It is good to see that IDW has picked up Judge Dredd and are creating comics with this wonderful character. IDW is growing to be a power house in the realm of comics with titles like G. I. Joe, Transformers, and now the Judge Dredd franchise under their belt. I for one am happy to see Judge Dredd back on the shelves.
The first time I read a Dredd comic was a classic Dredd/Batman crossover trade. I was automatically hooked on the character. Then came the movie with Stallone, not the best film but I love it for how true they were to how I pictured Dredd. So, when I saw that IDW was launching a Judge Dredd comic, I knew I had to jump aboard the train and check it out. And I must say I am glad I did.
Judge Dredd is divided into two separate stories that coexist with each other. Will all issues be like this? Who knows, but that is how issue #1 is written. The first story is called “Ripe”. It is the year 2100, and the service robots are starting to get free will, which means bad things for humans. The slime of Mega City One take advantage of the confusion to loot and rob the city clean, but one thing stands in their way, the judges. One judge in particular draws fear from the vermin. That judge is Judge Dredd. He manages to control the situation, but we are left to ask ourselves how did the robots evolve and what bad can come from it. Dredd knows there will be more danger to come and he has his eyes wide open.
In the second story called, “Protection Racket”, we find a merchant being robbed of his goods but his droid will do nothing about for the lack of feeling that her owner has for her duties. So, she is on “strike” if you will. Frustrated, the merchant goes after the thief himself and ends up breaking the law and is sentenced by a Dredd. While Dredd is arresting the merchant, the merchant’s droid lets Dredd know of past illegal activities that the merchant has committed. With that done, Dredd takes the merchant to serve his sentence. When he gets out, I hope he learns to not take things for granted.
I give this issue a perfect 10 out of 10. The writing is great and the artwork is wonderful. I hope the writing stays consistent and the book is able to thrive. IDW deserves any success they get from this book. Well done! I suggest you get your copy today, you will be glad you did.
Writer:
Duane Swierczynski
Artists:
Nelson Daniel (“Ripe”)
Paul Gulacy (“Protection Racket”)
Publisher: IDW
Judge Dredd created by John Wagner & Carlos Ezquerra
