Monthly Archives: July 2013

Dredd Vows to Clean Up Lunar-1

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CF 01Despite numerous assassination attempts Judge Dredd is cracking down on booze and guns on the moon. Dredd even out-drew a Robo-slinger, an illegal robotic gunman, in his latest life or death challenge.

Dredd was heard to say “I guess there’ll have to be a few deaths before law and order comes to Luna-1.”

Story: Showdown on Luna-1
Appears: 2000AD Prog 43
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner
Art: Mike McMahon
Dated: 17 December 1977

This is shaping up to become quite a decent thriller with an unseen antagonist trying to bump Dredd off. The Western influence is obvious and make for an interesting genre shift.

Dredd Abandons the Big Meg

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CF 01Judge Dredd has left Mega City One. He is off to take up a six-month secondment as Judge-Marshal to govern the Luna 1 police force. Expect crime levels on Earth to skyrocket.

Dredd was heard to say “Anything’s better than having you dripping oil all over my clothes.”

Story: Luna-1
Appears: 2000AD Prog 42
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner
Art: Ian Gibson
Dated: 10 December 1977

These next few stories are all set on the moon and follow on from each other. Why they weren’t collected under a single title like Robot War is a mystery. It’s not like you could insert another story between these issues.

Mega City 5000 Shut Down for Good

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CF 01The infamous and highly illegal annual race between biker gangs has finally been stopped after judges apprehended all 5,000 riders resulting in no one finishing the race. Among those arrested were Zoot Smiley leader of biker gang “the Spacers” and Spikes “Harvey” Rotten leader of biker gang “the Muties.” Hundreds if not thousands of citizens have been killed as part of this reckless event and this year was no exception.

A shopper at Cosmo’s Emporium was heard to say “Aaagh!”

Story: Mega City 5000
Appears: 2000AD Prog 40 – 41
Issues: 2
Writers: John Wagner
Art: Bill Ward & Brian Bolland
Dated: 26 November to 3 December 1977

A neat little tale that sees the arrival of my favourite artist Brian Bolland. His style is so unique and different from everything that has gone before it makes an incredible impact. A real shame he starts halfway through the story though.

Ape Gang and East Side Mob Finally Busted

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CF 01Teams of Judges led by Judge Dredd finally put a stop to two of the city’s most notorious organised crime rackets. Dredd used some creative interpretation to confine Don Uggie and his gang under the Animal Nuisance Act 1987 as human laws don’t apply to the city’s cerebrally enhanced apes.

Don Uggie was heard to say “Listen punk stop makin’ wit da wisecracks an’ gimmie dat stinkin’ banana!”

Story: The Ape Gang
Appears: 2000AD Prog 39
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner
Art: Mike McMahon
Dated: 19 November 1977

Possibly inspired by the PG Tips chimps of period advertising; there are great characters and a throught provoking sci-fi theme.

Kids Replaced by Robots in Industrial Espionage Conspiracy

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CF 01Leaders of prominent businesses including Mr Jones of Plastoid Industries had their children kidnapped and replaced by robots in order to gather corporate secrets.

Eccentric trillionaire Hugh Howards was revealed to be behind the plot when Judges Dredd and Giant raided his corporate headquarters. All children were safely returned but Howards fell to his death trying to escape.

Judge Giant was heard to say “Taste the strong right knuckle-sandwich of the law, dude!”

Story: Billy Jones
Appears: 2000AD Prog 38
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner
Art: Ian Gibson
Dated: 12 November 1977

Brilliant opening. The lines “What are they doing to my boy?” “We’re trying to rip his head off ma’am.” Genius! A welcome return of Judge Giant.