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Judge Dredd
Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters 02
Some of comics' greatest writers take on the iconic Judge Dredd in this amazing collection.
THE WORD OF THE LAW!
He is the toughest Judge in Mega-City One – here are the writers that made him this way! Meet Judge Dredd, the iconic lawman of the future, as envisioned by the best in British talent.
This compilation features stories written by some of the biggest names working in comics today, including Grant Morrison ( Arkham Asylum ), Mark Millar ( Kick-Ass ), Dan Abnett ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) and Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner ( A History of Violence ). With art from Glenn Fabry ( Preacher ), Sean Phillips ( Marvel Zombies ) and Gary Leach ( Miracleman ) amongst others, this is a must-have trade featuring classic Judge Dredd tales!
THE WORD OF THE LAW!
He is the toughest Judge in Mega-City One – here are the writers that made him this way! Meet Judge Dredd, the iconic lawman of the future, as envisioned by the best in British talent.
This compilation features stories written by some of the biggest names working in comics today, including Grant Morrison ( Arkham Asylum ), Mark Millar ( Kick-Ass ), Dan Abnett ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) and Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner ( A History of Violence ). With art from Glenn Fabry ( Preacher ), Sean Phillips ( Marvel Zombies ) and Gary Leach ( Miracleman ) amongst others, this is a must-have trade featuring classic Judge Dredd tales!
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2010
About the author
John Wagner
1,346 books190 followersJohn Wagner is a comics writer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1949 and moved to Scotland as a boy. Alongside Pat Mills, Wagner was responsible for revitalising British boys' comics in the 1970s, and has continued to be a leading light in British comics ever since. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, for which he created Judge Dredd. He is noted for his taut, violent thrillers and his black humour. Among his pseudonyms are The best known are John Howard, T.B. Grover, Mike Stott, Keef Ripley, Rick Clark and Brian Skuter. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 4, 2013
The Law returns!!!
This is the second volume in a series of 3 tomes collecting a selection of stories of “Judge Dredd” taken from its different kind of publications by 2000AD. They are taken from its “classic” era as well from more modern times. And they are presented using color only if the original publication had it.
The general rating is an average sum of the ratings given to each story contained in this book.
THE COMEBACK
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writers: John Wagner & Alan Grant
Illustrator: Garry Leach
What’s he saying? Gorilla…? Godzilla…? I’ve got it -- Thriller!
Jaxon Prince was a Pop Music mega-star in the 20th Century, who became famous not only by his music career but also due his extravagant hobbies in his personal life. In 1995, he decided to be freeze in cryogenics and not be awaken until 2109!
Just in time for the era of the Judges!
I am sure that by now, even without the help of the illustrations, you must already guessed that this “Jaxon Prince” is a parody of nothing less than Michael Jackson, and it’s very likely that this story was written way before of his sad death some few year ago.
So, reading now this amusing story makes it even more astonishing than before.
Jaxon Prince is awaken but due the 20th Century’s cryogenics technology was in diapers, he didn’t make good in his “return”, suffering of severe brain damage, making him more like a “zombie” than his true former self (Thriller, anyone?).
The brain damage is a major problem since in his will he disposed that it must be a “comeback concert” at the very afternoon of his return to the land of the living, and the lawyers’ firm doesn’t stop the concert to avoid having to pay for unfulfilling duties by them.
Judge Dredd, along with Judge Clint and a full detail of judges are in charge of the security for the concert...
...a concert like nobody could predict!
THAT SWEET STUFF
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Alan Grant
Illustrator: Vanyo
West Coast White – Brazilian Brown – Hunnerd percent refined… You name it, man, I got it!
Billiam Wurrows is an addict.
He lives in Mega-City One.
A very wrong combination!
Definitely an excellent example of Judge Dredd at its finest, showing how always the law officers and the people will be in opposite sides when it’s up to dealing with drugs declared illegal.
TALK BACK
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Glenn Fabry
Grud! I hope the little creep rots in hell!
Cool Johnny Cool is dead.
