As someone from Birmingham, who was ALSO reading 2000AD in the early 80s, I'm surprised I missed this story! Still, fascinating to see in your extracts from it, that double page colour spread of a spaceship landing in the centre of what is clearly the notorious 'Spaghetti Junction' concrete road system. Curious to know from those Brummies who have read this story whether OTHER landmark bits of Birmingham appear in it too!
This is one I'd never heard of before. It's always fascinating to learn about the earlier or lesser-known work of major figures like Moore or Morrison. Through your videos I've gotten a better sense of where these guys came from.
Alan did some art and text stories for a 1982 uk annual based on the US tv programme BJ and the Bear, that's a fun little job he did at the start of his career. Worth a look at!
There's also Roscoe Moscow, Dark Stars and The Stars My Degradation. Those might pre-date Maxwell? I'd have to check. They are, at the very least, contemporary works. And his Doctor Who stories, which may be next in line. And I still have Captain Britain to do! So much work, so little time.
Hi there, I've only just found your channel, and I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot :) I grew up in England, and read the 2000ad's as they came out, all Alan Moore stuff was eagerly consumed. The villains accent isn't indistinct, it's South African (Seeth Efriken) this was right in the middle of the struggle for Apartheid, and I remember how clearly a big , white South African resonated as a villain at the time. Keep up the good work. :)
i remember reading this at the time. It was definitely seen as 2000ad jumping on the ET bandwagon, but it was still very readable, if not the best. 2000ad was a must read though ...
..as a kid, reading 2000AD, I thought it was cashing in on ET.. as far as I can remember, I was more obsessed with Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd. The Dredd storyline, 'The Starborn Thing' was running alongside Skizz.. check 2000AD, issue by issue, here: comicvine.gamespot.com/2000-ad-308-prog-308/4000-126710/
It was 23 episodes long, not 22. In 1989 Titan Books removed the caption ‘Next prog: Casualty!’ from the end of part 21 (prog #328), and, almost unforgivably, the first page of part 22. As an elision they transferred Cornelius’ speech balloon, “You’ve had enough off me - enough!” to the first panel of page two replacing, “I’ve had enough as well!” Rebellion have reinserted the page but the caption and speech balloon are still lost to us, outside of the original progs. Almost perfect; depends how fussy one is, in my case - very.
This sounds a lot like the premise of The Bozz Chronicles, a 6 issue series published by Epix and written by David Michelinie and pencilled by Bret Blevins in 1985-1986.
Oh! I'd forgotten all about that Tharg character! I seem to remember them having a real guy in either a specially made rubber mask, or Makeup prosthetics posed as Tharg to a somewhat decent effect, too!🤭
due to how 2020 has dealt a massive blow to many things I'd argue the comic's themes of depression and unemployment working class will likely become more relevant in the near future.
Between angry government agents, bacteria, superheroes, and humans being human, there's probably some alien out there who makes bucketloads of money off of Earthling insurance.
I remember as a kid when ET came out there were so many copies of it. Too bad this wasn't published earlier so it would not have gotten lost in the deluge. It seems... not great but a Moore take on the plot seems interesting enough for me to hunt it down. I have always enjoyed 2000AD for it's uniqueness in comic publishing
JuniorX EastNY That issue of Close Encounters had some memorable Walt Simonson art in it, it wasn’t as great as his later run on Thor but it was still something else to see.
Absolute 2000ad classic boys from the black stuff meets et in Birmingham the follow up strips are really strange I would recommend firekind in 2000ad if you want another classic
I had 3 of the 4 collections of Maxwell the Magic Cat. I remember Bojeffries Saga. Anything more obscure than those probably were beyond my ability to find.
What the fuck why do you have so little subs. Bro I think you should start putting hashtags in the descriptions of your videos about 300-500 should do that should bring some traffic to your channel this channel has too little subs for its content
Thanks! The hashtags and the metadata is pretty thorough. (You are limited to the amount you can add.)The only thing I can't control is whether the mystical algorithm suggests these videos. Comments, likes, views and some outrage helps, or so I'm told. All I can do is keep doing my best and hope for the best.
As someone from Birmingham, who was ALSO reading 2000AD in the early 80s, I'm surprised I missed this story! Still, fascinating to see in your extracts from it, that double page colour spread of a spaceship landing in the centre of what is clearly the notorious 'Spaghetti Junction' concrete road system. Curious to know from those Brummies who have read this story whether OTHER landmark bits of Birmingham appear in it too!
This is one I'd never heard of before. It's always fascinating to learn about the earlier or lesser-known work of major figures like Moore or Morrison. Through your videos I've gotten a better sense of where these guys came from.
70s and 80s british comics are pretty bittersweet overall
Thanks for bring back until next time missed it
You're welcome! I was genuinely surprised at how many people missed that end bit. So I had to put it back.
Strange Brain Parts it’s just pleasant to hear
Awesome. Well, never let it be said I don't pay attention to the concerns of the viewers. :)
Strange Brain Parts Keep up the good work
Always nice hearing assurance of his return
I was already hooked with the thumbnail
Alan did some art and text stories for a 1982 uk annual based on the US tv programme BJ and the Bear, that's a fun little job he did at the start of his career. Worth a look at!
I had no idea! That I definitely have to track down. Thanks for the suggestion.
I've been reading the early work of Moore, and I hadn't heard of this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching. I've got a few more of these on the way.
