NECRONAUTS

Creators: Gordon Rennie & Frazer Irving
9 episodes: 2000-2001

Reprinted? Yes, in a beautiful Rebellion graphic novel. Sell your family for a copy.

Necronauts, 9 episodes [56 pgs], 2000 AD "Prog 2001" and 1223-1230 (Dec. 2000 to Feb. 2001). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Frazer Irving. (Episodes 1 and 9 are double-length.)

NECROPHIM

Creators: Tony Lee & Lee Carter
3+ episodes: 2009

Reprinted? Not yet.

Prologue, 3+ episodes [? pgs] from 2000 AD prog 1628 (Mar. 2009). Story by Tony Lee, art by Lee Carter.

NEMESIS THE WARLOCK

Creators: Pat Mills & Kevin O'Neill
158 episodes: 1980-94, 1999

Set in a real nightmare of a future Earth, renamed Termight and under the heels of the fanatic Torquemada, this visual stunner of a series placed sword-and-sorcery conceits in the far future and became a hugely popular thrill. The eternal struggle between Nemesis, a bizarre horn-headed magickal alien, and Torquemada, the fanatical dictator bent on universal conquest for humanity, immediately captured readers with its grandiose script and captivating artwork.

An immensely entertaining, iconoclastic spectacle, Nemesis did suffer from Kevin O'Neill's meticulous rendering; Book I was interrupted twice because O'Neill had missed deadlines. The second book, which quickly followed, was drawn by Jesus Redondo, who had most recently worked on Return to Armageddon. Book Three, by O'Neill, appeared more than a year later, and began to tie in characters and continuity from other Mills strips with the introduction of Mek-Quake, from the Ro-Busters series. The Book III storyline also let us see much of Nemesis' home planet and his family. Female warlocks, like his wife Chira, are like centaurs, with a four-legged horse body. Chira is murdered by the Terminators in this story, but his infant son Thoth arranges his escape by hypnotizing the humans and convincing them he is an Earth-born child.

O'Neill finally dropped out after two episodes of the epic "Gothic Empire" story and was replaced by Bryan Talbot, who would be the strip's regular artist for the next three years. By the end of Book VI, the ABC Warriors had been integrated into the series; so had Satanus, a tyrannosaur previously written by Mills in the series Flesh and in his "Cursed Earth" epic for Judge Dredd. O'Neill plugged back in for a five-part story detailing Torquemada's return to Termight and the re-establishment of his power. This led in to 1987's "The Two Torquemadas," which featured John Hicklenton's amazing art and his take on the characters. It features one of the most truly shocking moments of the series, when Torquemada spits on his chainsword and then chases Thoth down and kills him.

After that, Nemesis really lost direction. Another 21 episodes showed up before the end of the 80s, but the once-frantic, rapid-fire plot had cooled for character introspection and detail. The 90s saw the flow of episodes trickle to a handful, none of which really did anything, before the dangling subplots were finally handled in the tenth and last book at the end of 1999, with black-and-white art by Henry Flint, and a grand finale episode drafted by O'Neill himself in the legendary "Prog 2000."

Trivia: In addition to the comic art episodes, there are two fumetti photo-stories with word balloons laid over photographs of actors, one of whom is wearing a giant papier-mache Nemesis mask on his head. These are teeth-grindingly embarassing, particularly the one where Torquemada goes to London in 1987 and is incensed that the Forbidden Planet comic shop is selling Titan's Nemesis the Warlock reprint collections!

Reprinted? Titan started out with a very nice volume collecting the one-offs and Book I, but then decided against reprinting Jesus Redondo's Book II, throwing the numbering of their subsequent collections off. They finally redeemed themselves with a great hardcover collection called Death to All Aliens which collects the first 32 episodes. Rebellion arranged a complete reprint across three thick paperbacks. The episodes have also seen print in three separate American comic series.

Terror Tube, 1 episode [6 pgs], 2000 AD prog 167 (July 1980). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Killer Watts, 2 episodes [7 pgs], 2000 AD progs 178-179 (Sept. 1980). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

The Sword Sinister (aka Orlic's Great Quest), 1 episode [5 pgs], 1981 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (June 1981). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book I: The World of Termight, 17 episodes [71 pgs], 2000 AD progs 222-233, 238-240 and 243-244 (July to Dec. 1981). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book II: The Alien Alliance, 12 episodes [51 pgs], 2000 AD progs 246-257 (Jan. to Mar. 1981). Story by Pat Mills, art by Jesus Redondo.

The Secret Life of the Blitzspear, 1 episode [6 pgs], 1983 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1982) Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

A Day in the Death of Torquemada, 1 episode [4 pgs], 1984 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1983). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book III: The World of Nemesis, 15 episodes [71 pgs], 2000 AD progs 335-349 (Sep. to Dec. 1983). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book IV: The Gothic Empire, 20 episodes [94 pgs], 2000 AD progs 387-406 (Oct. 1984 to Feb. 1985). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill (pts 1-2) and Bryan Talbot (pts 3-20).

