Release Date: 18/07/13
Publisher: 2000AD/Rebellion
SYNOPSIS:
With the Chaos virus released, Mega-City One totters on the brink of extinction. Judge Dredd and a weakened Justice department are desperately trying to stay in control. But the citywide infection has taken its toll and the chances of anyone coming away unscathed is looking less and less likely as each new day goes by. Features the much welcomed return of some of Dredd's greatest enemies the Dark Judges!
REVIEW:
This is a graphic novel series that you just can’t ignore, after all, the Day of Chaos is one of such scope that its been a key favourite for quite some time. It has great graphics, wonderful storytelling and when backed with breath-taking artwork all round makes this one that just can’t be ignored. Throw into the mix a whole set of twists that will keep you glued, great colouring and of course Dredd at his best all round makes this one that will please graphic novel fans the world over.
Release Date: 11/04/13
Publisher: 2000AD (Rebellion)
SYNOPSIS:
Sláine MacRoth Celtic warrior and High King of the tribes of the Earth Goddess Danu, continues his journey through time. Sláine arrives in thirteenth century France, where he comes face to face with Crusader Simon De Montfort, the sworn enemy of the Cathars. While searching for the tortured reincarnation of his lover Niamh, Sláine is compelled to join forces with De Montfort in order to seek out the Grail Stone. The quest won t be easy, however Sláine will have to defeat the dark forces of El if he is to stand any chance of saving Niamh s soul!
REVIEW:
A strange and weird trip into magick in the modern age as the past and present collide when a gift is opened within a soldiers mind though a terror attack. Its definitely strange and to be honest I liked the first part a lot more than the later as for me, it felt like it took a concept that was fascinating and flung it into the unknown.
Don’t get me wrong the storytelling worked wonderfully well, the artwork was beautiful and when added to the twisted minds at 2000AD, it all round was something that took you on an adventure but personally I’d have preferred it had they kept it to just the Neanderthal and the principle character. That was an idea I absolutely loved.
Release Date: 11/04/13
Publisher: 2000AD (Rebellion)
SYNOPSIS:
There are an infinite number of realities within the multiverse. With the risk dimensional instability as an ever-present threat, these parallel worlds all need to be managed; enter Indigo Prime, troubleshooting reality agents. So what do Indigo Prime want with Lance Corporal Danny Redman? Why is a Neanderthal walking around in modern Britain? How do you catch a dimension-jumping Bewilderbeast? And where in the multiverse is Spacesick Steve? All of these questions and more are answered in this mind-warping adventure from the fertile minds of John Smith and Edmund Bagwell, the team who brought you Cradlegrave, and Lee Carter (Judge Dredd, Greg Area).
REVIEW:
A strange and weird trip into magick in the modern age as the past and present collide when a gift is opened within a soldiers mind though a terror attack. Its definitely strange and to be honest I liked the first part a lot more than the later as for me, it felt like it took a concept that was fascinating and flung it into the unknown.
Don’t get me wrong the storytelling worked wonderfully well, the artwork was beautiful and when added to the twisted minds at 2000AD, it all round was something that took you on an adventure but personally I’d have preferred it had they kept it to just the Neanderthal and the principle character. That was an idea I absolutely loved.
Release Date: 14/03/13
SYNOPSIS:
When Judge Feyy, Mega-city One's oldest pre-cognitive, has a vision of the city being destroyed in 2120, Judge Dredd and a select group of other Judges, including future Chief Judge Hershey, are sent on a mission to find the Judge Child. Apparently, young Owen Krysler may be the only one with the power to stop the apocalyptic event from ever happening. With the fate of the 'Big Meg' in the balance, Dredd will travel through the irradiated wastelands of the Cursed Earth and venture out into the depths of uncharted space to find him!
REVIEW:
Its well know that I love spending time in the Big Meg hanging around Dredd and his Judges, so when I had the chance to explore the lands outside on a quest I jumped at the chance. What this novel brings is a typically epic Dredd tale and all round works well on so many levels, however my major complaint about this is the size of the book, its small and as such puts me off as I have a hell of a time reading the print. All round I can enjoy a good story but when I have to get a really bright light source and a magnifying glass to appreciate it to the max, I feel a little let down.
