Judge Dredd #4 Review

I have been impressed with this series from the get go, and with this issue this trend certainly continues. Swierczynski and the team have been doing a great job at attempting to make this book feel like a proper Dredd title, and I really do think they have been doing a great job. This particular issue saw the conclusion of the first multi issue story arc; which I thought was very enjoyable. Judge Dredd had to overcome a clone of a fellow Judge as well as bring down some evil surgeons; yeah, told you its awesome.

This story arc had a great story. It was always obvious that Dredd was going to win this battle, but I just thought the story arc was great at being unique as well as familiar for Dredd fans at the same time.
I enjoyed the battle between Dredd and Tarjay very much, as well as the battle between Dredd and the surgeons. My only concern reading it was how easily these surgeons were defeated, but then I realised there was a bit more to this issue than I was expecting. At the end of the main story, there was a reveal about the clones of the citizens of Megacity One, which did a great job at really maing you think.

That is another thing this book does well; does things that you do not expect. Throughout the issues already there are bits of humour sprinkled about that fit in beautifully and do not feel out of place at all. Not only that, there are reveals like at the end of this issue that really make you think like I said, as well as give the book a darker tone with immediate effect. As I mentioned in the intro, the team are really doing a fantastc job with this series.
The back up story was once again just as enjoyable as the main story, as well as also being directly related to said story. It also leads us to believe that we may have not seen the back of a certain character, which I think will be a great avenue for this series to explore in the future.

I really love this series, and \I know I am always going to get a great read from it. If the first four issues are anything to go by, I think this series will be sticking around for a while. The only thing that bothers me about this book is the lack of online reviews it seems to garner each time it is released. It really does deserve to have a lot more coverage that it gets, as well as having more readers that it probably has too. Do yourselves a favour and check out the last two issues of this one, I think you will be very happy that you did.

Rating: 8.2 / 10

Judge Dredd #2 Review

I didn't write a review for issue #1; which I found to be enjoyable enough, if slightly forgettable. In fact it was forgettable enough to make me not plan on picking up this second issue of the series. However, my impulsiveness got the better of me on this occassion; which I am glad it did. In this issue I think Swierzynski is starting to get more into the swing of things in the Judge Dredd universe. It really feels like a Dredd book, which is more than just a good thing.

This issue is split into two stories much like #1, however the whole feel of the book is completely different. I get the feeling with #1 that the plan was to make a new reader friendly issue and that is why it felt kind of bland. However, with this latest issue we have been fully thrown into the Dredd universe. This issue picks up from the storyline of the first issue and just runs with it.

What I really enjoyed was the added mystery to the main story. It gave an added dimension to this part of the arc, and also helped the story along. At one point I wasn't too sure how it was helping the story progress, but by the end of it I was more than impressed with how everything had unfolded.
The second story was only 6 pages long, but I also really enjoyed it. It had the same mystery theme as the main story, and I was interested in it all the way through. It was a very nice back up.

Of course, in both stories we were introduced to Psi Judge Anderson; who is a massive fan favorite among those who have read the 2000AD stories. I was very pleasantly surprised with her introduction. I always knew she would appear at some point, but I was surprised by how early in the series they have brought her in. This is great news for Dredd fans, and I am sure new readers are going to take to her just as much.

I am now very happy I picked this issue up, and I am looking forward to the next issue greatly. The introduction of Anderon is massive for me, as well as the fact that the team really want to make a Dredd book and not just any old action comic. This is something which is going to please old fans, as well as give new readers a taste of  this fantastic universe; which in my opinion does not get showcased enough.  I have read really mixed reviews about this series so far, so I recommend those who arent sure whether to jump in to just try it for themselves. It is a unique read as it is Judge Dredd, but how are you going to know if it is for you if you don't go for it? You may become a Dredd fan for life.


Rating: 8 / 10