Until PROG 2013 I had only read trade paperbacks of 2000AD and most of those have been Judge Dredd. Unfortunately, after reading this issue I am now going to have to buy more, due to the fantastic art and great stories.
This volume collects ten stories; some are entire story arcs whilst others both start and continue already running plots. I am going to look at each section individually and then create an overall meta-score.
1.
PROG 2013 begins with a half page cartoon depicting the alternative android Christmas story, I did genuinely like the concept, however, most of the panels are written in song, I'm too musically challenged to figure out a tune...
2/5
2.
Judge Dredd is 2000AD's best known character and this is one of the best Dredd tales I've read. Its set in a northen sector of Mega-City One; everything has gone to hell in an Iso-Block and the Judge is in a mighty poor state. Beautiful art features throughout this issue but although this one looks great it doesn't compare to "Ampney Crucis Investigates" later in this issue.
5/5
3.
I have never come across a tale quite like Absalom. I really loved the concept taking a location like a quintessential seaside town and making it extremely sinister. I have had the misfortune of visiting Skegness on a bleak day (I don't imagine its much better when everything is open) and reading this took me back to the eeriness of an empty area intended for a mass of sunburned holiday makers in socks and sandals. I really loved the detail and style of this comic and I definitely intend to see what happens next in this saga!
5/5
4.
I always enjoy seeing the behind the scenes features in comics and movies, to see how ideas evolve, or the ideas that were ready to go from their first inception. This issue includes two looks at earlier sketches of this comic. However, it is only available in the digital copy, I'm afraid if you buy the printed copy the only glimpse you will get is the following panel:
5/5
5.
Savage is a very gritty black and white thriller set in an alternative reality. I have read a little bit of invasion which was the prequel to this saga, however, this is book 8 of Savage so I think I may have lost some plot points being a tad behind, as a stand alone issue however, it was still followable.
3/5
6.
Just like Absalom, Ampney Crucis Investigates is very distinct in style and content. Firstly the art is truly beautiful and the ideas and storyline in this alternative reality are amazing. In the cell I have attached there is a blimp version of The Flying Scotsman, I need issue two!
5/5
7.
Yet another very original 2000AD tale, an intelligent monkey fighting Nazi ninjas on top of huge tanks, I could say more, but it makes more sense if you read it yourself.
4/5
8.
To be honest I wasn't a fan of The Red Seas, but it was the only part of PROG 2013 I didn't get into, which for a comic featuring the biggest Kraken I've even seen is very disappointing.
2/5
9.
Aquila is set in ancient Rome featuring some of Jesus's disciples, shortly after the bible stories have ended. It is a particularly brutal comic, but I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Seeing Roman centurions battle beasts from hell in very pretty pictures is always worth a read!
3/5
10.
The Visible Man was a new character to me like many in this issue, however, it is another story that I want to follow through future issues. It is about a man with see-through skin and a rejuvenation ability that makes him of great interest to scientists, but of course escape holds far more interest to him! The detail of The Visible Man has great depth both the anatomical drawings of his innards and the surroundings
5/5
11.
I have come across Strontium before in some older volumes and to be honest its not my favorite comic. This, however, was better than previous tales that I've read of the mutant uprising. Its a very different mutant world to that of the X-Men and I always hope somehow Wolverine will pop up.
3/5
METASCORE: 42/55
Verdict:
Go Buy It!
Preferably the digital copy if you have the technology, it looks fantastic on a screen made of light!
