Posted in: Comics | Tagged: 2000 ad, Colin MacNeil, dan abnett, Grey Area, HRL, Indigo Prime, Jake Lynch, John Smith, judge dredd, Lee Carter, Mark Harrison, Pat Mills, Simon Davis, sinister dexter, Slaine, t. c. eglington

2000 AD #2051 Review: Riots, Gambling, And Angry Gods

2000 AD #2051 continues the tales of Judge Dredd, Slaine, Sinister Dexter, Indigo Prime, and Grey Area.

The continuation of the 'Icon' arc for Judge Dredd, by T.C. Eglington, Colin MacNeil, and Chris Blythe finds the media further instigating the riots, and the rioters have plans for the intended statue of Judge Dredd.

This issue has the same part of 'Icon' has the same issue as the last; it's trying to weave a contemporary political narrative into the Judge Dredd universe without accommodating the differences. The result is a tale incompatible with itself. Mega City One and its Judges are an authoritarian system, it wants to the riots of the past year as corrupted, but rioting in an authoritarian system is almost always justified. Furthermore, it's using Alex Jones conspiracy theories to fill out its narrative, which is never a good idea.

The art is still good though, and Judge Dredd's chin looks awesome. The coloring work is solid, and the overall aesthetics work.

Slaine: The Brutania Chronicles by Patt Mills and Simon Davis receives another compelling episode for its 'Archon' story. Slaine and Sinead continue their battles against the stone hordes of the Archon, and Slaine has to come to grips with his parentage.

The swords-and-sandals plus god-battling nature of this comic makes for some great fun. Again, I wish there was more to each tale. I'm always left wanting more.

Davis's artwork is incredible, and the texture makes it resemble a highly detailed cave-painting recording the tales of Slaine. I'm enamored with the aesthetic of his work.

Indigo Prime: A Dying Art by John Smith and Lee Carter continues its journey into strangeness as the organization attempts to recover from the incapacitating of its imagineers.

The weird and wild universe of Indigo Prime is almost difficult to comprehend, but it's high sci-fi ideas keep me intrigued. The art by Lee Carter is really damn good.

The story doesn't really go far this issue, and that's disappointing. However, it was still a fun read.

Sinister Dexter by Dan Abnett, Jake Lynch, and John Charles finds its leads attempting to make due when a poker player they were supposed to protect is killed before they could get to him. One hint: impersonation.

This vignette rides once more on the fun of its protagonists, and it has enough energy and humor to keep the reader satisfied throughout its runtime.

The gritty artwork adds another layer of atmosphere in this world, and the pale color work complements the style.

Grey Area makes up for its lackluster last entry with the second part to 'Homeland Security' by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison.

This continuation brings a lot of action and tension as the forces of the Etc. and the United Planets find themselves led into a trap. Part two is a lot more compelling, and the art works hard to bring you a good battle scene.

2000 AD #2051 was a far more solid read than the mega-sized #2050. While Judge Dredd still disappointed, the rest of the tales were good reads. I can recommend this issue more confidently. Pick it up.

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