Preview: ‘Joe Pineapples: Tin Man’ – Mills, Bisley, & Langley With The ABC Warrior’s Finale

by Richard Bruton

Coming out in April, a final farewell from the ABC Warriors and their way too cool sharpshooter, as Pat Mills, Simon Bisley, and Clint Langley bring you Joe Pineapples: Tin Man.

It’s time for one last stand for Joe Pineapples and Ro-Jaws in this brand-new stand-alone A.B.C. Warriors story, featuring what will most likely be the last time we see Pat Mills’ name in 2000 AD, and possibly the last Simon Bisley art on the insides, as they combine to write the story with Bisley providing the art for the first two episodes, after which we have Clint Langley taking over art duties.

Bisley’s career began back in 1988 with the classic A.B.C. Warriors: Black Hole story and it’s fitting to see him involved in this last outing for the robo boys with guns, even if it’s only Joe and Ro playing around with the dangerous equipment this time. And just as fitting to have Langley hop on the art after Bisley bows out, Clint having provided art for most of the A.B.C Warriors tales in the past 15 years.

Here’s the 2000 AD bumf for this one…

“Stranded for millions of years on an asteroid is hard work – especially when you only have a sewage droid for company! Joe Pineapples, the hotshot robotic sniper who never misses and former member of the A.B.C. Warriors – a team of war robots sent to first conquer and then protect Mars – looks back over his life as he seeks to unravel the mystery and the meaning behind an I.D. plate that he has carried around since his days as an X-terminator fighting in the Volgan War.”

Of course, you’ve already read me talking about this one many times when it ran in the Prog at the start of last year. Now, as much as I love 2000 AD, I have to admit that over the last 45+ years there have been several clunkers. And oh boy, this was one of them for me. However, long-time fans of both A.B.C. Warriors, Joe Pineapples, Pat Mills, and Simon Bisley may well love it.

Here’s what I said of the first episode:

“I know plenty of older fans will be loving this return to the old days of Mills and Bisley, but to me there’s a feeling of at least Mills rather phoning this one in, his final thing for the Prog. Still, horses for courses and all that and there’s no way something like 2000 AD can please all of the people all of the time.”

And then, 11 weeks later, this, after praising Langley for his artwork which at least felt like he’d put the appropriate amount of effort into it, as opposed to Bisley, whose work for the first two episodes just seemed rushed and like his heart just wasn’t in it:

“I’ve never been so relieved to see the words THE END appear on a 2000 AD strip.”

So, up to you. Long-time fan of Mills and Bisley? Maybe give it a go. For me…