Release Date: 14/03/13
SYNOPSIS:
In the year 2886, Death-Bowl is the most popular sport in the galaxy. In the history of the game, 'Bad' Jack Keller and his squad of hardened killers, known as the Mean Team, have racked up more wins than anyone else their incentive being the hope of freedom! But team owner Richman Von is not so eager to lose him champions, So Jack, Amok the alien Beester, the robotic steelgrip - and Henry Moon the telepath trapped inside the body of a panther - will have to bring their battle out of the arenas and out into the big, wide world!
REVIEW:
OK you want tough action heroes that bring not only blood and guts to the arena but also to the world at large? Well look not further than Mean Team led by Bad Jack Keller who play capture the flag with bullets and blood, booby-traps and hand to hand weaponry. Its gruesome and yet works wonderfully for the reader as what I feel should become 2000AD classic material is brought to the fore in this compendium.
The story arc works wonderfully, the illustrations add to the overall effect and for me, the chance to spend time with a crew from this classic magazine that I’ve never encountered before all round gave me a thrill ride to hang on for.
Release Date: 14/02/13
SYNOPSIS:
Legendary Judge Dredd-co-creator John Wagner has written the longest, most eventful and world-shattering Dredd-epic of his career. Mega-City One has seen nothing like this since the Apocalypse War, and this time things are looking even darker. With the much-loved mayor of Mega-City One presumed dead by the citizens, an election has been scheduled to choose his successor. Cadet Judge Hennessey has predicted that something terrible will happen on the Election Day and she may be right. East-Meg assassin Nadia has arrived in the Big Meg, looking for a scientist who has created a very dangerous virus... This is the first of three volumes chronicling Day of Chaos
REVIEW:
To get myself in the mood to watch the new Dredd film I was more than happy to read this graphic novel that landed. Yes it has some nostalgic moments for me but when you add artwork from some of the graphic novels heavyweight division into this then you know that its going to not just hit you deep down but be a graphic novel that you’re going to savour.
Throw into the mix cracking stories, some wonderful twists and of course a judge who doesn’t like to lose and all round it’s a graphic novel that for me really doesn’t get any better. If you were to pick one to read for world night (as The Dark Judges is nominated) then I’d definitely suggest this one, the size is ideal, the text much more legible and when added to the wonderfully colour artwork really makes this a cracking title.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
A ROAD TRIP THROUGH HELL! Mega-City One, 2100. A deadly plague developed during the brutal 'Great Germ War' has reached the futuristic metropolis of Mega-City Two, located on the West Coast of the USA. Charged with delivering a life-saving vaccine to the citizens of the disease-ridden city, Judge Dredd and a small crew of Judges, war droids and the lawbreaking biker, Spikes Harvey Rotten, must travel a thousand miles across the radioactive wasteland known as 'the Cursed Earth.' It is a near-impossible journey hate-filled mutants, rampaging monsters and crazed war robots populate the hellish stretch of terrain. Many men have attempted to cross it and most have failed. But Judge Dredd is the best there is!
REVIEW:
I love spending the time with my head wrapped up in a graphic novel and when I have time to return to the cursed earth travelling the road with MegaCity One’s hardest judge then you know its something that I’m going to do.
What occurs within this title is the full Cursed Earth Saga that really brings all of the flavour of this epic tale to the reader, with artwork that brings the heavy action to the fore as Dredd sets out to save Mega City 2. Whilst I have loved spending my time with this book, one criticism that I do have is that for me the writing is too small to keep reading for any length of time, so when you do make sure you have a bright light and a set of glasses to help you out.
Release Date: 11/06/12
SYNOPSIS:
It is a dark time in the history of Mega-City One. Having employed blackmail and coercion in order to topple the balance of power within the Justice Department, the tyrannical head of the Special Judicial Squad Judge Cal has managed to secure the position of Chief Judge. The crazed Cal has enlisted the help of an army of reptilian alien mercenaries known as the Kleggs, appointed his pet goldfish as deputy Chief Judge and framed Judge Dredd for murder in order to maintain power. But Dredd is the kind of Judge who doesn't go down too easily and together with a rebel army made up of other Judges and citizens, prepares to fight back. Can Judge Dredd succeed against all odds and defeat Judge Cal before he destroys the entire population of Mega-City One?
REVIEW:
Within this title Dredd sets out to free Mega City One from the tyrannical rule of the Chief Judge and all that really needs to be said is that this book really stands out on its own for readers. It has a great storyline, some wonderful tiwsts which when blended with cracking artwork really grabs the reader and holds on.
