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John Wagner and Garth Ennis Kick Off The Essential Judge Dredd Line With 'America'

Published Fri, 10 Jan 2020 05:05:14 -0600

The Essential Judge Dredd line of graphic novels will pick up that now-abandoned-by-Marvel sobriquet for a new collection of Judge Dredd from 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine, that will focus on the key stories in his history.

The first collection in the new line, Essential Judge Dredd: America, includes work by Dredd co-creator John Wagner, Garth Ennis, Alan Grant, Colin MacNeil, John Higgins, John M Burns and Jeff Anderson.

Out in September 2020 and retailing at £19.99 / $25, this 160-page paperback in larger format (276mm x 210mm)the America storyline, which focuses on the lives of ordinary citizens living under Justice Department's despotic system.

Time drew childhood friends America Jara and Bennett Beeny apart, but when they reunite Beeny discovers America has become involved with the terrorist organisation 'Total War'. This dark and complex tale is considered to be one of the best stories to ever come out of the Judge Dredd universe.

Now contextualised with contemporarily-thematic stories, the collection will also feature new colour by renowned Watchmen colourist John Higgins.

The series continues in November 2020 with Essential Judge Dredd: Origins, that saw Wagner and Ezquerra return to tell the origin story of their greatest creation.

First appearing in 1977, Wagner and Ezquerra's fascist future cop has become the byword for dystopian law enforcement and has inspired generations of artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians. Patrolling the streets of Mega-City One on America's Eastern seaboard 122 years in the future, Dredd is judge, jury, and executioner in a blackly funny, often challenging, and always riotous satire of 'law and order' politics, whose underlying message has only become more relevant in the 21st Century.

Ben Smith, head of Rebellion Publishing, said: "Not only is America one of the most amazing Judge Dredd stories ever told, this incredibly prescient look at the demands society must make for democracy and what a state will do to protect itself couldn't be more contemporary. This is not only the ideal first story for any reader new to Dredd, it's something everyone should read in this year of all years. Make sure you read it before you vote, citizens!"

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