Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s): Gordon Rennie
Artist(s): Simon Coleby
Release Date: 27th August 2014

Right from its inception back in 1983, Rogue Trooper instantly captured the imagination of readers of 2000AD. The future war story wasn’t anything massively original, being a fairly straight-forward actioner, but the world created by writer Gerry Finley-Day was a vivid one.

The seemingly endless galactic war between the Norts and Southers was rich in potential for further exploration, but any attempts in later years fell flat.

Thankfully, Gordon Rennie has came up with a concept that not only utilises the world that Gerry built, but enhances it brilliantly.

Kapiten-Inspector Atalia Jaegir is an investigator for the Nordland State Security Police, tracking down war criminals who blacken the Nort name. Her reputation brings her to the attention of the Office Of Genetic Purity and it’s not long before she’s hunting a much more dangerous prey, one she has a personal connection to. A genetic mutation running through the officer classes is turning men into vicious Strigoi, demented predators who’s first impulse is to slaughter their own families.

In Atalia Jaegir, Rennie has created a fascinating hero, an honourable warrior fighting in a dirty war. There was always a vague hint of villains with a code of honour to the old Norts, so this is a logical expansion that works well. The action is taut and dynamic, but is used sparingly, always at the service to the plot. It’s smart stuff, but exciting too. A big part of this is due to Simon Coleby’s gritty art. Harsh and ugly, but beautifully rendered, he gets the tone of Jaegir’s brutal world spot on.

This issue collects the full first story from the progs, but it won’t be the last. Get on it now. It’s one of the best new stories to come out of 2000AD in years, which is really saying something.

Rating: 5/5

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The writer of this piece was: Jules Boyle
Jules tweets from @Captain_Howdy

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