Comic Review: 2000 AD Classic
Day off work so can only mean one thing.....Time to read another comic! This time, it's the turn of 2000 AD Classic, a comic that is free to download from 2000 AD online. Described by the team:
"A Zarjaz collection of 2000 AD greats!"
The cover is pretty standard and similar to the Modern issue. Showing Tharg's headpiece in the background, whilst the foreground is a poorly cropped picture of Halo Jones. Seriously, the design team needs to try a bit harder with these. They managed to crop out a large part of Halo's coat under her left arm! But we will move on to the first tale.
Story: Rogue Trooper Parts 1 & 2
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Art: Dave Gibbons
Great opening story for this issue. After Dredd, Rogue Trooper is my second favourite strip to have been produced by 2000 AD. And this is what I want to see from these comics. A real introduction to a character and storyline. On the first page, we epic opening showing and explaining the planet and the war that is waging on it. Whilst we watch a battle unfolding, we get introduced to Rogue and even get to hear some back story. Great start to the issue.
Story: Zenith Phase 1 Parts 1 & 2
Script: Grant Morrison
Art: Steve Yeowell
I'm completely new to Zenith, having missed it the first time. So, I was excited to finally experience it from the start. It didn't disappoint. We are introduced to an alternative timeline of superheroes leading up to the 90's and the hero Zenith, who seems to be the only remaining superhero on the planet. At 19, he seems to have a superiority complex that I can only imagine will come and bite him in the arse. I'm intrigued to read more, and I'm glad there are now collectors editions out.
Story: Robo-Hunter Verdus Parts 1 & 2
Script: John Wagner
Art: Ian Gibson & José Luis Ferrer
I have happy memories of Sam Slade in 2000 AD in the 90's. The scripts were colourful and funny, so lets see how it all began. Interesting start to this series. Sam Slade seems like a futuristic version of a pulp detective. But instead of taking on the mob, he is chasing robots. Slade has his trademark wit and is cool to see finally how he became young. Like Zenith, Robo-Hunter has just had a collected edition released, which will end up on my to buy list. So far we have three out of three.
Story: Nikolai Dante Part 1 & 2
Script: Robbie Morrison
Art: Simon Fraser
A familiar story and hard to imagine it being described as a classic! I remember reading this when it first arrived, which shockingly must have been late 90's/early 00's. Nikolai Dante is a futuristic version of Errol Flynn. Swashbuckling his through adventures and women's bed. The whole story arcs where quite exciting and epic. I would highly recommend people to seek out these comics.
Story: The Ballad of Halo Jones. Book One Parts 1 & 2
Script: Alan Moore
Art: Ian Gibson
This is a tale I have heard lots about from veteran readers, but until now, I have never read it myself. It seems to read like a coming-of-age tale, which is fantastic. Halo Jones is a teenager on the verge of deciding what to do with her life and how her family will be a part of it. The two features we get in this Meg show us around her environment and introduce characters which I assume will play a role in her tale. The story seems to have much to offer, and I look forward to reading more.
Opinion
This is precisely how the Modern one should have been done. Each story was cleanly written and perfectly introduced us to the characters and their surroundings. After reading this I have now added all these tales to my reading list, which is a positive sign. Well worth reading.
