Tag Archives: john wagner

Review: Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 01

Posted on by

Dredd01Looking to get into Judge Dredd? I say start at the beginning. Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 01 including 2000 AD Progs 2-60 should be your next read. The lack of color may cause others to pass, but fear not for artist Carlos Ezquerra, Mike McMahon and Brian Bolland are able to provide a stunning amount of detail.

In short as Judge Dredd proclaims he is the law. After reading this you will see there is so much more. A depth of moral struggle to be tough yet fair is entwined with a satirical view of society cast in a post-apocalyptic city where Judges replace the executive branch of government to maintain peace and order. Violent crime and over population in a sprawling city where citizens work only a few hours a week if at all calls for tough measures and harsh punishments. Half way through the book you will find my favorite cell in all of comics. As Dredd cruises along his internal commentary explains the lowest form of crime. Getting kids hooked on old comics.

This collection includes several stories that resolve in a few pages starting out and evolves into the multipart epics that are cornerstones of the Dredd universe.  Brace yourself for war with robots. Then hang in there with Walter, Dredd’s faithful robot servant. He ends up being a pivotal character whose bravery and comic relief will grow on you after a few pages. The same however cannot be said for Maria the cleaning lady. Highlights include Call Me Kenneth, the rookie trial of Judge Giant, the return of Rico and the 22nd Century Futsie. Ah, the futsie. A criminal driven mad by an inability to cope with the speed of space age life. Excused for his crimes due to his condition receives treatment instead of jail time seems out of place where even petty crimes will land you in an ISO-cube.

Story: John Wagner Art: Carlos Ezquerra, Mike McMahon and Brian Bolland
Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Reviewer purchased his copy to stay compliant with Mega-City penal code A34-G78. Ignorance to the law is no exception.

IDW Limited offers Judge Dredd: The Complete Carlos Ezquerra

Posted on by

IDW Limited announced plans to return to Mega City-One for Judge Dredd: The Complete Carlos Ezquerra, Volume 1 today.  This new deluxe hardcover collection will feature complete stories from the co-creators of Judge Dredd reprinted in the original black and white.

“IDW Limited’s Judge Dredd books are among the most beautiful collected editions I’ve ever seen,” said Carlos Ezquerra. “Their incredible respect for the source material has been a joy to see. When they asked if I wanted to be involved in this special edition, I couldn’t pass it up! It felt like a way to give fans something really special, and to remember and re-visit some of our first stories.”

The limited-edition book will feature two tiers: a 250-copy Red Label edition packaged in a hand-built slipcase containing a hardcover portfolio with twelve lithographs and an exclusive variant hardcover containing signatures from Judge Dredd co-creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, and a 25-copy Blue Label edition presented in a tray case and featuring an original piece of art from the Dredd Father himself, Carlos Ezquerra! The Blue Label will also contain the lithograph portfolio and be signed by the co-creators of Judge Dredd.

“This series has been absolutely amazing from the start,” said IDW Limited director Jerry Bennington. “To go from the iconic Bolland to the incomparable Ezquerra is a dream come true. We have big plans for this book and for this series. If you want the best Dredd has to offer, stick with IDW Limited.”

This book is available for immediate pre-order. Citizens will proceed in an orderly fashion to IDWlimited.com to avoid the wrath of the LAW.

Judge Dredd: The Complete Carlos Ezquerra Vol. 1 DELUXE LIMITED EDITION (RED-$125.00; BLUE- $495 264 pages; 12” x 9”; hardcover)

Get Ready to Experience the True Colors of the Law in Judge Dredd Classics!

Posted on by

Following the success of their ongoing series of new Judge Dredd comics, IDW is bringing 2000 AD’s classic stories back as they’ve never been seen before… in color! Beginning with a special Free Comic Book Day issue on May 4, Judge Dredd Classics will bring the stories that started it all to a new audience and a new age.

The Free Comic Book Day issue will offer the fan-favorite “Judge Death” stories written by John Wagner, illustrated by Brian Bolland, and given vivid new life by colorist Charlie Kirchoff. And then in July, the monthly Judge Dredd Classics series, also featuring new colors by Kirchoff on every issue, will begin with the seminal “Block Mania”/”Apocalypse War” storyline scripted by John Wagner and Alan Grant, and illustrated by Mike McMahon, Ron Smith, Steve Dillon, Brian Bolland and Carlos Ezquerra. As an added bonus, artist Jim Fern will be providing all-new covers for every issue when the series makes its monthly debut this summer. The Free Comic Book Day special will feature a newly colored cover by the inimitable Brian Bolland.

