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JUDGE DREDD g STALAG 666 g THE RED SEAS

NEW STORIES START INSIDE!

PROG 1600

The MIGHTY ONE Speaks!

Call me Tharg the Mighty, alien editor of this illustrious, awardwinning organ. Welcome to the Galaxys Greatest Comic! All-new Thrills commence within this pulse-pounding prog, Terrans, guaranteed to send a surge through your excitement circuits weve got rising tension and highoctane hatred as the Mega-City mutants come under siege in Judge Dredd: Mutie Block by John Wagner and Kev Walker; theres future-war drama on the fringes of the galaxy in brand-new story Stalag 666 by Tony Lee and Jon Davis-Hunt; and weve also got swashbuckling supernatural fantasy in The Red Seas: Old Gods by Ian Edginton and Steve Yeowell. Add to that the return next week of both Mek-nicent Seven the A.B.C. Warriors by Pat Mills and Clint Langley, and torturer-for-hire Lobster Random by Simon Spurrier and Carl Critchlow, and you have a line-up that will not just keep the Thrill-suckers at bay but blitz them into the Black Hole of Grexnixness! Sixteen hundred progs, eh? Thats a hell of a lot of Thrill-power thats owed through these parts over the past three decades. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the sterling work that my truly talented droids have done in shaping the strips that make the Galaxys Greatest what it is. And of course none of us would be here if it wasnt for you loyal Squaxx dek Thargo, parting with your groats every Wednesday to wrap your peepers around the best Thrills money can buy. Heres to you, Earthlets everywhere and lets enjoy the next sixteen hundred progs together!

THRILLS of the FUTURE

BORAG THUNGG, EARTHLETS!

SPLUNDIG VUR THRIGG!

Advertising, Marketing and PR Enquiries: 01865-792201 (marketing@2000ADonline. com). 2000 AD is published every Wednesday by Rebellion, Riverside House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, Earth. Tel: 01865-792201. All contents 2008 Rebellion A/S, unless specically stated otherwise. 2000 AD is a registered trademark. Reproduction, storage in a retrieval system or transmission in any form or by any means without prior permission of Rebellion is strictly forbidden. 2000 AD must not be sold for more than the selling price shown on the cover. Sole agents: Newsagents Direct Distribution Pty. Ltd. (Australia) and Network Distributor, Ltd (New Zealand). Any resemblance to people living or dead, or to any companies or institutions (except for satirical purposes) is unintended and purely coincidental. Printed in Great Britain by PCP. Distribution/Trade Enquiries: Seymour, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Tel: 020-7429-4000. ISSN 0262 284X. $ Damage report: PYE-01 returns from his honeymoon in Mexico with tales of ancient temples, jungle treks and cocktails in bed on the beach. Meanwhile, Cyber-Matt celebrates one whole year shackled to the lovely Em-bot with a scrotnig binge of pizza, The Dark Knight, and bling. Hot damn, now thats what I call a good night out!

d known as the the irradiated wastelan mployment c North America, with , une pti rife aly is g poc din t-a ow pos rcr of ove st ic citi-blocks, tant g MUTIE BLOCK ng the eastern coa s, crammed into gigant total anarchy. Empowered to dispense ins JUDGE DREDD This vast urban nightmare is situated alo e to 400 million citizen says . vent t Hom AD pre t. 0 tha can eas 213 law e, the ges the On e to Jud y ic ers Cit the ant rev Megack Atl t. Only re from Dredd to st and the polluted Bla e, and crime is rampan is the Law! After pressu wing them to live in special blocks... Cursed Earth to the we versal. Tensions run a constant knife-edg is JUDGE DREDD he allo all m and the is, of uni pol st m tro ghe edo me los Ezquerra executioner. Tou endemic and bor izens access to the by John Wagner & Car men are judge, jury and ing Cursed Earth den Judge Dredd created justice, these future law m the city, Justice Department is now giv fro mutants must be exiled g PART SEVEN es ter, oni hun er col outnty thebou ofed nyvis DEAD SIGNAL tele isr,ama oveve How e.nik Kol rac nrc Ma alie . t es an ure alis rat tili fut loy me r rep by , glo nea s ded con lini the loo rk sso th, wo Mu Eard-b d net the of me kna keen, a col one se., Nic ing cau E VEN ON en ast adc ELE ke in RTRT PA ed by e Bro Shh PA of to war with the Shh tured g Ton r nt the we g Hicapckl tou ty for sesha a for ES6 rs ani and g g tho rrio e, EY66 vin hum for rkin AG , wa ser fam wo AD s and ago ing of rs wa e om ST DEAL ht n yea mis bec sig ma pro Ten Red the in 2247. byend Danny h no ed al es, t wit oni . ,Lur por thah col ade Cor es with the Snakes, ng Wit decnet ceran rnien. elvve ke Ter a pla g ner lea the Lan Shh ninms er the ! The edefor the tai ILL8. t rul , aft rag ned d by n, 200 tha b con Now alig taiTHR icte ict has bom NE BriW ins. nt and es era a car cam elti byme by cru hitern gov here t the was ryw nran ins Ter themselves. The con eve too aga y... k... the ed pla kes ss the ow on bac ora his Sna ple ks foll lab pay can en hel s the le ch so bac d, n wh he ir litt q it, ear t, tha cue a Ira the ed res er er res n y in aft s nag n low tur ma dutned he eveDow ing to be deb dton has Por arlie, ere in ide sid l is Ra oke con rea cal n aw this s are t wa ma my itor ugh Red tra Itsund the galaxy, hop if the or, se tho S.aro viv ted the nghe EYE ing en unt y sur goi ADdot Hold ryth onlrs, ers PJis-H : DEps soldie Dav eve r cam . The ng & tion & Jon wa Ear gasth era Al Ewi by Lee er of Tony ted as Op by keeps the prison crea prison wn alted in ape crea kno it Sign esc d 666 wa ent l of ag Dea t erim rna Stal ugh ete exp tho an ... of the tes d, run om ere the becjec itsub cov on e the dis gon be bat torytle s can he y now ore the , and bef him in ps cam the er g pow vinc mochi a psy kes Snad the release & Lee Carter e on New Providence s. Exiled from their hom sea rn the Sou the sion below the on d of pirates preying Alex, set out on a mis g OLD GODS by Jacks half-brother the most infamous ban ied of pting to put em pan one att om re THE RED SEAS we are acc w n, ues cre me ds, Dancer and his ncer and his motley er, and the band of rog Da hea lat k ir rs Jac the yea in on American pta two ce the Ca ten now 5. for is sen e 177 death ger Toms son Jim. It t are lighting the fus tish Navy declaring a y with the murder of Gin the revolutionaries tha to ged s tra Island, and with the Bri plie in sup ed end and s st running munition rs father. The que e Yeowell going semi-legit and by Ian Edginton & Stev earth to rescue Dance aken... The Red Seas created very old is about to aw ernatural behind them, ing sup eth the h som wit s and , she too e bru their at work her . But ancient magic is War of Independence
Dead Eyes created by John Smith

