Impressive painted cover for the latest prog by Simon Davis, marking the return of The Grievous Journey of Ichabod Azrael (And The Dead Left In His Wake) by Rob Williams and Dom Reardon.

Ichabod Azrael is returning with Peter Doherty’s colouring skills joining Rob Williams’ words and Dom Reardon’s art.

Comics Bulletin review all the FCBD offerings, including 2000AD’s and they liked it:

The British sense of humor is the greatest sense of humor in the world, sod you America, and hurray for 2000AD. YEAH. I’m putting that out there. Feel offended, you guys. The offering this year comes in the form of a mini-magazine, compiling a few of the stronger characters from the past few years and getting top-notch writers like Al Ewing and Rob Williams to write them. Both writers create the standout stories from the issue, with Williams’ Ichabod Azrael western story a particular delight. There’s not only a devilish sense of humor through all these stories — which is compounded by the adverts, which are just as much fun in some cases — but a sense of meanness you just don’t get in American comics. The writers are free to do whatever cruel things they want to their characters, and create unfair landscapes for these genre-driven pieces to inherit. It’s a great advert for 2000AD as a whole, with a new intro from original Judge Dreddcreator John Wagner and interesting stories. Also there’s a black-and-white Alan Moore story at the back, if that’s the sort of thing you like. 

A reminder that today is FCBD and the 2000AD offering has a new Dredd story. Here is the breakdown from Comic Vine:

Second Free Comic Book Day edition of 2000AD. Unlike last year (which was all reprint), this issue has a brand new Judge Dredd story by original creator John Wagner.

Cover: Jock (Judge Dredd - Zombo - Ichabod Azrael)

Backcover poster: Chris Weston (the cast of 2000AD)

• Judge Dredd - On the Job (all new story) (John Wagner - Rufus Dayglo)
• The Grievous Journey of Ichabod Azrael (and the Dead left in is Wake) (part 1) (reprint from 2000AD prog 1677) (Rob Williams - Dom Reardon)
• Zombo - The Day the Zombo Died (part 1) (reprint from 2000AD prog 1740) (Al Ewing - Henry Flint)
• Ro-Busters - Bax the Burner (reprint from 2000AD Annual 1982) (Alan Moore - Steve Dillon)
• Tharg’s Future Shocks - Whatever Happened to the Green Pedestrian Palm? (reprint from 2000AD annual Prog 2010) (script/art: Chris Weston)

ECBT2000AD have a sneak preview of the upcoming Ichabod Azrael and it is bit of a surprise change for what was a Weird Western:

Just seen this page of artwork from the upcoming arc of Ichabod Azrael which is due to start…. well Im not sure actually but SOON.  Rob Williams is back on scripting duties with Dom Reardon on art and it has been featured in the “coming soon” section of 2000AD so we shouldn’t have too long to wait. I’m guessing its lined up to take over from Red Seas.

Looking like there’s been a time shift from the original series setting which prior to seeing this I would probably have sulked about but looking at this page I can’t wait. That opening city panel setting the scene is just brilliant and has killed any “But I wanted it to be a Western again” thoughts I previously had.

RT @DomReardon: Script for this episode of Ichabod Azrael is SO exciting, I can barely keep it to myself. Nice work @Robwilliams71 #TGJOIAATDLIHW-Manhunt

And this week’s issue contains the very first glimpse of the forthcoming sequel to hit supernatural Western story The Grievous Journey of Ichabod Azrael (and the dead left in his wake):Manhunt by Rob Williams and Dom Reardon - coming soon!(You may begin wetting yourselves with excitement …. now.)

Exciting news plucked from Twitter:

DomReardon: Starting work on series 2 of ‘Ichabod Azrael’ today. Very excited, ace script from @Robwilliams71