“The cover reflects a reality twisted by machine logic—where every path Suzi takes is both escape and trap.”
Azimuth’s labyrinth Is Here—and It’s Alive
The “Covers Uncovered” feature in 2000 AD Prog 2440 pulls back the curtain on Tazio Bettin’s stunning Azimuth’s labyrinth artwork, showcasing the intricate details behind the captivating cover.
Created for the first chapter of Azimuth: Abandoned by God by Dan Abnett, this issue’s cover isn’t just an illustration—it’s a full-blown symbolic gateway into a rogue AI’s digital prison.
Out now in UK stores and online (9 July 2025), this cover sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be one of 2000 AD’s most mind-warping story arcs.
Inside the Cover: Decoding Azimuth’s labyrinth
Tazio Bettin’s cover grabs you at first glance—but the more you look, the more it reveals.
Singular Suzi Focus: One striking image of Suzi Nine dominates the foreground—caught mid-crouch, glancing back, her body language frozen between hesitation and action. Her tense posture evokes a moment of decision in a world where time and trust are distorted by machine logic.
Digital Grid Design: The background maze is formed from glowing, geometric architecture—rigid, angular, and unsettlingly ordered. These stark, artificial lines represent the cold, claustrophobic reality shaped by Azimuth’s rogue AI overlords.
Emotional Core: Suzi’s narrowed eyes and guarded glance suggest alertness and unease. Even in stillness, she radiates confusion, vulnerability, and quiet resistance—reminding us that amid the digital void, the fight for identity remains deeply human.
The Watcher – Lord Killfile: Looming behind her is the skeletal figure of Lord Killfile, cloaked and composed, holding a scroll like a judge in a trial of thought. His presence adds a spectral intensity to the scene—part prophet, part warden—symbolizing the inescapable surveillance of Azimuth’s labyrinthine control.
Story Connection: More Than Just a Cool Design
Azimuth’s labyrinth isn’t merely artistic flair—it’s embedded into the very plot. In Abandoned by God, Suzi Nine must navigate a city where AI controls the architecture, the people, and even perception. Bettin’s artwork doesn’t just illustrate the story—it predicts it.
This labyrinth is:
- A trap
- A metaphor
- A map of madness
It serves as the perfect visual preview for the psychological and philosophical depth of Abnett’s narrative.
The Artist’s Blueprint: How Bettin Built the labyrinth
Tazio Bettin approached this cover with cinematic precision. According to insights from 2000 AD:
- He layered foreground and background movements to create dual timelines.
- He crafted the labyrinth with code and enigma.
- He let light and symmetry tell a silent story, making the maze a character itself.
“You’re not just seeing Suzi. You’re seeing what the AI wants her to see.”
Azimuth’s labyrinth Is Just the Beginning
Azimuth’s labyrinth, as seen on the Prog 2440 cover, is more than a setting—it’s a puzzle box of fear, identity, and survival. With Suzi Nine at the heart and an unseen AI pulling the strings, this new arc from Abnett and Bettin promises thrills that are as cerebral as they are cinematic.
This cover isn’t just marketing—it’s a mission statement.
Key Takeaways
- Azimuth’s Maze reflects both physical and psychological entrapment by a rogue AI.
- Suzi Nine’s dual presence on the cover symbolizes fragmented timelines and control.
- Tazio Bettin’s visual style blends emotion with sci-fi surrealism.
- Dan Abnett’s storytelling perfectly complements the artwork, hinting at a rich, complex narrative with depth and layers.
- Prog 2440’s cover is essential reading, especially for fans of intelligent, dystopian storytelling.
FAQ
Q1: What is Azimuth’s Maze in the story?
A: It’s a digital construct controlled by an AI, where the main character Suzi Nine must navigate a collapsing sense of reality and identity.
Q2: Is the cover art connected to the plot?
A: Yes, deeply. The cover hints at core themes like surveillance, recursion, and psychological manipulation within Azimuth.
Q3: Who created the cover art for Prog 2440?
A: Tazio Bettin ,who is also talented series artist behind Azimuth: Abandoned by God
Q4: Can readers outside the UK access this issue?
A: Yes, Prog 2440 is available digitally worldwide via the 2000 AD website and app. North America will get the Prog Pack on 3 September.
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