2000AD, PROG 2055

Writers: Michael Carroll; Pat Mills; Kek-W; Dan Abett; Gordon Rennie
Artists: PJ Holden; Simon Davis; Lee Carter; Steve Yeowell; Tiernen Trevallion
Colourists: Quinton Winter; John Charles
Letterers: Annie Parkhouse; Ellie De Ville; Simon Bowland
Publisher: Rebellion

A Siberian refinery is under attack in Judge Dredd: Black Snow. It’s a Dredd story from which Dredd himself is almost entirely absent. Instead, we are introduced to the management of a distant meteor processing facility, which is quickly attacked by a mysterious group of fighters, which appears to include a giant. With this amount of effort going into set up, expect all action next Prog, with Dredd battling in the Arctic and causing a politic incident with the Sovs. Its a competent set up, but as an opening chapter it’s difficult to judge on its own.

“Is Slaine dead in the water?” asks the by-line on this Prog’s cover. Yes. Yes it is.

In the thrilling cliff hanger to last week’s Slaine: Brutania Chronicles: Book Four: Archon, Slaine was close to drowning, overpowered by a legion of especially eely looking mermaids. As this Prog’s story continues, he’s...fine. The danger is dismissed in a single panel with the judicious use of an axe and shouting. There’s the usual pseudo-epic dialogue (“I have endurance of vengeful things”, cries the warrior, for no reason at all). Simon Davis’ art is, as always, lovely, but this ponderous story has already gone on for too long and shows no signs of ending any time soon.

Revere was a three book story by John Smith, with art by Simon Harrison, which last appeared in 2000AD back in 1994; the dream-like adventures of a witch-boy who took guidance from a floating decapitated head, struggling to survive in a scorched future London ruled by a brutal fascist government.  

Indigo Prime has drawn close connections with other stories in the Smith-verse, but the addition by new writer Kek-W of Revere and Motherhead to the ranks of Indigo Prime agents was a stunning twist that no-one saw coming. The agents battle The Nihilist, whilst the devious plot which brought them here is gradually revealed. Anything can happen here – there’s little compunction about killing long term characters, and the gloriously batty dream logic brings us a baby Cthulhu and characters like Osama Bin Obama, the monster maker of Jekyll Island. Indigo Prime: A Dying Art continues to be one of the most original and intelligent stories in comics today.

How far would you go to save your favourite curry house? Killers for hire Finnigan and Ramone have taken a dispute between restaurants to a whole new level in Sinister Dexter: Aztec Camaraderie. Its a blend of hyperviolence and comedy, with shoot-outs, exploding cars, big guns and a restaurant funded paramilitary hit-squad called the Takeout Team. Fun filled and action packed, with art by Steven Yeowell which is beautiful in its simplicity.

As with Dredd, the main character barely appears in Absalom: Terminal Diagnosis: Book One. Whilst Harry is in the hands of some unknown possible allies, his trusted companions are escorting a defecting demon across London and we are introduced to some of the dark forces pursuing them. It’s an episode which showcases characters we barely know, blends exposition and action, and again allows artist Tiernen Trevallion to shine.