Rob reviews 2000 AD Prog #2295...
With the next instalment Regened hitting stores next week, Prog #2295 is the calm before the all-ages storm. It's just the four strips this week as we get a double helping of Brink as 'Mercury Retrograde' reaches its shocking conclusion. And if you think that Dan Abnett's space opera is a bit too long in the tooth...well this episode may change your mind!
And if to solidify the fact, check out that INJ Culbard cover!
Away from Brink and it's the same line-up as before. Judge Dredd teams up with Moe Hallam for another tongue-in-cheek tale - 'Naked Lunch', Nolan is the last one left in 'Skip Tracer: Valhalla, and finally there are more rumbles in the toxic jungle in 'Jaegir: Ferox'.
Judge Dredd: Naked Lunch
Ken Niemand is back for another perusal into the weird and wonderful side of Mega-City One. This time it's returning character Moe Hallam who's still living with that handy mutation of having x-ray vision. Still working security at the Shinebrite Mall, Hallam is soon to have another run-in with a certain Judge.
This time Hallam and Dredd investigate a bomb threat at the hottie hotdog convention - you couldn't make it up!
It's all fun and silliness as Niemand take the unlikely duo of Hallam and Dredd on a sausage-filled quest across the mall. Away from this and Dan Cornwell does a superb job in managing to keep Dredd's modesty covered, and Jim Boswell has the unenviable task of colouring it all!
Skip Tracer: Valhalla - Part 9
Remember a few issues back when the plan was to simply infiltrate the Cube and investigate the Blackstar's influence? Well, it's all gone downhill since!
Nolan now finds himself as the last person standing and as such is now facing the "Valhalla" chanting zombies on his own. Still a few floors from his destination, it's not looking good for our resident Skip Tracer.
Meanwhile, his deceased companions have all ended up in Valhalla, which is just as mysterious as the entire plot. As I've said before, James Peaty is working towards an end goal. And while it's not clear what that goal is, it will all become clear as we head towards that final part.
I've mentioned before how this Skip Tracer arc has been a blast so far - and it has. While the whole series isn't going to win awards for the most involved 2000 AD strip - it has surprisingly been my go-to strip over the last few weeks. It's a simple classic sci-fi strip that's packing plenty of action within its pages.
And who else is comparing 'Valhalla' to a certain Karl Urban film?
Brink: Mercury Retrograde - Part 24 (Final Part)
24 episodes down and 'Mercury Retrograde' has reached its finale. While a few of the 2000 AD collective have questioned the length of this instalment - it's been bloody good storytelling from Abnett and Culbard.
As for the ending? Well, you'll have to experience it yourself. And if like me, you'll go back to the start and read the entire Brink saga from the beginning.
With 'Mercury Retrograde' Abnett not only broadens our understanding of the main events of the series but he's also opened up the Brink universe for more of these "filler" stories. It's been a brilliant 24-part story that's not only seen Maslow slowly uncover the wider conspiracy, it's also managed to answer a few questions from the opening chapter.
INJ Culbard also continues to impress with his artwork. Throughout this bumper finale, there are plenty of visual delights that blur the line from Brink just being a sci-fi thriller. Whether it's Maslow scuttling through the mysterious ducts, or out in the wider Hab, Culbard makes it feel real - no matter how absurd Abnett's script gets.
So, with Maslow's journey concluded what's next for humanity? Hopefully, we don't have long to find out.
Jaegir: Ferox - Part 5
The 'Apocalypse Now' feeling continues as Kapiten-Inspector Atalia Jaegir of the Nordland State Security Police is finally face-to-face with General Kurgan.
However, all isn't as it seems as the General believes that Nu-Earth has turned itself into a wasteland due to Mother Nature's need to drive off the warning Norts and Southers. Demigod, or war philosopher? Well, Rennie hasn't divulged. But to the Nort Atalia Jaegir, Kurgan's doctrine could be the solution to finishing off the Souther once and for all.
Meanwhile, Atalia's Nort allies are continuing with their mission to enter the Miasma, and if that isn't enough - a group of Souther's are on their way to rescue the captured GI.
Gordon Rennie, alongside Simon Colby, and Len O'Grady continues to show a different side to Nu-Earth with 'Ferox'. Gone are the drab wastelands that made Rogue Trooper so synonymous, and in their place is a vibrant jungle - with a very toxic trait.
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