Comic Book Review: 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 2018 edited by Tharg
The long-running 2000 AD British comic book has had many spin-off projects over the years, including various forms of once-a-year annuals. The traditional time in the British comics industry for these is December, so that young people can get them as Christmas presents. But if you want to stand out, you also have summer offerings, and this last summer was especially interesting.
It’s no secret that the comics industry overall has been a field it’s hard for women to break in to, and with its roots as a boys’ paper, 2000 AD had and has inertia that made it even more difficult for female creators to make headway. But times have changed, and this special made a concerted effort to find women to spotlight. Not just the writers and artists, but the letterers and colourists as well. So let’s take a look at the seven stories in this magazine.
“The Feels” script by Emma Beeby, art by Babs Tarr: Judge Dredd (because it just wouldn’t be a 2000 AD project without him) deals with a cult that wants to spread love and peace through a high-tech method of forced empathy. As one might expect, this approach backfires when used in conjunction with people whose feelings should never be shared.
“Don’t Forget to Blast My Cache” script by Katy Rex, art by Liana Kangas: Is apparently a prequel to the main “Tyranny Rex” series, and explains how the saurinoid alien became partners with a tech specialist as a 3-D printer download goes horribly wrong. Felt a bit slight.
“The Thousand Days” script by Alex de Campi, art by Sam Beck: This Rogue Trooper story is set sometime during the genetically-modified clone infantryman’s initial storyline as he wanders the battle-torn Nu Earth in search of the officers who betrayed his platoon. He runs into a Souther unit that’s been stuck in the same position for a thousand days, but told they can get fresh rations if they can make an advance. As it happens, Rogue needs to get across the lines himself, but is the prize worth the candle?
“Delivery” script & art by Tillie Walden is a “Future Shocks” story, a short unconnected with any ongoing series. This one’s more of a mood piece about a delivery woman on an alien world, with some sort of dangerous creature on the loose. Effective use of blacks.
“Darkness Descends” script by Leah Moore and art by Xulia Vicente: A Judge Death story. The spirit of the judge from a world where life is a crime and the punishment is death begins to influence a female rock band. Their music gets a lot more metal, but that comes with a price.
“Love Remains” script by Laura Bailey, art by Dana: Former Judge, now private investigator DeMarco is asked to look into a missing persons case that the official judges have declined to investigate. Along the way, she meets Mrs. Tippins, who’s married to a Judge. Since DeMarco knows Judges can’t have romantic relationships, let alone get married (one of the reasons she left) this raises some questions. But are they related questions?
“The Hockey Sticks of Hell” script by Olivia Hicks, art by Abigail Bulmer: This is a “Terror Tales” installment, like “Future Shocks” but straight up horror. Well, not so straight as a 1950s girls’ field hockey team decides it’s time to eschew the genteel girls’ comics of the time and turn to tactics from the EC line. The art is appropriately cartoony.
“Spa Day” script by Maura McHugh, art by Emma Vieceli: Psi-Judge Anderson is ordered to undergo a “Scrub Personality Artefacts” treatment, designed to erase the psychic traces of the criminals she’s been in mental contact with. Since her inner demons are extra-strength, this does not go as advertised.
There’s also a lovely Anderson poster by Marguerite Savage to top off the issue.
My favorites from this issue are “The Thousand Days” and “The Hockey Sticks of Hell.” “Delivery” is a little too nebulous for my tastes, and “Spa Day” is yet another rehash of Judge Anderson’s ghosts with little new.
Keeping in mind that yes, this is a novelty issue, it’s good of its kind, and I look forward to seeing more work by these creators. Pick it up if you’re a fan of any of the characters or just want to support women in comics.