As with the others my only criticism is that for me, the writing is too small to make it easy reading, but other than that its still a wonderful addition to any 2000AD fans collection.
Release Date: 13/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
An all-time-classic in a small paperback format. Judge Dredd's ultimate nemesis has arrived. His name is Judge Death, and in his eyes, all life is a crime! the super-fiend from Deadworld proves to be an implacable enemy, and Judge Dredd must work with Psi Judge anderson to save Mega-City one from a city-wide death penalty. Fearsome characters that have mainatained their popularity throughout the years thanks to the fantastic designs of Brian Bolland, the Dark Judges are determined to end all life in Mega-City one once and for all!
REVIEW:
Dredd’s toughest opponents return in this cracking compendium that brings Anderson from Psi Division into her own as she battles the minions of justice from a long dead society. Its definitely a tale that really will grab you and keep you glued as the wonderful artwork blended with high action gives you what you crave. Add to the mix some solid storytelling and all round it’s a real gem, however as with the others the text is too small and you’ll need a bright light to make it easier to read.
Release Date: 19/07/12
SYNOPSIS:
Earth, the late 22nd century. Many survivors of the devastating Atomic Wars were mutated by Strontium 90 fallout. These mutants became an underclass - hated by the ruling 'norms', the only job left for them was bounty-hunting. The best of the Search/Destroy agents (also known as Strontium Dogs) was a man called Johnny Alpha. He became famous for fighting for mutant rights and died defending his kind from ultimate destruction. But it seems that even death can't keep a good dog down and rumours are circulating about Alpha's return...
REVIEW:
A trip back to my youth and one that allowed me to sit back and enjoy the life and times of Johnny Alpha. Its beautifully drawn, the storyline addictive and to be honest when you get such a team of John Wagner alongside Alan Grant, its one that’s going to be hard to beat.
Add to this some great twists, solid dialogue and a tale that’s brought across in such a manner that’s its almost cinematic and I suspect it’s only going to be a matter of time before Johnny makes it to film. Great stuff.
Release Date: 19/07/12
SYNOPSIS:
In 1999, Britain was successfully invaded by the Volgs. When London lorry driver Bill Savage learnt that his family had been killed by the Volgs, he became a one-man war machine - a persistant thorn in the side of the occupying army. Having adopted the identity of his dead brother, Savage operates out of a bombed-out london, leading the resistance against his hated enemy. Now, business brain Howard Quartz - the CEO of Ro-Busters - has launched an attack on the Volgan forces with his Mark-One War Droids, but the Volgs have some technological tricks of their own, including a functional teleportation device....
REVIEW:
This is a title I wasn’t familiar with but it was a story of urban warfare that I could get behind, especially being a huge fan of Ennis’ The Boys. What this title gives the reader is a dark and gritty tale of an invaded Britain with a freedom fighter movement seeking to claim back our land from the invader. It’s a tale that has been done before usually with a historical setting (such as Hereward) but is something that really works well for the black and white visual style of Patrick Goddard.
Add to this solid storytelling, a lead character that the reader can get behind alongside a supporting cast to help make the tale more believable and all in it’s a cracking read that will keep the reader occupied for a good few hours. Finally throw into the mix a compendium that contains two tales that make this value for money and all in, it’s a book that I’ll be enjoying a few more times, especially when more Savage tales land. Magic.
BOOK BLURB:
SAM SLADE IS BACK ON THE CASE!
Encounter a P.I. like no another in this bumper collection of Robo- Hunter stories, collecting this classic strip together from the very beginning. Sam Slade is the man with a plan when it comes to robo-crime and together with his robo-pals, Stogie and Hoagie, he will bring all metal perps to justice!
Written by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, A History of Violence) and Alan Grant (Lobo, Batman) and featuring artwork by Ian Gibson (The Ballad of Halo Jones), this collection is packed full of the very best of Sam Slade.
REVIEW:
Robo Hunter is a character that I really don’t recall to be honest. Not that he wasn’t about but he wasn’t a character that originally stood out to me. Its perhaps on the lighter side of 2000AD and whilst there will be a number of people with fond memories left me feeling a little flat.
It is well written, the characters different to what’s out there and with a touch of humour that many will just love but for me it really didn’t hit the spot or give me those Goosebumps that I’ve been longing for. A real shame but one that will appeal to a number of readers of a certain age.