In addition to these classic tales from Mega City One being shown in a new light to longtime fans of Dredd, Judge Dredd Classics will also provide a perfect jumping on point for readers that have always wanted to get a peek under the helmet, but weren’t sure where to begin.

The post-apocalyptic world created over thousands of pages of 2000 A.D. is one of the richest in comics history, and IDW couldn’t be more excited to continue bringing that to new generations of fans.

As always, fans are encouraged to make their own decisions, but this summer it should be advised that not buying Judge Dredd Classics could result in life in the Iso-Cubes!

IDW Limited Releases Signed Edition of Judge Dredd: The Complete Brian Bolland

Posted on by

IDW Limited announced plans today to enter the field of law enforcement. Starting with Judge Dredd: The Complete Brian Bolland, IDW Limited will begin offering deluxe hardcover editions of the Judge Dredd reprint program. Featuring signatures from top Judge Dredd talent and the original creators, this will be the definitive line for fans of the smash 2000 A.D. series.  This first offering includes signatures from iconic artist Brian Bolland as well as the co-creator of Judge Dredd, John Wagner.

This Red Label book is limited to just 325 copies. Fans will receive a deluxe hardcover book housed in a hand-built, custom-designed slipcase featuring artwork from Brian Bolland. Not only has each book has been signed by Bolland and original Judge Dredd co-creator/writer John Wagner, they’re also accompanied by a hardcover artist’s portfolio containing a dozen limited-edition lithographs depicting key covers and the most memorable moments from Bolland’s iconic run on Judge Dredd. Stamped and hand-numbered, these collector’s-edition books push the boundaries of awesomeness to their legal limits.

Available for pre-order now, these books will be rolling out the door faster than a high-explosive round. And don’t worry, there’s more than one round in this chamber: details on a limited-edition Carlos Ezquerra book won’t be far behind.

Judge Dredd: The Complete Brian Bolland DELUXE LIMITED EDITION (RED-$125.00; 316 pages; 9.2″ x 1″ x 12″; hardcover)

SDCC 2012 – Swierczynski and Daniel to Helm Judge Dredd

Posted on by

[Judge Dredd Image]After announcing their partnership with the legendary 2000 AD at WonderCon 2012, IDW Publishing has announced Duane Swierczynski and Nelson Daniel as the creative team for their brand-new Judge Dredd series. The announcement was made to a capacity crowd during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 celebrating Dredd’s 35th anniversary.

Daniel will be running point on the main story’s art and colors, but they’ll also be doing back-up stories in each issue that are tied to the ongoing storyline and that will be illustrated by some big-name talents as well. Folks like Paul Gulacy, Jim Starlin, and many others. Add to that covers by people like Ashley Wood, Carlos Ezquerra, Zach Howard, Whilce Portacio, and so many others, and there will be lots of exciting new artistic interpretations of Dredd to come.

IDW’s Judge Dredd series will see new adventures from the legendary character—originally created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra for the lauded British anthology magazine 2000 AD—who has seen a long and storied career as one of comics’ most popular and enduring characters. For this take on Dredd, IDW and 2000 AD wanted to put creators behind the wheel that hadn’t worked with the character before, creating new stories that would appeal to new Dredd fans, as well as long-time lovers of the rich world of Mega City One.

Citizens, consider yourselves advised; this November, comics are the law!

The Last American – Digital edition coming to ComiXology, Graphicly, and iVerse April, 2012

Posted on by

Com.x is excited to announce the April, 2012 digital release of The Last American written by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, A History of Violence) and Alan Grant (Judge Dredd, 2000AD) with art by Mike McMahon (Judge Dredd, ABC Warriors, Slaine).

This collected edition will be available on three major digital platforms, and priced at $4.99 for 128-pages. If you missed Com.x’s collected edition 8-years ago, or the original Epic 4-issue in 1990, this is perhaps the best opportunity to read a book Innovative and groundbreaking on its initial release, its message and tone still completely relevant in today’s political and social climate.

Recent Entries »