Posted on September 13, 2024

2000AD Progs 1301-1400

From July 2002 to July 2004, there was another in a long line of format changes and the cover price rose from £1.40 to £1.60. The new, stronger foundation laid down by Rebellion made 2000AD a safe space for more veterans of the early years to return to the fold. This included such luminaries as Ian Gibson, Jim Baikke, even Brian Bolland (for a single cover). Meanwhile, steady hands like Carlos Ezquerra were there to provide an unbroken genetic line back to the very beginning.

For everyone who may have felt a disconnect during the late 90s, the best-loved strips were back for more, including Strontium Dog (with a resurrected Johnny Alpha), Rogue Trooper, the V.C.s, A.B.C. Warriors and even first-generation character Bill Savage from Invasion. More recent mainstays Nikolai Dante and Sinister Dexter maintained a steady presence as new strips came and went around them.

Judge Dredd went up against Aliens starting in Prog 2003 thanks to a crosser with Dark Horse Comics. In that same issue, Slaine came back in an ongoing series with a new artist named Clint Langley; for my money, he’s the standout from this period with a unique style that combined photography with painting using digital tools that brought a whole new flavor. And when he wasn’t working on Slaine, he brought the same thunderous magic to A.B.C. Warriors. No matter how long I stare at his work, I can’t for the life of me figure out he does some of it, especially on a weekly schedule. That’s what makes it magical.