2000AD At 2000: Five 2000AD Books I’d Like To See

I am reposting this as part of the celebration of 2000AD issue 2000 but also because of great point brought up by Michael Carroll in his interview posted yesterday about the “boy’s club” nature of the book. Well if Tharg is reading this, he are some female creators that he should consider getting in contact with.

DEAD MEAT

Art by Leeann Hamilton and Anthea West
Written by Leeann Hamilton and Anthea West

In the 2040s, meat-eating is illegal in Europe. Inspector Larry Raam (a genetically-engineered human/sheep hybrid) and Vera Brett are members of P.U.L.S.E. Patrol, the Police Undercover Livestock Special Enforcement Patrol, tasked with arresting anybody who sells or consumes meat. The design of Raam made think of both artists straight away and the element of humour sealed the deal.

JUDGE DIRTY FRANK

Art by Fiona Boniwell
Written by Kerrie Smith
Colours by Triona Farrell

Dirty Frank is one of those break-out characters. He’s an undercover judge who talks to himself and may be completely off his rocker but he has a very human side to him. Kerrie Smith has comedy experience with Superhero Helpdesk but can also write some strong emotional stuff (CLING being a good example). I think Fiona Boniwell could draw some interesting stuff especially if Kerrie decides to bring the madness. I think Triona Farrell has a great future in comics and her colours always add something extra to a story.

INDIGO PRIME

Art by Anna Fitzpatrick
Written by Maura McHugh

My favourite 2000AD story is Indigo Prime: Killing Time, a Jack the Ripper time travel story featuring the involvement of an agency – existing out of time and whose members are dead – which polices the multiverse of parallel realities. The insane Morrison-esque storylines screamed Maura McHugh (who I know likes his stuff). The series can also be quite disturbing and Maura is known for her horror stuff. I think Anna Fitzpatrick would be the artist bring some of the moody, spooky elements out. I think they could both basically have at it as it can really go anywhere

PSI JUDGE ANDERSON

Art by Clare Foley
Written by Debbie Jenkinson

In my opinion, 2000AD’s greatest female character. Created by writer John Wagner and artist Brian Bolland (he based her on Debbie Harry), Anderson made her debut as a supporting character in the Judge Dredd story ‘Judge Death’. The character’s popularity with readers led to her starring in her own series, Anderson: Psi-Division. The creator selection for this was based entirely on setting the mood. Having read Remorse and La Grande Bretêche, I think these creators could do some very evocative stuff in the realm of the mind that Anderson frequents. I think bringing some emotional stories would very appropriate.

FUTURE SHOCKS ANTHOLOGY

Created by Sarah Bowie, Sarah Louise Eliott, Maeve Clancy, Sadhbh Lawlor, Julie Nick and Karen Harte.

I know I’m really cheating here but I wanted to select a bunch of creators I have found over the years who are making their own kind of books on the independent scene and I thought that Future Shocks was an appropriate format for these creators to show their stuff. Check out Mall Life (Sarah Bowie), Casket Case (Sarah Louise Eliott), A Hibernian In Hellas (Maeve Clancy), Splitting Borders (Sadhbh Lawlor), Julie Nick Projects 2015 (Julie Nick) and Delia (Karen Harte).

I am grateful to Maura McHugh for her Women In Comics list which was a helpful reminder of all the great female creators in Ireland and also because I am terrible at remembering names!.