For 2000 AD subscriptions, back issues and merchandise call: 01621-877-250

by GREG STAPLES

1600 COVER ART

STEEL YOUR NERVES

THE A.B.C. WARRIORS ARE BACK NEXT PROG!

MEGA-CITY ONE, WEST GATE 17 _

KEEP THOSE LINES ORDERLY!

CLAIMING CITIZENSHIP?

YES, SIR.

\ NEED DOCUMENTS. BIRTH, MARRIAGE, REASON FOR EXPULSION.

THESE ALL THE PAPERS YOU GOT?

JOHN WAGNER KEV WALKER CHRIS BLYTHE ANNIE PARKHOUSE

SCRIPT

COLOURS COLOURS
\ WAS BORN HERE. MY BIRTH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECORDED, MY DNA AND STUFF. A LOT OF RECORDS GOT LOST, BUDDY. WELL CHECK YOU OUT, BUT DONT GET YOUR HOPES UP. TED OL SAWS KI , AUXILIARY _ WORKING IM MY USED TO BE EASY. MUTIES ALL GET THE SAME ANSWER _ HIT THE ROAD , TOAD. NOW THE L AWS CHANGED AN WE AINT EVEN SUPPOSED TO CALL THEM M UT IES ANYMORE.

TAKE THIS TO ROOM 4, VERIFICATION.

\ GUESS THEY HAVE A LEGIT GRUMBLE. A BIG INJUSTICE WAS DONE TO THEM. BUT YOU GOTTA WONDER, IS THIS THE WAY TO MAKE IT RIGHT? DO WE REALLY WANT THESE PEOPLE BACK?

EN IGM A TU RNER , AUXILIARY _ DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, LIFE IN THIS CITY IS NO BOWL OF ROSES. THEY CALL ME IND U CTION OF FI CER. IM REALLY A KIND OF OFFICIAL D IS UA DER . \ SHOW THEM THE UNE MPL OYMEN T, CR IM E AND SU ICI DE STATS. \ GO REAL BIG ON PR EJU DI CE. THEYVE GOT TO REALISE, IN THIS CITY THEYRE GOING TO BE PU BL IC EN EMY NU MBER ONE .

YOU HAVE ALL BEEN APPROVED TO CLAIM CI TI ZEN SHIP OF M EGA- CIT Y ONE . BEFORE \ HAND YOU TO OUR ALLOCATIONS OFFICER, ID LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE _ THIN K AGA IN .

IM TALKING ABOUT H ATE. PURE, UNBRIDLED HAT E. YOU WILL BE TARGETS FOR V ERBAL AND PHY SIC AL ABUS E, YOU WILL BE SINGLED OUT FOR VI OLENT A SS AUL T. M UR DER STATS _ N OR M ON M UT ANT _ ARE 36 0 0 PER CEN T ABOVE AVERAGE.

SURE, THE JU DGES WILL MAKE ARRESTS, BUT THEY CANT ARREST THE WHOLE CITY. BECAUSE _ AND LETS BE HONEST _ NOBOD Y REALLY WANTS YOU HERE. ASK YOURSELVES _ IS THAT THE KIND OF LI FE YOU WANT?

\ PAY A BON US OF F OUR H UN DR ED CRED IT S TO ANY APPLICANTS WHO TURN BACK, PROVIDED THEY R ELIN QU IS H ALL FURTHER CLAIM TO CITIZENSHIP. SAVES THE CITY A HEAP OF MONEY, BELIEVE ME.

IN THE END, IF THEY STILL WANT TO COME IN, NOTHING \ CAN DO. THE LAWS THE LAW. \ TRIED MY BEST. ITS THEIR FUNERAL.

NEW CITIZENS WERE BUSSED INTO SPECIALLY PREPARED BLOCKS DOTTED ACROSS THE MEGA-CITY _

M UT IES OU T!

NO MU TIES HERE!
SCUMBO TS !