He was a deejay in “Radio Radio Radio” one major radio station in Mega-City One.
He was found dead in his apartment which was locked from the inside.
A locked room mystery!
But for the Judges is no sweat, since they have...
...the Psi Division!!!
Amusing tale with some paranormal elements which it could be impossible to solve without the help of a Psi Judge.
Only in Mega-City One!!!
THE MARSHAL
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Sean Phillips
Sometimes you got a smart guy. And smart guys were trouble.
In the aftermath of Mega-City One’s Judgment Day, when a massive horde of undead threatened everyone there. Judge Dredd was victorious but the city is still suffering for the loss of just too many valuable judges and one of city’s walls was destroyed.
Mega-City One is susceptible now.
And one lone stranger seizes the moment.
The Marshal has come to Mega-City One.
The Law from the western lands of the Cursed Earth comes to Mega-City One, and the clash will be a bloody one!
Judge Dredd won’t tolerate any outsider to represent the law in his city, howerver he will have to be prepared to learn about a dark action between his ranks.
JUDGE TYRANNOSAUR
Rating: ** ( 2 stars )
Writer: Mark Millar
Illustrator: Ron Smith
This nonsense has gone far enough.
A wacky story a genetically created tyrannosaur (something kinda common in the wastelands of the Cursed Earth) comes to the “rescue” of a kidnapper’s victim.
One unlucky kidnapper gets eaten (literally) by a hungry tyrannosaur and this action helps to save the victim, one sweet granny who is the oldest citizen of Mega-City One.
The population is thankful with the mighty monster and of course they are demanding a reward to the newest hero, and why not appointing it as a fully-fledged judge!
Strangest things have happened before in Mega-City One...
...no, wait! Never something stranger than this happened before!!!
You can ask to the Mega-City One’s Jurassic expert, Dr. Mike Chrichton!
BOOK OF THE DEAD
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writers: Grant Morrison & Mark Millar
Illustrator: Dermont Power
I’m not here to see the sights, Judge Kamun.
A cultural Exchange program is held between Mega-City One and Luxor (the Egyptian mega-city).
Judge Rameses from Luxor’s Justice Department will travel to Mega-City One, and Luxor will have, for a week, Judge Dredd!
Just in time for Dredd, to be involved in a paranormal attack by a mummy with a weird predilection for the blood of judges!
Only in Mega-Cit… no wait! This happened in Luxor!!!
Note: A brief cameo by Judge Hershey at the end of the story.
RAD BLOOD
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Dan Abnett
Illustrator: Ron Smith
Swallow judgement creep!
Interesting story about the investigation of massive disappearances of citizens of Mega-City One that they supposed to leave the city for a religious town located in the wastelands of the Cursed Earth, right in the middle of a zone with high rates of radiation.
In an overpopulated city like Mega-City One, one would think that the merciless judges would look as a blessing that many people would leave the city. However, judges don’t like mysteries and certainly is a riddle why not one single citizen has been heard again once they leave Mega-City One for this “promised land” in the middle of the Cursed Earth.
So, Judge Dredd along with a squad of judges go to follow the route and asking questions in that famed town.
STATUE OF JUDGEMENT
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writers: John Wagner
Illustrator: John Burns
You break the law you pay the Price, creep!
The Justice Department is reconstructing the famed “Statue of Judgement”, a huge monument (even easily almost the double as big as the Statue of Liberty) to honor the work of the Judges.
Many people is unhappy for the monument and manifestations are held.
Judge Dreed along with a detail of judges are controlling the situation to avoid getting at any level of physical violence.
Meanwhile, Judge Hershey is attending the call of a rental complain that it will have an explosive link to the situation over the zone of the Statue of Judgement.
DOMINOES
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Illustrators: Laurence Campbell, Kris Justice & Chris Blythe
Diplomatic statement. We send our best. They don’t drokk us around.
Hershey is now Chief Judge and she is sending a “diplomatic” team commanded by Judge Dredd to NeoCuba, to make an exchange of prisoners.
