Volume 3 of Zarjaz continues to THRILL. As I have stated before anthologies are often a mixed bag, like a 1970's bags of penny sweets. There are some you love and some less so much. So what bag of goodies has this issue served up? Are they full of the ones we love and adore, or are there a couple that don't rest so well on the tongue?
Just like issue One I promised a review of issue Two. So here goes.
...
Anderson PSI Division by Troy Martin and Ed Traquino just gets it. Their six page story shamelessly uses Anderson's Debbie Harry origins to great effect. Numerous hits are name dropped and it just works as a fun one and done story. This is a fine opener to this sophomore edition of volume 3.
...
The conclusion of The Guns of Navar-1 is a welcome addition to prog 2. This Rogue Trooper story has been a lot of fun. It riffs on the idea that some world weary war veterans might sit down and tell stories with a travelling seasoned and cynical journalist that may bear a passing resemblance to Hunter S Thompson. It works very well. This has been a solid 2 part storyline.
...
For me Zarjaz's continuation of 2000Ad's classic strip MACH ONE continues to create issues and problems for me. The creators clearly have bold ambitions. The problem is the ambitions here may outstrip the delivery. There is a lot to commend. There are ideas aplenty left right and centre, and the action is more spicy than the first issue.... I have a sneaky feeling this story could however be the sleeping giant of Zarjaz. There is a good chance the third and future instalments might well lay waste to my misgivings.
Zarjaz as a publication follows proudly in the footsteps of 2000AD. I am going to say this adaption / follow up to MACH ONE may make an exceptionally satisfying read if eventually published in a single volume. Not all stories work being broken up into bite sized morsels some need to be enjoyed and appreciated as a whole.
...
AND so we come to the main course. JUDGE DREDD: Ricochet. This once again is the highlight of the issue. Pete Howard and Brett Burbridge bring the goods again. I don't want to give the game away, except to say you get a beautiful written and tightly drawn action sequence full of character and drama that culminates in a dramatic and COLOURFUL double page spread worthy of any issue of 2000AD. No Notes. PERFECTION. I have nothing else to add.
...
Bill Savage Armageddon 1980 continues and it irritates me and thrills me. Daniel Wiston continues on script duties but there is a change of artist. Patrick Brown takes over artistic duties and it is jarring, but there are some enormous positives here.
His art is scratchy and wild and willing to take risks. To an old comics fan such as myself his art reminds me of the early work of Sean Philips. By accident Zarjaz may have discovered a future star. Brown's storytelling works well. For many artists this is the hardest skill to master and because of this the story flows without fault. It is a joy to read. I am calling it now. Patrick Brown may be an artist to watch. I'd be fascinated to see what he does with a paint brush.
...
When it comes to the increasingly cheeky bedroom antics of Torquemadas by Matthew Ellis and Chris Geary I will leave it at this. The double page spread teases much more as it did in issue one and I suspect that may be a running sexy theme. All I'll say is it is bloody fun to look at and it's very well written. The addition of the DiceMan adds to the sense of nostalgia.
...
Of note is a Star Scan pin up of Dredd by artist Bobby Brice. It is a beauty and if Zarjaz don't utilize this image for posters, t-shirts and large convention backdrops they are missing a trick. This one page addition is superb. This page is eye catching and worthy of further exposure.
...
Strontium Dog: Winterkill is an unusually dark treat for Zarjaz. It is the conclusion of the storyline that began in the previous issue. Alba Ciede's black and white art compliments the snowy setting, and despite appearing slightly cartoonish it is ideal for Dr Bob's storyline. The proceedings are as cold emotionally as arctic setting. Here is a Johnny Alpha rarely seen, a young but ruthless revolutionary.
...
Editor Andrew Lewis and artist Brett Burbridge have a lot of fun with a three page Cosmic Claw story titled Last Laugh. There is little that needs to be said. It is just a wonderful pairing of an editor and writer and an artist on top of their game telling a tightly written fun short story. It is the meat and potatoes that 2000AD was built upon. YUMMY... more like this please.
... 
The return of Wolfie Smith by Craig Dawson and Tom Bonin looks like a story worth watching. There is a feeling some of these stories are all interconnected and this might just be one of them. The art is reminiscent of Warren Pleece's early art. This a story that is building to something... what that may be one can only speculate.
...
Troopers is a one page strip by Paul Malone that finishes the issue. It is the expresso one has at the end of a satisfying meal. It is a colourful, bouncy page that raises a smile. It is a terrific way to round out proceedings.
...
Overall what can we say about issue two? It certainly maintains a proud tradition. With two thrills seemingly concluded one wonders what new wonders Andrew Lewis has in his locker for issue 3. I'm on board and cannot wait to find out. If Zarjaz is a journey, I'd like a ticket to the next stop please? Not a return ticket... I'd like a ticket all the way please?