Review- ROGUE TROOPER: TALES OF NU-EARTH VOL. 2

ROGUE TROOPER: TALES OF NU-EARTH VOL. 2 (2000 AD, First US Printing, 2013; Softcover)

Collects the Rogue Trooper stories from 2000 A.D. #318-355, 358-392, 401-406, and 2000 A.D. Annual 1983, 1985 (cover dates May 28, 1983- February 23, 1985)

Writers: Gerry Finley-Day, Steve Macmanus, and Ian Rogan

Artists: Cam Kennedy, Brett Ewins, Boluda, Steve Dillon, Robin Smith, and Trevor Goring

Rogue Trooper is a G.I. (Genetic Infantryman) in the Nu-Earth Future War. G.I.s are genetically modified to be able to survive in the toxic wasteland of Nu-Earth. He has the biochips of three of his fallen G.I.s inserted into his equipment, which gives the book a supporting cast. Gunnar (inserted into his gun with a number 2 written on him), Helm (inserted into his helmet with a number 1 written on him), and Bagman (inserted into his backpack with a number 3 written on him) are waiting for Rogue to prove his innocence so that they can return to Milli-Com and become re-gened into new bodies.

This has a serial feeling to it, with Rogue trying to prove his innocence while consistently doing the right thing for his cause even though the Southers would kill him if they could. In that regard it is like a sci-fi version of the 1960s television series Branded.

A few new elements are added to Rogue's abilities, and they are presented in a believable manner. I really enjoyed the tightly structured, fast-paced arcs. The main difference between these arcs and what now passes as arcs in comics is that this was done in mostly 4-page weekly bursts. This really picked up at the end. I enjoyed it so much that I bumped Vol. 3 up the backlog queue and am already reading it.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- The covers for for 323, 331, 344, 371, 388, and 392 are included, albeit in black and white. The logic being that only the covers featuring Rogue Trooper on them are presented here. #401 and the 1983, 1984, and 1985 also had Rogue Trooper on the cover, although those have been omitted from this collection.

Linework restoration: Things are generally excellent although there are a few page that seem murky, like the blacks are too heavy. There are a handful of stories that were originally printed in color

Paper stock: Heavyweight uncoated stock.

Binding: Perfect bound trade paperback. Has a nice thick band of glue.

Cardstock cover notes: Thick cardstock with a matte coating. Resistant to scuffing, a rarity with this type of finish.