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Durham Red
Durham Red: The Scarlet Cantos
Starring vampire mutant Durham Red, this science fiction graphic novel from the pen of "Sinister Dexter" author, Dan Abnett, features a bold mixture of painted and computer-assisted artwork by Mark Harrison.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 27, 2026
Even a quarter of a century later (!) and even if you can see some artefacts of early cgi, Mark Harrison's art is spectacular, a perfect fit for this far future space epic full of big visuals and bigger ideas.
The writing isn't as strong. Although Dan Abnett delivers a dramatic and evocative setting -- more than a little reminiscent of Warhammer 40,000, but that's okay as 40K has in turn "borrowed" a fair bit from 2000AD -- and he finds a compelling angle for Durham Red herself, the action feels a little generic and shallow, and some of the dialogue is a bit cringey.
I think if Abnett and Harrison were doing this today it probably would be much more successful, but here it feels like they didn't quite know what they wanted to do, or perhaps didn't have confidence in what they were doing; there's a clash between a concept and setting that wants to have some weight, and an almost half-hearted story about blowing stuff up.
In my heart I want to give this **** but I just can't do it. Forgive me, Saint Scarlet.
The writing isn't as strong. Although Dan Abnett delivers a dramatic and evocative setting -- more than a little reminiscent of Warhammer 40,000, but that's okay as 40K has in turn "borrowed" a fair bit from 2000AD -- and he finds a compelling angle for Durham Red herself, the action feels a little generic and shallow, and some of the dialogue is a bit cringey.
I think if Abnett and Harrison were doing this today it probably would be much more successful, but here it feels like they didn't quite know what they wanted to do, or perhaps didn't have confidence in what they were doing; there's a clash between a concept and setting that wants to have some weight, and an almost half-hearted story about blowing stuff up.
In my heart I want to give this **** but I just can't do it. Forgive me, Saint Scarlet.
December 27, 2020
Pretty pretty art and very hot Durham Red.
Two stories in this one. The longer one is a bit too long but the shorter one is a good strong hit.
Two stories in this one. The longer one is a bit too long but the shorter one is a good strong hit.
March 6, 2024
Excellent art and good story , I enjoyed it.
December 28, 2016
Having now read the first volume of this courtesy of the uncommon kindness of a stranger, the second volume makes a lot more sense.
Dan Abnett creates a... vaguely familiar feeling world, but good fun none the less. And gracious, Durham Red has come a long way from her days as a Strontium Dog.
Dan Abnett creates a... vaguely familiar feeling world, but good fun none the less. And gracious, Durham Red has come a long way from her days as a Strontium Dog.
February 8, 2021
Durham Red was one of my favourite characters when I was growing up. Interesting to see where they went with her story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews