Thrill-Power Countdown #25: 2000ad Annual 1991

It's the era of the credit card logo, and the highs of the 80s annuals have worn off.  And the last hardback annual of the 20th century, before the move to the dreaded yearbooks, goes out on a weak note, when it really needs a power chord. 

At least the reprint material is now deep into the good stuff, with some high-quality Cam Kennedy Rogue Trooper, (Kennedy's aliens also come with real weight). The new stories also feature work by some of the most underrated artists of the period, like Paul Marshall and Kev Hopgood. 

But they don't have access to most of the great 2000ad artists anymore - Belardinelli puts in a welcome appearance, even if it is wasted on the terribly average Moon Runners - and there is the slightest hint of flop-sweat around the whole book, trying so hard to recapture the glories of just a few years ago. 

There's an interesting Strontium Dog story with Johnny Alpha at the end of the world that desperately need some Ezquerra magic - artist Keith Page is certainly talented, but the wrong choice for this story. At least there is a fun Tyranny Rex text story by Smith/Fegredo - when the comic is trying so hard to be cool, some can still do it effortlessly.