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Batman/Judge Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle
BATMAN COMIC
48 pages, Comic
First published January 1, 1995
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 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 23, 2018
The Batman/Judge Dredd crossover fun continues in: The Ultimate Riddle. Gorgeous art is only exceeded by a set up that is as intriguing as it is enigmatic. When Batman, Judge Dredd, and The Riddler are caught in an extraterrestrial's internecine bloodsport, a story dripping with all the sanguine brutality it entails, ensues.
Flawless in its execution, mouth-watering eye candy flashes across each and every page. Your eyeballs will revel in it with each sugary bite. However, hypnotic visuals are only the first level of illustrated sheen in this smorgasbord of unstinting engagement.
Much in a similar vein to the notorious 2004 Rockstar Games offering, Manhunt, our heroes Dredd and Batman are tossed into a game of life and death. Kill or be killed is the raison d'être in this murky dreamworld of nightmarish proportions. Inspired as much enflashed with D&D imagery as ethos, unseen casts of the die seem to drive every battle to delirious effect.
Subterfuge, gadgetry, and good ol' fashioned fisticuffs shatter jaws and crush bodies all across this netherworld of nastiness. Both characters follow their character established tropes to a T, making for interesting contrasts of M.O's: Batman's "pro-life" approach Vs. Dredd's "pro-violence." John Wagner has clearly learned his characters' characters.
The cacophony of bone crunching brutality builds up a surprising plot twist. And I'll just let you discover that for yourself.
Phenomenal read. Phenomenal art. Phenomenal story.
Two Big Thumbs up!
Flawless in its execution, mouth-watering eye candy flashes across each and every page. Your eyeballs will revel in it with each sugary bite. However, hypnotic visuals are only the first level of illustrated sheen in this smorgasbord of unstinting engagement.
Much in a similar vein to the notorious 2004 Rockstar Games offering, Manhunt, our heroes Dredd and Batman are tossed into a game of life and death. Kill or be killed is the raison d'être in this murky dreamworld of nightmarish proportions. Inspired as much enflashed with D&D imagery as ethos, unseen casts of the die seem to drive every battle to delirious effect.
Subterfuge, gadgetry, and good ol' fashioned fisticuffs shatter jaws and crush bodies all across this netherworld of nastiness. Both characters follow their character established tropes to a T, making for interesting contrasts of M.O's: Batman's "pro-life" approach Vs. Dredd's "pro-violence." John Wagner has clearly learned his characters' characters.
The cacophony of bone crunching brutality builds up a surprising plot twist. And I'll just let you discover that for yourself.
Phenomenal read. Phenomenal art. Phenomenal story.
Two Big Thumbs up!
September 26, 2026
This is the third of four Batman/Judge Dredd crossovers and was published in 1995.
This entry sees the cosmic entity Emperor Xero use the Riddler as a pawn to set up a deadly intergalactic gladiatorial game, consisting of beings pulled from other universes, including Dredd and Bats.
The painted artwork continues to shine and the writing continues to be quick and respectful to both character's worlds.
Recommended
This entry sees the cosmic entity Emperor Xero use the Riddler as a pawn to set up a deadly intergalactic gladiatorial game, consisting of beings pulled from other universes, including Dredd and Bats.
The painted artwork continues to shine and the writing continues to be quick and respectful to both character's worlds.
Recommended
March 3, 2022
The tough guy team up of the year! Only the craziness of the Joker could give this team a run for their money. Nice read. Recommended
July 21, 2011
After being lured into a trap by the Riddler, Batman awakens in a cage placed in some alternate dimension along with several alien tough guys, including Judge Dredd - their reason for being there? A fight to the death and only one leaves alive.
It's a cool setup and there's some nice fight sequences as we see Batman's no-kill policy tested against Dredd's kill-anything policy, and I won't spoil the ending but it's cool seeing as one of these two comic book heroes has to go down.
A nice addition to the Batman & Judge Dredd titles but all too brief and ultimately a bit shallow. Fans only then but a good read nonetheless.
It's a cool setup and there's some nice fight sequences as we see Batman's no-kill policy tested against Dredd's kill-anything policy, and I won't spoil the ending but it's cool seeing as one of these two comic book heroes has to go down.
A nice addition to the Batman & Judge Dredd titles but all too brief and ultimately a bit shallow. Fans only then but a good read nonetheless.
