But where to begin? I originally thought of re-doing one the older ones, but decided to start with something new and fresh. So over on the 2000ad website is a section called Free thrills, were they offer free digital comics. So head over download Jaegir for free and read it. Then come here and see if your thoughts match mine, if they do drop me a comment, if they don't drop me a comment too. So lets get going.
Jaegir
Story by: Gordon Rennie.
Art by: Simon Coleby.
Page Count: 32
Commercial Statement:
A female war-crimes investigator in future fascist state, Kapitan-Inspector Atalia Jaegir must bring a monster down before he can murder his own family.In the universe of 2000 AD’s classic series Rogue Trooper, the endless war between the Southers and the Norts rages on countless planets. Scarred war veteran Atalia Jaegir, of the Nordland State Security Police, hunts down escaped war criminals and roots out corruption in the ranks. But her fearsome reputation will not protect her from the inhuman quarry that she is tasked with finding... An entirely new heroine leads this action-packed adventure illustrated by Simon Coleby (The Royals, Judge Dredd Year One), written by Gordon Rennie (Judge Dredd, Department of Monsterology).
The cover is bold and striking with a limited colour palate being used. It actually reminds me a lot of World War propaganda posters, especially from the Eastern block. It screams recruitment poster and I can't help but wonder if this is the source of the design idea? Beyond the single page of credits the story starts. I find it weird that there is no introduction to the setting or background, so you are left in the dark. Considering it's a freebie to get you into the series, I expect to see more back story, If you hadn't read the above commercial fluff, you might not even realise it has links to Rogue Trooper. But I'm glad to see Simon Coleby's art work as it is stunning. Offering a gritty, muted palette, which complements the setting perfectly.
With a short chase scene and brutal fight we are introduced to Kapiten-Inspector Atalia Jaegir. The Heroine of the tale and an officer of the Nordland State Security Police. She seems to have an unusual past, which I can only imagine is explored in other comics. Her Dad is/was a high ranking military officer, known for his bloody handed methods. Though it is hard to tell if he is dead or still alive in this setting. Whilst her mother was a prisoner. After being declared a traitor over a crime we never find out about and was killed like a lab rat by a Bio-Chem team as punishment. How these two ever met and had a child is beyond me and leaves me with more questions than answers.
The story is quick paced and confusing in parts. For example Jaegir is hunting for traitors and deserters, but soon becomes involved with a Colonel Inspector Nerria, Officer of Genetic purity. After a short chat that seems to lack depth, Jaegir redeploys her entire team to investigate the Strigoi Gene curse (a different departs problem) just because an old flame of hers is involved. Then the story quickly progresses, through the use of flashbacks and an anti climatic short fight to finish the story.
Verdict:
Quick read, great artwork and free, are the highlights to this comic. I found the story confusing and at times hard to follow. It just felt rushed now and again, especially the final fight scene and with no background story it was hard to believe in the characters and their motives. I feel maybe if I had read the earlier releases in the series, this may have made more sense.
Strange story to make free as a way to tempt in readers. I'm giving it a 2/5