Small talk. Eating canapes. Just the kind of work that Dredd “loves”.
While Judge Dredd is dealing with Presidente Diego, the current “El Castro”, during a diplomatic party, another operation, made by a mysterious woman, is getting into action.
Nothing like Mega-City One’s style of “diplomacy”.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Pat Mills
Illustrators: Vince Locke & Chris Blythe
Time to cut the cake… and open my “present”!
Excellent story, easily the best one in this second collected volumen and a great way to close this book.
A mysterious murderer was found guilty in 1980 and he was charged with a sentence of one hundred and fifty years in prison.
That should do it!
The problem is that it didn’t do it!!!
After one hundred and fifty years, in 2108, right in the middle of the era of the Judges, Paul Klesa has to be set free since...
...he did his time in prison! One hundred and fifty years and he is still alive, young, and none medical scan has ever show any clue to his condition.
So, he must be set free! Law has been served!
That’s why boys and girls that instead of declaring a quantity of years (not matter how long it seems to sound), it’s better to declare “life imprisonment” as the sentence...
...just in case.
But this is only the beginning of the new chapter in the blood trail made by this mysterious murderer and Judge Dredd won’t believe how far he will need to go to trace this trail.
HIGH SPIRITS
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Ian Edginton
Illustrator: Dave Taylor
I’m a dead girl walking…
This is easily the second best story in this second collected volumen.
Judge Dredd must deal with strange cases of sudden violent histeria where the only connection between all the suspects is that all of them were workers in a multi-planetary company.
The case is delicate enough since that company is hugely important to the finances of Mega-City One and due the alien (as in literally out of the world) origin of the company, its building has a diplomatic immunity status.
But one good thing is that Judge Dredd won’t have to face this strange case alone...
...Exorcist Judge Lamia is on the case!
When you thought that nothing could be cooler than a Street Judge or a Psi Judge...
...appears an Exorcist Judge!!!
And she even has weapons to attack demons and she is able to talk to ghosts too!!!
Priceless!!!
REHAB
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Al Ewing
Illustrator: Karl Richardson
In this city… I am the community!
Amusing story involving interdimensional travel, where another kind of Judges, from a parallel dimension want to “help” to the rehab of criminals of Mega-City One.
Big mistake!
Since those good natured “judges” aren’t prepared to deal with real bad scum like the criminal kind of Mega-City One, but neither they are prepared to deal with real judges!!!
And I told you that this is a parallel dimension, right?
Be prepared for “Good Ol’” Judge Joe versus “Bad A$%” Judge Dredd!!!
Judge Joe Dredd x 2, what else can you ask?
This is the second volume in a series of 3 tomes collecting a selection of stories of “Judge Dredd” taken from its different kind of publications by 2000AD. They are taken from its “classic” era as well from more modern times. And they are presented using color only if the original publication had it.
The general rating is an average sum of the ratings given to each story contained in this book.
THE COMEBACK
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writers: John Wagner & Alan Grant
Illustrator: Garry Leach
What’s he saying? Gorilla…? Godzilla…? I’ve got it -- Thriller!
Jaxon Prince was a Pop Music mega-star in the 20th Century, who became famous not only by his music career but also due his extravagant hobbies in his personal life. In 1995, he decided to be freeze in cryogenics and not be awaken until 2109!
Just in time for the era of the Judges!
I am sure that by now, even without the help of the illustrations, you must already guessed that this “Jaxon Prince” is a parody of nothing less than Michael Jackson, and it’s very likely that this story was written way before of his sad death some few year ago.
So, reading now this amusing story makes it even more astonishing than before.
Jaxon Prince is awaken but due the 20th Century’s cryogenics technology was in diapers, he didn’t make good in his “return”, suffering of severe brain damage, making him more like a “zombie” than his true former self (Thriller, anyone?).
The brain damage is a major problem since in his will he disposed that it must be a “comeback concert” at the very afternoon of his return to the land of the living, and the lawyers’ firm doesn’t stop the concert to avoid having to pay for unfulfilling duties by them.