You might look up Maxwell the Magic Cat. That's as early as I've seen.
There's also Roscoe Moscow, Dark Stars and The Stars My Degradation. Those might pre-date Maxwell? I'd have to check. They are, at the very least, contemporary works. And his Doctor Who stories, which may be next in line. And I still have Captain Britain to do! So much work, so little time.
basically ET meets Boys From The Blackstuff meets Grange Hill meets Auf Wiedersehn Pet
It's time the world woke up to your RUclips channel.
IN THE NAME OF GRUD I SAY WAKE UP!
WAKE UP!
WAKE UP!
HALLELUJA!
Can I get an, "Amen," brothers and sisters?!
(And thanks! I do appreciate the sentiment.)
Hi there, I've only just found your channel, and I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot :)
I grew up in England, and read the 2000ad's as they came out, all Alan Moore stuff was eagerly consumed.
The villains accent isn't indistinct, it's South African (Seeth Efriken) this was right in the middle of the struggle for Apartheid, and I remember how clearly a big , white South African resonated as a villain at the time.
Keep up the good work. :)
Glad that you brought back "until next time" bit at the end
The people spoke! I listened.
i remember reading this at the time. It was definitely seen as 2000ad jumping on the ET bandwagon, but it was still very readable, if not the best. 2000ad was a must read though ...
..as a kid, reading 2000AD, I thought it was cashing in on ET.. as far as I can remember, I was more obsessed with Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd. The Dredd storyline, 'The Starborn Thing' was running alongside Skizz.. check 2000AD, issue by issue, here: comicvine.gamespot.com/2000-ad-308-prog-308/4000-126710/
It was 23 episodes long, not 22. In 1989 Titan Books removed the caption ‘Next prog: Casualty!’ from the end of part 21 (prog #328), and, almost unforgivably, the first page of part 22. As an elision they transferred Cornelius’ speech balloon, “You’ve had enough off me - enough!” to the first panel of page two replacing, “I’ve had enough as well!” Rebellion have reinserted the page but the caption and speech balloon are still lost to us, outside of the original progs. Almost perfect; depends how fussy one is, in my case - very.
This sounds a lot like the premise of The Bozz Chronicles, a 6 issue series published by Epix and written by David Michelinie and pencilled by Bret Blevins in 1985-1986.
Very interesting. I've heard mention of Skizz several times in the most comprehensive Moore interviews, like say in The Comics Journal.
I did like the way the ET influence was lampshaded
Loved it, 2000ad as well.
Oh! I'd forgotten all about that Tharg character! I seem to remember them having a real guy in either a specially made rubber mask, or Makeup prosthetics posed as Tharg to a somewhat decent effect, too!🤭
Art looks pretty good.
Thanks for this! I had no idea this existed. Also funny that it’s ET.
I initially wasn't thinking ET. I was thinking The Howard the Duck movie.
Yup lol
I love this old brit comics.
due to how 2020 has dealt a massive blow to many things I'd argue the comic's themes of depression and unemployment working class will likely become more relevant in the near future.
Have you read "Brasso with Rosie"- an account of Moore's childhood, from the Knockabout Trial special (1984)?
Still haven't seen E.T. Would read this. ☮
I haven't seen E.T. since its initial release. Let's put it this way...I never felt the need to ever see it again in my life.
Between angry government agents, bacteria, superheroes, and humans being human, there's probably some alien out there who makes bucketloads of money off of Earthling insurance.
The drawing reminds me of the French comic books VALERIAN & VERONIQUE.
Me read "SKIZZ", and me think it wonderful.
I remember as a kid when ET came out there were so many copies of it. Too bad this wasn't published earlier so it would not have gotten lost in the deluge. It seems... not great but a Moore take on the plot seems interesting enough for me to hunt it down. I have always enjoyed 2000AD for it's uniqueness in comic publishing
JuniorX EastNY That issue of Close Encounters had some memorable Walt Simonson art in it, it wasn’t as great as his later run on Thor but it was still something else to see.
Absolute 2000ad classic boys from the black stuff meets et in Birmingham the follow up strips are really strange I would recommend firekind in 2000ad if you want another classic
Progs. Not issues. Short for Programme. 2000ad doesn't have issues.
I forgot that I had read this. I got a vibe of ET.
My favorite 2000AD Moore work was DR & Quinch. Moore's comedic voice is something I would have liked to see more often.
Moore did a lot of comedy in the underground work he illustrated. Most of which is pretty difficult to find.
I had 3 of the 4 collections of Maxwell the Magic Cat. I remember Bojeffries Saga. Anything more obscure than those probably were beyond my ability to find.
We start to see glimpses of comedy again after 1963 and with America's Best. Sadly not much more after that
I've managed to find some early obscure stuff. But it ain't easy, let me tell you!
do you have a patreon account
No, I don't. Although, I will be able to offer memberships quite soon for those that want to support.
What the fuck why do you have so little subs. Bro I think you should start putting hashtags in the descriptions of your videos about 300-500 should do that should bring some traffic to your channel this channel has too little subs for its content
Thanks! The hashtags and the metadata is pretty thorough. (You are limited to the amount you can add.)The only thing I can't control is whether the mystical algorithm suggests these videos. Comments, likes, views and some outrage helps, or so I'm told. All I can do is keep doing my best and hope for the best.
"Furthermoore"