Stories by Mills are like songs by the Smiths – fundamentally English, popular, catchy, but with dialogue so clunky it must surely be deliberate. Pat Mills is the godfather of 2000AD, responsible for many of its early stories and the overall anti-establishment tone of the comic. Hunted is an interesting idea, but this big built up will need a grand conclusion We’re nine parts in, and i'ts only now starting to warm up as the many threads come together, but we find ourselves focussed on a gun battle whilst a massive space war wages just out of view. Hunted is the most recent attempt, moving the conflict beyond the battlefield and into interplanetary diplomacy as the Traitor General manipulates warring nations for his own ends. There have been numerous attempts at expanding the universe beyond its simple roots, but until recently they have been unsuccessful. Nu Earth has been the location of the unending war between the Norts and Southers since 1981, when genetically engineered soldier Rogue Trooper started ignoring orders and set off to track down the Traitor General and avenge his dead brothers.

Dredd does little more than scowl in this episode, as we get essential plot exposition and comedy barbs from another character, but the small details in the art and witty writing keep the attention. But Ouroboros has dark links to previous Dredd tales and hints at the seedy, vicious underbelly of Dredd’s world as a mutant underclass are manipulated by a corporation. Ouroboros is, at first glance, a comedic and throwaway short with playful art, a giant puppy and the surprise return of a character, as Judge Dredd investigates drug dealers disguised as giant pandas. It’s Prog 2042 and we dip into five unique 2000AD sci-fi universes, some old and some new.

Writer: Michael Carroll Gordon Rennie Emma Beeby Pat Mills Dan AbnettĪrtist: Paul Marshall Eoin Coveney John Higgins Mark Harrison, PJ Holden Tiernan TrevallionĬolourist: Quinton Winter Sally Hurst Len O’Grady

War marshall zell in rogue trooper