Judge Dredd, along with Judge Clint and a full detail of judges are in charge of the security for the concert...
...a concert like nobody could predict!
THAT SWEET STUFF
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Alan Grant
Illustrator: Vanyo
West Coast White – Brazilian Brown – Hunnerd percent refined… You name it, man, I got it!
Billiam Wurrows is an addict.
He lives in Mega-City One.
A very wrong combination!
Definitely an excellent example of Judge Dredd at its finest, showing how always the law officers and the people will be in opposite sides when it’s up to dealing with drugs declared illegal.
TALK BACK
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Glenn Fabry
Grud! I hope the little creep rots in hell!
Cool Johnny Cool is dead.
He was a deejay in “Radio Radio Radio” one major radio station in Mega-City One.
He was found dead in his apartment which was locked from the inside.
A locked room mystery!
But for the Judges is no sweat, since they have...
...the Psi Division!!!
Amusing tale with some paranormal elements which it could be impossible to solve without the help of a Psi Judge.
Only in Mega-City One!!!
THE MARSHAL
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Sean Phillips
Sometimes you got a smart guy. And smart guys were trouble.
In the aftermath of Mega-City One’s Judgment Day, when a massive horde of undead threatened everyone there. Judge Dredd was victorious but the city is still suffering for the loss of just too many valuable judges and one of city’s walls was destroyed.
Mega-City One is susceptible now.
And one lone stranger seizes the moment.
The Marshal has come to Mega-City One.
The Law from the western lands of the Cursed Earth comes to Mega-City One, and the clash will be a bloody one!
Judge Dredd won’t tolerate any outsider to represent the law in his city, howerver he will have to be prepared to learn about a dark action between his ranks.
JUDGE TYRANNOSAUR
Rating: ** ( 2 stars )
Writer: Mark Millar
Illustrator: Ron Smith
This nonsense has gone far enough.
A wacky story a genetically created tyrannosaur (something kinda common in the wastelands of the Cursed Earth) comes to the “rescue” of a kidnapper’s victim.
One unlucky kidnapper gets eaten (literally) by a hungry tyrannosaur and this action helps to save the victim, one sweet granny who is the oldest citizen of Mega-City One.
The population is thankful with the mighty monster and of course they are demanding a reward to the newest hero, and why not appointing it as a fully-fledged judge!
Strangest things have happened before in Mega-City One...
...no, wait! Never something stranger than this happened before!!!
You can ask to the Mega-City One’s Jurassic expert, Dr. Mike Chrichton!
BOOK OF THE DEAD
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writers: Grant Morrison & Mark Millar
Illustrator: Dermont Power
I’m not here to see the sights, Judge Kamun.
A cultural Exchange program is held between Mega-City One and Luxor (the Egyptian mega-city).
Judge Rameses from Luxor’s Justice Department will travel to Mega-City One, and Luxor will have, for a week, Judge Dredd!
Just in time for Dredd, to be involved in a paranormal attack by a mummy with a weird predilection for the blood of judges!
Only in Mega-Cit… no wait! This happened in Luxor!!!
Note: A brief cameo by Judge Hershey at the end of the story.
RAD BLOOD
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Dan Abnett
Illustrator: Ron Smith
Swallow judgement creep!
Interesting story about the investigation of massive disappearances of citizens of Mega-City One that they supposed to leave the city for a religious town located in the wastelands of the Cursed Earth, right in the middle of a zone with high rates of radiation.
In an overpopulated city like Mega-City One, one would think that the merciless judges would look as a blessing that many people would leave the city. However, judges don’t like mysteries and certainly is a riddle why not one single citizen has been heard again once they leave Mega-City One for this “promised land” in the middle of the Cursed Earth.
So, Judge Dredd along with a squad of judges go to follow the route and asking questions in that famed town.
STATUE OF JUDGEMENT
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writers: John Wagner
Illustrator: John Burns
You break the law you pay the Price, creep!