Ego-Trip, 1 episode [6 pgs], 2000 AD prog 430 (Aug. 1985). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book V: The Vengeance of Thoth, 11 episodes [63 pgs], 2000 AD progs 435-445 (Sep. to Nov. 1985). Story by Pat Mills, art by Bryan Talbot.

Book VI: The Time Wastes, 11 episodes [59 pgs], 2000 AD progs 482-487, 500-504 (Aug. 1986 to Jan. 1987). Story by Pat Mills, art by Bryan Talbot.

Torquemada the God, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 520-524 (May 1987). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Forbidden Planet, 1987 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (July 1987). A photo story with actors, story by Pat Mills & Tony Luke.

A Bedtime Story, 2000 AD prog 534 (Aug. 1987). A photo story with actors, story by Pat Mills.

Torquemada's Second Honeymoon, 1988 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1987). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill.

Book VII: The Two Torquemadas, 2000 AD 12 episodes, progs 546-557 (Oct. 1987 to Jan. 1988). Story by Pat Mills, art by John Hicklenton.

Book VIII: Purity's Story, 9 episodes, 2000 AD progs 558-566 (Jan. to Mar. 1988). Story by Pat Mills, art by David Roach.

Book IX: Deathbringer, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 586-593 and 605-608 (Aug. 1988 to Jan. 1989). Story by Pat Mills, art by John Hicklenton.

Wizards and Warriors, 2000 AD prog 700 (Oct. 1990). Story by Pat Mills & Tony Skinner, art by Carl Critchlow.

The Enigmass Variations, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 723-729 (Mar. to May 1991). Story by Pat Mills & Tony Skinner, art by Critchlow.

Bride of the Warlock, 2000 AD Winter Special 4 (Nov. 1992). Story by Mills, art by Chris Weston.

Shape of Things to Come, 2000 AD prog 824 (Feb. 1993). Story by Pat Mills, art by Paul Staples.

Hammer of Warlocks, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 901-903 (Aug. to Sep. 1994). Story by Pat Mills, art by Clint Langley.

Book X: The Final Conflict, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1165-1173 and "Prog 2000" (Oct. to Dec. 1999). Story by Mills, art by Henry Flint (pts 1-9) and Kevin O'Neill (pt 10).

REBELLION REPRINTS

The Complete Nemesis the Warlock Volume One. (11/06). Reprints "Terror Tube," "Killer Watts," "Book I: The World of Termight," "Book II: The Alien Alliance," "Book III: The World of Nemesis," "Book IV: The Gothic Empire," "The Sword Sinister" and "The Secret Life of the Blitzspear."

The Complete Nemesis the Warlock Volume Two. (8/07). Reprints "Ego Trip," "Book V: The Vengeance of Thoth," "Book VI: Torquemurder" (The Time Wastes), "Torquemada the God," "A Bedtime Story," "Book VII: The Two Torquemadas," "A Day in the Death of Torquemada," "The Garden of Alien Delights" (a role-playing adventure from Diceman # 3), "Torture Tube" (a role-playing adventure from Diceman # 1), "Forbidden Planet" and "Torquemada's Second Honeymoon."

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF HITLER

Creators: Grant Morrison & Steve Yeowell
12 episodes: 1990

In Liverpool, 1912, failed art student Adolf Hitler searches for the Holy Grail. Crisis serialized the twelve-part adventure across four issues, each containing three four-page episodes.

What Do You Mean Ideologically Unsound, 12 episodes, Crisis # 46-49 (June to Aug. 1990). Story by Grant Morrison, art by Steve Yeowell.

THE NEW STATESMEN

Creators: John Smith & Jim Baikie
15 episodes: 1988-1989

The New Statesmen, a political thriller that included a number of superpowered celebrities among its cast, was the first of two strips chosen to launch the bi-weekly Crisis title. (The better-known Third World War was the other.) This was John Smith's first major series, and it sadly reads very much like someone in the early days of his career. Bewildering, convoluted, with too many leads and an incredibly detailed backstory which is referenced on every other page, and a considerable debt owed to Watchmen, this is actually a very good story told very poorly. Elements, like the final fate of Cleve, are fantastic, but they are few and far between in this confusing effort.

Reprinted? Yes, Fleetway issued the series in a graphic novel in the early 1990s, with the final episode moved to the front of the run, as per the writer's wish.

Halcyon Days, Crisis # 1 (Sep. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Perspectives, Crisis # 2 (Oct. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Behind the Light, Crisis # 3 (Oct. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Shadowdancing, Crisis # 4 (Oct. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Downtime, Crisis # 5 (Nov. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Sean Phillips.

Holding the Fist, Crisis # 6 (Nov. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Sean Phillips.

Where the Railroad Meets the Sea, Crisis # 7 (Dec. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Duncan Fegredo.

Memories on Ice, Crisis # 8 (Dec. 1988). Story by John Smith, art by Duncan Fegredo.

All Roads Lead to the Minotaur, Crisis # 9 (Jan. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Life During Wartime, Crisis # 10 (Jan. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

Riding the Tiger, Crisis # 11 (Feb. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

The Power and the Glory, Crisis # 12 (Feb. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

White Death, 2 episodes, Crisis # 13-14 (Mar. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Sean Phillips.

Prologue: Waiting for the Avalanche, Crisis # 28 (Oct. 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Jim Baikie.

NIKOLAI DANTE

Creators: Robbie Morrison & Simon Fraser
238+ episodes: 1997-present

Bojemoi! Nikolai is one of the best of the recent additions and, unlike so many of those series that had been introduced in the early 90s, became a semi-regular like Johnny Alpha and Rogue Trooper once were. The story of an amorous brigand in a beautifully designed future Russia who learns he's the bastard son of the powerful Romanov dynasty, it's densely structured with a huge cast of characters, many subplots and one fantastic lead character. Best of all, while it appeared frequently, it was never around long enough for readers to tire of it, as happened with Sinister Dexter.

After 87 episodes, climaxing with the strip's best story, "The Courtship of Jena Makarov," the storyline took a nasty turn as the Romanovs solidified their power against the czar and began the rebellion which threw Russia into all-out war. The "Tsar Wars" storyline was planned to run for five "books" of eight episodes, but there were problems with deadlines, and with editorial, and considerable reader complaints that the series wasn't fun anymore. In the end, the 40-part storyline was presented in a slightly modified run of four books comprising 37 episodes, and 7 additional episodes were slotted in which broke away from the hellish war story to give us some more of the devil-may-care Dante.

As the Romanovs lost the war and most of his family killed, Dante became a wanted criminal once again, but without the resources of his wealthy dynasty. The series took a break of almost two years with only the ten-page "The Sea Falcon" appearing in the 2003 year-end prog, but roared back into life with a lengthy run in 2005.

Top moment: When Konstantin boasts to Nikolai about how he killed Julianna, you can both feel the temperature drop in the room and hear Nikolai's blood boiling. It's a masterful bit of writing, brought vividly to life by Fraser's art. And then you notice that Konstantin has walked away from Dante, his back turned...

Reprinted? Hamlyn collected Fraser's first 23 episodes in a TPB called The Romanov Dynasty. Rebellion/DC supplanted this with a 29-episode collection with the same name in November 2004. This series has continued with at least one new edition each year; at present, the first 128 episodes are available in five volumes.

Nikolai Dante, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1035-1041 (Mar. to Apr. 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Romanov Dynasty, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1042-1049 (May to July 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

Russia's Greatest Love Machine, 2000 AD prog 1066 (Oct. 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by "Spaceboy" (Chris Weston).

The Gentleman Thief, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1067-1070 (Nov. 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Full Dante, 2000 AD prog 1071 (Dec. 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Charlie Adlard.

Moscow Duellists, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1072-1075 (Dec. 1997). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Gulag Apocalyptic, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1079-1082 (Jan. to Feb. 1998). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Henry Flint.

The Trouble With Arbatovs, 2000 AD prog 1083 (Feb. 1998). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

Cruel Britannia, double-length episode, 2000 AD prog 1084 (Feb. 1998). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Great Game, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1101-1110 (July to Sep. 1998). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick. (Two episodes in prog 1101 and 1110.)

The Octobriana Seduction, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1113-1116 (Oct. 1998). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Andy Clarke & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Masque of Dante, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1125-1127 (Jan. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Charlie Adlard & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Moveable Feast, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1128-1130 (Jan. to Feb. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

Tour of Duty, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1131-1133 (Feb. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Charlie Adlard & D'Israeli. (3 self-contained stories with an umbrella title. Episode 2 is double-length.)

The Cadre Infernale, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1134-1137 (Mar. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Alison Kirkpatrick.

The Hunting Party, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1139-1140 (Apr. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Andy Clarke & D'Israeli.

Fists of Fury, 2 episodes, 2000 AD prog 1141 (Apr. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Charlie Adlard & Gary Caldwell.

Last Dance on the Trans-Siberian Express, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1142-1143 (May 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Charlie Adlard & Gary Caldwell.

Cruel Seas, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1148-1149 (June 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Requiem for Lost Love, double-length episode, 2000 AD prog 1150 (July 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Courtship of Jena Makarov, 13 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1161-1172 (Sept. to Dec. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell. (Two episodes in 1161.)

