Comic Cuts - 17 January 2020

Shortly before Christmas, I took a trip to the doctors for one of those NHS Health Check visits where they measure your weight, blood-pressure, cholesterol levels and plug the information into a formula that tells them (and you) if you need to make any lifestyle changes to reduce your chances of a heart attack or stroke.

Well, most of my results were OK... I'm overweight by quite a large margin, but my blood pressure was fine and other results were within the boundaries of where they needed to be. The only one that wasn't was my "good cholesterol" levels. If you're under fifty, you might not be aware of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) which absorbs the bad (or low density) cholesterol (LDL). Well, my levels of HDL had crashed since my last MOT and this caused the formula they use to give them their numbers to rank me far higher on the "at risk" scale than I expected.

Long-time readers will know that I started taking walks and doing a bit more exercise when I put on weight after giving up smoking and lost one-and-a-half stone, although it bounced back by half a stone over the next few months. That was around 2013-14 and my weight was roughly the same until 2018. I managed to lose that during last year and I'm hoping to lose a few more pounds in the coming months—I'm currently a pound heavier than I was just before Christmas, having put on three pounds over the December/January holiday period.

The ratio of HDL to LDL meant that my numbers were skewed and automatically meant another appointment with a doctor. Which I attended, to be told that it was probably nothing to worry about and that the low levels that day were likely to have adjusted themselves naturally. But to properly check what was going on I needed a blood test, which I had earlier this week.

My last experience of someone taking blood was as a blood donor. This was many years ago and the nurse popped a needle in, drew out some blood, and then couldn't get the needle out again. I've no idea why, but she had to get a colleague to help her.

I mentioned this while the doctor was getting ready to do the same this time, more as a way of distracting myself than as a warning—I have a healthy fear of needles and pain. After jabbing me a couple of times, the doctor announced that she couldn't get the needle in the vein and had to switch arms. The next attempt worked perfectly.

From which I can only conclude that my left arm is possibly dead, as there seems to be no blood flow. It still moves around, which might mean it's a zombie arm.

Which made me wonder whether there are other zombie arms out there. One search of the internet later... blimey! You can get zombie arm earings on Etsy and Tesco does a severed arm decoration. One review: "A good fun realistic size zombie arm, currently on top of the cistern in the downstairs loo ready for tomorrows festivities."

Other reviews of severed arms from Amazon: "It was better looking than I expected, I didn't have high hopes but it's brilliant for the price", "Worked a treat but dog chewed the end and stuffing had come out", "I had purchased two Goth silver rings for my fiance for Christmas and wanted to wrap and present them accordingly. I thought the traditional little jewelry boxes were a tad lame so I opted for placing them both onto the fingers of the severed hand and then wrapping the whole thing up", "So what arrived was not the arm pictured here. The one I got is small, the size of a child's arm and isn't as nice quality as the picture", "I got a piece of very cheap, thin, pink plastic the size of a small child's arm that had been dipped in red food dye at some point", "You know when you buy something and wish you hadn't? This is one of those times."

That's enough of that. But talking of dead, my tablet is deceased. It is no more. And it doesn't even have lovely plumage.

It was killed by a Windows 10 update. The best explanation I've heard is that there was enough space to download the update, but not enough room to actually install it. It is now trapped in a cycle of turning itself on and turning itself off and I cannot (nor can anyone else) figure out how to factory reset the machine. Thankfully there was nothing of any importance on it, but I'm stuffed if our internet goes down again, as it was my only way of communicating with the outside world (see Comic Cuts passim).

Vale tablet. You died too soon... actually just too late as the warranty ran out in December.

On Sunday, I wrote a short introduction for the Johnny Future reprint that Rebellion are publishing in April.

Here's Rebellion's promo for the book:

‘The Missing Link’ - a creature of limitless strength, is drawn to Britain in pursuit of an expedition party he encountered in his homeland. The man-ape causes havoc until he accidentally stumbles into an experimental nuclear research facility and is bombarded by radiation. Instead of killing him, the creature evolves into an advanced human.

Now possessing a genius mind, super-strength, enhanced senses and the ability to fly, as Johnny Future he protects mankind from such sinister beings as The Master, Disastro, Animal Man and the Secret Society of Scientists.

