1339 - Bad to Verse.

[DavidXBrunt]

Nice cover, been waiting to see another artists interpretation of one of the Cabals, and this is a good one. Clint Langley seems better at covers than strip art for some reason.

Dredd - Good story, some nice twists along the way. Have we seen 'blur masks' before? Nice artwork that might be overshadowed by the incidental details in the background, but nevertheless good stuff.

Cabalistics - Trotting along nicely. Interesting moments such as the 'two questions' people always ask of Chapter and Verse. The demon thingy saves the day again, but this time there's a witness, so that should lead somewhere very interesting indeed. And just so things don't get too predictable the split teams mean that not everything can be solved by a magic get out clause, clever that. Hadn't realised how into Ravnes 'research' I was until he didn't appear. Artwork is again perfect for this strip, the demons are as wierd as they should be, and the regulars nicely drawn out. I'm going on again aren't I? Stop me next time.

Interceptor - New characters and new revelations, this continues to be enjoyable stuff.

A.B.C. Warriers - Deus x story suddenly appears in the mix, what's the betting that we WILL see Hammerstein hitting himself on the head with his arm. Most interesting thing about this tale so far, for me, has been the Shadow team and we didn't meet any more this week. By the time they're all introduced this book'll be over if they don't get a move on.

Snow/Tiger - Well written, very well drawn, I'm getting converted to this tale more and more.

[Matt]

I've finally made the decision to sell off my 2000AD & Megazine collection to a better home. Frankly, 20 years worth of progs just takes up too much space and when I've never been arsed enough to read any issue more than once, I can't see the point in clinging on to them. The problem is, I haven't got a clue where to start. So, can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't reckon walking into a comic shop with boxes of progs is going to get me anywhere, I'll probably end up flogging them on the internet. but where's the best place to look?

[paulvonscott]

ABC getting better and better, Mek-Quake into conspiracy theories?  Me like.  This Deus X sounds like he could be Deadlocks counterpart.  Best story consistantly for me, you can call it old school, I call it zarjazz, the spirit of 2000AD.

(As a side note, I'm not taking this as evidence for the whole diggle/mills broohaha, which as the sorry spectacle it was, you can only point at like a ghastly road accident.  If some good has come of it, maybe it's been to spur mills on to try and reach the heights of some of his previous 'suc' and 'ex' cesses)

Dredd, I have a nasty habit of looking at the name on the credit box before I start reading the strip, like people in oldey worldy times used to look at the entrails of animals and try and divine the future.

A wagner and there will be good times ahead, a rennie and the signs are optimistic, an ennis I'm about to be vomitting my liver into a bucket, where it will be diddled by a sweary demon and a morrison...  could be in for a spot of bother... but, perfectly decent stuff!  Sorry Robbie!  No need to worry.  Mind you, that cadet HAS got a problem if you ask me.

Cobbleristics, with each episode it gets deeper into the business, and the story grows.  Acknowledgement of the cackness of phrased partner names was good.

Interceptor, it's almost a little too fast paced for me, I am getting on you know, but it's good, the art is nice.  Havn't got to grips with it yet.

Havn't really read snow/tiger yet, I'm glad people are enjoying it, there's nothing wrong with it, it's just not my thing.

[Tiplodocus]

Another thoroughly enjoyable prog.  Tharg, kindly pass on my thanks to all of the creative droids involved (and keep a few thanks for yourself).
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ABC: Contrary to PVS, ABC was actually the worst bit for me.  I still sort of enjoyed it but I thought the exposition about DEUS X was badly handled and that some of the dialogue was very clunky.  

CABALthing: I thought the way that Mister Rennie provided some exposition through chracter dialogue was much better than the way Mills did it.  Can I say it again, I really like Caballisticbusters. It's funny, it's scary, it's got great art. It deserves a twelve week run with perhaps some solo spots for each character.

DREDD: Agree with PVS that the rookie in DREDD has got a problem (I do the credit box thing as well but the only RObbie Morrison DREDD I remember was RELENTLESS which I kinda enjoyed) but it was good tale well told and I'm looking forward to part two.  Think th art is absoultely fabtastic - I'm a sucker for lovely clean lines and lots of background detail (even if I never got a name check, sob).

INTERCEPTOR: Like the fact that the GILES' granny is one of the baddies. Was unclear as to whether the other agents can see the baddies as aliens or not?  Again I liked the use of bad "backstory" dialogue ("She used to be a special forces medic")  being used as a stepping stone for a joke.

SNOW/TIGER - is this going to end up like asylum? Nice set up deteriorates into fight after fight after fight?  STill I'm enjoying it so far.  And the art is grrreat. (Tiger. Grrrreat. Do you see what I did there?)

Who needs an input page when you have above average thrills every week? Not me.

[paulvonscott]

"Contrary to PVS..."

Are we to be subjected to these kind of insane rants on this board all the time!  

"Agree with PVS..."

Listen to this man, he knows his stuff.  We need more sensible posts like this.

I must confess I only think I've ever read Robbie Morrison's Crack Baby story, which for me was a bit ack!  Unfair to judge on one story I know.

[Tiplodocus]

Heh Heh.

Oh and it looks like Dom Reardon has included another deliberate mistake for us to spot on page 1 of Caballistics Inc.

