2000 AD #248

From January 1982, 2000 AD Prog 248 dives into the brutal world of the Mean Arena, and Brian Bolland's cover captures the atmosphere perfectly — a helmeted, armored figure stands to the left holding a ball, flanked by a vivid red-and-yellow grid showcasing nine fierce, distinctive faces: a rogues' gallery of players including Scurpass, Vandal, Briteena, Crazy Lil, and Crash among others, each rendered with Bolland's characteristic sharp intensity. Inside, Gerry Finley-Day's "The Lugjack" continues into its fifth part, brought to life by Colin Wilson's art and inks alongside Bill Nuttall's lettering. A fine slice of early-eighties British comics at their most energetic.