The Forbidden Planet International Blog

In February 2012, for the 35th anniversary of 2000AD, I made a pledge:

“But here’s a deal for you. If you’ll do it, so will I. 2012 will be the year I read 2000AD. 2012 will be the year YOU read 2000AD.”

Thing is, since we’re now moving towards the end of many of the strips in here, there’s not really that much I can tell you without spoiling the fun of it all.

Sure, I could tell you about Brass Sun and the way in which it’s all turned from beautifully realised super-techno fetishists dreamworld of cogs and automata to a tale of political and religious machinations. Or I could simply show you this and go wooooo….

(Brass Sun by Ian Edginton and INJ Culbard)

I could wax lyrical about Pat Mills coming up with the simple idea of prime ministers going into single combat in the episode of ABC Warriors, except it was actually a Frankie Goes To Hollywood video and presumably someone else’s idea before that. But at least it was an interesting enough start and Langley’s art, all black and white and organic, feels just a little like John Hicklenton here. And that’s never ever a bad thing. Similarly he’s delivered a great cover image. I like his static stuff, and I like his b&w stuff, sadly it’s the comic stuff I don’t like too much, especially when it goes hideously computerised.

But as for the cover story – the whole retelling/origin of the Ro-Busters gang? Well, to this novice it seems impossibly rooted in the past, uninteresting, talking to only those who’ve been here all along, nostalgia without merit. No, still don’t like ABC Warriors. You have been picking that up all along, yes?

(ABC Warriors by Pat Mills and Clint Langley)

And then I could talk about the manner in which Dredd, Lowlife, and The Simping Detective are all proving wonderful storylines, both in themselves, and as a greater over-arching storyline.

I could tell you how despicable Judge Bachmann is, how we were right all along about the fact that Dredd was onto her plans (see The Simping Detective panel here in 1806 for an idea), and that in turn means Dredd might have plans of his own – or at least ties to some un-Justice dept. resources of his own? (I’m trying to be as vague and un-spoiler-y as possible here). Again, we have the idea of this being the long game, the pieces moving around their chessboard, everyone playing their own games…..

(Judge Dredd by Al Ewing and Henry Flint)

I could tell you how Bachmann’s actions in moving everything on has potentially earth-moving consequences for both Dirty Frank in Lowlife and his current sojourn on the moon and Jack Point in The Simping Detective, who may be joining Frank very soon. I could talk about the wonderful way it all threads through the three strips, and careful re-reading each week reveals more and more, especially if you take time to go back and look again for things you missed.

I could tell you how Frank gets all the funniest lines…

(was worth a try – Low Life by Rob Williams and D’Israeli)

I could tell you how Jack Point’s life is somehow managing to get even more complicated…

(The Simping Detective by Simon Spurrier and Simon Coleby)

….. but I wont. I hope you’ve heard me bang on about all these week after week to think this may well be a great time to jump into 2000AD.

Frankly, part of me wants this to keep going as long as possible, part of me can’t wait to get to the ending. The six writers and artists just haven’t really put a foot wrong yet. I can’t see them blowing it now….. quite brilliant.