Borag Thungg, Earthlets! Matt Smith Interview!

2000AD: Britains Sci-Fi Anthology Still Beats its own Irreverent Drum after Nearly 35 Years!

Interview with Matt “Cybermatt” Smith, one of Tharg the Mighty’s Droids, who help maximise the amount of Thrill-power pumped into 2000AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine.

by Rob Richardson

When I think of British comics, 2000AD is what I see. I’d owned a couple of Beano’s and a Dandy before but nothing imprinted upon me like 2000AD did. They were the reason I got into comics, with Judgement on Gotham being the comic that inspired my creativity.

Running since 1977, 2000AD was the first British comic to break the mould, culturally and historically. On news stands we’d revelled in the exploits of the Bash Street Kids, Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan but, on 26^th February 1977, a brand new science fiction book appeared greeting its new readers with the new adventures of Dan Dare, M.A.C.H. 1 and the ultra-violent Flesh.

The stories were unlike any seen before. These were tales that operated on a whole new level. Sure, kids could pick the comic up and enjoy the science fiction and fantasy tales for what they were but they were also layered with satire, wit, irony and dark humour.

Of course, 2000AD brought with it it’s own unique cast, opening up readers to the satirical and chaotic worlds of Judge Dredd, the war torn landscape of Rogue Trooper, the ancient battlegrounds of berserker Slaine and the robotic madness that was The ABC Warriors. Also, a comic book had never been ran by an editor known as Tharg The Mighty, a green-skinned alien from the planet Betelgeuse.

The adventures of these characters, in classic comic book fashion, took place over a few pages, often ending in a cliff-hanger that kept you wishing for the following week to arrive quicker than it ever could. Matt Smith explains the advantage this has over other books in the medium. “Well, its chief difference to most US comics is that it’s an anthology – you get around five different series running in one issue.”

In the UK, that’s the way we’ve always been presented with comics. That’s how they’ve been sold to us and how we’ve enjoyed them. The line between a “comic” and an “anthology” has never been drawn. “To most Brits, there’s isn’t (a difference). Almost all UK news stand comics – whether it’s the Beano, Action, 2000 AD, Warrior or Crisis – are anthologies. That’s just the way we’ve always consumed comics – in weekly bite-sized chunks.”

Anthology comics have been around for years but few have had the freedom to go where 2000AD have. “It’s a true independent,” he explains which frees you up quite bit in over all terms, “This allows for a wide variety of art styles and genres – you can find a mix of SF, fantasy and horror in any one issue, so allows for a lot more freedom, creatively. It’s a violent, gritty comic without a superhero in sight, and not tied to any toy license.” Smith adds that there are not just simply storytelling differences; value and style is also paramount to 2000AD. “(There’s) variety, innovation, irreverence, violence and satire. Plus 32 pages of comics every week for £2.25 is pretty good value compared to what you pay for a 22-page US comic.”

As you can imagine, with 35 years of experience and no sign of slowing, this alone should tick all the boxes but Smith comes back at me with even more. “By getting some of the best writers and artists in the business to come up with some of the most exciting stories 2000AD is a true independent, so doesn’t need to tie itself to a franchise – whether it’s an SF thriller as in Grey Area by Dan Abnett and Karl Richardson, or a surreal fantasy saga as in The Zaucer of Zilk by Al Ewing and Brendan McCarthy (to name just two new series coming soon), we’re just looking for interesting, original stories that readers will enjoy.” The influx of talent and showcasing of original stories is growing, rather than slowing. With a format that has always succeeded there’s never been any need to change.

Being a weekly that is in tune with the market it comes as no surprise that Smith and his team are aware of the shift from print to digital, with the latter becoming increasing popular. “We currently make each issue available as a digital download a week after the print edition has gone on sale.” But Smith also acknowledges the importance of local comic book stores, newsagents and news stands were the original merchants. “We want to keep our place on the news stand, as I believe that there will always be a market for printed comics.”

2000AD has an extensive back catalogue. Many of who we consider the great writers and artists of our generation. Successful icons such as Dave Gibbons, Mark Millar, Alan Moore and Garth Ennis all wrote progs for the weekly. Have no worries about their works being made available digitally either; 2000AD has already started with the releases. “You can already buy digital versions of collections like Judge Dredd Case Files 1 (which features the early work of Brian Bolland, Ian Gibson, Mick McMahon, John Wagner and Pat Mills), The V.C.s (featuring Cam Kennedy and Garry Leach) and ABC Warriors (featuring Kev Walker) from www.2000ADonline.com.” Smith assures me.

1995 brought 2000AD with the movie debut of Judge Dredd, played by Sylvester Stallone, and 2012 looks set to bring the Street Judge back to the Silver Screen. The original movie was pretty faithful in most departments apart from the much maligned fact that Stallone hardly kept Dredd’s helmet on. The helmet is almost as iconic as the character and Dredd hardly ever removes it in the comic book. If he does, we never see his face – in one prog readers were even censored from seeing it! We’ve seen him in flash backs as a child but no fan knows what he truly looks like.

Being 2000AD’s figurehead, the importance of staying true to Dredd’s roots is paramount. “Yes, Urban will be keeping the helmet on. Everyone involved in the movie is keen to keep it faithful to the character – screenwriter Alex Garland is a Dredd fan, and John Wagner has been a consultant on the film since the beginning.”  Karl Urban is set to play the lawman in his new iteration.

One of the John Wagner’s other iconic creations was Judge Death; an apparition from an alternate dimension – one where the Dark Judges have decreed that all crime is committed by the living therefore life itself must be a crime. Judge Death has haunted me for many years and the possibility of him being in a movie excited me. Smith teased, “We’ll have to wait and sssee about that.”

2000AD must have high hopes for this movie as it could lead the way in adaptations for a whole host of other interesting characters. “There’s been plenty of interest from movie people in other characters, but nothing I can reveal at the moment. Sláine, Rogue and Strontium Dog would indeed make killer movies.”

2000AD has no need to reinvent itself, as many other publishing houses feel the need to in the current market. However, it would probably be down to the mysterious Tharg, 2000AD’s editor, if any changes were to come about. Smith agrees and proclaims with a statement I should’ve expected, “The evergreen Tharg The Mighty will reboot himself as red, white and blue for a month in honour of Team GB at the 2012 Olympics.” Tharg is ever the patriot!

Smith also concludes with a few words of wisdom from The Mighty One himself, as Tharg would never be one to leave us without imparting a valuable nugget of his vast intellect. “Try Thrill-power. Once tasted, you won’t be able to get enough!”

Thanks again to Matt Smith, Editor of 2000AD for his time and for a Thrill-tastic interview!