Also in Prog 2012 is Absalom:

We’re ploughing on through the 12 Days of Thargmas and, with Prog 2012 now available in UK stores and in North America in a fortnight, 2000adonline.com’s Ed Kaye talks to writer Gordon Rennie and artist Tiernan Trevallion about their follow-up to this year’s hit series, Absalom…

2000 AD: What can we expect from ‘Sick Leave’, and does it connect with the last story, ‘Noblesse Oblige?’

Gordon: It’s pretty much a stand-alone, concentrating on some of Harry’s underlings working a case without him, and also showing us a bit more about Harry and his terminal illness.

2000 AD: Absalom is a series very rich in supernatural elements. Tiernen, is this the type of story which you feel most comfortable drawing? And how do you approach illustrating an episode?

Tiernen: Well, I suppose I do, yes. Add a few robots and Teutonic warrior women and we’re home. On starting an episode of Absalom I usually trawl through it to find all the reference I’ll need. Often there are location specific scenes, usually some artistic licence is required. With this one I used a location in Peckham, It’s a famous (or infamous) estate that’s turned up in a film or two. Then I’ll scribble out any new characters or creatures, and sometimes Gordon has a very specific idea about what he wants, so there’s a bit of back and forth there.

2000 AD: What was your favourite thing to write or illustrate on this story?

Gordon: Probably the scenes with Harry having a matey drink with… a certain someone/something, and where we get to hear more about his past, and all the old famous ex-coppers who he learned his trade from. Some people will hopefully enjoy trying to spot the old British horror films and ‘70s TV cop series where Harry’s one-time mentors all come from.

Tiernen: Favourite bit in this story was adding the ‘wildlife’ to the scenery… not saying nuffink else.