2000 AD is best known for its wild stories from the future, but with Judge Dredd: Origins, the comic publisher takes a rare look into the past... Judge Dredd's past, that is. Hitting bookstores today, March 19th, Judge Dredd: Origins takes readers all the back to January 9th, 1999 to witness the birth of Eustace Fargo, aka the Father of Justice, aka Judge Dredd's clone dad! From America's last President to the start of the Great Atom War, readers are taken on quite a turbulent journey through the history of Judge Dredd's future world. What's even better is that this entertaining blast into the past is all told within the context of a larger story, one that has Dredd seeking out the possible remains of Eustace Fargo himself.
Most 2000 AD Judge Dredd titles are a collection of stories by different writers and artists, albeit usually with a shared theme. Judge Dredd: Origins is unique in that it is entirely one continuous story primarily written and drawn by Judge Dredd's creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, respectively. Kev Walker does lend his awesome art to the introduction called "The Connection" (Progs 1500-1504), but it is "Origins" (Progs 1505-1519, 1529-1535) that encompasses 90% of the book. The streamlined result equals one of the most cohesive Dredd titles I've read; the action, story and art all packing a greater purpose from start to finish. And what a better team to tell such a crucial part of Judge Dredd's history than the creators of Judge Dredd themselves?
Admittedly, I tend to prefer my sci-fi void of broad backgrounds and explainations. Look what explaining "The Force" did for Star Wars... some things are best left to the imagination. Judge Dredd: Origins, however, delivers just the right amount of back story without stepping on your toes. Sure you'll finish reading knowing how the Judges came to be, but heck if you'll truly know the man behind the mask - the ever enigmatic Judge Dredd. It's that air of mystery - and the fact that anything goes - that keeps me coming back to Judge Dredd and his world. Pick up Judge Dredd: Origins and see how it all came it be...
Judge Dredd: Origins is priced at $19.99 (US) $22.99 (Canada). Grab your copy wherever the Galaxies Greatest Comic is sold.
Review by Jeff Saylor
Review Sample Courtesy of 2000 AD
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