Comic Book Review - 2000 AD Prog 2363

Lawman of the people! 

What better way to start 2024 by ploughing into the ‘Thrillverse’ with another helping of 5 tales from the House of Tharg.  With 2000 AD heading into its 47th year, the Galaxy’s Greatest is showing no signs of “middle-age”. So sit back, grab a bar of munce, and join me as we delve into the first Prog of 2024. 

And it’s all under a quite frankly ridiculous cover by Steve Austin. Could we already be seeing 2024’s cover of the year? 

After the bumper-feative Prog that saw out 2023, Prog 2363 takes us back to the usual suspects that have made up the order of running over he’s last half dozen weeks. That schedule is all too soon to change  as we get a third series to slow-burning horror, Thistlebone, and another look into the political side of the Justice Departmtne courtesy of Rob Williams. 

But for now, we’re with the usual suspects. And what better way to kick things off with a Mike Carroll Judge Dredd!

Judge Dredd: Vox Populi (Mike Carroll, Silvia Califano, F. Segala, S.del Grosso, Annie Parkhouse) 

Latin for “voice of the people”, vox populi is quite an apt title for this done-in-one Dredd. Taking place over a few months we follow reporter Jinty Pink as she’s thrust unwillingly into the limelight. From saving Judge Dredd from the sights of a wannabe assassin, our “hero” is soon appearing on the Meg’s top chat shows to talk about her success. Trouble is that Jinty isn’t as pro-Judge as she’s made out to be, and over the following  six-pages Carroll turns her into quite the protestor. 

Considering this whole adventure is done in just six pages, Carroll crams plenty of story into them. It’s a great look into the simmering pro-democracy/pro-Judge politics that are ever present - even if they’re not the current focus. Califano’s art compliments the story well, and allows Carroll’s rapid-tale to flow from scene to scene. All in all, a very strong start to 2024!  

Helium: Scorched Earth - Part 12 [Final Part] (Ian Edginton, D’Israeli, Simon Bowland) 

Well, it’s been a rollercoaster 12-parts that’s features some brilliant storytelling from Edginton. Even though I hadn’t experienced the first series, Rebellion soon caught us up to speed, and it’s certainly helped in exposing us newbies into Edginton and D’Israeli’s steampunk influenced world. 

On paper this final chapter acts as a subdued epilogue to the whole series. However, Edginton gives plenty of hints or foreshadowing to an inevitable third outing. It’s full of setting up Helium’s future, while giving its present a superb closing. 

Much like their work with Scarlet Traces, Edginton and D’Israeli are a pairing made in heaven. Both writer and artist work with a great synergy which brings each page to life with an emphasis on both story and art work. 

The Devil’s Railroad - Part 11 (Peter Milligan, Rufus Dayglo, Jose Villarrubia, Jim Campbell)

Palomon and Constance have really had quite the journey to get to where they are. Their battle in reaching the sanctuary of Earth has been a hard fought struggle that’s seen the lovers face the consequences to some questionable decisions. With the disheveled duo on the verge of breaking up, it’s just one more nail on the Devil’s Railroad. And with the threat of Sister White (and her obsessive Son) on the horizon, Palomon and Constance still have any other fight on their hands. 

Rufus Dayglo has been on fire throughout this series, and here is no different. The veteran artist manages to capture the intricate emotional states to his cast, to then mix things up with absurd sci-fi the next. It’s bloody brilliant, and perfectly captures the essence to Milligan’s story.  

Enemy Earth: Book Three - Part 4 (Cavan Scott, Luke Horsman, Simon Bowland) 

Their globe spanning journey seems to be nearing its end as Zoe and her group finds themselves in India. Not one to let sleeping dogs lie, Scott introduces a new enemy in the form of General Huang who’s appointed himself head honcho of the Indian government’s scientific research base. Huang also drops quite a bombshell that the Earth’s trouble is actually a precursor to a planetary invasion from an alien invader…what! 

While Horsman delivers with his art, Cavan Scott’s story seems to run away from him. While I’m sure the scribe has a few twists and turns up his sleeve (just look at what he’s doing with The High Republic!), pitching an alien invasion seems to be playing it safe. Even if Huang attempting to utilise the mutated flora and fauna against the unseen threat adds a bit of depth to proceedings, we all knows he’s going to meet a grizzly end before it pays off. 

My loyalty to Scott is still high enough to see Enemy Earth through, and it’s certainly come on leaps and bounds from its Regened debut. However it seems that it’s speeding from one situation to the other with no real goal in sight. It’s also something I’m hoping I’m proved wrong about!! 

Feral & Foe: Bad Godesburg - Part 12 (Dan Abnett, Richard Elson, Jim Campbell) 

Rapidly becoming the epicentre to a whole swarm of nasties, Godesburg could become the final resting places for Bode and Wrath. Not only do they have to contend with a whole horde of bloodthirsty monsters clambering at the cities walls, they’ve also discovered that Sloke - or rather his skull - is drawing them all in. 

Que a whirlwind ride in a less-than airworthy hot air balloon, and a happy ending might just about be in reach for the hapless duo. But I wouldn’t count on it! 

Dan Abnett continues his madcap fantasy adventure with a lot of snappy dialogue, and great banter between his characters. I’ve always said that Feral & Foe feels like a friendly game of Dungeons & Dragons that’s gone horribly off script, and that still rings true here. Abnett continues to be a master of his craft and with Feral & Foe he’s showing just how far his range of storytelling goes! 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on X/Facebook @GeekCultureRev, TikTok/YouTube @Geekculturereviews, and BlueSky @geekculturereviews.bsky.social