Judge Dredd is the longest running, best known and most popular strip ever to appear in top British comic '2000ad'. He first appeared in issue (prog) 2 and has only missed a handful of issues since then. He has since appeared in newspapers, his own annuals, specials, a monthly megazine, a less than fantastic Hollywood blockbuster and even appeared with Batman. Add to this several board games, computer games and at least two hit records and it adds up to quite an achievement.

Joe Dredd began life as a clone, cloned, along with his brother Rico from the bloodline of 'father of justice' Judge Fargo in 2066. Brought up in the Academy of law, both Joe and Rico excelled, although Rico was marginally the better and even helped Joe make it to his half eagle.

After their graduation in 2079 Joe discovered his clone brothers had a major character flaw. Rico had set up some illegal sidelines for himself and Joe had been forced to arrest him, thus condemning him to 20 years on Titan and proving what sort of Judge Joe really was.

Morphy, the judge who passed Dredd in his final street assessment recognised the potential in Joe right away and over the years became a father figure for him. It was the murder of Morphy that was the final straw that caused Dredd to quit and take the long walk.

Judge Dredd was created by John Wagner, the celebrated writer and Carlos Ezquerra, a well respected Spanish artists, who had been working on Battle for IPC but due to internal wrangling neither actually were involved in the first episode. The first story to see print was written by Peter Harris and rewritten from the fifteenth frame onwards by editor Pat Mills and Kevin Gosnell and drawn by newcomer Mike McMahon who was chosen partly because he did a very good Ezquerra style of drawing. However, McMahon went on to develop his own style and is thought of by many as the definitive Dredd artist.

Eventually, John Wagner returned to script Dredd and has writed more stories than anyone else about the grim faced lawman. Later co-writing with Alan Grant, set about creating Dredd's world in even greater depth. Developing Dredd's world significantly through a number of 'epic' storylines like "The Robot Wars", "Judge Cal", "Block Mania/Apocalypse War" (introducing Orlok), "Judge Child Quest/The city of the Damned" (introducing the Angel Gang and Judge Hershey), "Oz" (featuring Chopper, the Judda and Kraken).

The first and in my opinion the best of the mega epics in Dredd's world, must be the Cursed Earth, which was scripted by Pat Mills and featured two stories from John Wagner & Jack Adrian, both of which were banned for copyright breech. Apparently McDonalds did not like the way Ronald McDonald was depicted by John Wagner, in the 22nd century as a raving lunatic, who shot dead his staff for spilling a milkshake, then claiming that 'everything in McDonalds is disposable, including the staff!'.

The Cursed Earth saga had the greatest change on Judge Dredd, changing him from a unrelenting, macho cop, who managed to stay on top in Mega City one by being more ruthless than the rest. Into a person who cares about the innocent and isn't just a one note, sadistic bastard. It was the turning point in Dredd's history and set the wheels in motion for the Dredd we know and love today. Yes, he still is a complete bastard, but he does have some redeeming qualities.

Just don't break the law!

For more information on the Judge check out the book Judge Dredd : The Mega-history, THE UNTOLD STORY, which you can purpose here. Or check out the latest issue of 2000ad, which is now under new ownership and enjoying a renaissance.

Main Writers on the series have been John Wagner, Alan Grant, Pat Mills, Garth Ennis.

Other writers like Dan Abnett, John Higgins, Peter Hogan, Alan McKenzie (under pen-name of "Sonny Steelgrave"), Mark Millar, Grant Morrison, John Smith, Chris Standle, have contributed to the legend.

Main Artists on the series have been Carlos Ezquerra, Mike McMahon, Brian Bolland, Ron Smith, Ian Gibson, Steve Dillon, Cam Kennedy, Will Simpson, John Burns, John Higgins, Cliff Robinson, Colin MacNeil, Peter Doherty... and many more.

Dredd in the Comics

Progs 2-104, 106-154, 156-1099, 1101-1137, 1139-onwards
2000AD annuals 1978-onwards
Judge Dredd Annual 1981-onwards
2000AD Sci-fi Specials 1978-onwards
Judge Dredd Specials 1988-onwards
Judge Dredd Megazine Vol 1 #1-on
Dan Dare Annuals 1979,1980