Rob checks out 2000 AD Prog 2250...
Well, we're up to the latest 'jumping-on issue as Prog 2250 has finally hit stores. And what a Prog it is!
Tharg has pulled out the big hitters for this one as we see the start of a new Judge Dredd tale, a Chris Weston created Futureshocks, the beginnings of Pandora Perfect's Prog debut, Anderson, PSI-Division, and finally the returns to Scarlet Traces, The Diaboliks, and The Out.
Phew! So without further ado...
Judge Dredd: The Hard Way - Part One
Rob Williams, Arthur Wyatt, and Jake Lynch team up to bring another tale featuring - my favourite - Accounts, Judge Maitland. We last saw Maitland in 'Carry The Nine' which was an epilogue as such to Williams' own 'End of Days'. Maitland had stumbled upon a way to rid MegaCity-1 of crime (and inadvertently the Judges). While this had gained her the attention of the SJS, it was a talk with Dredd that saw the Accounts Judge back down.
This time Maitland has traded the SJS for La Reine Rouge (AKA "Red Queen") as the crime boss wants her dead. Why? Well, it's all to do with the numbers!
'The Hard Way' feels like it's going to tie in a lot with a few past strips as both Red Queen (last seen in 'The Red Queens Gambit') and Maitland return. Naturally, Lynch works wonders with the artwork with each scene packed with detail and great line work.
With all five heavyweight droids attached to this one, it's certainly shaping up to be something great.
The Diaboliks: Arrivederci Roma - Part One
After their last outing, we catch up with Soloman and Jennifer as they're in between jobs. The last time around Gordon Rennie's tale saw the ex-Canaballistics duo working for the Malleus in an effort to keep the religious group away from their half-demonic son.
This time around it's over to Jennie as she - or rather the demon possessing her - gets called by her masters to prove she's still on the side of evil. There's plenty of good vs evil on offer as Rennie brings the group into a confrontation with the Vatican. Throw in yet more great artwork by Antonio Fuso and The Diaboliks is looking to become a firm favourite.
Scarlet Traces: Storm Front - Part One
"The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one", well it's 1968 and the Martians did come. However, unlike 'War of the Worlds', Scarlet Traces went into a very different future. Now we're back as the resurgent Martians plan to attack Earth yet again.
As a last resort Earth sends a spacecraft to Jupiter in search of its long lost race - the Jovians. But will the crew find friend or foe?
Ian Edington and D'Israeli have done a brilliant job in adapting the classic HG Wells story into something inspired, yet different. From the get-go, this third series gets off to a cracking start with plenty of off-balancing psychedelic imagery before throwing you back into its retro-futuristic sci-fi setting. I've just recently read both previous volumes of Scarlet Traces (as well as the novella), so I'm expecting plenty as Edgington and D'Israeli continue the war between worlds.
Anderson, PSI-Division: Be PSI-ing You
We're back in the 2000 AD Summer Special as the heads of PSI-Div meet to discuss the events. As the various departments debate how to deal with the Earth Animus. It's here that Maura McHugh begins the murmurings of a possible coup in the department as someone doesn't take too kindly into Anderson's dealings with the Animus.
Meanwhile, to keep the spirit of her dead sister safe, rogue-PSI Judge Corann has retreated into the vast Undercity beneath MegaCity-1. It's here where events play out as Anderson attempts to help her former partner before PSI-Div comes for them both.
McHugh does a great job in tying the events of the Summer Special together with a sort of epilogue. Whilst we don't get many answers, it does set up a possible future for Cass Anderson (and hopefully McHugh returns too!)
Pandora Perfect: Mystery Moon - Part One
Much like Department K, Pandora Perfect is another well-received strip from the pages of the special all-ages Regened Progs. This time Roger Langridge is bringing a full series to the madcap world of a professional thief - Pandora Perez (and Droid sidekick - Gort).
It's a great opening that captures everything that made Pandora's Regened strips a hit. There's plenty of action and great comedic moments as the duo go about their busy lives. This time Pandora is escaping the local police as she's just robbed the Imperial Plunder Museum. Throw in a mad dash to the Moonsausage Factory, a car crash, and the return of an old associate, then this one is just as crazy as it sounds.
Brett Parson also returns on art droid duties for this full series. Everything is crisp and full of life as Parson has a lot of fun in bringing Langridge's crime caper to life. If anything having both Pandora Perfect and Department K in the normal Progs highlights exactly why the Regened issues are a good thing!
Futureshocks: The Guardian & The Godchild
Jack-of-all-trades Chris Weston is back for this bizarre Futureshocks tale.
A shamed samurai is ready to end his life but is saved from the heavens. What comes next? Well, you'll have to find out.
I'm a big fan of Weston and it's great to see his work back within the Progs pages. The Guardian & The Godchild is a gorgeous looking three pager that shows Weston's talents to their fullest.
The Out: Book Two - Part One
Cyd Finlae is back and she's travelling further into The Out in search of her long-lost child - and signs of any other Human life. Dan Abnett set Cyd's journey off with a bang during Book One. It was a great sci-fi opera that subverted every expectation to pull of something that's become an instant classic.
So far Cyd's journey has been an eventful one. She's been through a lot and seen even more, which has all been documented in her work for Global Neographic. It's been a crazy adventure that's seen Cyd get caught up in an interstellar war, to be killed and brought back to life. We're now 40-years on (being dead will do that) and Cyd is further into the Out than ever.
It's great to see The Out back for another series. Both Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison worked wonders with the first series last year. To many The Out is a modern day Halo Jones, and it's easy to see why the comparison is there.
Harrison packs so much onto each page it's great to look behind the focal point. Each scene is filled with plenty of characters and some incredible scenery. And just like before - those incredible landscape shots are back.
With an already impressive debut, its hard to see The Out being anything but spectacular. With Abnett's storytelling and Harrison's gorgeous art there's a lot here to love!
Rating 10/10
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev
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