2000AD - it's back!

I know, I know, it hasn't really been away, but the website that us fans used to know and love has. But now it's back, with creator and strip databases intact and it's like an old friend has returned to hearth and home after months travelling the globe.

And to top it all, prog 1650 (this summer's jumping on issue) is stunning. When Shakara first came out I thought it was a one-trick pony, but how wrong I was. I love Henry Flint's alien designs on this strip and Robbie Morrison manages to surprise us once again.

Then there's Kingdom, by Dan Abnett and Richard Elson. What not to love there, from Them, to Gene the Hackman getting whet, to the ruins of Sydney? And of course Judge Dredd by John Wagner - the master wordsmith - illustrated by Colin MacNeil - the master pensmith.

So, what are you waiting for? Check it out now!

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Yesterday I received my subscriber's copy of Judge Dredd Megazine #282 and was just blown away by the cover.

I am a huge fan of Colin MacNeil's art and actually own a few pages of his (some painted 2000AD strip and a few black and white ink washes from the sadly missed Warhammer Monthly). I've also met the guy and he's a top bloke. If I ever get into writing comics again, I would feel honoured to work on a story with him.

Anyway, the cover promotes the Dan Abnett-scripted Insurrection, which is now the first thing I read on opening the mag. It's basically Dan does Space Marines, only in Dredd's universe, and Colin's style is identical to that he finished up with on the Warhammer Comic. But that's probably, in part, why I love it so.

And general consensus of opinion appears to be that this is a classic in the making. Another reason would have to be the CATT* units that appeared this week - a wonderful piece of inspired design by Colin.

So for the time being I'm getting a regular fix of Battlefleet Gothic-inspired war-fleets, Mega-City Judges in power armour and a good old-fashioned Warhammer 40K future war story, beautifully rendered by one of my favourite artists in my monthly dose of Megazine-styled Thrill-power.

If you've not seen it for yourself, check it out here, or alternatively wait for the bound-to-be trade paperback, to be published in a year or so.

*Combat All-Terrain Transport.