Story: Pirates of the Black Atlantic
Appears: 2000AD Prog 197-200
Issues: 4
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Ron Smith
Dated: 31 January 1981 to 21 February 1981

Another big story that paves the way for an even bigger one in future. The Black Atlantic is always a good location and underwater robopirates make it extra special. The nuking of the Big Meg and the twist with the Sov Judges is really unexpected and well executed. The dialogue leaves you in no doubt that trouble is on the horizon.

The 1980’s was the height of the cold war and the decade of nuclear panic in Britain. The description of the nuclear detonation is frighteningly true to life and the white on black dialogue chilling to read. The ridiculous suggestions the City-Def members come up with to protect themselves probably come straight out of a government manual of the day.

Dredd just clicked up another gear.