BOOK BLURB:
2000 AD Graphic Novels presents you with the very best in thrill-power. From all-time classics such as Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog , to cutting edge modern masterworks such as Leviathan , Rebellion are bringing you some of the finest works in British comics!Mega-City One: the future metropolis bustling with life and every crime imaginable. Keeping order are the Judges, a stern police force acting as judge, jury and executioner. Toughest of all is Judge Dredd. He is the law and these are his stories. Volume 12 in this exciting, best-selling series collects together more classic Dredd from the pages of 2000 AD.
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of Dredd its always magical when a title lands and it aids me to remember big chunks of my youth from behind the pages. Within this offering are tales that give the reader exactly what they want, the dark humour of an apocalyptic world where too many are forced to live in a world where Judge, Jury and Executioner walk the mean streets in one uniform. Its well written, the artwork beautiful and has definitely helped me to see some of the changes from the time to which it was written to now.
A great offering for the reader and something that fans the world over are just going to love as they escape our world to that of Dredd’s for a few hours.
BOOK BLURB:
Harry Exton was a Button Man, a player in the lethal Killing Game, where modern-day gladiators fought for the pleasure of the mysterious Voices, the rich backers who set up the contests. But Harry quit, leaving the country and the slaughter behind him - only to find out that no one walks away from the Game and lives.
REVIEW:
Button Man is a character that I don’t recall very well from my youth so it’s always going to be fun to try something a little different alongside new from someone that you trust implicitly due to the fact that they always hit the spot before.
Button Man is a series of tales based around a hitman who entertains the rich by assassinating their own “Button Men” in different locations in what is technically a duel to the death where no rule but your own survival counts. This offering follows the tale of a former button mans daughter who witnessed her fathers murder and has been seeking revenge against those who perpetrated the deed. Well written, strong dialogue, this offering of death and destruction will give the reader goose-bumps as they weave their way through this tale of murder and mayhem. A great offering and one that will definitely appeal to many of 2000AD’s fans.
BOOK BLURB:
This is the second full colour Slaine story, where he is brought back to life by the goddess Danu to battle with his arch enemy Ellfric. The story is set in Roman Britain.
REVIEW:
OK, I’ll admit it right here, I love the tales of Slaine. They were a staple part of my comic reading as a kid and something of a guilty pleasure now as an adult (I even own some original Slaine Art from some of the early issues). Here in this latest compendium is a number of stories that do what 2000AD have always done best, let the warrior loose to unleash his fury on the enemy. Great story arc’s and with a touch of genius for the dialogue between our protagonist and his comedic sidekick dwarf and you pretty much are guaranteed a satisfied read. Slaine, I raise a glass of mead in your honour Slainte.
BOOK BLURB:
Nu-Earth, a planet ravaged by war, its atmosphere poisoned by chemical weapons. In this battle ground between the Norts and The Southers only the Genetic Infantrymen can survive. Rogue is one such soldier, and these are his tales...
Published in the same format as the best-selling Judge Dredd Case Files series.
REVIEW:
Whilst Rogue Trooper is a well known UK phenom thanks to 2000AD, to many people outside it may be a tad confusing. In short Rogue Trooper is the only surviving genetically engineered soldier who fight’s on Mankind’s side whilst trying to solve the mystery of who betrayed his fellow soldiers in an enemy massacre. It’s a great look at the struggles of wartime and when you add into it a rich underlying theme to each battle its going to grab many readers by the cahones and keep them glued. Definitely a graphic novel that I’m recommending to all fans of authors like John Scalzi, Robert Heinlen and Joe Halderman.
BOOK BLURB:
Welcome to Sector House 301, the isolated dumping ground for Mega-City One's every misfit and foul-up Judge. Nicknamed The Pit, the sector house holds many dark secrets, and the discovery of one of them may have lead to the death of Sector Chief Rohan.
Sent to take over The Pit is Judge Dredd. Together with a small team of trusted Judges, he uncovers a trail of deceit and murder that leads to the very top levels of command. The only question is, will Dredd live long enough to bring the culprits to Justice? This collection shows a lot of Judges in a very different way to their usual portrayal.
REVIEW:
As a massive fan of Dredd I always love it when an offering arrives allowing me to relive the nostalgia from previous outings in 2000AD. It’s a fun and to be honest its cracking to have the full story in one place rather than having to flick through multiple releases just to get the full story. Quintessentially British is perhaps the order of the day and as such allows the dark vision of the future to carry on in a parody of the world in which we live.
