Prog 1752: Big in Japan

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

Normal service is resumed. Just a reminder - I can take the prog thread any time I want, punks.

DREDD

A little one off before the chaos hits, but fabulous nontheless. Mike Carroll gives good Dredd. A classic "character" tale in my view, and so good I assumed it was by Wagner. I mean that as a compliment.

AMPNEY CRUCIS

S'allright. I find the art a bit hard to follow. It's good, yes, but I think it's a bit too kinetic for its own good. And why can't we see what's on the telly at the end? We're big boys and girls and I'd have liked a little blood.

INDIGO PRIME

Eh? I am utterly confused. Three episodes in and I have no flaming clue what is going on. I am not sure bafflement is the reaction that is expected, but that's how I feel. Despite reading the Prog for 30+ years, I just can't follow this. It's like I've walked in at the end of a party, just after there's been a fight between two spouses. Characters are mentioned as if we should know who they are, but they haven't been introduced. There's reference to an "event" cuasing difficulties for Indigo Prime. What's that, then? Again, why are we not seeing this on screen. On balance, I think this is an odd story for a jumping on prog. I'm baffled. So a new reader has no chance. Unless there is a clear explanation about what is going on, I fear bafflement will lead to apathy. The last splash page, which I think is meant to be a "ooh" moment is more a "so what?"

ANGEL ZERO

Too early to tell. Nice action, great art. But it's all a fight this week so no real story. Four pages of fab art though.

LOW LIFE

Top notch. D'Israeli's art is amazing and Dirty Frank is like a psychpathic lost child.

COVER

Wow. If I wasn't so ignorant I'd know what classic Japanese picture is being riffed on. But Dirty Frank as a Japanese hobo does it for me.

[Matt Timson]

It's not often that Dirty Frank doesn't get the best line of the prog- but "And I'm wearing a three ton bus, shithead" does it for me this week.

[Colin_YNWA]

Another Prog that by and large looks superb. Have to be honest Ben Willsher isn't by favourite Dredd artist but he does a solid job they rest from cover to back is just wonderful on the eye.

Most of the rest of the strips continue some intriguing building. Angel Zero and Indigo Prime both keep the main drive of the plot over all in the distance but both are still very entertaining. Indigo Prime in particular is great. At the moment it continues to seem like 'Casualty' set in a Universe altering institution. There are hints of a bigger story, or elements that will build but by and large its slice of life stuff, just a wonderfully leftfield slice of an astonishing life. Really enjoying. Similarly Angel Zero keeps up a lot of mystery but keeps the pace up. Both are great.

Ampney continues to entertain me more than it ever has before. Possibly as its cast aside the smaller 'investigation' element and cut to the interdimensional beastie chase.

The other two strips are just superb. Low Life continues to throw things at Frank and its simply wonderful. The Dredd is the story however stands out to me. Just brilliant. Perservely after a run of Wagner issues just what the Doctor ordered a great reflection of Dredd and a welcome break from Sov plotting and predictably incompetent senior Judges... hmm okay maybe now that second bit but still superb stuff.

The question I have then is why is this only a good Prog  not a great one. I think my expectations for 2000ad might be getting very high indeed its been so good over the last few years!

[IndigoPrime]

I just hope Indigo Prime gets a proper chance to grow this time, which will require readers to like it, Tharg to keep commissioning it, and Smith to not get bored, as he sometimes does. I always thought the series had so much potential, and there are seeds of that in this episode (although I imagine it's nonsensical to newcomers; had I been Tharg, I'd have run the primer in the Prog itself, even though it's reprint).

[Trout]

Pah. I let you take the prog thread, you smelly Weegie!

As for the prog: EVERY PANEL WAS PERFECT.

- Trout

[Bolt-01]

OMG- I didn't realise that it was Mike writing Dredd till I saw this thread. As soon as I finished Dredd this week I called Micro-Bolt over and told him to read it, too. As a character study of the man this is a classic. Well done Mike.

[DoomBot]

Ah mega program this week.

Dredd was fabulous. I didn't know he had artificial eyes. when did that happen?

angel Zero was this weeks best.
Indigo Prime good - great artwork at least - but I have to work a bit to make sense of this one just now. hopefully It'll get easier....

[Darren Stephens]

Ah mega program this week.

Dredd was fabulous. I didn't know he had artificial eyes. when did that happen?

angel Zero was this weeks best.
Indigo Prime good - great artwork at least - but I have to work a bit to make sense of this one just now. hopefully It'll get easier....

Dredd lost his eyes in the 'City of the Damned' epic, if I recall. I would agree with your summing up of this weeks issue. Angel Zero is great, love both the script (the bus scene was brillliant, heh.) and art, but for me Indigo Prime is the top thrill at the mo. Unbelievably good artwork and brain twisting Smith script. A winning combo! 

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

Could anyone tell me what picture the cover is based on? It's annoying me. I know that I should know, but I can't remember or never did (if that makes sense). Anyhow, it's been niggling since yesterday.

[The Cosh]

Could anyone tell me what picture the cover is based on? It's annoying me. I know that I should know, but I can't remember or never did (if that makes sense). Anyhow, it's been niggling since yesterday.

It's annoying me now too. Assume it's Hokusai and, given Frank's current role, most likely something from the 47 Ronin but I can't find it either.

[DoomBot]

Could anyone tell me what picture the cover is based on? It's annoying me. I know that I should know, but I can't remember or never did (if that makes sense). Anyhow, it's been niggling since yesterday.

It's annoying me now too. Assume it's Hokusai and, given Frank's current role, most likely something from the 47 Ronin but I can't find it either.

It's a nod to Hokusai without being a blatant copy. His full works are here
http://www.katsushikahokusai.org/the-complete-works-1-96-3-0.html

You can see some vague similarities. Check out the b/w fisherman sketch

[DrJomster]

Yet another very strong prog! *contented sigh*

Interested to see how Indigo and Angel develop. Looking ok so far but not quite far enough in yet to know whether we have The Awesome or not. Still ok though.

Everything else very fine though. Well done Thargy!

[Martin Howe]

It's great to see Low Life back again, though it is weird to hear the phrase Judge Frank. I liked the bit about the drunk taxi driver, though in fairness the three ton bus one was better - just.

As for things going down the toilet every time we visit Hondo City, well, that's just normal. After all, they do say everything is weirder in Japan

[Richmond Clements]

No prog for us on Saturday!

Is it late or have we reached the end of the sub already..?

[BPP]

Seems to have hit FP a few days early meaning a double-prog week for me - and what a doozy it is. Loving everything in the Prog - totally unfair to highlight anything as its all great. Burns and Davis in the same prog is a real art treat and the other artists are top notch.

Really loving John Smith just doing his own thing in IP.. am always fine with his long build-up approaches and the art helps give it an amazing completeness and consistency of world view. Its lovely. With this script/art team it could go on for 20 weeks and I'd not be tired of it.

My bank balance might not like it but already I'd be up for buy ALL of these stories in trades. Thats a sign of a top-dollar Prog.