Prog 1727 - Shakara: The Final Chapter

[Jim_Campbell]

Best prog in ages. I don't know why, but all the strips seem to be firing on all cylinders in a way that's been indefinably lacking in recent weeks.

I'm not going to do a strip-by-strip commentary, but Shakara, well, ends. But it does so in as big and bonkers a showdown as the strip demands, in a double-length episode. If the series hasn't been doing anything for you, I doubt that this episode is going to change your mind. For those of us who've been along for the ride, though, I think it should provide a fairly satisfying conclusion.

(Despair not, Henry Flint fans, there's a teaser for the new series of Zombo in the Nerve Centre, although no start date.)

Also a mention for Dandridge… I mean no slight to Warren Pleece, of whose work I am unquestionably a fan, but I like Jon Davis-Hunt's work here a lot more, it seems a better fit for the strip and I'm finding that the series is engaging and holding my interest much more for that.

Everything else, top notch. James McKay's Flesh is still proving a little problematic where the line weights are concerned, but is just chock full of movement and energy, bringing a genuine sense of excitement to the strip.

Good work from all concerned.

Cheers!

Jim

[The Cosh]

Yep. A stonking Henry Flint cover whets the appetite for the final instalment of madness and mayhem within.

Dredd wraps up a fun story nicely.

A glorious double-page spread leads into the final confrontation in Shakara before trailing off into a quiet little coda. Things are both closed and open. I'm really looking forward to digging out the Progs for a full reread.

Flesh has a roll call. And more talk of murdered prostitutes.

[JOE SOAP]

My favourite cover since the Hammersteins stormed the beach.

[Colin_YNWA]

This week everything is behind a wonderful cover that kinda sets the scene. Shakara does what is so difficult to do and ends perfectly. The last line is as you'd expect but its all wrapped up so successfully even if we're teased with the potential for more to come (though we told and know there isn't) I'd glad its ending here. Its giant, its bonkers, its just plain wonderful. It kinda reminds me of the best of Jack Kirby's writing imagination unbound and just chock full of thrill-power.

The rest of the prog is kinda in the shadow of this magnificence but on the whole is fine stuff. The only exception being Dandridge which while by no means terrible just isn't drawing me in the way it might. Its there, its fine but that's it. Dredd is a mighty fine piece of work that wraps up a fun little two parter. Flesh continues to entertain no end and I'm getting more and more into James McKay's art. The only thing I'd add is I'd like it to step off the gas soon. At the moment its this fantastic relentless dino gorefest. All good but if it continues like this we'll have no room to breathe, and more importantly nor will the characters. Its been a blistering start so I'll keep the faith.

Shakara Prog

[Mangamax]

Yep, a fantastic ending. Let it end here on a high and just leave it for the classic it is.
Or the "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" syndrome as i call it.

[ming]

Yep, great Prog.  Highlight is definitely Shakara by some way - fantastic ending to a surprisingly long-running series.  It really doesn't feel like this started back in 2001, but as Tharg said so it must be true!  Time flies, and Shakara did not outstay his welcome and ended perfectly.

Rest of the Prog was good enough, but I started with Shakara so that was a hard act to follow.  Dredd made me chuckle, Dandridge was satisfyingly mysterious and Flesh continues nicely (but I'd love to see how the original art looks vs. the apparently line-heavy printed version).  Gorehead I like.  Lots.

[Darren Stephens]

Great prog, Shakara will be sorely missed. I'd echo what Jim said regarding FLESH. The arts fantastic, but veers so close to over-rough at times. I think I love it!

[House of Usher]

That was indeed a Prog that will be remembered for years to come as a fine vintage.

10/10

Judge Dredd pulled off a neat twist, and the couch potato story didn't outstay it's (really quite warm) welcome.

The rangers vs Gorehead combat in Flesh was action-packed stuff. The comedy branding was an inspired touch and I didn't notice the payoff until I read it a second time. The one thing I wasn't sure about was the extensive list of disloyal employees. They must have much better employment rights or stronger trade unions in the 23rd century than we have at present, seeing as we're moving closer and closer to 'at will' dismissal all the time.

Shakara was absoluteless sublime. Can't say much more about it than that. 2000ad perfection.

Dandridge is a nicely satisfying supernatural headscratcher. It's food for the frontal lobes.

Cautiously looking forward to the return of The Red Seas.

[JUDGE BURNS]

Damn that postman......damn him to HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

No prog delivered at all today

gonna have to wait til monday from my thrills........

[Dark Jimbo]

Best prog of the year, no question.

[House of Usher]

Damn that postman......damn him to HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

No prog delivered at all today

And my copy arrived in perfect condition for once, in part due to protection afforded by my Megazine subscription and my copy of Strontium Dog - The Final Solution from Amazon.

[DrJomster]

Yet another very good prog this week!

Yes, I'm going to miss Shakara but with things firing in all cylinders so well I'm also looking forward to the new thrills.

Can I just say I'm really glad Dredd turned out ok. After the last page last week with the Sino guy who looked like something out of a Marvel comic I was getting worried about what this week might bring. Thankfully it all turned out a lot more 2000AD than Marvel! #closeone

I wonder if there are plans for more double length thrills on occasion? Not just for grand finales but perhaps for first episodes or key stages?

[The Cosh]

I wonder if there are plans for more double length thrills on occasion? Not just for grand finales but perhaps for first episodes or key stages?

They've been doing it on a fairly regular basis for years.

[DrJomster]

I wonder if there are plans for more double length thrills on occasion? Not just for grand finales but perhaps for first episodes or key stages?

They've been doing it on a fairly regular basis for years.

There haven't been all that many of late though have there? Unless my memory circuits are on the blink again, that is... ;-)

[House of Usher]

I predict that next Prog will have either a Future Shock or a double-length opening segment for The Red Seas.