4 out of 5

A fun rarity: Three returning tales, two of which I was sort of cold on before and the third by a writer I’ve had iffy experiences with, and all three truly compelling.  Again, I gotta bless 2000 ad’s format and offerings foe being the only place where I get this kind of drop-in, drop-out exposure.

89-90 draw to a close the current chapter of Michael Carrol’s Texas Cit / MC-1 masterpiece, which has jumped back and forth between the meg and here, and built up a particular subset of characters (particularly Joyce) for what’s felt like a modern day dread epic.  Dread is back, and ready to wrest control from judge Oswin, in typical no-nonsense fashion.  The ending is satisfying, if a little short; there’s a nice coda over in the megs, but one thing the progs do tend to curtail is a proper cool-down issue.  Once the ending hits, you’ve gotta wrap up for the next storyline. This is different from a lack of continuity – good editing means Wagner and Eezquerra can step in for the first part of a PJ Maybe story in 91 and it doesn’t feel out of place – but it does mean sometimes you’ve gotta wait until your writer comes back around for some more concluding details.  Still: A totally fitting and fun final set of chapters.

Abnett and Culbard’s brink takes an interesting swerve into secrets and revolutions.  This has been a really great kick-off to a new world, with well done characters and a good handling of tone to keep it tense but light-hearted.  And Culbard, again, remains a good match with his imagery confined to the habitat’s tight quarters.

Slaine’s current storyline concludes.  This is really a wrap up chapter, with the bulk of the work done in progs prior, and as mentioned then, I’ve actually enjoyed most of this storyline, despite not being a mills or slaine fan.  This is a fine setup for the next to-come chapter, with an epic closing splash page from Simon Davis, although Ellie de Ville’s lettering felt oddly stiff against the art this time.

Black shucks second arc continues, shuck trying to deal with public perception of his “curse” while having his wife’s pregnancy overseen by some priests so the curse isn’t passed on.  Moore and Reppion don’t quite make it clear why he doesn’t want it handed down (and I’m not sure if I’m just missing some subtext or the explanation was interrupted), but I’ve really been enjoying this shuck outing.  The story feels much more focused and with actual stakes, and Yeowell’s art is on point, even though a lot of bearded, brown-robe wearing dudes still look alike.

Outlier returns in 90.  My previous exposure to this title I felt like it read / looked too much like 90s image angst and muscles.  That potential is still there, but in these gearing-up chapters, a new general is working on new tactics to combat the Hurde and Carcer, and the back-room dealings are much more interesting – and curtail the focus in big muscle dudes – than what came before.  Definitely interested to see where this will go.

Lastly, my first look at a scarlet traces story, from frequent collaborators Edginton and D’israeli.  There’s an interesting and rather complex back-story here (that’s helpfully summarized for us) that’s an unofficial followup to war of the worlds; modern day UK has refugee Martians / Venusians scattered about, treated like a lower class.  A human / Martian hybrid lands on earth and works on – in these early story stages – some mysterious plan to, like, save the world or something.  It’s vague for now but interesting.  D’israeli’s color artwork pops as usual, but his framing is surprisingly patient; he continues to become a better draftsman.

So maybe no super standouts this month, but four progs without a single stinker thrill.