May 14, 2022
Really awesome story, you get those bad-A personalities come out for Dredd and the Bats. Just unfolds perfectly and plenty of action to satisfy, reminds me of all of my favorite action movies from the 90s.
June 23, 2019
I love Judge Dredd, Not so much Batman, however, this was a great addition to my Judge Dredd collection!
September 26, 2022
Not as entertaining as the previous meeting of these two but the art is still incredibly beautiful. Sadly the story is a bit so-so.
September 18, 2011
IT really didin't feel like it was the ultimate riddle.
Of course, the story could've been longer and more complex, perhaps something like a riddle within a riddle.
But it's still a favourite book of mine.
The characters in the book are amazing, heroes from each of their own alien worlds are present (shouldn't Earth's hero be Superman?).
Here we see a more adventurous Riddle, getting a mystic scepter to transport these heroes into a gladiator kind of match, where whoever kills Batman will be given their freedom. Of course, this game's a ruse and Judge Dredd is on Batman's side. A ruse by the Riddler to kill Batman.
It is noteworthy to see Judge Dredd's characteristic and tough attitude towards convicts (4 years for defying a judge! - for example).
And also, we see how frail Batman is. Sometimes, I see Batman as nothing more than a man with a cape and cowl - made from cloth.
But it is not until the game Arkham Asylum came that gave Batman more technological savvyness - armour plates, explosive fluids, night vision and all those things.
It's a pity to see this version of Batman with the ultimate lawman. But again, this story was printed in 1998! Quite long ago.
Hopefully there will be more meet ups between the two, for I thoroughly enjoyed these two tough burly characters battle it out.
Of course, the story could've been longer and more complex, perhaps something like a riddle within a riddle.
But it's still a favourite book of mine.
The characters in the book are amazing, heroes from each of their own alien worlds are present (shouldn't Earth's hero be Superman?).
Here we see a more adventurous Riddle, getting a mystic scepter to transport these heroes into a gladiator kind of match, where whoever kills Batman will be given their freedom. Of course, this game's a ruse and Judge Dredd is on Batman's side. A ruse by the Riddler to kill Batman.
It is noteworthy to see Judge Dredd's characteristic and tough attitude towards convicts (4 years for defying a judge! - for example).
And also, we see how frail Batman is. Sometimes, I see Batman as nothing more than a man with a cape and cowl - made from cloth.
But it is not until the game Arkham Asylum came that gave Batman more technological savvyness - armour plates, explosive fluids, night vision and all those things.
It's a pity to see this version of Batman with the ultimate lawman. But again, this story was printed in 1998! Quite long ago.
Hopefully there will be more meet ups between the two, for I thoroughly enjoyed these two tough burly characters battle it out.
May 12, 2014
I would have loved a longer and more substantial version of this. The writing and story are nothing to get excited about, but the art is phenomenal. The characters from different worlds, the conceptual stuff, all very awesome. Sadly, too little time is given to each of these fascinating enemies, and most are defeated way too quickly. If a graphic novel or comic were to be evaluated purely on its written merits (and it never should be, as the visual aspect is every bit as important) this would be merely passable, just alright. It's simple, fun, entertaining, but there's not a lot to it, and the story is pretty much Running Man, with a little variation, starring the Riddler, Batman, and Judge Dredd, along with some incredible villains. But visually this is stunning, which gives it a definite boost. Every panel is a gritty, evocative violent work of artistic mastery. Full color, brilliant illustration. Few, if any, comics and graphic novels are visually on this level.
September 7, 2012
This is easily the worst of the Batman/Dredd crosovers I have the pleasure to own. While the art is once more beautifull it does not save the story which is kinda predatorlike and fails to entertain.
If this is the first crossover your read on these two gentlemen, know that there is far better material out there.
If this is the first crossover your read on these two gentlemen, know that there is far better material out there.
October 21, 2012
This was the weakest entry in the series. I just did not accept the fact that the Riddler with the power he obtained could not think of a better way to kill batman without having Judge Dredd involved as well.
September 1, 2012
Worth reading.
January 2, 2014
Not as bad as the reviews made out, but nothing at all of a story really, just a slog between Batman/Dredd and some nasties. Easily the worst of the crossovers so far.
July 7, 2014
I'll review all four Batman/Dredd stories with the last one Die Laughing.
May 25, 2020
The art is beautiful. And that's about it.
May 31, 2009
Well, at least it was short.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews