A View to a Thrill

Dredd & Anderson -Art by Robin Smith -with my my colour based of James Bond poster featuring Roger Moore and Grace Jones -I tried to use similar colours from that original movie poster probably not as good as original as that was nicely coloured for it's time anyhow-but needed the practice been a colourless summer since I lost that Star Wars splash page.- I will get back on that and Anderson -but things are kinda hectic.
Bit of a speculative post this time around about Mega City One TV series (I imagine the wheels are in motion ) but first up the MC4 (I'm always harping on about the wonders of The MC5 but Mega City Four were also awesome- saw them I guess in 1990 or 91 my friend Sam was a bit of a blagger  managed to get back stage and briefly chat with them-she did the same thing with Neds Atomic Dustbin- as well  -we chatted more about Viz rather than where they got moniker from -then after that it was totally Pogo City  but a few songs from them first

But back to the 22nd Century - what is a Mega City anyhow? well this video will give you a better idea and  a  insight into it's history if you are unfamiliar with the Dreddvesrse


Not sure shows going to be as Dredd centric as people expect -he's bound to be within cast but I get a feeling it'll be partially about The Wally Squad who are the undercover judges would also serve as a good way to see the underbelly of the City -The criminals and the stories behind there criminality -

 I deduce this as  the shows writer Rob Williams wrote Low Life -so I imagine we'll get to see Lenny Zero ,DeMarco PI ,Jack Point, Amiee Nixon and Dirty Frank in a few episodes.Newish characters but a great way to see the underwold of MC1 -A few vids about those stories- Shane MacGowan meets CyberPunk

Here's interview with Rob (they'll be a few of these vids throughout post)

I do hope we do get the classics though - started reading Dredd in the mid 80's I had lots to catch up on so thank grud Titan bought out those chronicles among the first ones I read was The Cursed Earth Saga - I liked how it was structured it's the first story really where we see how the Mega Cities came about the history behind them and the Justice system - here's an  old drawing I did back in 94 or 95 featuring Nova a mutant boy with the power of telekiensis I always wondered whatever happened to him - Dark Autumn I think that episode was called -he sided with JD and Spikes Harvey Rotten   against The Mutant Brotherhood (also really terrific looking characters)

One of my all time faves Cursed Earth -also thats when they  started drawing Dredd's helmet better in those stories the bubble headed helmet looked kind of soft so I'm glad Mick  and Brian changed it up a bit good to see story in full glory as I had the Titan Albums and two stories were omitted hence "Uncensored"- hope we get to see some of the Cursed Earth on the telly although like these new books about the origins of the Justice system would make a another good spin off show- another bit of old (incomplete) artwork I guess halfway through George W Bush residence in White House  hence the crazy  Helicopter and the Mek Troopers looking the way they do - I've  always wanted to see The Battle of Armageddon  in Death Valley - So my Fargo looks much like Dredd but a couple of years after I did this page Origins came out -and it made sense that the judges uniform was different been 30 years prior to Dredd's first appearance in 77 and Prez Booth was captured elsewhere - I thought of Darkies Mob panel when I  did the Mek Troopers - I will colour that original panel  soon as it's a all time fave  featuring Japanese soldiers  yelling "Banzai!" I read recently in "Be Pure Be Vigilant Behave! Pat Mills secret history of 2000ad  that Dredd and Solomon  the Judge in the cloak  in my pic were based upon monks at Pat Mills school- so Pat is very much a father figure to JD as John Wagner  and Carlos at least in the early days ...I s'pose they have something in common with Morton Judd

I'd like to see The Sovs make an appearance perhaps see Orlok the Assassin getting up to some sabotage  of some kind -just as much a nemesis as Judge Death - I'd wait though a few seasons for Block Mania and Apocalypse War to really kick off - would be a essential story  and alot of destruction to look forward too-whether story takes place before or after AW is yet to be known.

I've watched this dudes videos before about other comics so I know he likes a drink too lol -He mentions future slang here -there's a section in The Judges Avalanche book that covers that very subject- looking forward to reading Lone Wolf  at end of the month.Great he mentions Fred Gee here  -classic Corrie PotMan (not that type of pot) A Jack Duckworth prototype in a way.

