Short Review: A slice of typical life from the home of the britpack.
This is a random issue, so you can see the infestation of talent from here in the general Vertigo/DC area. Shocking, isn't it?
Story by John Wagner
Our first two examples are John Wagner, at large among the general DC community, and Chris Weston, recently spotted in Vertigo's The Invisibles and Swamp Thing. The mixing of these two here produces a dangerous blend of beautiful art and sarcastic humour, with the tell-tale twist ending that distinguishes so many of 2000AD 'stories' Recommendation: Best stay away.
Story by Alan McKenzie
Here the infestation is confined to the art of Steve Parkhouse, whose exposure to Vertigo is restricted to a single issue of The Invisibles. The story is by a neutral agent, and remains a matter of leylines and vague Magic. Recommendation: Newage pablum. Safe for consumption.
Story by Dan Abnett
Sean Philips has a case history as long as your arm, from Kid Eternity to Hellblazer, and seems to have infected the previously unknown Dan Abnett with a series of dangerous talent vectors. This is a disturbing and engrossing story, clearly the Future Shocks of previous issues with a different Viral Signature. Recommendation: Avoid at all costs.
Story by Pat Mills
This is entirely free of infection, and presents mindless Celtic Sex and Death without remorse. The art may exert a hypnotic influence on those with reduced resistance, but apart from that, no danger is posed. Recommendation: Safe.
Story by Mark Millar
Two of the more powerful examples have here combined, and apparently neutralised each other. Mark Millar has rampaged unchecked through Swamp Thing for well over a year, while Sean Phillips' early work on The Invisibles provided the series with sufficient vitality to mutate onto its more or less permanent host, Jill Thompson. But this offering seems at first viewing to contain no rogue element. The plot is a close relative of the Robocop ideal, crossed with the bland ex-wife theme from that powerful soporic, Spawn. Recommendation: Keep under observation.
Story by John Wagner
This shows the continued association between John Wagner, discussed earlier, and Carlos Ezquerra, whose venturings into DC have for the main been tied to Wagner or his sister element, Alan Grant. The long association has produced accomplished results, such as this tale of mutant Rasta drugmen. Recommendation: Best Stay Away.