Love and War, 2000 AD "Prog 2000" (Dec. 1999). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

The Rudinshtein Irregulars, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1183-1190 (Mar. to May 2000). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Love and War, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1200-1207 (July to Aug. 2000). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Battleship Potemkin, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1213-1220 (Oct. to Nov. 2000). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

One Last Night in the House of Sin, 2000 AD "Prog 2001" (Dec. 2000). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Beguiling, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1234-1235 (Mar. 2001). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Steve Yeowell & Chris Blythe.

Fiends, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1236-1239 (Apr. 2001). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Steve Yeowell & Chris Blythe.

The Romanov Empire, 13 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1250-1262 (July to Oct. 2001). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Return of the Gentleman Thief, 3 episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2002" & 1273-74 (Dec. 2001 to Jan. 2002). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser, Alison Kirkpatrick & Chris Blythe. (Episode 1 is double-length.)

The Romanov Job, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1280-1287 (Feb. to Apr. 2002). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

Hell and High Water, 9 episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2003" & 1322-1328 (Dec. 2002 to Feb. 2003). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns. (Two episodes in 1328.)

The Sea Falcon, 2000 AD "Prog 2004" (Dec. 2003). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Agent of Destruction, 9 episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2005" and 1420-1427 (Dec. 2004 to Feb. 2005). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns. (Episode 1 double-length.)

How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life?, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1428-1431 (Mar. 2005). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Primal Screams, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1433-1436 (Apr. 2005). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Devil's Deal, 2000 AD "Prog 2006" (Dec. 2005). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Usurper, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1487-1489 (May 2006). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Depths, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1500-1501 (Aug. 2006). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Dragon's Island, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1502-1507 (Aug. to Sep. 2006). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Sword of the Tsar, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1511-1516 (Oct. to Nov. 2006). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

The Road of Bones, double-length episode, 2000 AD "Prog 2007" (Dec. 2006). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Deadlier Than the Male, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1518-1520 (Jan. 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Hellfire, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1526-1531 (Feb. to Apr. 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser.

The Beast of Rudinshtein, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1532-1536 (Apr. to May 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Dissenter, 2000 AD prog 1537 (May 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Thieves' World, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1538-1544 (May to June 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

The Chaperone, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1560-1564 (Oct. to Nov. 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Destiny's Child, 1 episode, 2000 AD "Prog 2008" (Dec. 2007). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

The Tsar's Daughter, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1578-1580 (Mar. 2008). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Amerika, 11 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1589-1599 (June to Aug. 2008). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

Prisoner of the Tsar, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1612-1616 (Nov. to Dec. 2008). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

Bring Me the Head of Nikolai Dante, triple-length episode, 2000 AD "Prog 2009" (Dec. 2008). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by John Burns.

An Army of Thieves and Whores, 2+ episodes from prog 1629 (Apr. 2009). Story by Robbie Morrison, art by Simon Fraser & Gary Caldwell.

DC/REBELLION REPRINTS

Volume One: The Romanov Dynasty (11/04). Reprints "Nikolai Dante," "The Romanov Dynasty," "Russia's Greatest Love Machine," "The Gentleman Thief," "The Full Dante," "Moscow Duellists" and "The Gulag Apocalyptic."

Volume Two: The Great Game (3/05). Reprints "The Trouble With Arbatovs," "Cruel Brittania," "The Great Game," "The Octobriana Seduction," "The Masque of Dante," "The Moveable Feast," "Tour of Duty," "The Cadre Infernale" and "The Hunting Party."

Volume Three: The Courtship of Jena Makarov (11/05). Reprints "Fists of Fury," "Last Dance on the Trans-Siberian Express," "Cruel Seas," "Requiem for Lost Love," "The Courtship of Jena Makarov" and "Love and War."

Volume Four: Tsar Wars Volume One (10/06). Reprints "The Rudinshtein Irregulars," "Love and War" and "Battleship Potemkin."

Volume Five: Tsar Wars Volume Two (3/07). Reprints "One Last Night in the House of Sin," "The Beguiling," "Fiends" and "The Romanov Empire."

Volume Six: Hell and High Water (1/08). Reprints "The Return of the Gentleman Thief," "The Romanov Job," "Hell and High Water," "The Sea Falcon" and "Agent of Destruction."

Volume Seven: Sword of the Tsar (7/08). Reprints "How Could You Believe Me...," "Primal Screams," "Devil's Deal," "Usurper," "The Depths," "Dragon's Island" and "Sword of the Tsar."

Volume Eight: The Beast of Rudinshtein (2/09). Reprints "The Road of Bones," "Deadlier Than the Male," "Hellfire," "The Beast of Rudinshtein," "The Dissenter," "Thieves' World," "The Chaperone," "Destiny's Child" and "The Tsar's Daughter."

Continue to part thirteen...
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