Story: The Urge
Appears: 2000AD Progs 482-483
Issues: 2
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Robin Smith & Ron Smith
Dated: 9 August 1986 to 16 August 1986
A good satire focussing on whether or not it is possible to actually live within the law or are all citizens doomed to failure.
Story: The Dredd Syndrome
Appears: 2000AD Prog 481
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Barry Kitson
Dated: 2 August 1986
This is a hard working tale with a bit of mystery, psychology, social commentary and another tiny link in the chain of “Democracy” stories.
Story: Russell’s Inflatable Muscles
Appears: 2000AD Prog 480
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: John Higgins
Dated: 26 July 1986
We first heard of Russell’s Inflatable Muscles back in Prog 430 in the Nosferatu storyline. Now we meet the man himself.
This Pokes fun at the “Build Muscles Fast” advertisements that appeared in comics of the period and the success and commercialisation of bodybuilder Charles Atlas amongst others. As well as playing up the stereotype that comics readers may have been a little weak and nerdy.
Story: The Art of Kenny Who?
Appears: 2000AD Progs 477-479
Issues: 3
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Cam Kennedy
Dated: 5 July 1986 to 19 July 1986
Is it a highbrow statement on the meaning and commercialism of art? Is it a more personal true story? Who can say but this represents one of the less disposable stories of Judge Dredd with a likeable protagonist and a relatable situation.
Story: Paid With Thanks
Appears: 2000AD Prog 476
Issues: 1
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Ian Gibson
Dated: 28 May 1986
It is rare that you get time for a real mystery. Especially so in a single issue story. Whilst the ending might be a little disappointing this story certainly has an intriguing hook.
Story: The Law According to Judge Dredd
Appears: 2000AD Progs 474-475
Issues: 2
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Kevin O’Neill
Dated: 14 June 1986 to 21 June 1986
We have seen robots impersonating the law before. But this Dredd parody is darkly comic. It is hard to see where this ‘hanging judge’ and the absurdity of the real mega-city laws meet. A nice call out to the Helltrekkers that would have been appearing in 2000AD about this time too.
Story: Riders On The Storm
Appears: 2000AD Progs 472-473
Issues: 2
Writers: John Wagner and Alan Grant
Art: Brendan McCarthy & Tony Wright
Dated: 31 May 1986 to 7 June 1986
There is an element of Scooby Doo as Dredd unmasks ghosts which aren’t really supernatural. There isn’t much emotional impact or even suspense here. What is interesting is the rainy setting, something seen only rarely in a city where weather is controlled by computer.