Apart from the visit to the doctor, I've spent most of the week working on the new index that Bear Alley Books will be publishing next month. I'm digging deep into the creators of Rocket, the 1950s SF comic, and have found some curious connections between the various artists and editors of the paper. I'm still gathering notes, although I've written up a couple of sections and the index is pretty much done. I've also been reading a couple of books by Paul Brickhill which tie together a lot of the creators. All will be revealed shortly.

Rebellion Releases (2000AD)

Rebellion Publishing has announced the upcoming release of a new graphic novel line focusing on the indispensable stories of the greatest lawman of the future, beginning with a blistering tale where the terrorists want only one thing – democracy!

Perfect for new readers and retailers, the Essential Judge Dredd line of graphic novels will focus on the key stories that have established and confirmed Dredd’s place as one of the most complex and nuanced characters in comics.

The first collection in the new line, Essential Judge Dredd: America, includes work by John Wagner (A History of Violence), Garth Ennis (Preacher), Alan Grant (Batman), Colin MacNeil (Judge Dredd), John Higgins (Watchmen), John M Burns (Modesty Blaise), and Jeff Anderson (Transformers).

Out in September 2020 and retailing at £19.99 / $25, this 160-page paperback in larger format (276mm x 210mm) collects the America storyline, which focuses on the lives of ordinary citizens living under Justice Department’s despotic system.

Time drew childhood friends America Jara and Bennett Beeny apart, but when they reunite Beeny discovers America has become involved with the terrorist organisation ‘Total War’. This dark and complex tale is considered to be one of the best stories to ever come out of the Judge Dredd universe.

Now contextualised with contemporarily-thematic stories, the collection will also feature new colour by renowned Watchmen colourist John Higgins.

The series continues in November 2020 with Essential Judge Dredd: Origins, the unprecedented epic that sees Wagner and Ezquerra return to tell the origin story of their greatest creation.

Ben Smith, head of Rebellion Publishing, said: “Not only is America one of the most amazing Judge Dredd stories ever told, this incredibly prescient look at the demands society must make for democracy and what a state will do to protect itself couldn’t be more contemporary. This is not only the ideal first story for any reader new to Dredd, it’s something everyone should read in this year of all years. Make sure you read it before you vote, citizens!”

This week's Rebellion releases.

2000AD Prog 2164
Cover: William Simpson
JUDGE DREDD: KILL BLOOPY by Kenneth Niemand (w) Dan Cornwell (a) Jim Boswell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
BRINK: HATE BOX by Dan Abnett (w) INJ Culbard (a) Simon Bowland (l)
PROTEUS VEX: ANOTHER DAWN by Michael Carroll (w) Henry Flint (a) Simon Bowland (l)
THE ZAUCER OF ZILK: A ZAUCERFUL OF SECRETS by Peter Hogan (w) Brendan McCarthy (a+c) Len O'Grady (c) Jim Campbell (l)
FERAL & FOE by Dan Abnett (w) Richard Elson (a+c) Joe Elson (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Judge Dredd Megazine 416
Cover: Andrea Mutti

JUDGE DREDD: PLUNDER by Michael Carroll (w) Karl Richardson (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
DEVLIN WAUGH: A VERY LARGE SPLASH by Ales Kot (w) Mike Dowling (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
BLUNT III by TC Eglington (w) Boo Cook (a) Simon Bowland (l)
ZOMBIE ARMY: LAST RITES by Chris Roberson (w) Andrea Mutti (a) Matt Soffe (c) Simon Bowland (l)
LAWLESS: BOOM TOWN by Dan Abnett (w) Phil Winslade (a) Jim Campbell (l)
Features: 2020 graphic novels, Third World War, Zombie Army: Last Rites, Interrogation: Matt Soffe
Bagged reprint: Judge Dredd: Blaze of Glory

2000AD unveils its graphic novel line-up for 2020

From folk horror to sci-fi fantasy mash-ups, from new series to old favourites – 2000 AD’s graphic novel schedule for 2020 is a high-octane blast of the very best in comics!

Leading the way in encouraging younger readers to pick up the comic book habit is 2000 AD Regened (September) with a collection of all-ages re-imaginings of the legendary anthology’s greatest characters by creators such as Alex De Campi, Alec Worley, Chris Weston, and Neil Googe.

This year’s list combines the best of 2000 AD’s newest output while presenting old classics in fresh ways, including a new Collector’s Edition of Pat Mills and Simon Bisley’s seminal industry-changing Sláine: The Horned God (May) and revisiting the beginning of John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s mutant bounty hunters Strontium Dog with Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy (June), a sumptuous hardcover featuring restored colour pages.

Science fiction with a twist has been 2000 AD’s raison d'être for more than 40 years and two collections this year reinforces the comic’s place at the bleeding edge of sci-fi publishing - Kingmaker (April) by Ian Edginton and Leigh Gallagher, which brings an alien invasion crashing into a Tolkien-esque world, and the fourth volume of Dan Abnett and Richard Elson fan-favourite epic Kingdom (February), with more dark secrets uncovered by dog soldier Gene the Hackman.

There’s plenty to keep those who enjoy horror happy too, with the break-out folk horror hit of Thistlebone (December) by Tom Eglington and Simon Davis, Guy Adams and Jimmy Broxton’s 1940s magic noir thriller Hope ... Under Fire (August), and a new collection of 2000 AD historical slasher classic Fiends of the Eastern Front (October) with new stories from Ian Edginton, Dave Taylor, and Tiernan Trevallion that take arch-vamp Captain Constanza to new conflicts.

For fans of the greatest lawman of the future, the latest hit Judge Dredd stories from 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine are collected for the first time, with John Wagner, John McCrea, and Colin MacNeil’s Judge Dredd - Mechanismo: Machine Law (March) while Rob Williams and Chris Weston introduce a Judge even more deadly than Dredd himself in Judge Dredd: Control (July). Meanwhile, the best-selling Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files series continues publishing the law in order with Volume 35 (May) and Volume 36 (September)

And as part of 2000 AD’s mission to introduce new readers to its greatest character, the brand new Essential Judge Dredd series launches in September with two books revisiting the most important stories from more than four decades of Dredd – Essential Judge Dredd: America (September) and Essential Judge Dredd: Origins (November).

“Our books for 2020 really are the best of old and new,” said senior graphic novels editor Keith Richardson, “and reflect the fact that 2000 AD continues to produce the best comic books out there. Whether you’re a veteran fan or a new reader looking to dip your toe in, from prestige editions of classics like Sláine: The Horned God and Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy to new series like 2000 AD Regened and Thistlebone, we’ve precision-engineered this year’s schedule to make sure there’s something for everyone!”

Kingdom: Alpha and Omega
Dan Abnett, Richard Elson
ISBN: 9781781087534
6 February (UK)
UK £15.99 // US $19.99
Pages: 144 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

The latest collection of 2000 AD’s latest breakout success from the mind of New York Times bestselling SF and Warhammer author Dan Abnett! A high octane wide-screen action series, perfect for fans of the films Aliens and Dog Soldiers! After dragging Gene to their faltering cryogenic space station and abandoning his pack to the swarming insect “Them”, the masters are how holding Gene in idyllic V.R. suspension. Rescued before execution by an old friend, and joined by a terrorist working to undermine the master’s grip on the world below, Gene forms a tenuous alliance. The three must work together to infiltrate the master’s security systems and steal the codes to their massively destructive arsenal. But Gene might not be prepared for what else he finds…

Judge Dredd - Mechanismo: Machine Law
John Wagner, John McCrea, Colin MacNeil
ISBN: 9781781087541
5 March 2020 (UK) 3 March 2020 (US)
UK £10.99 // US 13.99
Pages: 96 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

A buddy cop tale like no other! Man and mechanismo, on the mean streets of Mega-City One. The next chapter in the legendary Judge Dredd epic, penned by incomparable Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner! With art by renowned DC Comics artist John McCrea (Deadpool, Wonder Woman), this is the new blockbuster collection from Judge Dredd’s co-creator. With Mega-City one eating Judges faster than they can be replaced, the Justice Department prepares once more to trial a radical solution for their manpower shortage: The Mark-8 RV Mechanismo unit, robotic judges programmed to deal with everything the city can throw at them. Judge Dredd has never hidden his feelings on robot Judges, but the responsive, resilient and ultimately expendable machines may be the answer to the justice department’s problems. Dredd is ordered to put aside his prejudices and conduct an assessment with one of the latest models, nicknamed HARVEY…

Kingmaker
Ian Edginton, Leigh Gallagher
ISBN: 9781781087572
2 April (UK) 7 April (US)
UK £14.99 // US $19.99
Pages: 144 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

The Magic is Gathering! The inhabitants of the nine kingdoms fought hard to liberate their world from the tyranny of Ichnar the Wraith King. Little did they suspect that a greater threat would soon fall upon them in the form of the Thorn – a race of aliens intent on stripmining all of the magic from the world. Now old enemies have formed an alliance - Wizard Ablard, ork Crixus and the dryad Princess Yarrow have set aside their differences and are seeking to use the Ebora world spirit against the invaders… The first book in a thrilling post-modern fantasy action saga, written by one of 2000 AD’s modern masters Ian Edginton (Scarlet Traces, Brass Sun).

Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 35
John Wagner, Alan Grant, Gordon Rennie, Richard Elson, John Higgins, Ian Gibson, Siku, Ben Willsher, Colin MacNeil, Kevin Walker, Paul Marshall, Cam Kennedy, Carlos Ezquerra
ISBN: 9781781087541
14 May 2020 (UK)
UK £19.99
Pages: 304 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

The latest in the smash-hit, best-selling graphic novel series! Almost half a million copies sold! The floating multi-story metropolis of illegal delights known as “Sin City” has anchored outside Mega-City one, and Dredd has seemingly been sent aboard to keep what order can be kept on a lawless floating city. His real task? Locate Ula Danser, the De-Megification terrorist determined to destroy the Mega-Cities at any cost! But Danser isn’t working alone - Dredd’s old enemy Orlok is coming to meet her, and he’s carrying a cargo intended to pay back everything Dredd did to East-Meg one - with interest! The latest in the world-wide best-selling, flagship 2000 AD graphic novel series which has become a perennial classic. Includes artwork by some of 2000 AD’s very best, including Cam Kennedy, Ian Gibson, Carlos Ezquerra, and Marvel artist Kev Walker!

Sláine: The Horned God Collector's Edition
Pat Mills, Simon Bisley
ISBN: 9781781087626
28 May 2020 (UK) 26 May 2020 (US)
UK £19.99 // US $24.99 // CAN $33.99
Pages: 208 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

Rediscover one of the most influential graphic novels ever, with the Sláine: The Horned God - Collector’s Edition. Timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of its first publication, this new, larger edition of the bestselling 2000 AD collection, written by industry visionary Pat Mills, features the groundbreaking fully-painted art of comics legend Simon Bisley. One of the most popular stories ever published in the pages of 2000 AD, The Horned God is a heady mix of Celtic mythology, extreme violence, and beautiful artwork. As well as Mills’ fascinating characters and saga-like storytelling, the stunning enormity of Bisley’s work on the series cannot be understated, with epic battles and vast landscapes evoking everything from the work of Frank Frazetta to Gustav Klimt. This deluxe collector’s edition returns us to the mist-wreathed realm of Tír na nÓg, the ancient land suffering under the dominion of the Drunes; strange druids who have poisoned the land with their magic. Sláine has had enough of their tyranny and, through the Earth Goddess, he learns some shocking truths about the priesthood and his own future. Now Sláine must unite the four kings of Tír na nÓg and use their mystical weapons as he and the Sessair tribe prepare for all-out war!

Strontium Dog: Search & Destroy
John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra
ISBN: 9781781087657
26 June 2020 (UK)
UK £19.99
Pages: 144 // Hardcover
Order from Amazon.

The earliest adventures of one of 2000 AD’s greatest series - Strontium Dog - are to be reprinted in colour for the first time in decades. Reprinted with its original colour pages, Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy is a sumptuous hardcover 144-page collection collecting the origins of John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s hard-hitting story of prejudice and violence. Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy brings back into print one of the seminal series of British comics, a science fiction Western that merges everything from time travel to a trip to Hell itself. This new collection is a must for fans and collectors alike, restoring this series to its rightful place as one of the key series in the annals of British comics. Originally published in Starlord, 2000 AD’s sister comic, these early stories had a profound effect upon readers, including future film director Edgar Wright. After the comic merged with 2000 AD, Johnny Alpha quickly became a fan favourite character and Strontium Dog remains one of the most iconic strips in the history of British comics!

