Defoe- Spirits of Christmas

Words by Matt McLaughlin, Pictures by Conor Boyle and letters by Bolt-01

Merry Christmas to one and all from the team here at the Quaequam blog.

Dogbreath 01- Now available

At last, over at the Dogbreath Archive we can present the very first issue of Dogbreath. Thanks to Richard Herrero for providing us with the scans for this issue.

And then I saw... JUDGE MINTY.

Few of you reading this will be unaware of Judge Minty- the fan film based on the classic episode of Judge Dredd by John Wagner and Mike McMahon; after all there has been an ad for it at the side of the blog for a long time.

I saw the film recently and consider it to be one of the finest pieces of ‘Fan’ fiction around. The story uses the strip from prog 148 as a starting point and builds from there into a very accomplished short film. The cast are superb throughout, as are the production values. The whole film looks and feels ‘right’ in a way that adds to the project as a whole. I cannot recommend this film enough.

I am tempted to start getting stuck in to why I liked the film, but I’m very aware that one of the best things the film has going for it is surprise. I did not know what the overall story was for the film, and so the reveal of the extended plot was a total joy, and one that I will be revisiting often.

If you are reading this and you are going to be attending a convention in the UK over the next year, pray that Judge Minty makes an appearance.

It's AERO-time!

Just a note to remind you all about the outstanding video compilations from Richard Herrero that are available on Youtube.

Richard is a long standing friend of the blog and has been instrumental in tracking down some of the rarer items over the years, most recently he kindly donated a set of scans for Dogbreath 01 that will see the light of day shortly.

His channel link is Here! and his main playlists are The covers! and the  TV appearances/documentaries 

Enjoy!

Thought Bubble!

Just a reminder that in less than 48 hours this years THOUGHT BUBBLE over in lovely Leeds will be starting off and team FQP will be there for both days. Drop by for the latest issues of both Zarjaz and Dogbreath, as well as the latest issues of both FutureQuake and Something Wicked.

Also available this weekend, complete sets of the current run of Zarjaz, only 2 sets available, so if you want one, get there early or let me know via the email on the right.

 

We can also announce that Art droid extraordinaire COLIN MACNEIL will be at the table during the weekend sketching and selling original artwork. Table 166 in the New Dock Hall.

STAK! Digital Download

From the depths of Milli-Com, Stak is the fanzine for the ROGUE TROOPER. Stak collects together fan produced material including creators Al Ewing, Gordon Rennie, PJ Holden, Michael Carroll, Bolt-01, Richmond Clements, Bryan Coyle, Ed Berridge, James Kircough and many more.

This has been out of print for over five years and is now highly sought after.

The issue is available from Comicsy and from the 'Digital Downloads' Link on the right.

Dogbreath 07- Now for Free Download

It's the first of the month so it month be time for another classic slice of GCC history. This month sees the release of Dogbreath 07.

Go get a copy while you can norms, we're just too sneckin' good to ya.

Dogbreath Archive

Zarjaz 16- On Sale NOW!

Available now- Zarjaz 16

Behind the cover by Jon Haward and Nigel Dobbyn we present more thrills lifted from the thought processes of the Mighty One Himself.

This issue we present:

Strips:

Anderson- I Death. 6 pages by writer Lee Robson, artist Dunk Nimmo and letterer Bolt-01

BAD COMPANY- Krool Intentions. 4 pages by writer Mark Pexton, artist and letterer James Newell

Flesh-FutureShock. 4 pages by writer Andrew Cheverton, artist David Frankum and letterer Andrew Cheverton

JD- Sleepers Awake. 10 pages by writer Tom Proudfoot, artist David Broughton and letterer Bolt-01

Sinister Dexter- Dr Maybes Museum. 3 pages by writer ony McVeigh, artist Chris Askham and letterer Bolt-01

Slaine-Night Moves. 6 pages by writer Richmond clements, artist Jon Haward and letterer Bolt-01

Tales of the GI- In The Zone 3. 5 pages by writer Mike Carroll, artist and letterer Bolt-01

The Hills Of Hellfire, My Dear. 8 pages by writer, artist and letterer Mick Cassidy

Whatever Happened to… Sancho Panzer? 6 pages by writer The Emperor, artist David Broughton and letterer Bolt-01

Dogbreath 26- On sale!

Available now- Dogbreath 26

Behind the cover by Jake Lynch present more files from the GCC archives.

This issue we present:

STRIPS

Strontium Dog- Enough For Good. 5 pages by writer Lee Robson, artist Steven Denton and letterer Bolt-01

Strontium Dog- Skin Deep. 6 pages by writer Derek Hamill, artist Leigh Kuilboer and letterer Bolt-01

Strontium Dog- Riley's Collar. 10 pages by writer Derek Hamill, artist Jon Taylor and letterer Bolt-01

Strontium Dog's- He Nose You Know. 6 pages by writer Alski, artist Ross Bampfylde and letterer Bolt-01

Strontium Dog- Wolves. 6 pages by writer MJ Howard, artist David Broughton and letterer Bolt-01

Features:

Case File 27- Bitch. 1 page by writer Leigh Shepherd

Case File 28- A Royal Affair. 1 page by writer Leigh Shepherd

Case File 29- A Sorry Case. 1 page by writer Leigh Shepherd              

Today's Special- The life and Death of Johnny Alpha. 2 pages by writer Butch

Starscan: Strontium Dog-Riley's collar by Jon Taylor

Strontium Dog- Kick Ass!

The final contribution to 'Get Well Carlos' was written by John Wagner, with pictures and letters by Bolt-01 and colours by Matt Soffe. Thanks to M.J. Howard for arranging this.

Carlos Sanchez Robo-Stogie!

Words by Richmond Clements, Pictures and letters by Bolt-01. Again for the 'Get Well Carlos' Project organised by M.J. Howard.

Teen Wulf- Cucumber

Words by Richmond Clements, Pictures by Kev Levell and Letters by Bolt-01. Originally part of 'Get Well Carlos Ezquerra'

This strip riffs on the 'Teen Wulf' strip from Dogbreath 22.

Dr WTF?

Originally presented in Dr WTF 2012, words by Richmond Clements, pictures and letters by Bolt-01.

Tales of the GI- In The Zone 02

Previous Episode

Originally presented in Zarjaz 09.

The next episode is in Zarjaz 16.

Tales of the GI- In The Zone 01

This strip follows on from: In The Dark

Originally published in Zarjaz 05.

Next Episode.

1st look- JUDGE DREDD- Jurassic farce

Bit of a heads up more than anything for this, as it won't be in print till next year, but this is just too good not to share! Words by Lee Robson and pictures by Stewart Moore. Here at Zarjaz we are pretty excited to see this one.

Coming soon! Judge Minty!

That's right, after a gestation that would shame an elephant, Judge Minty is almost ready to be seen by the masses.

The film will have selected Thought Bubble screenings in November, and we here at Zarjaz cannot wait!

1st Look- The Hills of Hellfire, my dear...

Coming to the pages of Zarjaz, THE HILLS OF HELLFIRE, MY DEAR... by Mick Cassidy. Complete this issue, join the wandering mutants of the cursed earth as they struggle not only with life and the predatory raiders that follow them, but also with a mysterious guest.

1st look- Strontium Dog- Enough for Good.

Out in the galactic badlands, there are few worse things to see than a band of known outlaws wandering into town. That is, unless you are a Strontium Dog and the outlaws have a price on their heads. In Dogbreath 26 Lee Robson and Steven Denton show us what happens when you let greed blind you to the depths of the human soul.

1st look- Strontium Dog- Skin Deep.

STRONTIUM DOG- Skin Deep is a six page strip by Derek Hamill and, new to Dogbreath, Leigh Kuilboer. This strip is going to form part of Dogbreath 26, on sale as soon as it's current whereabouts are determined by the GCC.

Dogbreath 26: Cover!

Collecting bounty soon, Dogbreath 26 will feature a cover by Jake Lynch. The issue will be available soon and will be a featured sale at the Thought Bubble convention in Leeds.

Zarjaz 16: Cover!

The astoundingly good cover you see here is by the award winning Jon Haward, with colour by the always welcome at Zarjaz Nigel Dobbyn.

Zarjaz 16 will be available soon and will be a featured sale at Thought Bubble in November, priced £3.00

Dogbreath 06 FREE!

Released today from the GCC database, Dogbreath 06 is another classic slice of Fan created thrillage. Find it and all other available issues in the Dogbreath Archive

Coming Soon- Judge Dredd- Barely Legal

Following on from the pairing in the recent Dredd 3D film, Judges Dredd and Anderson return to the pages of Zarjaz in BARELY LEGAL, by Andrew Williams and Daniel Bell. Sometimes- nothing is as it seems.

Dredd 3D- Review.

The team here at Zarjaz were lucky enough to be invited to the Rebellion fan screening on August 30^th, where we were sat in the same row as both John Wagner ‘and’ Carlos Ezquerra. The screening went well and the film was well received by fans. We had a great time meeting friends we’ve not seen for a good while, and also meeting folk we have only ever known from the 2000 AD messageboard.

I also saw the film more recently in an ordinary screening, to help me crystallise my feelings about the film.

A fistful of Dollars

The film cost apparently in the region of 45 million to make, which in my opinion is a fairly ‘low budget’ production for a film of this type. That money was very well spent, as for me there were no obvious instances where an effect was used. The economy of production also, in my opinion leads to some of the stylistic and plot decisions made. Mega-City One is not yet the organic behemoth seen in 2000 AD, and the vehicles are more or less recognisable as being the same level of technology as we have at the moment. It also may well have been instrumental in the decision to base the majority of the film indoors.

A few dollars more

Extra budget may well have enabled the vehicles to be more akin to those in 2000 AD, and have allowed for a more expansive script but it would also have raised the bar the film would need to pass to make it commercially viable, thereby dictating that the film reach a wider audience and that would mean a lower certificate than the 18 it received in the UK.

The good…

The cast. Karl Urban really does an astounding job. As well as the vocal similarity to Clint Eastwoods delivery (Most especially for me in the scene where Dredd delivers a weapon safety lesson to a pair of juve’s) echoing Dredd’s earliest inspirations to the silent pauses and body language reminiscent of the way that modern Dredd is portrayed.

Olivia Thirlby, as Anderson has a lot riding on her character, as she is the ‘emotional heart’ of the movie. The early vulnerability she displays is important to all as it shows that Dredd is not the only style of Judge.

 In fact, the whole cast was superb. Each actor was convincing in their role.

The bad…

Dredd is seriously bad in this. He is every bit the faceless deliverer of justice he was envisioned. The levels of violence in the film are never played for humour- when someone gets hurt- they look hurt.

If I was to pick a flaw with the film- it would be the inclusion of a ‘Chief Judge’ as in my opinion that role would have been more suited to a ‘Sector Chief’ character, especially in light of the final scene that character is in. Imagine the President of the United States turning up with the first responders at any everyday event. How likely do you think that would be?

…and the ugly!

Poor Ma-Ma!

Overall I have to thoroughly recommend this film- I know we here at Zarjaz are more likely than most to support a film- even if it was flawed, but this surpassed all my expectations. Thanks to Rebellion for inviting us to attend the preview.

Dredd Day in Dundee!

Info from Friend of the blog, Phillip Vaughan-

Original Judge Dredd Art Exhibition Launch
Friday 28th September at the University of Dundee,
Baxter Suite in the Tower Building, 6PM then...

Exclusive Dredd Screening @ the DCA in Dundee with special Dredd Creator guests Alan Grant, Al Ewing, Colin MacNeil and Cam Kennedy...Friday 28th September 2012 at the DCA, Dundee  Contemporary Arts Centre. Screening 8PM

Followed by a Q&A session with the creators!
(Tickets for screening from the DCA Website: http://www.dca.org.uk/whats-on/films/index.html)
Should be available from the 14th Sept, but keep checking the site!

Also available are limited copies of Zarjaz 12, 13, 14 & 15- Make sure to get one while you can!

Coming Soon- FLESH- Future Shock

Coming to the pages of Zarjaz 16, LESH- Future shock sees Earl Reagan make his first appearance in Zarjaz courtesy of writer ANDREW CHEVERTON and artist DAVID FRANKUM. This is one not to be missed.

Coming Soon: DURHAM RED- Neon Nights

Coming soon to the pages of Dogreath- Durham Red- Neon Nights by writer Lee 'Babble' Robson and art 'bot Bolt-01.

Dogbreath 05- For Free!

Holy Sneck, normo, I can't believe it's that time of the month again! This months FREE download is Dogbreath 05 which features among its pages an interview with the man himself- JOHN WAGNER!

Remember that all the older issues of Dogbreath available are to be found here, and you can join us next month for Dogbreath 06.

JUDGE DREDD- Rich Pickings.

Fresh from the pages of Zarjaz 14; writer Derek Hamill and artist George coleman are now joined by colour artist Owen Watts to present an exclusive remix of Judge Dredd- Rich Pickings.

As ever, click on the images to view larger versions.