Judge Dredd

Story

In a dystopian late 21^st/early 22^nd century, much of the earth has been devastated by nuclear war. Populations that remain are concentrated in colossal mega-cities. The story is centred on Mega-City One, sprawling over the entire Eastern Seaboard of North America. Beyond it lies a radioactive wasteland, the “Cursed Earth”, populated by outcasts and mutants.

The people mostly live in huge City Blocks of 50,000 inhabitants or more, most unemployed due to automation and prone to following extreme fashions and crazes. Law and order is enforced by The Judges.

Judges patrol the streets, leather-clad on monster motorbikes, wielding awesome firepower. They are sole judge, jury and executioner: their judgement is instant, and final. Innocents will be protected, but break the law and judgement will be swift. Deaths while resisting arrest are commonplace and inconsequential.

Most fearsome and respected of the judges is Judge Dredd: an inscrutable, incorruptible justice-machine, hard-line and entirely merciless to “perps” (law-breakers). They get what is coming to them. Significantly, he almost never removes his helmet and his face is never seen.

Why we chose it

Usually drawn with exaggerated perspective, emphasising huge boots, huge fists and square jawline, Judge Dredd is an icon of sci-fi comic books.

Where it came from

First appearing in “prog” (issue) 2, Judge Dredd has appeared in almost every issue of 2000AD.

Where it went next

There have been a number of dedicated comic books & magazines including:

- Judge Dredd Megazine

- Judge Dredd (DC Comics)

There have been two major films: Judge Dredd (1995, cert 15), starring Sylvester Stallone, and Dredd (2012, cert 18), starring Karl Urban which captures the gritty grisliness in full 3D.

There have also been video games, a board game, collectable cards, novels and a Judge Dredd pinball machine.

Associated stories

Other 2000AD stories include Halo Jones, Slaine and ABC Warriors.