Rob reviews 2000 AD Prog 2288 [Regened]...
This week sees Tharg taking some well-earned time off as his nephew Joko-Jargo takes over for another instalment of those special all-ages Progs. Yes! It's Regened time!
While some corners of the 2000 AD readership take their collective groan, I see the benefit of these all-ages specials. Not only do they act as a springboard into the more "grown-up" world of 2000 AD, but the Regened Progs also allow Tharg to utilise his talented pool of writers, artists, colourists, and letterers in new ways.
So, now I'm riding high on my horse...shall we get on with it?
Inside Prog 2288 you'll find the usual collective that typically makes up these Regened issues. Kicking things off is another outing with Cadet Dredd in 'Zootrapolis', more magic meets Grange Hill in 'Lowborn High', and another weird and wonderful 'Futureshocks'. Completing the line up we also have the returns of 'Scooter & Jinx', and everyone's favourite thief 'Pandora Perfect'
Cadet Dredd: Zootrapolis
When it comes to zoos and Mega-City One, you know full well that it wouldn't be normal. With a galaxy full of weird and wonderful creatures, why not cage them up in the middle of the Meg. Enter Head of Alien Procurement, David Deotherborough who's got the unenviable job of acquiring these specimens.
With the zoo receiving higher attendance due to the arrival of a new exhibit, it's the wrong time for some guests to go missing. However, Cadet Dredd is on the case, as Mega-City One's future top Lawman grapples with nature. And why does Teddy look familiar?
It's always great to see Liam Johnson back writing in the Progs. From his debut Futureshocks tale, Johnson has found his footing within the Progs. With another Cadet Dredd title added to his credits, isn't it time we get to see the writer tackle the adult Judge?
Lowborn High: Good Sport
Lowborn High, dumping for the kids who don't live up to the high standards or have the connections to get into Wychdusk Academy.
Enter Androgeus Frost, having been kicked out of Wychdusk due to poor grades, Frost finds himself in uncharted territory. Coming from a well-known family, Frost isn't the type of student to be found at Lowborn High. And when everyone in this world uses magic, we'll it's just asking for trouble.
Last time out writer David Barnett gave us a good introduction to this world. Not only did we get a classic fish out of water tale, but we also saw that someone has a very close eye on young Andy Frost.
This time around Barnett delves into the Frost family as we learn about Andy's sister Aridine and the trouble she's found herself in Tibet. Aside from planting the seeds of the overarching plot, we also get to see a typical Lowborn High day. First on the agenda is a sport that looks oh-so-familiar, and Andy has been given a very tempting proposition. But will he go through with it?
Barnett and artist Anna Morozova are on to something wonderful with Lowborn High. Not only do we get a fresh take on the whole Grange Hill meets Harry Potter formula, but we also see more of Morozova's unique art style - which is never a bad thing!
Futureshocks: Into The Void
Karl Stock takes us into the far (or maybe not so far) future as the online world has started to bleed into reality a lot more than it already does. Egospace is the name of this online reality and it's where its users with find all their dreams - and memes - made into reality.
Egospace user, KNA-191 has the online job of a courier. Working for a large-suited gorilla, KNA-191 usually traffics information for those willing to pay the credits. Now KNA-191 has information that can solve the real-world energy crisis, but to get it to its destination they have to travel into the Voidance.
While some Futureshocks have a predictable twist, this is one I didn't see coming. Think more Johnny Mnemonic than Tron and you'll be on the right track.
Scooter & Jinx: The Big, Grand Soufflé Of Nothing
It's been a while since we were first introduced to Mektail Bar worker Scooter and the scoundrel Jinx. Now the dust has settled on their first "adventure" (see Prog 2256), James Peaty follows up with another fun, frantic, intergalactic escapade.
Looking for work - and following a hunch from Jinx, the duo take it upon themselves to track down missing Holo-Wood movie star Belmondo. These things are never simple, and soon Scooter & Jinx find themselves way over their heads.
Another great outing for the mismatched duo as Peaty not only continues to build upon the team dynamic, but he's also opening up more of this world. Steve Roberts also packs this universe with some weird and wonderful creatures that give everything a feeling that's straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon.
Pandora Perfect: Feed The Bird
I'm going to be a little controversial here, but I prefer Pandora Perfect as a one-off rather than a full series. Don't get me wrong, whilst Pandora's debut in the Prog was well-received, it works so much better when Roger Langridge can squeeze a madcap heist into a few short pages, rather than draw it out over multiple parts.
Back on form and master criminal Pandora Perez and her robot assistant Gort are in search of pills that can turn an ordinary chicken into something much larger. Queue plenty of jokes and a giant rampaging chicken, and then maybe Pandora may just have her work cut out for her.
It's silly, daft, and utterly bonkers, yet we wouldn't have it any other way. If Pandora Perfect is destined to stay as a "Regened exclusive" then it's the perfect strip to push these all-ages specials forward!
All in all, it's another great outing for the Galaxy's Greatest. While these special all-ages Regened Progs aren't everyone's cup of tea, they work perfectly great as an interlude to the shenanigans of the usual Prog offerings.
By showcasing work from both seasoned veterans and upcoming talent, Regened strikes the perfect balance for younger readers to discover their next comic book, and for older readers to discover something new - if they give it a chance.
Rating: 10/10
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