WH AT AB OUT T HE GE N E P OOL ?

KEEP THESE NORMS BACK!

JOE M c JOE , ORDINARY CIT _ M U TIES ARE LA UGHI N ALL OVER THEIR FREAK FACES! CITYS THROWING CA SH AT THEM LIKE CONFETTI! YOU WANT A NEW FREEZE BOX? YOU GOT IT, UGLY! BANJO LESSONS FOR THE JUVIES? NO PROBLEM!

HERES A BRICK. GO ON, THROW IT. NOBODYLL SEE YOU.

GOT A LITTLE DRIP ON YOUR DIP, WELL SEND SOMEONE ROUND TA SHAK E IT FOR YA! BUT YOU TRY GETTING A NYTHI NG OUTA THIS CITY IF YOURE NOR MA L! THATS A D IF F ERENT STORY!

ARREST THAT CREEP!

I MP ATIE NCE WATSON , HOUSING DEPT _ WE BEGAN CLEARING THE RESIDENTS OUT OF N ORM A JEAN BAK ER AS SOON AS THE M UTA NT LAW WAS PASSED. THE ID EAL IS FULL INTEGRATION, OF COURSE, BUT INITIALLY IT WAS FELT THAT MI XED BLOCKS MIGHT BE A TEENSY BIT DIFFICULT TO POLICE.

HID EY SM EG, MOTHERS OF MEGA-CITY _

BA RABAS OD ODO , CHURCH OF H.A.T.E. _ LET THE MUTANTS BE PU RGED IN THE FLAMES OF OUR R IGHT EOUS AN GER! WE WILL N EVER ACCEPT THE PRESENCE OF THESE DISGUSTING, SUB-HUMAN M ONST ROSI TIES AMONG US!

END ELL WENN , ANARCHY IN ACTION _ DISORDER _ TURBULENCE _ CHAOS... THESE ARE THE OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR OUR WORK. THE CITY IS A TINDERBOX. ALL THAT IS REQUIRED NOW IS THE RIGHT ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS TO SET IT ALIGHT.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE? WE NEVER ASKED FOR THEM! WE DONT WANT THEM! THEYRE TAKING OUR F OOD AND OUR HOUS ES AND OUR JOBS!

RIGHT ON, SISTER! WE AINT GONNA TAKE IT!

MAY BICKERSTAFF, A FEW SHORT WEEKS AGO YOUR FAMILY WAS GRUBBING FOR G RU BS AT YOUR WASTELAND HOVEL. TODAY, A FINE NEW APARTMENT WITH ALL MOD CONS. HOW DOES IT FEEL?

ITS JUST WONDERFUL. IT WILL TAKE US A WHILE TO ADAPT, OF COURSE.

AND HAVE YOU MET ANY OF THE LOCALS _ N OR MA L PEOPLE, \ MEAN?

OH NO. WE DONT GO OUT. ITS NOT SAFE. QUITE A FEW RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY INJURED GOING OUT _ KILLED, EVEN.

THEY FOUND OLD GIB SMELLIE FROM 422B WITH HIS H EAD CUT OFF JUST YESTERDAY.

THEY DONT LIKE US. ITS JUST NOT SAFE.

IT WAS SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE RIOT BARRIERS AROUND NORMA JEAN BAKER WERE REMOVED.

GRADUALLY THE GUARD WAS REDUCED AS P ROTES TORS NUMBERS DWINDLED, UNTIL THERE WERE JUST A FEW D IEHAR D MUTANT HATERS WILLING TO BRAVE THE COLD OF ONCOMING WINTER.

TONIGHT EVEN T HEY WERE ABSENT.

STRANGE.

CONTROL, THERES NO ONE WATCHING BAKER. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GUARD?

REASSIGNED TO THAT JUVE GANG CONFRONT AT PRECINCT 9. FIGURED THEY COULD BE SPARED FOR AN HOUR OR TWO.

HE DIDNT LIKE IT. AND WHY NO PROTESTORS? COLD MAYBE, BUT NOT THAT COLD.

SOMETHING SMELT WRONG...

TOOT HORN ABY, SEVENTEEN, WEST SECTOR GANG ALLIANCE _ THE WORDS OUT. WERE GOING AFTER THE M UT IE BL OCK TONIGHT. WERE ALL TOOLED UP, GUNS AN BLADES AN ANYTHING THATLL BREAK HEADS.

THEYRE PASSING ROUND THE AN GRY D US T AND EVERYBODYS GETTIN STEAMED.

FREAKIN MUTIES AINT GONNA KNOW WHAT HIT EM!

GONNA SPLASH THEIR JUICE ALL OVER NORMA JAY!

A FEW SNORTS AND IM IN THE MOOD _ AND IT AINT FOR L OV E!

BL OOD! BL OOD! BL OOD!

A WORD HERE, A WHIS PER IN THE RIGHT EARS _ PLUS LI BERAL HELPINGS OF BR AIN CH OWD ER. A SA CK OF J ACK JUST TO GET THEM FIRED UP, THATS ALL IT TAKES.

WELL BE THERE!

ITS HAPPENING. TONIGHT, MIDNIGHT.

A RNI E OA KL EY, COLONEL, ARCHIBALD LEACH BLOCK VOLUNTEERS _ ITS NOT OUR FULL C ITI -DE F UNIT _ CANT CALL IT CITI-DEF. GAVE EVERY MAN AND WOMAN THE CHANCE TO CRY OFF AND SOME TOOK IT. YELLOWBELL IES! DONT GIVE A DA MN THEIR CITYS GOING TO HELL IN A HOVERCRAFT!

WELL, WE DONT NEED THEM! WE GOT DAMN NEAR A TON OF HIGH-GRADE PL AST EEN AND WE KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

WH AT RE WE G ONNA

DO?

BLOW THAT BLOCK SK Y HI GH, MAN !

F IRS T M UTI E BLOCK ON THE MOON!

NEXT PROG NIGHT MOVES!

FULLY LOADED!
All-new Tank Girl story Skid Marks by Alan Martin and Rufus Dayglo starts Meg 275

GETS TANKED UP
a 64-page graphic novel
collecting classic Thrills! Plus now bagged with every issue

Judg e Dredd An derson, Ps i-Division Tales From the Black Mu seum ON SALE 20 AUGUST 2008 ONLY 4 .99

Al so featuring

TONY LEE JON DAVIS-HUNT ELLIE DE VILLE

IN 2237, THE OUTER COLONIES WENT TO WAR.

PART 0NE
FURIOUS WITH AN INEFFECTIVE TERRAN GOVERNMENT, MANY OF THE NONALIGNED COLONY WORLDS CUT TIES WITH EARTH -

- AND ALIGNED WITH THE SHHKEEN, AN ALIEN RACE FROM THE OUTER TERRITORIES.

THE SNAKES WERE UNLIKE HUMANS - INSTEAD OF DESCENDING FROM MAMMALS, THEY WERE COLDBLOODED HUMANOID REPTILES.

COLD BLOODED IN BOTH NAME AND NATURE.

WITHIN TWO YEARS THE SNAKES DE FACTO CONTROLLED THE NONALIGNED WORLDS. THE HUMANS WERE NOW MUSSOLINIS TO THE SNAKES NEW REICH.

WITHIN TEN YEARS THE MUSSOLINIS WERE NOTHING BUT SLAVES TO THE CAUSE, THE POINTANDCLICK WARRIORS OF THE EXPANDING SNAKE EMPIRE.

A DECADELONG GALAXY WIDE WAR WITH NO END IN SIGHT. IT WONT BE OVER IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.

THERE ARE SOME THAT SAY IT WONT EVER END.

AND FOR SOME, THATS TRUE - SPREAD OUT IN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS ACROSS THE COSMOS, HIDDEN FROM THE TERRAN ARMIES VIEW.

THE CAPTURED. THE SURRENDERED. THE LOST. THE HOPELESS.

THAT DOESNT STOP THE HUMANS LOOKING, HOWEVER...

WHATS THE SCORE, ENSIGN?

WERE ON THE GROUND, SIR. THE MARINES SAY THEYVE FOUND A P.O.W. CAMP DZ234 - BUT IT THE SNAKES LOOKS FRESHLY MUST HAVE BEEN CLEANED OUT. READY FOR US.

THAT OR THEY WERE BEING EFFICIENT. THESE CAMPS NEVER STAY IN ONE PLACE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. PERHAPS OUR INTEL WAS OLD, OR -

SIR! WEVE GOT AN OUTGOING VESSEL! ITS A SNAKE TRANSPORT, BOLTING LIKE A RABBIT FROM A HOLE!

GET A FIX ON IT! LAUNCH THE F56S!

DISABLE THAT DAMNED SHIP!

THEYRE POWERING WEAPONS WEAPONS FIRED! DIRECT HIT! SHIELDS DOWN FORTY PER CENT!

FIRE ALL GUNS! BROADSIDE THAT SON OF A BITCH! ALL HANDS TO THEIR POSTS! \ WANT HER STOPPED!

WE CANT LET THEM ESCAPE! OUR MEN -

SHIELDS FAILING! DAMMIT WE HAVE TO PULL BACK!

- WONT THANK US IF WERE DEAD! HYPERDRIVES FAILED! SIR, WE HAVE TO LET THEM GO! THEYVE WON! SIR! ARE YOU LISTENING!

BROODSSHIP ISS THROUGH THEIR BLOCKADE, SSIR. MINIMAL CASSUALTIESS.

JUMPING TO HYPERSSPACE IN TEN, NINE, EIGHT -

WELL DONE, NNSSTRRK. THE WARM BLOODSS ARE BROKEN - THEYLL NEVER CATCH USS.

SSEND A MESSSAGE TO COMMANDANT TRSSSTKK ON JEDDKHA. TELL HIM TO EXPECT BROODSSHIP SSHORTLY -

TELL HIM THAT WE HAVE SSOME NEW BLOOD FOR HIM!

MEET THE NEW CAMP SAME AS THE OLD CAMP.

HEY YOU WERE AT INCARCERATION CAMP DZ234, RIGHT? \ THINK \ GOT TRANSFERRED OUT AS YOU CAME IN. THEY CLOSE THAT ONE DOWN TOO? HOLLAND. NAVIGATOR, TERRAN SPACE FLEET. SHOT DOWN THREE YEARS BACK IN THE CRAB NEBULA. DO YOU NEED TO SEE A DOC? THATS A NASTY BURN ON YOUR ARM... NAH. LETS JUST SAY \ NEEDED SOME PUNISHING AT THE LAST HOLIDAY CAMP. ITS FINE. SO ANY THINGS \ NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ONE?

YEAH, WEVE BEEN SPLIT ACROSS ABOUT THREE GALAXIES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

\M COLLINS. THIRD COLONY MILITIA.