[Slippery PD]

driving an import???? :-)

[Slippery PD]

I like Clints covers, I think he should do more. Thats 2 good Callabalistics covers

Dredd - Nice story.  Nice art.  Love the nme checks.  Oh and I got in again, brilliant.  

Cabalistics - Has Mr Renniebeen itching to tell this story, each episode is a revelation.  Like an Onion (its got layers)
 
Interceptor - This is chugging along nicely but I do feel there is something missing.

A.B.C. Warriors - Deus x = third shadow (end of episode title), nice old skool thrill.

Snow/Tiger - Guns death and Nazi's well it has to be top notch!!!

[captainskank]

Excellent cover and another great prog.
Why can't the Meg covers bee this good.
Since the relaunch of the Meg I can't say I've seen a cover that would make the average punter pick it up.

[Leigh S]

Great prog n all -

Dredd: Not bad stuff - Clean art needs this level of detail to avoid an empty and clinical feel (see last weeks prog).  My only gripe is that Robbie Morrison once again uses rape as a threat - The number of times hes used it has gone beyond distasteful now.

Crabstickallistics - didn't see that coming - So will the Cabs keep themselves a useful pet demon, or is Jenny for the chop? AIEEE!! My theory is that 'Dom' is similarly possessed: this explains his unfamiliarity with such human concepts as cars, books and spelling! :)
Other than the deliberate mistakes, the art is still improving - the graveyard scenes were nicely done.

Interceptor - still confusing/interesting... 3 parts in and this could still go either way (The Granny doesnt make much sense here, but maybe more will be explained next week)

ABC - You can pick holes in this but the bottom line for me is its enormous fun, which is something Pats work has been missing a loooong time.

Snow/Tiger is more by the books gung ho stuff - solid enough - for some bizarre reason its spy tech angle reminds me of a much less silly Angel or MACH1 (MACH1 versus the nazis  - lets do it!)


BUT WHERES MY MEG???!

[Queen Firey-Bou]

Dredd, interesting tale, but will have to read again due to getting exited / distracted by looking at certain details, why wasnt i name checked ? eh eh eh! so what is the rookies problem? call me thick... well no don't...

interceptor; loving this, the pace is great, so's art.

cabbalistics; loving this too, just when i want to pick holes, it does funny things like the names dialogue, see her smirky face, great touch, i never notice stuff about cars & books at all.

ABC; i dunno, i want to like it, i do, i mean i love the warriors, but i feel i'm reading a self consious parody of something, its jumping around so much, yet nothing happening " ah ha, i know, this is that long winded thing wotsit that i shall explain to you against a half hearted backdrop of a battle"

snow/tiger; happy happy joy joy, can i join the fan club please & gush pathetically & psychopantically in Mr Diggle & careys direction?

[captainskank]

Didn't get my Meg either.
But being on the wall makes up for it being late.

[Capt.Zeep]

Nyarks! No wall for Zeepy either, but great to see others up there ;)

Cabs ;Funny that Dom rectified his earlier spelling mistake, but I'm still sure it's two "b"s and one "t" ! Great story, and that churchyard demon is *so* a spoat gider! Jenny rocks my world.  Go prim lady!

Interceptor: crash bang wallop Phillip K. Dick, I like it.

Ah well. must go sleeeeep.

[Oddboy]

By the time they're all introduced this book'll be over if they don't get a move on
It's almost as if you've read Pat's mind (or his script) - you don't think they'll actually do anything else this book, do you?
ABCs was quite dull this week, which was a shame because the story overall is pretty good.

Snow/Tiger - rattling along nicely, not much more to say about this really... I'm enjoying it. (Bou - the fan club is over at Diggle's Delphi message board, there's probably a link from his website)

Dredd - Good good so far; yes the rookie might be a bit hot-headed, but these perps nearly wrecked his appraisal.  The walls the walls!!  Was the Gary Wilkinson the name plate of his nextdoor neighbour? &  I got two! mentions, YAY!

Cable-car-on-sticks, Inc. - Fandabbydoozy! I'm still loving this story.

Interceptor - Great fun, I WARNED YOU ABOUT THE BOYFRIEND!! I knew he was up to no good.  I'm getting scarily passionate about this story in a kind of soap-opera obsessed way...

Yeah, didn't even notice the lack of Input until I read Mr Tips comments a moment ago - and he's right: when the stories are this top notch we don't need a letterspage.

Florix grabundae to The Mighty One!

[Proudhuff]

Cakes have layers!

Dredd: What the Cadets problem, maybe he was in on the kidnap? Nice to see Dredd a bit reflective, maybe Rennies right time for new boots
Minor gripe...Threat of rape, again? deja vu, why couldn't he threaten to take the kid away?

Cabbleandstitch Ink, cracking stuff nicely British-comic, ( didn't like the cover -I read this on the bus!and it looks well silly)

Interceptor: great dialogue but too many pantie pictures, would Steve Puch draw Dredd himself in this 'Sunday sport' style? Hmmmm nice idea...

ABC, Nice disregard for 'Floppies', chat a bit clanky though, but I'm sure PM will deliver a good yarn...

Snow /Tiger great stuff, am I the only one who has a niggling thought, 'By eck! those guards are pretty wide awake considering they are in the middle of nowhere, the middle of a guard duty ... and don't your eyes and tongue pop out when your strangled?

Pedantic ProudHuff