Judge Dredd: Control
Rob Williams, Chris Weston
ISBN: 9781781087770
9 July 2020 (UK) 7 July 2020 (US)
UK £14.99 // US $19.99 // CAN $26.99
Pages: 128 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

Writer Rob Williams follows up his smash hit Judge Dredd: Small House with a brand new collection that sees him at the mercy of Judge Pin - his most sinister opponent since Judge Death! The psychopathic SJS Judge murders officers that fall short of her standards, and Judge Dredd is in her sights in this collection of stories featuring flesh-eating Kleggs, hijacking ape gangs and out of control war robots reprogrammed by insane accountants in tales ranging from deathly serious to outrageously funny, all from one of the most popular contemporary Dredd creative teams - Rob Williams and Chris Weston. Entirely drawn by Weston, the talented artist for DC Comics (The Filth), Image (Ministry of Space) and Marvel Comics (The Twelve), this storyline is a game changer for the Dredd universe.

Hope ... Under Fire
Guy Adams, Jimmy Broxton
ISBN: 9781781087718
20 August 2020 (UK) 18 August 2020 (US)
UK £9.99 // US $9.99 // CAN $12.99
Pages: 64 // Paperback
Order from Amazon.

The second volume of the dazzling 2000 AD debut – mixing Hollywood noir and occult magic! In an alternate post-war 1940s Los Angeles, where dark magic is a fact of life, Mallory Hope is a private detective haunted by his past…and by the occult forces he uses. An inspired new classic in the making, a stylish supernatural detective noir for fans of The Fade Out (Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips) and the novels of Raymond Chandler, James Elmore and Dashiell Hammett.

2000 AD Regened
Alex De Campi, Alec Worley, Chris Weston, Neil Googe
ISBN: 9781781088135
27 August (UK) // 25 August (US)
UK £10.99 // US $13.99
Pages: 96 // Paperback

Your old 2000 AD favourites break out with an all-new all-ages bumper adventure package! 2000 AD Regened is a one-off, bumper, all ages instalment of the Galaxies Greatest Comic! Join Cadet Dredd in three astonishing adventures (one of which is brand new for this collection), discover how Johnny Alpha became a Strontium Dog in ‘Trial Run’ and meet the teenage intergalactic bounty hunter and her family in ‘Full Tilt Boogie’, plus many other new takes on old favourites!

Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 36
John Wagner, Gordon Rennie, Andy Diggle, Henry Flint, Ben Willsher, Ian Gibson, John Ridgeway, Mick McMahon, Jim Baikie, Simon Fraser, PJ Holden, Carl Critchlow, Staz Johnson, Carlos Ezquerra
ISBN: 9781781087695
3 September (UK)
UK £19.99
Pages: 304 // Paperback

The best-selling Judge Dredd graphic novel series continues with the most popular crossover story in its history! Mega-City One – a nightmarish enclosure located along the Eastern Seaboard of North America. Only the Judges – powerful law enforcers supporting the despotic Justice Department – can stop total anarchy running rife on the crime-ridden streets. Toughest of them all is Judge Dredd – he is the law and these are his stories... Judge Dredd has brought countless monsters to justice but now the ultimate killing machines, cinema’s most famous xenomorphs, surface in Mega-City One and it may well be more than the Justice Department can handle! Features action-packed stories from some of 2000 AD’s greatest, including Carlos Ezquerra (Preacher), Mick McMahon (Hellboy, Slaine), Ian Gibson (Halo Jones) and Henry Flint (Haunted Tank)!

Essential Judge Dredd: America
John Wagner, Garth Ennis, Colin MacNeil, John Higgins
ISBN: 9781781088609
September
UK £19.99 // US $25 // CAN $34
Pages: 160 // Paperback

Beginning a brand new series of essential stories from one of the greatest ever comic characters, the Essential Judge Dredd is the perfect jumping on point for new readers! In Mega-City One, the Judges are the law – acting as judge, jury, and executioner. But how do the citizens really feel about a system where they are powerless? America Jara and Bennett Beeny grow up as best friends, living a fairly trouble-free life in a dangerous city… bar the odd, negative encounter with a Judge. Time draws them apart, and when they are brought back together, Beeny is a successful singer and America has become involved with a terrorist organisation known as Total War, which has the Justice Department in its sights! This dark and complex tale is considered to be one of the best stories to ever come out of the Judge Dredd universe. Now it has been contextualised with contemporarily thematic stories and recoloured art by John Higgins (Watchmen).

Fiends of the Eastern Front
Gerry Finley-Day, Carlos Ezquerra, Ian Edginton, Tiernen Trevellion, Dave Taylor, Dave Kendall
ISBN: 9781781087749
October
UK £19.99 // US $24.99 // CAN $33.99
Pages: 176 // Paperback

Sink your teeth into the collection of the classic supernatural war stories from the pages of 2000 AD - now expanded and updated! Buried deep underground are the remains of Wehrmacht soldier, Hans Schmitt, and his diary, which journals his eerie encounter with the Romanian Captain Constanta and his platoon of blood-sucking freaks! Back in 1943, with the Russians willing to fight until their last man in order to defend Stalingrad, Panzergrenadier Richter discovers Constanta’s secret and learns than sometimes your allies can be just as dangerous as the enemy! This fiendishly-fun collection features the breathtaking art of Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd) and Colin MacNeil (America, Chopper: Song of the Surfer), with stories from Gerry Finley Day (Rogue Trooper), David Bishop (Thrill-Power Overload), and recent classics from Ian Edginton (Stickleback, Scarlet Traces), and Dave Kendall (Fall of Deadworld), that takes the blood-soaked story of Constanta back into history!

Essential Judge Dredd: Origins
John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra
ISBN: 9781781088630
November
UK £19.99 // US $25.00 // CAN $34.00
Pages: 192 // Paperback

The origin of Judge Dredd, and the Mega-City One Justice system – This is Judge Dredd: Year One! An unusual delivery is made to the Grand Hall of Justice, a package that will force Dredd to lead a mission into the Cursed Earth and into the darkest recesses of the history of the Judges and Mega-City One... In this acclaimed epic, history is written by Dredd co-creators John Wagner (A History of Violence) and Carlos Ezquerra (Strontium Dog) with a special introductory tale featuring the art of Kev Walker (ABC Warriors: Khronicles of Khaos). Now presented as part of the Essential line of Judge Dredd stories, this book is the ultimate introduction to the Judge Dredd universe.

Thistlebone
Tom Eglington, Simon Davis
ISBN: 9781781087787
3 December (UK)
UK £12.99
Pages: 64 // Hardcover

The first volume in an all new creepy folk-horror series, beautifully painted by the popular Sláine artist Simon Davis! England, 2019. The secluded rural village of Harrowvale holds a dark past — that years earlier, on a farm bordering the vast tracts of woodland, it hosted a cult that was seeking to escape civilization and find purity in the old ways, namely worshipping an ancient deity called THISTLEBONE. Led by the charismatic Jasper Hillman, their pagan beliefs grew ever more radical to the point where they held the young Avril Eason captive with the intention of sacrificing her. But Avril escaped.

Comic Cuts - 10 January 2020

Well, wasn't that fun? I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. I had a fine old time with family staying over Christmas. I hadn't seen my sister for some while as she doesn't live locally, so it was greeat to catch up with her. We had a bit of a house full because she had three dogs in tow. It was nice to be met with a waggy tail every morning. (I'll leave you to make your own jokes.)

New Year was spent at a friend's house chatting about life, the universe and everything, with a pause at midnight to welcome in twenty-twenty—the year of perfect vision. In China it's the Year of the Owl.

Only kidding. It's actually the year of the metal rat, which immediately brings to mind Harry Harrison and his Stainless Steel Rat saga. I really ought to dig those out to read.

One glitch in the festivities occurred soon after New Year when my tablet informed me there was a Windows update. After two days attempting to update, all it does now is turn on and immediately turn off. It was doing it for five hours before I figured out how to do a hard exit to turn it off. Tried rebooting it a couple of times with exactly the same result. And I have no idea how to do a factory reset as the manual doesn't offer that information and all online advice refers to a silver button... there is no silver button on the tablet!

With the usual zeal of a new year, I've started having another clear out. I spent too long last year trying to sort out boxes of stuff, especially old magazines, which meant that we were living in a bit of a tip towards the end of the year. I've just realised that the last photo I posted was just before Christmas and everything was still a mess. To the right you'll see a picture taken on Christmas Eve after the clear-up operation was complete.

Looking forward, we have to move two shelves in the near future, so that gives me a target... as each shelf is around a yard wide, I'm going to try to clear out ten yards of books. I'm concentrating on modern authors as I can reasonably easily replace them should I need to at any point, either with physical books or e-books, but I'm going to swing the axe hard and get rid of everything by them. First authors for the chop have been Ian Rankin and Frederick Forsyth, not for any reasons relating to the quality of their work but because they were the two authors I could see taking up shelf space as I looked down through the office to the far shelf. As that's where a lot of crime novels live, expect to hear of a few other very good authors being culled.

I'll be listing some of the books for sale through Bear Alley, and some I might put up on Ebay.

I spent a couple of days shelf clearing to get myself off to a good start, but it has had to take a bit of a back seat as I've started work on another little index, this one covering the 1950s tabloid SF comic, Rocket. It only lasted 32 issues, so I'm hoping to have it finished in reasonable time. I've found a few things that don't seem to be common knowledge, so I'm pleased to think that I'm bringing something new to the project.

I've also been asked to write a short introduction to an upcoming Rebellion collection. It's only a little 'un. It's a shame, really, as I've always tried to make the introductions a big part of the titles I've worked on in the past. My Frontline UK had 16 pages of material over four articles, as did my Arena reprint. One of the articles in the latter was about this history of – and future of – gladiatorial games and the televising of violent future sports which included the suggestion of texting #thumbsdown to have a contestant murdered. There you go, Black Mirror. That one's for you.

I hope you enjoyed the Tug Transom strip over the Chrismas and New Year holidays. It struck me that I haven't done enough of these for the past couple of years. I'll have to dig out some more and see if I can come up with any obscurities to tease you with.

Commando 5295-5298

Japanese soldiers versus crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island, Foreign Legion duels to the death, terror on an isolated sea fort, and a coward in the cockpit! All in brand new issues of Commando — out today!

5295: Ramree Massacre

Kate Dewar returns for her second-ever Commando tackling chaotic scenes on Ramree Island. The small number of Japanese soldiers defending the island were up against it. Bombarded by the Royal Navy on the beaches, then forced deep inland by British and Indian soldiers, they had no choice but to venture further into the inhospitable mangrove swamp. But the British and Indian soldiers waiting for them outside the grove were nothing compared to the horror that awaited them in the murky waters…

Plus full bleed pages and a double-page spread from Vicente Alcazar, and a striking cover from Neil Roberts!

Story: Kate Dewar
Art: Vicente Alcazar
Cover: Neil Roberts

5296: Bayonet Fighters

Dirk Lassiter was a French Foreign Legion veteran signed on for five years because the British Army was too peaceful. But, in 1939, with war looming, the Englishman was looking forward to joining up. Then, when his German rival Bauer challenged him to a traditional ‘Duel by Bayonet’ on his last day in the Legion, Dirk won the duel easily, but he would soon learn that what he did in the Legion would follow him into the war.

Story: E Hebden
Art: R Franch
Cover: Penalva
Originally Commando No. 678 (1972).

5297: Fog of War

Private Bill Tasker was army through and through, so he was a tad surprised to find his latest posting on the middle of the blinkin’ sea on what looked like a bully beef can on stilts! In fact, Bill was one of the handful of men on a top-secret sea fort named Blackland Sands which was tasked with protecting Blighty from V-1 rockets and E-boats. But Blackland Sands was about to receive some unwanted guests dressed in Nazi camo!

Story: James Swallow
Art: Khato
Cover: Keith Burns
 

5298: Coward’s Battle

Pilot Officer Harry Benson was a coward — no bones about it… or so he thought. The Fairey Battle pilot had the wind up him after becoming the only survivor of a bombing raid that went awry. But a stint with hard-as-nails Sergeant Parker and the French Resistance were about to challenge the cowardly flyer to show his true colours — whether he liked it or not!

Story: CG Walker
Art: Salmeron
Cover: Cox
Originally Commando No. 1477 (1981).

Tug Transom part 19

Rebellion Releases (2000AD)

“Unashamedly polemic in its approach, and touching on everything from environmental politics, to food monopolies, to state surveillance, 3WW pre-empted the obsessions of current online activists by some quarter of a century” – Ian McQuaid, Ransom Note

One of British comics’ most politically conscious series is to be collected in its entirety for the very first time!

Using brand new scans of the original artwork supplied by the family of the late Carlos Ezquerra, in 2020 the Treasury of British Comics is publishing the definitive collection of Pat Mills and Carlos Ezquerra’s highly-political comic book classic of global capitalism, rebellion and exploitation – Third World War.

Eve is unemployed after leaving university and is immediately conscripted as a soldier working for a corporation and discovers just how South American countries are being exploited to create food needed to feed the increasing population for their profit under the guise of western paternalism.

Running in Crisis from 1988-1990 and including work by Angie Kincaid and Matt “D’Israeli” Brooker, Third World War is suffused with economic, political, and social issues, and deals with ever-more-prescient issues around capitalism and global politics. Ezquerra’s painted colour artwork is a highlight of his long and distinguished career.

A truly anti-establishment graphic novel, unlike anything else published by the Treasury of British Comics so far.

NEW 12-ISSUE "BEST OF" MONTHLY

Best of 2000 AD #1 launches in April 2020, a 100-page anthology of full-colour stories in US-format for the direct market!

The first new major monthly title from the British publisher in almost 30 years, the first issue boasts a brand-new cover from Jamie McKelvie (The Wicked + the Divine) with the entire 12-issue volume featuring design by highly-acclaimed designer Tom Muller (House of X/Powers of X).

Behind the cover, the first issue will feature comics by John Wagner & Colin McNeil (Judge Dredd: Terror), Gordon Rennie & Simon Coleby (Jaegir: Stragoi), Alan Moore & Ian Gibson (Halso Jones), Dan Abnett & INJ Culbard (Brink) and Henry Flint (Tharg's Alien Invasions). With 100 pages to fill, the stories are given plenty of space – the Dredd runs to 50 pages – and is "precision-engineered to be accessible to a whole new generation of comic readers. Every issue is 100 pages, headlined by a self-contained Judge Dredd adventure and supported by a selection of 2000 AD's stand-out series." Mike Molcher, Rebellion's PR guru, describes it as "for new and curious readers; science-fiction fans who love their comics dangerous and thrilling but have never read 2000 AD ... The ultimate gate-way to the Galaxy's Greatest Comic."

And now, a roundup of this week's releases from Rebellion...

2000AD Prog 2163
Cover: Richard Elson

JUDGE DREDD: KILL BLOOPY by Kenneth Niemand (w) Dan Cornwell (a) Jim Boswell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
BRINK: HATE BOX by Dan Abnett (w) INJ Culbard (a) Simon Bowland (l)
PROTEUS VEX: ANOTHER DAWN by Michael Carroll (w) Henry Flint (a) Simon Bowland (l)
THE ZAUCER OF ZILK: A ZAUCERFUL OF SECRETS by Peter Hogan (w) Brendan McCarthy (a+c) Len O'Grady (c) Jim Campbell (l)
FERAL & FOE by Dan Abnett (w) Richard Elson (a+c) Joe Elson (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Third World War by Pat Mills & Carlos Ezquerra
Rebellion 978-1781-08751-0, 9 January 2020, 208pp, £19.99 / $24.99. Available via Amazon.

Using brand new scans of the original artwork supplied by the family of the late Carlos Ezquerra, this definitive collection of Pat Mills and Carlos Ezquerra’s groundbrreaking, highly-political comic book classic of global capitalism, rebellion and exploitation is collected in its entirety for the very first time!
     ‘Third World War’ is suffused with economic, political, and social issues, and deals with ever-moreprescient issues around capitalism and global politics. Ezquerra’s painted colour artwork is a highlight of his long and distinguished career. A truly anti-establishment graphic novel from the late 1980s, this is unlike anything else published by the Treasury of British Comics so far!
    A limited edition hardback is available through the 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics webshop.

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