Wednesday 7 August 2013

Review: 2000AD Prog 1843 - Under Pressure


It's time for our weekly 2000AD review - this time a bit late. But don't worry, Prog 1844 will be reviewed tomorrow. In the meantime, strap in for some undersea terror, gun-wielding mother-funters and a massive codpiece.


Dredd's in deep trouble in Scavengers part 2 as Mega-City One's finest brave the murky depths of the Black Atlantic in order to put an end to Bobby Darin's nuclear-based threats. Judge Berkeley is far too peppy for his own good, earning him a verbal burn from ol' stoney face. The crew have a wrestle with an angry cephalopod and the ocean claims its first victim, all before they reach the sunken Luna-2 and discover that things have become a little complicated. We have some great pacing and action, coupled with that dreamy art by Critchlow - this is Dredd at its finest.


Mrs Hopkins leads into this week's Defoe with a chilling recount of her witch-hunting past and a reminder of her puritanical nature, but the tone drops significantly in a panel where Gallow-Grass shows off his codpiece (an heirloom, no less). While the gang are slaying reeks left, right and centre, Defoe denies the Faustian pact. But when a shocking truth is revealed it looks like it's all back on the cards. There's some awesome dialogue, including this gleaming nugget from Dante: “How dare you, Sir? We can’t be Satanic. We’re British.” Hilarious.

Sin/Dex: Witless Protection is hotting up with the capture of Mr and Mrs Right. The feds have found them and are holding them at gunpoint but Ray's not going to make it easy for them. Oh, and an old friend drops by. About funtin' time. While last week was fine, this episode is finally getting things warmed up again. Let's see what happens.

The Grey Witch Rowan continues her pursuit of Keira with utmost bloodiness in Age of the Wolf III. She's on board the wolves' vessel and is persistently chopping up these dogs like it ain't no thing. It gets a little bizarre when they send pups after Rowan and the wolf art is still a bit off, but the story brings a simple, if visceral, tale that's entertaining if a little shallow.


Which brings us neatly to The Ten-Seconders: Godsend, where Paul Malloy has become a god and proceeds to remake the world. Less ground-action this week and more swirly metaphysics. What could come after this? After all, Malloy's all-powerful now, right? Don't worry, the sweet Edmund Bagwell art will make you forget all about it. Amazing.

*****


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