JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #424 REVIEW

Writers: John Wagner; Kenneth Neimand; Mike Carroll; Maura McHugh; Si Spencer; David Hine; Dan Abnett
Artists: Colin MacNeil; Dan Cornwell; Dave Taylor; John Higgins; Steven Austin; Nicolo Assirelli; Nick Percival; Phil Winslade
Colours: Chris Blythe; Sally Hurst; Barbara Nosenzo; Eva De La Cruz
Letterers: Annie Parkhouse; Jim Campbell; Simon Bowland (l)
Publisher: Rebellion

 

Pro-democracy terrorists have taken hostages in Bennet Beeny Block in Judge Dredd: The Victims of Bennet Beeny.

Thirty years ago, the Judge Dredd Megazine began with Judge Dredd: America, a tale which is rightfully recognised as one of the best Dredd stories of all time. Now we’re revisiting, in theme at least, where it all began, with Judges Beeny and Dredd battling extremists in the city block named after Beeny’s father.

It’s an all-action episode, with some nice callbacks to earlier Dredd (“Stubguns!”), subtle hints about Ami Beeny’s relationship with the mother she never knew, and Dredd’s growing trust of robojudges

The extended episode switches artists half way through, which is a little jarring, but this is still top-notch Dredd: satirical, intelligent and packed with explosions.

The mysterious writer known as only as Kenneth Niemand provides us with a bold new “what if” story in Megatropolis. In a 1930s-esques art deco mega city, a corrupt justice department rule over a crime ravaged society. Can the only honest man in the department get to the bottom of a brutal conspiracy?

Well known characters from Dredd history are re-imagined - America Jara is a rookie detective assigned as partner to Joe Rico...even Judge Fish makes an appearance, and there’s a real pleasure in spotting characters before they’re made obvious.

The true quality of any mirror-universe version of an established science fiction franchise comes down to whether it can stand on it’s own, detached from the knowing wink of familiarity. By this measure, Megatropolis is certainly doing well so far.

Also features some beautiful design work from artist David Taylor, who provided similarly retro-futuristic work in Batman: Death by Design.

“No matter how strange something is, given enough time it just becomes the new normal”

Dreadnoughts: Breaking Ground dips back into the pre-Dredd history of 2035, when a fledgling justice department was beginning to develop in a failing United States.

In small towns across America, economic collapse and a failing welfare system has left citizens angry and alone. This shockingly violent story follows Glover, a newly appointed judge assigned to riot control, set free from the restraints of the “civil rights” and “basic decency”

A strikingly realistic story about what happens when power structures collapses and those in authority decide to maintain order at all costs...Dreadnoughts is visceral and worryingly prescient, and for many its scenes of “law-keepers” beating and gunning down protesters wont be an easy read.

PSI Judges Anderson and Shakta investigate strange goings on at an institution for retired psychics in Anderson: No Country for Old PSIs. This feels strangely familiar, and I can’t help but feel that a previous Anderson story trod the same ground. It’s a decent enough story, and feels a bit like friendly and sarcastic, old-school Anderson.

The gang of misfits return in The Returners: Heartswood. Having apparently gone on holiday by mistake, they find themselves preparing to pull off a heist in this confusing episode. The Returners has a lot going on, with characters talking over each other, half explaining their motivations.

Following on from Dominion storyline, the good guys are on their way back to Earth after escaping the Dark Judges, and it will come as no surprise that they’re taking something with them in Dark Judges: Deliverance. Dave Hine’s version of the Dark Judges have always been especially sadistic and this pattern is continued here. The bad jokes clash with the brutality.

Finally, Lawless as been the highlight of the Megazine for several years. A sci-fi western set on a backwater planet, it boasts an interesting and varied cast and some fantastically intricate art from Phil Winslade. This month however, writer Dan Abnett offers a Lawless which is truly special. Something you’ve never seen before. A comic book musical…
 

Mein Damen und Herren, Madames et Messieurs, Ladies and Gentlemen! The Lawless: Badrock melody!

Okay, so writing a twenty page comic book which manages to establish character and place, and actually move the universe forward, all whilst the dialogue rhymes, is impressive enough. But, the Abnett family has gone further and actually produced these musical numbers. Go to https://soundcloud.com/2000-ad/sets/lawless-the-musical and listen along to these wonderful earworms, whilst singing along.