Review by Luke Williams
Warning : Spoilers Ahead
Its summer (occasionally) and the 2000AD Sci Fi Special is here again. Your reviewer is glad that the Mighty One resurrected these extra little bonus packages of seasonal thrillpower, one off strips united by a theme, or a crossover. Billed as “Stories From A Sideways Universe”, what it is in reality is a package of paired off and mashed up 2000AD strips. This isn’t the first time Tharg has pulled this stunt, but it has been a few years since the last one. Tharg’s Sci Fi Special’s have travelled a rocky road over the past few few years, so the prospects for this one weren’t good.
So, what we get is Judge Johnny Alpha of MC1, Zombo’d Harlem Heroes, SD Agent Friday hunting the traitor that betrayed him; Stickleback prowling the Red Seas and the one no one has waiting for wise cracking Robo Hunter meets and puntastic Sinister Dexter.
Despite the cynicism, this is actually a great bundle of stories.
Judge Alpha works surprisingly well, writer Karl Stock pulling out all the stops to explain why a mutie can wear a Judge’s shield, whilst also heavily referencing and condensing one of Strontium Dog’s most beloved stories, while artistic accomplice Ben Willsher reminds everyone what an asset he is to the house of Tharg.
In Robo Sharks an aged and bitter Sam Slade mentors Ramone Dexter whilst Finnigan Sinister for the most part is out of sight in a 10 pager that borrows from the movie They Live. Dan Abnett writes a good Robo Hunter (though no more revivals. Please) Tharg wisely commissioned droid Anthony Williams who has extensive experience with both strips to supply the art.
Rogue / Dog, features by the much derided (but also poorly served) Friday incarnation of Rogue Trooper and is the second of the Strontium Dog mash ups. Friday is a search destroy agent out for revenge accompanied by the spirits of 3 fallen comrades. With its “western” setting and despite references to the original GI strip, its more Stront than Rogue. Rising starNicolo Assirelli supplies bold and unfussy art ably assisted by colourist Jack Davies
Scribe Ian Edginton has his own universe of interconnected stories within the Prog, and there are existing connections between Stickleback and the Red Seas, though not as direct as this. Stickleback is a pirate captain on the hunt for another pre existing macguffin in the “Edgiverse”. Along the way a few other old favourites pop up, cue lots of blood, treasure hunts and betrayal. The story is great, but Paul McCaffery’s art is astonishing. McCaffery’s work has an animation cel look, redolent of early Frank Quitely . Beautiful work.
Harlem Zombos sees the welcome return of Al Ewing to TMOs Nerve Centre, temporary though it may be. Ewing and artist Boo Cook play this strictly for laugh, poking fun of the concept of the strip, breaking the fourth wall and with a suitably cop out ending all the while referencing ancient 2000AD history. Cook was born to draw comedy zombies, especially ones with jetpacks.
The logic behind the pairings is sound, the integration of the universes doesn’t feel that forced and its all nicely tongue and grooved together. Yes its nonsense, but don’t take it too seriously and you’ll have a blast.
Get the new hardback ComicScene Annual and the ComicScene Special Edition here. . Also available Tara Togs and Raising Amy.
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