The Complete Future Shocks, Volume One

The Complete Future Shocks #1

by Alan Moore, Steve Moore, Dave Gibbons

Tharg’s Future Shocks are one-off, twist ending, sci-fi thrills that have introduced many of the biggest names in the comic book industry through the pages of 2000 AD.

THE ULTIMATE VISION OF THE FUTURE!

From Alan Moore to Al Ewing, Kevin O’Neill to Jon Davis-Hunt, Future Shocks have been a staple of the UK's best-selling comic 2000 AD! This exciting first volume takes us back to the earliest days of the strip and showcases the burgeoning, immense talents of such luminaries as Steve Moore, Alan Moore, Brett Ewins, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, John Cooper, Carlos Pino, Jesus Redondo, Steve Dillon, Peter Milligan and many, many more.

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

Alan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.

As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid three stars - Some of these short little Future Shocks were really smart and entertaining, and others were nearly gag-worthy, so I think three as an average rating of the whole collection works. Oddly for my insane fandom of the man, Alan Moore's stories in this collection were not the best, although all were good. I think the Steve Moore stuff was just a little less sophomoric with its messaging, so Steve's stories actually worked better for me as a whole.

Also, not against the book, but this book has been advertised on websites as "Alan Moore's Future Shocks", which is really the only reason I bought it because I though it was going to be a great big collection of his old sci-fi shorts. It wasn't. I think there are only five Alan Moore stories in the entire volume, and one of them wasn't even a Future Shock, but rather only added for additional context for an upcoming Future Shock. While I enjoyed reading this book and think it's worth your while if you're at all into 1970s and 80's sci-fi comics, if you're coming strictly for Alan Moore you're going to be disappointed. Not horribly because some of these stories are truly great, but this is not an Alan Moore collection.

[Jorge Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff!

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the reasons I love the short twist in the tale comic story is thanks to 2000AD. Back in 1978-80 Tharg's Future Shocks were one of my favourite parts of the comic. When they work well, its a sleight of hand delight. Even the sillier stories (and there's a good proportion of those in this book) benefitted from great artwork. As a youngster, some of those final panels were genuinely disturbing for me.

Although some stories have been compiled into themed collections before, it's great that Rebellion are publishing the whole series in its entirety, the good, the bad and the ugly. Amongst my favourite stories are "The Runts" a parody of James Herbert's "The Rats". "Trail and Error", a smart tale about pedantic robot logic. "The Guardian" has probably the cleverest ending. "Beware Squaax Bearing Gifts", a comedic Alan Moore contribution. "The Symbiote", a tragic tale of forced cybernisation. Elsewhere some of punchlines are truly groansome and too many rely of a change of scale/role that quickly becomes predictable.

At the other end of the scale is "The Biggest Game of All" a straight up ripoff of Ray Bradbury's classic tale "The Sound of Thunder" which I'm amazed the author didn't sue them for.

Easy to read, this collection is a great taster for 2000AD's mix of action, humour and horror, with most of its most famous artists and writer represented.

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in these. I tend to like the old EC horror style stories, but these were either too short, too predictable, or written/drawn poorly for the most part. Some of them, like when a solid creator such as Carlos Ezquerra works on the story, are fun but overall, it's just dull filler that really stood out when it was on its own.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories from the 80ies by a variety of authors and artists, originally published in the magazine 2000AD. The quality of the stories varies a lot depending mostly on the writer. Alan Moore’s stories are the highlight of the series.

[Olly Colluphid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated as a 2000AD fan. Probably four if you aren't a Squaxx.

Anyway a mixed bag of future shock stories from early 2000AD. Most are routine, some are excellent.

Unfortunately the book ends with the stories from annuals which are the weakest ones in the book...

Looking for to volume two!

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got old fast. Gave up halfway.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely feels dated, but a lot of fun shorts in here. Would mildly recommend.

[Kevin McDonagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blast guests off their seats by adding this thrill power to your bathroom.