Comic Book Journal

Sci-fi is often an overlooked genre in both fiction and comic books as well. Sometimes it can surprise you when you fall in love with a character or series. That’s why I thought I’d give 2000 AD a shot. I have never read this legendary UK magazine for fear it would be only weak Judge Dredd stories. Ain’t it Cool News, as it touts on the cover, said that nobody does sci-fi better so I thought why not. Maybe I have misconceptions about this title. I have to say that I was a little disappointed in this title. I think that Ain’t it Cool News should have said that 2000 AD has the MOST sci-fi anywhere, not necessarily the best. Being an anthology format, I like how the title does give a diverse sampling of different stories, but there is just not enough of any story to make a judgment on the title as a stand alone series.

The best thing about 2000 AD as it’s true sci-fi: aliens, different world, future stories, and dystopias are plentiful. For the most part the art is detailed enough, and the ads are not interruptive of any storylines, but it just does not have the same effect as a whole comic book.

The worst thing about the anthology is it does seem a little dated, almost as if it’s stuck in the mid nineteen eighties. There is really nothing unique about any of the stories in the issues, the highlight was the mini story of Shakara and Henry Flint’s artwork. I think that he is an artist to watch if he ever brings his artwork to the states, with another vehicle his bold lines, and heavy detailing could make him an outstanding professional in the industry, but he does need more than eight pages and more polishing to refine his style.

I think the major difference in the work has to be the definition of what in the US has become sci-fi with space operas such as the best title nobody seems to be reading: see my review of Battlestar Galactica at : http://www.comicbookjournal.net/battlestar-is-pure-dynamite/; and the overseas interpretation of sci-fi filled with paranoid political viewpoints and dystopian nightmares.

Overall I’d have to give this title a six out of ten. I’d recommend it for someone who’s never watched Doctor Who, Judge Dredd, or read Frank Miller’s Ronin, for a taste of diversity in sci-fi.