But here are a few more Dredd epics that might be featured in Mega City One -no idea when shows coming out but very excited as the possibilities are endless The Pit would be great as well as America - lovely thing is it's ongoing and takes various view points - especially enjoyed The Pit as it was like a cop show far different and mature than the 1995 movie which came out  around the same time  -it also leads up to the events of the second Robot War and the return of Orlok -

 whilst America deals with The Democracy movement -and Total War terror group which reflected what was going on in the news at that time and even more poignant today without been all preachy in the way it's told - it's down to the reader to make out who the good guys or bad guys are-if they even exist at all -such as it is in real life -(I think  America's parents were Porto Rican  not Mexican -which they state in video) read this back in 90 -1st issue of The Megazine - Quality -astounding artwork by Colin MacNeil the artist was very young too at the time , blows my mind he did this whilst at college .Judge Beeny's a fave glad she's on The Council of Five - gives me hope positive  change will come to MC1 I've featured Judge Death alot here-and once I'm up for it I'll continue colouring The Four Dark Judges --really goes without saying that they should get live action debut on MC1 TV but always liked The Judda -really great bad guys - kind of a pity they're all dead now at least in the comics. worthy adversaries to Joe -possibly because they are him-excepted brainwashed by there creator who also is Dredds' creator "But any monkey can shake a test tube " I think Dredds retort to Judd when they finally meet up... might bring them back in a fan fic thing that's been cooking in my brain  called "The Lawbreakers" -would love to have another go at Dredd -not sure how I'd approach it though  just yet.

It's been 41 years now -am I meant to feel ancient yet? nah still feel the same.. guess that's thrill power at work.

"Reasons to be Cheerful" Part 3

Kinda of like a Ultra Violence version of Haysi Fantaysi lol - 48 Minutes - kind of takes the surprise away-but at same time been waiting to see how game stacks up -not the finished product -perhaps they could have dialogue cut scenes every time like Fallout does makes it more like a unique experience that way -not sure they'll do that though.It's certainly not for young kids -but old kids like me  it should be a good ride .The city is kinda like Mega City One minus fatties and kneepads but I hope Rebellion are taking notes for a Dredd game (I'd imagine it would have to feature The Cursed Earth and Under City to add some diversity- but more about that later )Hope this comes out soon- but not too soon though  as it usually takes a good while to get through a Rockstar Epic - And I'm really looking forward to this one -looks like it'll be a immersive experience-hopefully story will be first class too like it's predecessor
Yep I put this trailer up before -still waiting for follow up once that's out I'll stick it under here-Arthur reminds me of Pierce Brosnan -remember seeing him in a western a few years back on telly with Liam Neeson  it must  of been this one

slaying fascists as I'm going through Sniper Elite series in chronological order- it's debatable if Karl was on heavy psychedelics by the time Zombie Army Trilogy happens - would be cool if he visits Greek islands in a prequel to give The Green Devils grief-I just wish there was a Major Eazy skin though .. Dude who gives Karl a voice was also Tony the Tiger for Frosties There's DLC on both game where you can assassinate Hitler -it could be his double though -need to see X-Ray cam to see if any of his bits are missing I guess ' Yep that's him alright no doppleganger lol not sure I wanna shoot my Russian allies though -better have extra good reason for that -I blame Patton probably got pissed up on vod and created Cold War in one evening ... Zombie Army looks the most fun kind of like Sniper Elite Red Dead Nightmare look forward forward to playing this-dig the colour I've seen in clips I've seen and the  Zombies look awesome too Plus there's a updated Rogue Trooper out on consoles  -I may give this another go -I'm hoping more comic characters get a chance to be featured in games seeing as Rebellion print 2000AD so if there's a Dredd  Strontium Dog or ABC Warriors  on the way it should be done with the love and care that's put into Rogue -as it's one of he best future war games out there

HYPTV 49

Possibly the first Matchbox soldiers I owned as a kid - I always thought the artwork on these boxes were astounding -need some inspiration for a panel I'll be colouring featuring lots of charging Japanese soldiers yelling "Banzai!" -must get down to work on that  lots of WW2 related vids including  Flying Tigers  documentary I mentioned I'd feature in earlier post - but started playlist  after hearing about Aretha the other week so begins very soulfully  -but needed a history lesson towards the end -

Reasons to be Cheerful-Part 2

Withnail Thrawn? seems a possibility with the casting of Richard E Grant for episode 9 - voice fits too but might be a red herring as is the name Mara -possible that they are the junkers Kylo spoke of (would like to see Withnail hit it off with a chick for a change lol so maybe Mara's the other Junker consuming the finest wines in the galaxy ) -I still think Rey's a clone made from DNA of Lukes hand by Palpatine -seems like the best theory-that  would shut up those misogamists that came out the woodwork yelling" Mary Sue" whatever that means (nice combination of names sounds like the perfect Cowgirl to me ) but if that's the explanation of Rey's connection with the force soon as she touches Lukes lightsabere  that would make perfect sense  -Rey  been Han Solo's lovechild -man that's just  a boring theory ... what if the Knights of Ren where all Rey clones ? -just a thought...I'm sure I've posted this before on  other playlists but nobody has time to watch all those I imagine -perhaps I make them for historical reasons and maybe its just a blast too  but Withnail and O - pure undiluted Genius


Thrawn's very real though not un-canon so would be very neat casting  if his happens.Another grand E Grant moment - one of my faves altouugh I do not agree with the sentiment -Bruce Robinson been smart againyep Richard would be a  ideal for Thrawn totally. Seems like the rumor going around about the Live Action Star Wars tv show is that it's centered around Mandalore -I can imagine a show like Dallas or Dynasty but with really cool armour lol I can imagine opening done in that style   -just jesting - but sounds fascinating - what state is planet in?  will we visit other planets under Mando influence (like seen in Rebels and Clone Wars) a live action Bo Katan and Fenn Rau would be most welcome and Sabine of course but she's out there in the Unknown Regions searching for Thrawn and Ezra - I do wish this dude would wear hat correctly very D.R.I  or Flavour Flav -but hat is designed to be worn forward lol  but hey that's just me been old

 Currently reading The  Avalanche  -although on computer rather than in paperback  which I would of preferred  (there is  a limited edition but I was a too late  ) but The Origins of Mega City One has fascinated me since reading The Cursed Earth - although Fargo Dredd's old fella  kind of  isn't the main character in this more of a looming figure that has bought in the Judges to fight the rising crime rate in America  -it's the conflict between the old law enforcers and the new Law whist  Mega City One is under construction -if  the Mega City One tv show takes off  man this era would make a good spin off - but Judge Fargo -who was he? we only get glimpses -perhaps Dredd's heritage could be explored better in literature rather than comics - would be cool see more though of The Man behind The Law .I know more is on the way :)

Mr H Epic voice! Micheal the writer of Avalanche sounds like good craic & always a good interviewer  the moustahey cavalier dude or is he a roundhead lol sounds more cavalier to me - used to know a geezer who did those English Civil War battle reconstructions- hope he's doing well. Booth is Mega Trump - then again Bush and the neo cons would of been main influence back when Origins came out whilst Nixon or Johnson perhaps for Pat Mills Booth in Cursed Earth- scary thing going on with Iran right now -Up to there old tricks again...Neo Cons that is.
Fargo of course  has been portrayed by Max Von Sydow whilst not a big fan of the 90's movie -that was good casting-You can see Dredd in Max-would of been better than Sly about the right age too
been fooling around with Fallout 4 as usual decided to make a Dredd -seems to fit that world or maybe Fargo more -not impossible to create him either - I did create a Cursed Earth Koburn with Maccredy- but maybe a settler would be better Deacon 's meant to be Johnny Alpha here lol but Cait makes an excellent Durham Red whilst Pipers a good Beeny - ps4 so I can't mod really just changing the look with all the ps4 mods I can use -maybe heres a better helmet for Dredd out there but this is the best I can do right now speaking of computer games nice to see Rat Pack appear in latest Sniper Elite Comic -I can see these dudes and others from Battle and 2000ad etc.. appear eventually in computer games

 Big reason to be cheerful though is that its only two months to go before October and Red Dead
Redemption  2-  which is bound to eat into my life- gonna be epic.

Insight 90

A nod to my Dad on his anniversary even though he wouldn't been into this music although I think he dug Joe Strummer as he saw a little of himself when he was younger - hence Wired interview which we watched together - I think his ears perked up working with the Pogues(he liked them naturally ) plus he was old school Grease no time for that Ted nonsense - looked like a Stray Cat without the mullet mixed with Captain Kirk in old photo I saw recently I  barely got any photos from that period though it ain't like today where you people snap or video everything guess it was was like that in Ireland in the 50's -
This one is from Christmas 1984 so I'm 12 here Dad very Del Boy /Arthur Daley here

I will get a new scanner soon-want to do a few Colour Like Carlos scans- haven't been feeling very arty lately after Star Wars page failed to save - maybe  a new scanner will sort out that mood and wetter weather  -but that's a typical 80's boy jumper lol - be nice to scan some more old photos .

I did want post John Peel show from today's date from 1990 -only heard one song as I was devastated and it what starts this playlist off - but when I heard Insight by Joy Division it made perfect sense at that moment in time could of been playing anything usually Kylie and Jason or some poppy shite as it was back then but no it was Ian and the boys - kinda special in a weird way lifted me up- those words meant a great deal to me as I was already heavily into JD since I was 14 or 15 - but it's like JP knew what had happened and what was going through my mind and it's odd I heard this in the afternoon but BBC would shift his show around back then for some reason .
This Playlist was originally going to be music from that very Baggy year 1990 but so far not so baggy what I remembered I was big on grunge and fuzz usually American stuff and a bit of shoegaze as they called it back then , but did like the Mondays, Roses Charlatan's and Carpets all the good ones so I need to get back to this tomorrow -(updated playlist is growing and growing maybe I stop at 90)

I feature a bit of Nils  Lofgren here as I met him the day my Dad died-sounds strange I know but my mate Gav wanted me to see him with him and yes it helped a great deal took me away from doing any damage although I know I drank whiskey then so if I was a eejit  back then sorry  but  heavy shit had gone down prior -so long ago - but I was glad to hear music -keeps you half sane I guess.

Nice to think of my Dad when he was around I do it constantly - want to move forward from that though but it's difficult . He went to the great hereafter  just as Iron Curtain collapsing  - he respected the Russians more than the Yanks at that time  (he always thought about what they went through in the war) I think both my Mum and Dad met G.I 's when they were litlle though as they were training for D-Day in Ireland - just He wouldn't buy into all this propaganda crap not that he was a Soviet or anything just he was human being - grew up in a era of East vs West- always struck me as stupid -course had no idea until teens what Stalin was up to but well aware of America and Vietnam   but these days worlds more corporate and daft - the last few days of my Dads life was when Iraq invaded Kuwait and the first Gulf War never got to see the outcome of that -or how Russia changed (he thought Boris  Yelts was an eejit -but liked Gorby ..I have no idea what he'd make of Putin-) but we did have a Ronald Reagan dog toythat squeeked  lol Spitting Image style..

I watched great documentary about behind the scenes of Spitting Image last night -(didn't realize it was such hard work and the Crossroads connection lol ) we did enjoy a good old laugh on a Sunday throughout the mid 80's so a good excuse for a bit of this.
It's a odd one 1990 it began with much hope for the future-a new decade a fresh start - then tragedy struck -sometimes feel like I'm frozen in time -on the inside at least even though so much time has passed -sometimes feels life is something that happens without your permission , guess the only way to get through that is within your head.only you alone can work things out -