PRETTY MUCH THE STANDARD DESIGN. ELECTRIC FENCES AROUND THE EDGE, GUARD DOGS, ACID MINEFIELD - SNIPERS IN THE TOWERS AND NOWHERE TO RUN TO IF YOU ESCAPE. SAME AS EVERYWHERE ELSE.

ONLY DIFFERENCE HERE IS THE BASTARD, THE COMMANDANT OF THE CAMP. HES A DIE-HARD SNAKE, UTTER COLDBLOODED SCUM... AH, HELL -

- THEY GOT CORDEN AND CHILDS.

THEY ESCAPED? HOW LONG WERE THEY OUT?

NOT LONG ENOUGH. WE KNOW THE PLANETS DESERTED THEY ALWAYS ARE - BUT THERE MUST BE SOMEWHERE OUT THERE WHERE THEY LAND THEIR SHIPS. WE HOPED THEYD FIND IT.

THE SNAKES GOT WIND OF THE ESCAPE, THOUGH - WEVE AN INFORMER IN THE CAMP.

SHIT, IF \ GOT OUT OF HERE YOU WOULDNT SEE ME FOR DUST. THREE YEARS \VE BEEN STUCK IN CAMPS -

- AND WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT, HOLLAND, ITLL BE ANOTHER THREE YEARS BEFORE YOULL LEAVE.

AH, EXCELLENT - YOU FOUND OUR WAIFS AND STRAYS. WEVE BEEN SO WORRIED ABOUT THEM.

JUST PASS THEM BACK OVER TO MY CARE NOW - WELL ENSURE THEYRE PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY.

HIS LEG WAS CRUSHED IN THE THATS BATTLE OF HOPES COLONEL JOHN CROSSING - AND HE NEWTON, OUR STILL TOOK OUT COMMANDING OFFICER. A PLATOON OF WE CALL HIM MOTHER. MUSSOLINIS.

SSTAND BACK! SSTAND BACK!

YES, THE PROBLEM IS, YOU SEE, THAT \ CANT UNDERSTAND A BLOODY WORD YOURE HISSING. SO BE A GOOD LITTLE ADDER AND GIVE ME MY MEN -

THERE WILL BE NO GIVING BACK OF YOUR MEN TODAY, COMMANDER. SSO THESSE ARE OUR VALIANT ESSCAPEESS? WHAT A SSHAME. AND THEY GOT SSO FAR.

YOULL GET NOTHING FROM US, TRSSSTKK. AS OFFICERS IN THE TERRAN ARMY WE CLAIM BY THE CONCORDANCE OF -

MAJOR ANDREWSS, YOUR CHARGESS ARE PLAYING UP. PUNISSH THEM.

SILENCE!

DO YOU THINK \ EVEN CARE ABOUT YOUR PATHETIC RIGHTS? YOU ARE GUTTER SCUM! TWO DAYS IN THE PIT FOR CORDEN! FOR PLANNING THE ESCAPE CHILDS TO GET TWENTY LASHES!

THE PIT?

THE SANDPIT. YOURE BOUND AND BURIED UP TO YOUR NECK, WITH ONLY YOUR HEAD EXPOSED.

IF YOU DONT GO MAD, YOU DIE FROM THE HEAT - OR FROM BEING EATEN BY THE WILDLIFE. NOBODYS EVER LASTED MORE THAN FIVE DAYS, APART FROM -

PLEASE! \ DIDNT PLAN THE DONT LIE TO ME! WE KNOW IT WAS YOU!

LET ME GUESS THE MYTHICAL RAIDER.

LET ME ASK YOU, OLD MAN IF HES SO GOOD AT ESCAPING, WHYS HE SO RUBBISH AT EVADING CAPTURE, EH?

THERE IS AN INFORMER. THERES NO WAY THAT THEY WOULD KNOW THAT...

HURTSS? DO NOT WORRY - THE PAIN WILL BE BRIEF.

PAY ATTENTION FOR THISS ISS WHAT HAPPENSS TO ANYONE WHO DARESS TO CROSSS ME!

HALF RATIONSS FOR A WEEK! DOUBLE EXERCISSE DRILLSS -

-AND DEATH!

MOTHER OF GOD! \ MUST SSPEAK TO YOU, SSHAEFFER HOLLAND.

WAIT THERE, COLLINS.

THAT COLD-BLOODED SON OF A BITCH! \LL KILL HIM! AND HIS MUSSOLINI LAPDOG!

WHAT THE HELL... ?

YOURE A BIT CHUMMY THERE WITH THE SNAKE GUARD, ARENT YOU?

\ DONT KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. \ WASNT TALKING TO ANY SNAKE GUARD.

BUT THAT WAS A -

SERIOUSLY. IF YOU KNOW WHATS GOOD FOR YOU, YOULL FORGET THAT YOU EVER SAW THAT.

NOW. LETS FIND YOU A BED...

ITS HOLLAND AND COLLINS! LET US IN!

STAY CLOSE TO THE WALLS DONT LET THE LIGHTS CATCH YOU!

YOURE LATE. WEVE ALREADY STARTED.

SORRY. THERERE MORE SNAKES THAN USUAL OUT THERE. WE HAD TO CHECK IN ON CORDEN.

\ CHECKED HIM EARLIER. HES IN GOOD SPIRITS FOR A SUNBURNED HEAD, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

BACK TO BUSINESS, THEN. GIBSON WAS SHOWING US HIS LATEST PICKAXE DESIGN.

AYE. WE MANAGED TO STEAL TWO SIDE BARS FROM A SNAKE TRANSPORT AND HAMMER THEM INTO A CRUDE PICK.