The Justice Department is reconstructing the famed “Statue of Judgement”, a huge monument (even easily almost the double as big as the Statue of Liberty) to honor the work of the Judges.
Many people is unhappy for the monument and manifestations are held.
Judge Dreed along with a detail of judges are controlling the situation to avoid getting at any level of physical violence.
Meanwhile, Judge Hershey is attending the call of a rental complain that it will have an explosive link to the situation over the zone of the Statue of Judgement.
DOMINOES
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Illustrators: Laurence Campbell, Kris Justice & Chris Blythe
Diplomatic statement. We send our best. They don’t drokk us around.
Hershey is now Chief Judge and she is sending a “diplomatic” team commanded by Judge Dredd to NeoCuba, to make an exchange of prisoners.
Small talk. Eating canapes. Just the kind of work that Dredd “loves”.
While Judge Dredd is dealing with Presidente Diego, the current “El Castro”, during a diplomatic party, another operation, made by a mysterious woman, is getting into action.
Nothing like Mega-City One’s style of “diplomacy”.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Pat Mills
Illustrators: Vince Locke & Chris Blythe
Time to cut the cake… and open my “present”!
Excellent story, easily the best one in this second collected volumen and a great way to close this book.
A mysterious murderer was found guilty in 1980 and he was charged with a sentence of one hundred and fifty years in prison.
That should do it!
The problem is that it didn’t do it!!!
After one hundred and fifty years, in 2108, right in the middle of the era of the Judges, Paul Klesa has to be set free since...
...he did his time in prison! One hundred and fifty years and he is still alive, young, and none medical scan has ever show any clue to his condition.
So, he must be set free! Law has been served!
That’s why boys and girls that instead of declaring a quantity of years (not matter how long it seems to sound), it’s better to declare “life imprisonment” as the sentence...
...just in case.
But this is only the beginning of the new chapter in the blood trail made by this mysterious murderer and Judge Dredd won’t believe how far he will need to go to trace this trail.
HIGH SPIRITS
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Ian Edginton
Illustrator: Dave Taylor
I’m a dead girl walking…
This is easily the second best story in this second collected volumen.
Judge Dredd must deal with strange cases of sudden violent histeria where the only connection between all the suspects is that all of them were workers in a multi-planetary company.
The case is delicate enough since that company is hugely important to the finances of Mega-City One and due the alien (as in literally out of the world) origin of the company, its building has a diplomatic immunity status.
But one good thing is that Judge Dredd won’t have to face this strange case alone...
...Exorcist Judge Lamia is on the case!
When you thought that nothing could be cooler than a Street Judge or a Psi Judge...
...appears an Exorcist Judge!!!
And she even has weapons to attack demons and she is able to talk to ghosts too!!!
Priceless!!!
REHAB
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Al Ewing
Illustrator: Karl Richardson
In this city… I am the community!
Amusing story involving interdimensional travel, where another kind of Judges, from a parallel dimension want to “help” to the rehab of criminals of Mega-City One.
Big mistake!
Since those good natured “judges” aren’t prepared to deal with real bad scum like the criminal kind of Mega-City One, but neither they are prepared to deal with real judges!!!
And I told you that this is a parallel dimension, right?
Be prepared for “Good Ol’” Judge Joe versus “Bad A$%” Judge Dredd!!!
Judge Joe Dredd x 2, what else can you ask?
May 31, 2018
This is a hard book to rate. It was mostly very good. My only issue is the stories at the beginning were strong and smart while the art was straight 90s. As the art improved though its seemed the story quality faded. I still enjoyed this quite a bit.
July 25, 2011
Liked most of the stories with a 'monster' as the main villain, but overall it was only OK. The story thread taking place in Egypt really had a lot of potential, but I thought it was weak on several points. Primarily I thought depicting the Egyptian judges/judicial system as a bunch of superstitious fools practicing 'the way of the ancients' was lame; the art for that story was good though.
November 10, 2016
Decent collection of quick action stories. There are some interesting concepts in a few of them. The Egyptian story is good and the Michael Jackson parody is fun, but most are pretty average.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews