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Last Wednesday’s issue of 2000AD was special not just because I don’t think any serialised comic has ever had an issue one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one before, but also because it’s the 36th anniversary for the prog. To celebrate, the issue features some Judge Dredd, a little Strontium Dog, and a new Brian Bolland cover what looks like this:

With 2000AD now available digitally, more Yanks are able to read it than before – but if you haven’t had a chance to try it yet, I’ll give you a brief explanation of what it’s about. 2000AD is a weekly anthology magazine, which features roughly 4-5 different stories, all of which are around 5-6 pages long at a time. As such, each story is completed over the course of perhaps a month or two, with the more successful strips – Judge Dredd, mainly – then continuing on for the next story immediately afterwards. It’s focused on sci-fi and action, with an emphasis on futuristic dystopias and things getting blown up.

The Bolland cover is one of only two concessions this issue makes to the 36th anniversary for the magazine, with the issue being business as usual. Judge Dredd is the first story – here telling a prologue story setting up what seems to be the next big storyline starting next week – followed by four other strips all midway through their respective stories.

The second concession is a celebratory letters page (what better way to celebrate?) at the end of the prog, which actually tends to be one of my favourite parts of any given issue. 2000AD is edited by an alien called Tharg, who speaks in neologisms and likes to threaten and celebrate the readers simultaneously. It’s, erm… you get used to it.

Of the stories contained in this issue –

Pat Mills and Patrick Goddard’s ‘Savage’ is currently at part 8 of the ongoing storyline, although it seems quite easy to pick up – future dystopia, resistance fighters trying to hit back at the Government, and so on. The most distinguishing part of this story is actually Goddard’s art, which keeps moving from influence to influence in my eyes, whilst remaining something of his own. At times you can see what appears to be aspects of Brian Bolland and Howard Chaykin, mixed with a bit of John Cassaday too. It’s a thoroughly expressive style, and Mills has caught onto it nicely, setting up some character moments for Goddard to excel at.

Ian Edgington and Simon Davis are the artistic team for Ampney Crucis Investigates. Again, I think I can fill out the basic gist of the story, even though we’re currently at part ten. And again, the art somewhat overshadows the story, with Davis offering a surprisingly vivid colouring of his own work which creates a tripped-out vibe to the story, making it feel dreamlike and almost etherial. This is a big fight scene, and the colouring helps push the reader along despite a few moments where the storytelling itself is a little obtuse and hard to follow along.

More confusing is Edginton’s second story in the issue, The Red Seas, with artist Steve Yeowell. This story is also ten parts into the story – and it makes no attempt to hide that. I was rather locked out of this strip, with a storyline which doesn’t explain the circumstances the characters are in, or differenciate the leads. Yeowell’s art is nice, but doesn’t help the reader follow the story – there’s a moment where a rescuer suddenly appears to help the heroes, but Yeowell puts the character in the background, without any distinctive detail on their face to make them recognisable. There are also a few issues with perspective, as far as I can tell. It’s sketchy, and probably best left to people who have read the previous nine parts.

Strontium Dog closes out the issue, a long-running 2000AD character written by John Wagner and drawn by Carlos Ezquerra. Much like in Ampney Crucis, this is a fight issue, with the main character in the middle of some kind of mutant vs humans war. This is classically Wagner in tone and style, with some fun jokes mixed in with a strong sci-fi lean. Lots of violence and warfare, some stirring speeches, and a very quick read indeed. It’s a fun final strip, although it does fly by very quickly.

And finally, a word on Judge Dredd, who opens the issue. This story serves as a prelude to whatever might be coming up over the next few months, and writer Michael Carroll does a good job in setting up something interesting. The impact of the story is due to a very strong last page, which delivers a really interesting cliffhanger for next week’s issue, but Carroll also manages to evoke the style of Judge Dredd whilst throwing in some of his own jokes and ideas. It’s a nice opening piece, drawn entertainly by Andrew Currie, with colours by Chris Blythe.

Annie Parkhouse and Ellie De Ville have been in charge of lettering 2000AD for a long time now, and they both have an excellent grasp on each story, serving the narrative whilst allowing the art to show off the characters and stories. They’re the unsung heroes of 2000AD, so I just wanted to, y’know, sing about them a bit.

2000AD issue 1821 is business as usual for the prog – an entertaining mix of stories and art styles, with a string of high concept ideas and great gags. It’s also amazing how easily most of the stories allow a reader to jump in fresh, without being too confused by what’s going on. I’ve been jumping on at random points for a few months now, to see what’s going on, and every time I find myself enjoying the majority of the stories, no matter where their narrative is or what I’ve missed out on prior. Really, that seems to be the success of 2000AD – after 1821 issues, it’s still offering something for everyone.

Steve Morris is… trying out one of these things where you self-promote yourself after an article you wrote. I have a webcomic! It’s called Stardark City. It’s lovely and I hope you might want to read it maybe sometime? You can also shout at me on Twitter, @stevewmorris. 

Here then, as promised in yesterday's post: Johnny Alpha, back in the land of the living.


If you missed it yesterday over on Scotch Corner, here's my Durham red piece mocked up into a prog cover.


And The Johnny Alpha one too.

Well, last month I was delighted to be invited to contribute once again to Scotch Corner, the Caledonian Comic Artists Collective who're celebrating their blogging birthday this month with a series of guest slots. I'm am amongst some seriously talented folk contributing, too many cool people to name have already contributed - and there's more to come!

Previously, I've submitted Bat-world pieces to their guest slot: a Harley Quinn, a Joker, and a Catwoman, but no surprises, it is 2000ad that I have turned to on this special occasion. Specifically the world of Strontium Dog, and as is usual for me, I gravitated to the girl in the gang - Durham Red.


You can see the full coloured version of that over on Scotch Corner. Also note the edited hand... after I'd inked it, and saught the advice of trusted indivduals, I felt this version was too claw like.

If you like this, then please come back tomorrow as I'll be posting up a piece that celebrates the return of Johnny Alpha, in fact, the resurrection of Johnny Alpha and his imminent return to the prog - as trailered in prog 1742, see the prog or ECBT2000ad for the details!

Now in Technicolor!

I'm just about done on the Wizard of Oz, Judge Dredd and Johnny Alpha cross-over commission.


There's still a decision to be made over the final dialogue though...

I've been working on a commission for another member of the 2000ad forum.
Ian Leonard asked if he could have a Johnny Alpha and Judge Dredd team-up, where those two bad boys were surrounded by mutants and zombies etc, but also including characters from the Wizard of Oz!


These are the cleaned up inks ready to colour.


The raw scan shows through where I've printed out a 'blue-line' version of my digital 'pencils'.

Here's a few stages of development, including the proposed dialogue on the first.

Check it out... Zarjaz and Dogbreath get promoted in the Nerve Centre in this weeks' prog (1681) with a special mention for Teen Wulf written by Rich Clements, centre spread colours by Vicky Stonebridge and lettered by Dave Evans (and drawn by me, as if you didn't know already!).


I consider it the highest praise indeed that his majestic greenness chose to mention our strip and if you haven't already, I suggest you do as The Mighty One says and visit The Quaequam Blog for all the info!

Once again my good lady and I are moving, this time hopefully though will be the last move for a long, long time! Internet will not be hooked up for a couple of days and so, this might be the last post for a while!
To tide the old blog over then, here's another teaser for that Teen Wulf strip.


The page this comes from was an absolute joy to do, I'd devised an interesting panel layout and I think it really worked.
I've just seen Vicky's final version of the colours for the double page spread too... it's gonna be pretty special when that issue of Dogbreath is released at HiEx...

Ahh, some news has been reported on thequaequamblog about my involvement on a fun little project that has been brewing since last year's Bristol Comic Expo.
Teen Wulf, a two part story about Wulf Sternhammer's youthful exploits. The first part will be available in the next (imminent) issue of Dogbreath!


I did this sketch as a warm-up whilst Rich Clements, (who should need no introduction to regular readers of my blog) was writing the script.
I've blogged about this in one, two or three teaser postings before...
I'm working on the second part now, and then it's onwards with Corvus, also written by Rich!

Here is a very quick sketch of Strontium Dog (Johnny Alpha). I've just finished reading a story called A Traitor to His Kind in my catch-up reading of the weekly progs. It's a great story, and like A Portrait of a Mutant it really gives background depth to Johnny's character.


This year, according to various sources, John Wagner will revisit/rewrite the death of Johnny Alpha, I'd like the story to give Johnny back his future. I didn't think Johnny should have died in The Final Solution and don't mind if there is a twist in the tale that gives him his life back - I'd like to think Johnny eventually finds happiness and gets to retire to an alien planet somewhere...

Hopefully that's a nice positive thought for the start to the New Year.

Been away for a couple of days. Seeing family & friends and speeding around like some sort of guided missile.


I snatched a few moments to sketch this one morning, whilst my lovely lady slumbered. No idea how long it took but I'm happy with it and as I'm still busy on a project I can't show - I thought I'd share it. Can't let the blog go without an update for too long!

Been sick as a dog ever since I went to Birmingham, and haven't really been up to much since. My good lady has the anti-viral medication for the flu - and both of us have been rattling around drugged up on a smorgasbord of other cold remedies for the past week.
Today, I feel almost back to normal - and to ease me in gently back to work I've done a quick Dredd Head as a submission for a drawing thread over on the 2000AD forum.


15 minutes to draw Dredd's head... This was 15 minutes, sketched in photoshop with my wacom. I'm not really that happy with how this has turned out - oh well... back to the drawing board!

Edit:
Johnny Alpha, Stontium Dog... 15 minutes digital sketch:



"Stimpy, you eediot!"

Did you spot the 'deliberate' mistakes in these two?

No? It's '09 - not '08, obviously, I'm still a bit foggy in the head!

Ye Gods! Nearly a week between posts...


I'm pretty chuffed though... six pages pencilled in less than three days - which I think is pretty quick and close to the necessary speed. Here's two panels from those pages as a taster - you'll have to wait a long time to see the final things as these are for a strip not scheduled to appear in Dogbreath until next spring!


I don't really want to say too much about these - as it might spoil a nice surprise...

When the pages are finished, I'll probably still post a panel or two more though...

I've been doing some fanzine work for the splendid chaps at FutureQuake Press. I've already done a six page story for the next issue of Zarjaz and I've just finished a three page Gronk story for the next issue of Dogbreath... I'm pretty chuffed as I lettered this strip too. I've got another strip for Dogbreath in the works as well that should be pretty cool too...

Find out more about these two brilliant publications at The Quaequam blog. If you need some reading material until your next Prog or Meg arrives, swing by their shop and order yourself some of the finest small press sci-fi you're likely to read.


This panel is from the six pager, I won't say which 2000AD 'parent' story it's from as I don't want to give too much away until the strip is printed. I felt that I should use a hatching style on this for a number of reasons, evoke part of what the original strip had and also because this is set in the 60s, I wanted a traditional 'older' look to the work - on reflection I'm not sure my hatching is up to the standard I wanted.


This panel is from the Gronk strip. I've used a home-made digital tone as I wanted to control how the 'grey' areas would appear in the final print. I also wanted to test-drive something I'd experimented with before. The other thing to mention for those of you are just along for the ride is that this panel has my depictions of Johnny Alpha and Wulf Sternhammer from Strontium Dog.

I'll submit these (and the Dredd Pin-up) to Tharg, and hopefully share his feedback as soon as I have it!

I do have some more, enormous, headline grabbing news that I can't blog about yet, but when the next issue of Zarjaz comes out... you'll know about it!

Since last week I've felt like someone came along, replaced my hands with pig's trotters and then crept away cackling. Call me paranoid if you like but I've seen the results in my sketchbook go from bad to worse, that and I've found myself rooting around at the base of trees...

Which is where I found this, or so you'd think from the looks of it!

I've been trying, possibly a bit too hard to get some sketches together for the new Judge Dredd script I have sitting on my drawing table... I hate everything I've done to date. I think I've got a bit too precious about it and somehow now I can't draw a thing.

I've booked a ticket and hotel for the Leeds Thought Bubble convention... in an attempt to kick start my creative juices with an injection of deadline adrenalin. Four short weeks away, I hope I can re-learn how to draw in time.