Furthermore to the flurry of February posts to mark 2000ad‘s 35th birthday I’d like to highlight the current sale they have on in their online store. Some of the graphic novels on sale are minor classics and the prices are bordering on scandalous some are so low. Below is a personal guide to a few favourites should you feel like dipping your toe into the deep pool of the comic’s past.
The Complete Nemesis vols. 1 & 2. One of the very best characters ever (and one of the best villains too) with Kevin O’Neill‘s amazing art on the first few books and Pat Mills keeping you on your toes with the plot. Only £8 each.
Two books in the Alan Moore canon usually overlooked by the media when writing about him: D.R. & Quinch is madcap space comedy at its best with beautiful artwork by Alan Davis. Skizz riffs off the E.T. phenomenon but brings it into Birmingham and does away with the cuteness. £6 and £4 respectively.
Robo Hunter – Verdus, the first of many series’ starring Sam Slade, a Philip Marlowe-esque private investigator on a planet full of crazed robots with Ian Gibson‘s incredible artwork rendering every rivet. Only £4. The V.C.s is future war with a cast of great characters told through the eyes of a rookie addition to the squad. Only £6.
Jamie Hewlett and Pete Milligan’s bizarro tale, Hewligan’s Haircut in graphic novel form and robot-loving, torturer for hire Lobster Random are both great if you like your comedy left of field. £8.99 for Hewligan and only £4 for Lobster.
It wouldn’t be a post about 2000ad without mentioning Henry Flint would it? Shakara is one of THE best stories in recent years, the first 3 books are collected in The Avenger with another 2 yet to be compiled – amazing art and a plot that keeps you guessing from Robbie Morrison. Only £7.
Zombo is Al Ewing and Henry’s dark outer space zombie comedy with each series upping the weird factor. Sadly not in the sale at £10.99
Also not in the sale but well worth your time and money: Easily one of the best spin offs from Judge Dredd‘s world in recent memory, the Insurrection series’ deals with a breakaway team of Judges who declare independence for the worlds they’ve colonised with the aid of robots and apes, and have to deal with the full force of Mega City 1’s SJS squad as a result. More future war with a battle of the wits by Dan Abnett and Colin MacNeil. £13.99
Back in print again: The Complete Nemesis vol.3 – This is the final few books in the 10 book series with the amazing John Hicklenton on 2, Clint Langley and that man Flint on 1 each and the final episode by Kevin O’Neill himself. Not cheap at £19.99 but worth it.
And finally if you want to know more about the history of the comic, including all the highs AND lows, there’s no better book than Thrill Power Overload by ex-editor Dave Bishop, and at £12 it’s a steal. You might also be needing something to sip your tea out of while you get down to reading all of this – how about a mug with a classic wraparound Dredd cover by Mike McMahon?
sorry Steve, feel free to administer a Rigellion Hotshot (sp?)
David, yes I could have added another 10 easily but got to make it easy for new or lapsed readers. Note there’s no actual Dredd as he will be rife all summer no doubt. Maybe I should do a Dredd solo post?
Great stuff. I probably should give in to the voice that’s been whispering in my ear since the sale started… Too many good things on offer over there. The only thing I’d add to your list is Kingdom – another modern gem. Oh, and Stickleback (although not in the sale, I think).
Whaddya mean – Mug!?!?!
It’s an LRD. Liquid Refreshment Dispenser!
Thanks Kev. I’ve placed my order for a few of the volumes you’ve recommended (mostly Moore and Flint stuff). It’s so cheap it would have been stupid not to.
Thanks Kev, nice to know it’s not falling on deaf ears
The general opinion with 2000ad is that it had it’s golden days in the late 70’s to mid 80’s but by the 90’s was going through a very barren patch. Most of the readers who grew up with it stopped reading or moved on to more adult fare, Lord knows I nearly gave it up many a time in the 90’s but stuck with it. around the end of the 90’s things had picked up quite a bit and for at least the last decade the comic has been in a second golden era with no signs of slowing down. I think the second generation of artists and writers, those who had grown up with 2000ad, probably re-energised the comic and made it great again.
I love these 2000 AD posts. I’ve listened to your music for years and never realised you were into comics until I recently started following your blog. I’m 32 and was big into 2000 AD in my teens but my interests drifted in my 20’s. I recently got back into it reading the likes of Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. As a teen I didn’t know anything about the authors I just read the comics. Now reading and learning more about the artists and writers that inspired me when I was young I realise these people who are fascinating characters in their own right have had a much greater influence on me and on my interest in all things weird and wonderful than I had previously recognised