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I haven't had a Dredd review in nearly a year and a half?!?! It's time to get moving on that!
In a post-apocalyptic world, the US is reduced to two Mega-Cities, containing nearly 500 million citizens each on either coast. To speed up the legal process a policing force of JUDGES enforce the law. One Judge will, on the spot, be Judge, Jury, and if it fits the crime, Executioner. We get to follow the adventures one of the most feared and by-the-book Judges, Joseph Dredd, as he does his job upholding the law and defending Mega-City One.
JUDGE DREDD
*AMERICA*
Wagner * MacNeil
Writer: John Wagner
Artist: Colin Macneil
In Mega-City One, the Judges are the law – acting as judge, jury, and executioner. But how do the citizens really feel about a system where they are powerless?LAND OF THE FREE?
America Jara and Bennett Beeny grow up as best friends, living a fairly trouble-free life in a dangerous city… bar the odd encounter with a Judge. Time draws them apart, and when they are brought back together, Beeny is a successful singer and America has become involved with a terrorist organisation – with the Judges in its sights!
Written by John Wagner (A History of Violence) with art by Colin MacNeil (Judge Dredd: The Chief Judge’s Man) this dark and complex tale is a true 2000 AD classic!
THIS VOLUME INCLUDES THE STORIES
- AMERICA (MEGS 1.01-1.07)
- FADING OF THE LIGHT (MEGS 3.20-3.25)
- CADET (MEGS 250-252)
Plus! Covers Gallery Colin MacNeil Sketches Original Script Bios. Pages: 160
The AMERICA series is considered to be one of the more important story-lines in the world of Judge Dredd. It was written to provoke the sensibilities of the reader, and to leave fans questioning who really is the villain in Mega City One, as well as get the JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE off to the fierce start.
The tale begins with the Jara family who immigrated from Puerto Rico for a life of freedom in America, or more specifically Mega City One. That, off the bat was a serious plot-hole. Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since the early 20th century. They wouldn't be immigrants, as the story told, but US citizens moving from one location to the next. I mean, if they were from Mega City Two, they wouldn't have been called immigrants!
But I digress.
They settle into Mega City One hoping to make a better life for themselves. So enthusiastic about their new home the Jara family name their daughter AMERICA.
America is shown growing up in the city with neighbor and friend Bennett Beeny. America, recognizing the lack of liberty, took a disliking of the tight grip of the law from an early age, while Beeny chose to take a safer path. Beeny hit the big times and went on to become a famous singer. America became a "democrat" and a terrorist trying to bring down the the Jugdes and the system they enforce.
That's about the first dozen or so pages. The rest is all about the decisions we make in life and the consequences.
I would say the writing was quite good despite the Puerto Rico error. Then again, after the world is destroyed, I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that the island may no longer be an American possession. I'm still debating that in my own mind. The artwork is mostly good, I just never found the artwork for America Jara to be especially pretty even though they reference that she's supposed to be stunning. Strike it up to taste vs style. But in all, I found the stories clever and compelling and 160 pages flew right by.
Also, as an election year reminder, it makes me wonder why some people want to vote in bigger government...
2000AD:
Amazon:Also, as an election year reminder, it makes me wonder why some people want to vote in bigger government...
2000AD:
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