THEYRE STRONG AND DURABLE. YOU COULD STOVE A SNAKES SKULL IN WITH ONE OF THESE AND STILL CARRY ON THROUGH INTO THE ROCK.

WELL, WE THOUGHT ITD BE EASIER TO JUST BRING YOU HERE NOW, SO YOU CAN ADMIT YOURE A MUSSOLINI SPY - A MOLE AND INFORMER FOR THE SNAKES. YOU SEE, \ KNEW \D SEEN YOU BEFORE, BUT NOT AS A PRISONER. AND THAT REALLY CONFUSED ME TO START WITH. \ MEAN, HOW ELSE COULD \ HAVE?

LOOK, \-\ DONT KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN-

LOOK, \M SORRY, BUT WHY AM \ HERE? \VE JUST ARRIVED AND SUDDENLY \M PART OF THE GANG?

AND THEN \ REMEMBERED YOU WERE AT CAMP DZ-234, BUT NOT AS A PRISONER. YOU WERE A GUARD. WHEN THEY KILLED CHILDS IT CAME BACK TO \ RECALL ME. BEING WHIPPED ONCE FOR ESCAPING. \ RECALL BEING WHIPPED BY Y OU.

WHATS GOING ON?

WHIPPED BY ME? YOURE INSANE! \M NO SNAKE LOVER! \ COME FROM IDAHO!

YOU WERE A MUSSOLINI AND YOU WORE THE BADGE OF HONOUR AS A TATTOO ON YOUR UPPER ARM. BUT LOOK! A HANDY BURN COVERS WHERE IT WAS! DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT WOULD WORK? THAT WERE THAT STUPID?

YES! \ THINK YOURE ALL STUPID! SOON THE WAR WILL BE OVER, AND YOU WILL LEARN TO FOLLOW THE SHHKEEN AS WE HAVE -

SHUT UP AND DIE.

YOU STUPID BASTARD, THIS WASNT AN ESCAPE COMMITTEE MEETING. THIS WAS A TRIAL AND EXECUTION.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW WORLD ORDER, SCUM. ENJOY YOUR THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER IN HELL.

WELL NEED THAT MOVED BY THE MORNING. MAKE SURE THE SNAKES SEE IT.

NOW. LETS TALK ABOUT TUNNELLING. CORDEN WILL BE OUT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND HELL GIVE US A FULL LAYOUT OF THE SURROUNDING AREA...

\ TOLD YOU THAT IT WOULDNT WORK.

YOU THINK THISS FUNNY? \ WANT THE KILLERSS DEAD! \ WANT THISS CAMP PUNISSHED!

NOBODY NOBODY DOESS THISS IN MY CAMP!

YES, OH LORD AND BLOODY MASTER...

THAT WAS A GOOD PICK-UP, HOLLAND. WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT IF HED BEEN HERE LONGER?

THERES STILL A SPY IN THE CAMP, OLD MAN. MAYBE THISLL MAKE MOTHER SPEED UP OUR ESCAPE PLANS.

HE HAS TO, ANYWAY THERES TALK OF ANOTHER MOVE. CAMPS BEEN HERE A YEAR NOW ITS TIME TO START TRANSFERRING US AGAIN BEFORE WERE DISCOVERED. HEY! HAVE YOU HEARD? WEVE GOT A NEW INMATE! HES JUST PULLED UP!

HES UNDER SERIOUS GUARD, A SPECIAL CASE THEY SAY HES RAIDER!

NEXT PROG THE MAN AND THE MYTH!

g g g g g g g g g

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SUPPORTING THRILL-POWERED TEA BREAKS SINCE 1977!

T H E

G A L A X Y S

G R E A T E S T

C O M I C

ALBANY, UPSTATE NEW Y ORK, 1775:

WHERE IS THAT DAMNABLE BOY? WHATS THE PROBLEM, CYRUS? AH, \ SENT NATHAN TO FETCH THE CATTLE FROM THE HIGH MEADOW BUT HES BEEN GONE AN AGE AND A HALF.

OLD GODS a
NATHAN! NATHAN!

IAN EDGINTON STEVE YEOWELL ELLIE DE VILLE

HES PROBABLY PAYING A-COURT TO WILLIAM MASBETHS DAUGHTER EN ROUTE. SHES RIGHTLY BLOSSOMED SOME THIS SPRING. ALL THE YOUNG BUCKS HAVE NOTICED.

THATS AS MAYBE BUT THESE ARENT THE DAYS AN TIMES TO PLAY THE DOE-EYED FOOL. THERES WAR IN THE WIND, LUCAS. THIS IS A BIG COUNTRY ALL RIGHT -

- BUT AFORE YOU KNOW IT, STRIFE WILL COME CALLIN AT OUR DOOR!

AHHUH! AHHUH!

FATHER! RUN!

GHUKK!

NATHAN?

MY BOY! THEYVE DONE FOR MY BOY, LUCAS! INDIANS... IROQUOIS! THOSE FILTHY, HEATHEN BASTARDS!

NO... NO, \ DONT THINK SO...

\ THINK ITS SOMETHING ELSE!

MERCIFUL GOD IN HEAVEN!

SPARE NO ONE! SET A TABLE FOR THE CROWS!

WE ARE ATTACKED! TO ARMS! TO ARMS!

GO! BE THEIR DOOM!

YOU KILLED MY SON!

GAAAHHH!

JOIN HIM IN THE DIRT.

