Villordsutch reviews 2000AD Prog #1904…
Borag Thungg Flickering Myth and 2000AD readers and welcome to the 2000 AD Prog #1904 review in which we have no new stories starting this week and all of our tales are all fairly bedded in, so without any further ado we’ll march on with them…
Judge Dredd – Block Judge
As Dredd attempts to investigate the rather brutal murder of a Gilbert George – a supposed brilliant psychic – who’s respected by a number of businesses, Dredd’s current role of being Block Judge is draining his time away from this main case as he deals with minor issues including children taking other children hostage in the Block School, and obese athletes stuck in doorways and blocking hallways; this and the Block Courts having to sort out noise problems caused by music being played too loud to hide the noise of small farms being created.
John Wagner pens this piece and manages to show that a Judge’s life isn’t always about saving Mega-City One or the World, nor is it a heroic deed done daily (not that Joe would see it that way), we also get to see in this episode the way Dredd’s mind ticks; he may not appear to be focused on the case, but at the back of his helmet he’s quietly working away.
Stickleback – The Thru’Penny Opera
A beautifully grotesque tale delivered from Ian Edginton (Brass Sun & many others) with even more beautiful art from D’Israeli as our bunch of misshapen avengers edge closer, gaining more clues and information – which namely in this episode are around the Three Sisters. Joining Stickleback is a fantastical freak called Timothy Tongue, who using his a lash like tongue disarms the wicked Lord Ackroyd before he can get a shot off from his gun; it’s Lord Ackroyd that spills the beans on the Three Sisters to Stickleback and Co.
Greysuit – Prince of Darkness
As I was reading this what crossed my mind was two things – either 1) Pat Mills wrote this or 2) this person is very much inspired by Pat Mills. Going back to check the writer’s name afterwards the former was correct. The great Pat Mills himself has returned, he has put his pen to this work and it shows because you’re hooked as the story progresses through each panel; from the opening conversation of the bungled hit being on YouTube and as we follow the dialogue relating to this assassination of the “thorn in the side” you’re enthralled. This is why the two thoughts crossed my mind as I read it. To add to this fantastic writing we’ve got the excellent artwork from John Higgins who is a seasoned 2000AD artist. You really can’t go wrong here with Greysuit.
Ichabod Azrael
This was the one that didn’t do it for me for as both the story and art as both came across as lacking in something special. As our heroes are left swinging from the gallows, the beast slowly makes its way towards them swinging meat cleavers; however a shadowy Native American cuts both heroes free – with a couple of well fired arrows – giving Ichabod the chance to fight again and save the town. As said the story from Rob Williams in this episode isn’t at its strongest. In his defence it is a fight scene and they aren’t great for being good character builders but what really pulls it down however is the artwork from Michael Dowling, which for some reason looks rather messy on occasion rather empty.
Kingdom Aux Drift
Unfortunately for me this issue ends on another fight scene, however we do get a slight moment given to allow Gene the Hackman to be built as a leader. I also say slight as this episode feels like it’s over in a matter of seconds! It’s apparent that Dan Abnett didn’t have much to write for this week’s Kingdom story but the real work fell onto the laps of Richard Elson and Abigail Ryder who have made this strip look rather excellent.
Most zarjaz of the week
It’s clear from above that my story of the week is Greysuit from Pat Mills and John Higgins which is an excellent comic from two masters in their field.
An enjoyable 2000AD this week and worth its cover price with so off you pop and buy it. Splundig Vur Thrigg!
Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children. Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.
Originally published October 22, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
