) we know he's diligently working in the background. 

And that's what makes Bickford's actions that more desperate. I feel sorry for him in a way as everything is happening at once. A simple assassination has turned into anything but Bickford now has to contend with a hover bus full of witnesses and get his wife's brain into her new android body. All in a day work hey!?

Wagner and MacNeil are doing a grand job with Removal Man. As I said above - it's a nice Dredd tale that's light on Dredd. Roll on next week! 

Aquila: The River of Hades - Book One - Part 1

Yes, Aquila is back. The slave-turned-immortal-gladiator has ventured into the underworld as he attempts to confront Ammit the Devourer - the very person who gave him his immortality. 

Of course, it's not as simple as knocking on the door. 

Patrick Goddard serves plenty of Roman-Esq designs that bring Gordon Rennie's underworld to life. Add Dylan Teague on colour duty, and we've got a decent creative team tearing their way into the underworld...now for a DOOM crossover? 

Department K: Cosmic Chaos - Part 5 

It's not looking great for our interdimensional hopping Judges. Deep inside the bowels of the dead Locust, rookie Judge Afua starts to receive visions. Not only do we see the Locust's dying moments, but Afua's vision also hints at what's to come. And it's not good. 

Rory McConville is tapping into Doctor Who with Department K. Each episode builds the suspense, yet continues the 'Cosmic Chaos'. Dan Cornwell is also doing wonders with his art, and the opening page to this weeks episode is something truly impressive. 

Skip Tracer: Eden - Part 2

Oh, Skip Tracer...I want to like you, yet there's something about you that I just don't "get". 

After last weeks military droid attack Nolan learns of "Operation Saviour". What's it all about? Well, no idea. Yet Nolan heads off in search of a ghost from his past. 

One positive is that both Paul Marshall and Dylan Teague are giving us some great sci-fi scenery to look at. Anyway, maybe next week? 

Chimpsky's Law: The Talented Mr Chimpsky - Part 5

Things go from bad to worse for Noam this week. As the general chaos unfurls around him, Noam finds himself in space. Why? Well as it turns on the Jepperson's A.I. is behind the killings and Noam is next. 

It's all crazy fun as both Ken Niemand and PJ Holden up the ante. Holden gives us plenty of action-packed scenes as Noam attempts to thwart the A.I. 

A few people on certain social media pages moan about the over-saturation of Noam Chimpsky. Yet here in Chimpsky's Law the character shines. Even more, as he's not grounded to Dredd - who's imposing anyway. And who would have thought that droids could be beaten by maths! 

Rating - 8/10

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