THE SLEEPER SHALL NOT AWAKEN!

THE CONNECTICUT COAST:

STEADY AS SHE GOES, GENTLEMEN! LETS HAVE HER SHIP-SHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION BEFORE WE MAKE PORT! SHE MAY BE A TUB, BUT SHES OUR TUB!

TIGHTEN AND TIE OFF THOSE LINES, MR MCKENZIE!

AYE, CAPTAIN!

MR CAESAR, MR VINEGAR, SEE THAT SHEET AND CORDAGE IS CLEARED, IF YOU WILL!

WILL DO, SKIP!

GOTCHA, GUV!

KEEP US ON AN EVEN KEEL, MR EREBUS! WELL MAKE A SEADOG OF YOU YET! OH, VERY DROLL. \ DONT KNOW WHERE HE GETS THEM FROM, \ REALLY DONT.

YOU CLEARLY HAVE THE SEA IN YOUR BLOOD, JACK, BUT DONT YOU MISS IT? MISS WHAT?

- WITNESSING THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD FIRST HAND!

CHASING THE FANTASTIC -

AFTER ALL, ITS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE OUR SUBTERRANEAN EXCURSION AND \ STILL CANT GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD. YET YOU ALL SEEM TO HAVE SETTLED BACK INTO NORMAL LIFE WITH CONSUMMATE EASE...

YES, WELL, IF WE DIDNT WED STARVE, SIMPLE AS THAT. IF ONLY WED TROUSERED A FEW OF THOSE TREASURES ALONG THE WAY WED BE LAUGHING.

SADLY, WE WERE MOSTLY PLAYING THE TERRIFIED TOURIST, ERGO WE NOW HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING!

BUT THERE ARE TIMES, YES, \ MISS THE WONDER OF IT ALL, TO SET EYES ON SUCH SIGHTS AND PLACES AS FEW MEN HAVE SEEN.

THERE WAS TOO HIGH A PRICE TO PAY FOR SUCH RECKLESS ADVENTURING, THOUGH...

\D EXCHANGE IT ALL IN A HEARTBEAT TO GIVE TOM HIS LAD BACK.

THERES NOTHING WE SAW OR DID THAT WAS WORTH Y OUNG JIMS LIFE. WE LOST A FINE SHIPMATE, A GOOD FRIEND, AND LOVING SON.

SO NOW, SEMI-SIBLING OF MINE, TO EARN A CRUST WE HAVE BECOME SMUGGLERS OF POWDER AND SHOT FOR THESE UPSTART AMERICANS!

\ AM AN ENGLISHMAN AND A PATRIOT, BUT WITH THE ROYAL NAVY AFTER US TO DO A GALLOWS JIG AND OUR PIRATE BRETHREN A DAMN SIGHT WORSE, IF WE HAVE TO SUP WITH RADICALS TO SURVIVE THEN SO BE IT...

\VE RUCKED WITH DEVILS AND DINOSAURS AND FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT ALONGSIDE LITTLE GREEN MEN. THESE MOUTHY COLONIALS ARE A DODDLE!

CAPTAIN JACK DANCER?

\ AM HE. HAS THE COLONIAL MILITIA COME TO HELP US UNLOAD OUR CHARGE? EXTRA HANDS AND BROAD BACKS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

YOU AND YOUR MEN WILL COME WITH US. NOW.

AND LEAVE MY SHIP AND CARGO UNTENDED? PULL THE OTHER ONE, ITS GOT BELLS ON! WE ALL HEARD ABOUT THAT HOO-HA IN BOSTON HARBOUR A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. IT WAS NOT A REQUEST. YOULL DO AS YOURE ORDERED. OR YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL BE COOLING YOUR HEELS IN THE JAILHOUSE, AND YOUR BOY THERE WILL FIND HIMSELF IN SHACKLES, BACK ON A PLANTATION WHERE HE BELONGS! \M NO MANS SLAVE, DICKHEAD! AN \M MORE THAN THE EQUAL OF YOU!

BESIDES, WE HAVE LETTERS OF MARQUE AND DISPENSATION -

OR WHAT?

INSOLENT -

AH WUD NAE DO THAT IF AH WAS YOU, PAL. IF NAE FYER OWN SAKE, THEN THINK OYEH WEE CHUMS, CAUSE THEYRE THE ONES WHOLL HAVE TAE PULL THIS PISTOL OUT OF YARSE WHEN AHM DONE! RELEASE ME OR MY MEN WILL FIRE!

STAND DOWN, BILL. HE GETS THE IDEA. YOURE ALL UNDER ARREST -

CAPTAIN TREFUSIS! WHAT IN THE NAME OF GODS BALLS IS GOING ON HERE? \ ASKED YOU TO ESCORT THESE MEN, NOT WAYLAY THEM LIKE DAMNED FOOTPADS!

MAJOR GENERAL, \ DIDNT MEAN... THEY WOULDNT...

AH, NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE...

HELLO, GEORGE. TO WHAT DO WE OWE THE PRIVILEGE?

NEXT PROG HOME OF THE BRAVE!

PROSTRATE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE MIGHTY ONE AND UTTER YOUR FOUL OPINIONS!

