2000AD Regen Prog 2246 TPB Review
Summary: From a young Dredd to someone sent to an isocube by an older Dredd and other stories in between... a mix of stories for readers of all ages.
3.8
All ages
Touted as an all ages collection of stories 2000AD Regen Prog 2246 has a decent mix of tales to whet your Dredd Whistle. There are five stories here altogether
Cadet Dredd,
Mayflies,
‘Splorers,
Future Shock and Chopper.
Writing
There’s quite a bit of variety on display here. Starting with Cadet Dredd we get a look at the young man that would become the best known Judge. We get a peak of his uncompromising ways but a hint of humanity as well. Mayflies has a touch of Bladerunner to it and shows it’s not just in MegaCity one that life can be quite bleak. ‘Splorers is the levity of the collection… a playful family outing that is more than it first seems. Future Shock examines the continued wastefulness of humans and how some can find treasure in others “trash”. Chopper in one sense shows that life can go on… even after having been committed to an isocube by Judge Dredd.
Artwork
As would be expected, like the stories there’s a decent bit of variety here. Cadet Dredd is full of clean lines and colours. Mayflies has a more water coloury/mature feel to the art. ‘Splorers captures it’s playfulness with bright colours and clear distinct lines. Future Shock has a sort of scrappy/youthful charm to it and Chopper has a slightly aggressive, angular rebelious feel to the art.
Final Thoughts
2000AD Prog 2246 is like a showbag of Dredd world stories. Chances are you will like a decent number of the stories, one or two might not be quite to your taste but overall it should seem like good value. I particularly liked the first two stories, for the glimpse at how Dredd was as a young cadet, his approach to the job and how he tackles the social issues associated with enforcing the law. Mayflies fleshes out the wider world and the struggles that those living in it face. ‘Splorers is just a nice fun piece. Future Shock and Chopper are probably my low points… but that’s not to say they are bad… just that they aren’t quite to the level of the other stories.
A good collection to dip your toes in the 2000AD world.
Comic Details
Publisher: 2000AD
Writer: Liam Johnson, Michael Carroll, Gordon Rennie & Emma Beeby, Karl Stock, David Barnett
Artist: Duane Redhead, Simon Coleby, Neil Googe, Steve Roberts, Nick Roche
Colourist: John Charles, Dylan Teague, Gary Caldwell, Pippa Bowland
Cover Artist: Steve Roberts
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure, Humour
Format: 48pgs, FC, TPG
Release Date: 25th August 2021
About the Author
Chris O'Connor Father of four, husband of one and all round oddity. Gaming at home since about 1982 with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Moving on to the more traditional PC genre in the years that followed with the classic Jump Joe and Alley Cat. CGA, EGA, VGA and beyond PC's have been central to my gaming but I've also enjoyed consoles and hand helds along the way (who remembers the Atari Lynx?). Would have been actor/film maker, jack of many trades master of none.
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