HypTV48

First week of August is always rough for me - steering clear of beer tonight and social media (God I got so drunk the other week blurted stuff out I should of not - it would make Trump blush -if he was capable -except I'm Johnny Nobody .Lifes a rough sea gotta navigate it the best you can so a  rare outburst - hard to bury all this grief sometimes ) I hope not too many people read it -it was gone after a hour since I ranted away - very dangerous thing a conscience but I have no reason to be ashamed it's others people lack of shame that brings me down who vanish and forget there past and have no idea of the ruination created.
I'm not sure I've spoken about that awful night 28 years ago back when I was 17 on this blog  -the night I lost my Dad or the fact that the scumbag who put my Dad in a grave got away scot free because some juries are stupid or prejudiced maybe they had it in for the Irish I dunno always struggling to understand everything life became obtuse from the very moment they let that waste of air free - can't make head or tail of anything -I can only follow my own rules as nothing has any truth to it -only family matters and a couple of mates I spose  I guess I'll never have one of my own a family that is -not sure about that probably left it too late  I've been in a rut all this time besides my one chance has gone back home and got on with her life I can't give her the things she'd expect &  the whole of society would have to change before I can even begin to think about that.
 So this playlist is  a bit of exorcism and a  bit of a laugh too -Malcolm and Sheldon (good to find that again -Johnny and Yoko - news from Detroit 1967 -John Lee Hooker Scott Morgan -plenty of Eels lol Bobby Mitchum double bill,The Equals , Darth Mauls voice doing comedy-and the original B-Boys - anyway least I can get things off my chest here -blogs better place to put your emotions down  than some silly wall which is only there as they think you want to buy products -and be totally ignored as there so much other shit going on good job I'm sober too rare thing for me on a Friday

Talking of Eels old drawing I did of a story my sister used to tell me when I was little about an electric eel who couldn't make any friends under the sea lol -(but they life in rivers I guess ) -kinda of a Pepe le Pew situation really- life can be  like that lol - it was nice to see my sis the other week we went to see The Red Arrows - but close up  this time  rather than watch from back garden from afar (back in the day of Polystyrene Lockheeds Zeros and Hellcats  - that's how one would wile the way the hours in 1980 )

Tomahawks were my fave though -I was big on the Flying Tigers as a nipper -from reading Cassidy in Warlord -I think story may of gone back to 1937 when the Sino Japanese war was raging -I'll have to see if there are any decent documentaries about the Tigers for next playlist.
But what got me the most about Red Arrows display was  the Battle of Britain fly pass - very lucky to capture final moments as  we rushed towards seafront - I guess it was Spitfire , A Hurricane  and Lancaster  I wouldn't be typing this if it weren't for those aircraft  and the men who originally flew them over the Kent skies .I kind of find that somewhat surreal -I guess the past is like that.

Cropped this  from much bigger pic but wanted to focus on what I  was looking at .

"Reasons to be Cheerful"-Part 1

Rare pic of Joe smilin' -have admit haven't been a happy bunny lately -this time of the year always brings me down -heading towards my Dads anniversary if I over do it with the beer things just over run me & the weathers been blazing hot -most people love that but I'm hot and bothered I spose I'm lucky really that I live by the sea and my room is underground but first week of August is always rough especially in this heat brings back that uneasy vibe which I can't shake off - but at least there are a few things to look ahead too in the next few years hope they all go to plan -so to start off a new feature here named after this Blockheads Classic -I think Ian was a 2000AD Fan just like Lemmy Madness and Bob Smith- he'd dig a JD show I'm sure. Finally a bit of new news on Judge Dredd TV Show or rather Mega City One -good to see Rob Williams name associated (as he's written some good stuff )and whats more a Rogue Trooper movie in the works -nice one Zowie -stick with the Gerry Finley Day stories those ones are the best. If he loves the material he'll make it work -but yeah would make a decent series -maybe a trilogy where he hunts down the Traitor General- the original story is epic. Talking of Clone Troopers- good to know we'll get to see The Siege of Mandalore soon as well as The Bad Batch -The Dirty Dozen Star Wars style yeah a bit late with this but hey haven't been very bloggy lately -but it's most welcome news as I loved these shows - Just wish trollsville would feck off though ruining things I wonder when these Botbrains were born probably 1993 (not been ageist here just find that certain a demographic like trolling for no good reason other than to heighten there profile kind of sad really-I guess one finds it in all walks of life unfortunately)- Solo didn't deserve to bomb it was a nice addition to Star Was universe - all that negative energy gets nothing sorted- still at same time possibly the Solo stuff would actually of made a decent streaming show -but we are going to get a live action post Return of the Jedi show- plenty of potential within that timeline between the two trilogies