Dear Tharg, I hope my letter nds you in your usual rude health. I was very impressed by The Vort, and not just because of the ne artwork provided by Mr DIsraeli (especially as he is the wrong side of 200!). I found the writing of Ms G. Powell (surely a George Eliot-like pseudonym, designed to ensure she is judged on the quality of her work, not the smoothness of her skin) magical and her effortless world-building skills inspirational. Bravo! I especially appreciated the surprise revelation that Crispy wasnt so crispy any more! I hadnt seen that coming, as I was expecting the twist to reveal he was really Quentin Crisp An Englishman in the Vort, as Gordon Sumner nearly sang. Im sure Ms Powell has thought ahead and come up with a new nickname for this chap, as I feel the adventure is only just beginning. However, I dont feel Lob is much of a clue perhaps we should look forward to a galactic game of tennis? A Wimbledon of the Worlds? It could be rather fun. I know a coy young lly like Ms Powell would never fall for a bluff old cove like my good self, but perhaps she might grace us all with a photograph in your ne publication to cut out and keep as the young folk say these days, and place on our bedside table, to stare at all moon-eyed before Morpheus velvet cloak descends upon us once again. Or a picture of that Spurrier droid in a dress, whichever is easiest to procure. My years in the Royal Navy have left me exible on such matters, and Ill wager a ne bottle of port that Im not the only one! Your ever-faithful servant, Rufus Bedside III, Bedside Manor

PEN FRIEND

little sense and the black-and-white art, which I would normally love, looks messy and its sometimes difcult to really work out what on earth is going on. Im disappointed that you brought Defoe back so quickly but you seem to have left the other brilliant series that made its debut at the same time still waiting for a return... Greysuit . When oh when can we expect to see the return of one of the best Thrills in recent years? I for one cant wait to see some more Delta-class assassin action and to see if the minister gets his just desserts! And while we are on the subject of superb stories, when can we expect volume three of Kingdom ? Regarding the rest of the current progs, the recent Dredds have been superb but some of the older characters are starting to get a little stale. Dante and Sinister Dexter are becoming dull and I wonder whether they should have a rest for a while for their respective droids to recharge? The Vort was excellent and I was surprised by the twist. Itd be nice if this is the beginning of an intelligent story arc involving Random who, as a character, hasnt been used to his potential yet. Keep up the good work! Paul Cable, Windsor

Greysuit returns for the second scrotnig series in Prog 2009 (and yes, Earthlet Goggans, it will be a double-length opener!).

Alas, G. Powells ravaged features must remain hidden for now. This droids twisted visage makes Crispy himself look like Conrad Conn

Dear Tharg, Once my eyes nally stopped hurting from trying to read the lettering in Prog 1589s Defoe, I was glad to see that this was the best issue in many weeks. Its great stuff from cover to cover, most especially that remarkable double-page spread in Amerika. I just hope that before Defoe gets a reprint edition one day, it gets re-lettered for claritys sake. That was the only downside to this great story. I read the collected Young Death edition and really enjoyed seeing this great Thrill again. Im glad to see more of this period of the Megazine nding its way into the reprint line. There were many other very good stories in the Megs rst and second volumes. I hope well see Armitage and Missionary Man making their way onto shelves soon as well. I suppose that by now you are putting the nishing touches on Prog 1600, and nalising plans for Prog 2009 in December. As youre deciding what should appear in your annual big issue, I hope youll consider making this a little more of a standout issue than the last couple of year-end progs were. Id like to see more one-off episodes of some Thrills that havent been seen in a while, possibly along with one or two oldies from the vault. If Winwood and Cord are going to be stomping around time and space again, a reprint of that Indigo Prime story from Prog 678 would be a good idea to reintroduce the concept to a new audience. Or maybe a new one-off Tharg tale it has been too long since weve seen life in the Command Module from your perspective rather than P14s. Maybe a Shakara one-shot, giving us more Teknosaur craziness? The possibilities are endless, so please dont just use it for a bunch of double-length episodes and another Sinister Dexter comedy this year. Grant Goggans, USA

MISTLETOE AND WHINE

Dear Tharg, Nice double bluff, but to be honest the finale of The Vort felt like a cop-out coming so close on the heels of Dead Eyes Shyamalan-esque conclusion. A pity, because The Vort was shaping up to be one of 2000 ADs classic future-war stories. Dante is at an absolute high at the moment. I could hear the silence after the crash in Prog 1596. Of course theyre going to live, but it was still a very poignant moment. Good show, Messrs Morrison and Fraser. And while I remember, is it just me or has the Elson droid has really stepped up a notch in Blindside ? Clive Sharp, Australia

HUFF AND BLUFF

I dont see any similarity between the endings of Dead Eyes and The Vort the latter revolved around a characters identity, so a reveal was on the cards sooner or later. As for the former, that was more a case of one story gatecrashing another

Dear Tharg, Finding out that the Dead Man was Judge Dredd? Priceless. Finding out that Malone was Finnigan Sinister? Excellent. Seeing Indigo Prime again at the end of Dead Eyes? Wonderful. Seeing Lobster Random return at the end of The Vort ? No! Please! Just no! Some characters deserve to be forgotten. Please make him one once again. Paul Tapner, Dorset

RANDOM RETURN

Nope. The tetchy torturer is back next prog! Write to: 2000 AD, REBELLION, RIVERSIDE HOUSE, OSNEY MEAD, OXFORD OX2 OES Email (including your postal address): INPUT@2000ADONLINE.COM Letter of the Week wins a 2000 AD Graphic Novel and every letter printed wins a zarjaz 2000 AD Heroclix gure!

Quaequam blag, theres bloody gratitude for you! So much for assuming you Squaxx wanted maximum bang for your groats

SUITED AND REBOOTED

Dear Mighty One, I know Im probably in the minority here but I cant stand Defoe. The story makes very