Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 04 by John Wagner

Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 04 Reviews

• 
  Chris Browning

  The book starts with the introduction of some of the most iconic characters in Dredd’s universe: the Angel gang and Judge Barbara Hershey. The book ends with another: Marlon “Chopper” Shakespeare. But the most interesting thing about these early stories is 1. Grant’s world building is getting more solid and thoughtful (The Apocalypse War basically starts in a throwaway pirate story) 2. Grant’s confidence in creating popular villains he’ll then happily kill off (with a now regretted exception, most of the Angel gang apart from Fink and Mean Machine are written off here) 3. He’s getting the best out of his writing collaborators but 4. The seeds of that collaboration’s demise is already apparent
  
  We’re not quite onto Dredd questioning his role in the world or his world yet, but there are moments where you can see the older, more haunted Dredd looking back at earlier decisions he made when more convinced of his righteousness. The epilogue to the Judge Child saga (less a saga, more a collection of mad ideas with a vague thread to bring them together) feels like the sort of stories that within a few years Grant will use as a way of poking about the world of the Judges and the ride of the democracy movement. The series is beginning to show the introspective streak that leads to some of the richest stuff done with the character. Pivotal to this is the death of Judge Lopez, a throwaway moment that must be one of the most important moments plot moments in Dredd’s persona: it’s the first and really nagging doubt he’ll get about his actions and the series still uses it for this purpose
  
  That’s why Dredd is such a fascinating character: an initially simple action comic about a super cop slowly mutates into a wild satire before focussing on the darker side of an ostensibly heroic figure basically being a fascist and then, obviously with more than several exceptions, showing that heroic figure as something far more interesting than merely flawed: a questioning, doubt filled fascist super cop well into his seventies and still not entirely sure why he does what he does. Dredd must eventually be facing death within the next few years so the series still has fascinating things to explore, stuff that few superhero comics ever get to poke through. That’s quite an achievement
  
  And my final thought is linked to that last point: we have settled in this era on several iconic Dredd artists - Ron Smith, Mike McMahon, Brian Bolland, Steve Dillon. With perhaps an exception for the last two, they are all deeply, peculiarly and utterly British in their art style. McMahon and Smith particularly are using art that would simply never fit in an American comic of the period (or before). They’re more European and eccentric and unique... I think we often forget how strange Dredd often looks compared to some of the American comics and here that world view is really snapping into visual focus. It’s really under appreciated how much that unique artistry has allowed for the longevity of the comic and it’s characters
• 
  Kam Yung Soh

  This Judge Dredd Case Files opens with a cracking long story: the search for Owen Krysler or the Judge Child, a psychic boy which a precognitive Judge predicts would save Mega City One from destruction in the future. The search would lead Judge Dredd to Texas City and then outer space after Krysler is kidnapped by the infamous Angel Gang. But as the quest continues, Dredd begins to doubt his mission and at the end, must decide whether to bring Krysler back or not.
  
  Other short stories would introduce memorable characters like Otto Sump, now the head of a line of Ugly Clinics and Chopper, the teen graffiti artist who, in a change from the usual ending for a Dredd story, gets the final laugh on Dredd and the Justice Department. Another member of the Angel Gang also pops up, looking for revenge for his kin, executed by Dredd during the Judge Child search.
  
  One other story here becomes the prelude to a dramatic storyline in the next Case File: 'Pirates of the Black Atlantic' would turn out to be a plot to nuclear bomb Mega City One by the Sov Block without suspicion. It almost succeeds and Judge Dredd predicts that they would cause more trouble.
• 
  Simon

  The bulk of this Dredd omnibus is taken up by the quite impressive "Judge Child" storyline, where we see the Judge Dredd universe branch out into space opera. Something I genuinely did not see coming, but that story arc surprises and impresses me at every turn. The remainder is taken up by one-shots, even there however you can see the ambition of "The Judge Child" rub off with one of the Angel Gang making a repeat appearance. I can understand why, that clan of murderous religious fanatic hillbilly cowboys have become some of my favourite bad guys in comic book history - no wonder the goth rock group Fields of the Nephilim apparently modelled their image on them! (FoTN's music video for the song "Preacher Man" quite well depicts what everyday life in The Cursed Earth must be like)
  
  Something that continues to impress me about Judge Dredd is how the long form epic story arcs, where Dredd goes outside the Mega-Cities to the Cursed Earth or here into interstellar space, keep throwing a ton of weird and wacky ideas almost with each chapter - one more out there than the other - but at the same time all of those weird ideas still manage to fit into the same consistent look and feel of absurdist totalitarian futurism.
  
  I've pointed out in my other Judge Dredd reviews that most of the look and feel of the Warhammer 40K universe, at least the parts without space orcs and space elves and literal demons, is basically copy-pasted from Dredd: Most of humanity being under a totalitarian government with tons of cod-Roman imagery enforced by fanatical high-tech stormtroopers; the societies that aren't under bureaucratic totalitarianism having reverted to feudalism if not outright lawlessness; strange futuristic cargo cults; tons of mutants and aliens being treated by human authorities as slaves at best, vermin to be exterminated at worst; supernatural fantasy/horror elements being an integral part of an otherwise nuts-and-bolts science-fiction setting; with the glue holding all of that together being British authors making fun of those aspects of American pop culture that look weird and silly to outsiders.
  
  All of that is clearer here in "The Judge Child" than in any of the other story arcs I've read. Come to think of it, I actually like the 40K verse and its background material the most whenever it has that same flavour that's from 2000AD. In any case, out of all the Dredd I've read "The Judge Child" stands with the high marks along with "The Cursed Earth" and "The Day the Law Died".
• 
  Bryn

  While the majority of stories are still rather child-like in their approach, it is great to see Dredd develop as a character, albeit very slowly, in arcs such as The Judge Child. Much of the wit is now outdated (chiefly the names of Blocks being called after famous people of the era) but as a result has taken on a bizarre humour beyond its original intent.
  
  One of the oddest highlights has to be the new 'ugly trend' which sweeps the city, in which beautiful people take to plastic surgery and other tactics in order to make themselves appear hideous and therefore stand out in a crowd.
  
  The action takes a step up in this volume as we see pirates nuke 4 of Mega City One's 800 million citizens, which the population generally regards as an acceptable, almost casual loss!
• 
  David Pain

  Best Dredd Case Files so far. They're totally in a groove by this point and the quality of the strips is very consistent, whether they're epics, stand-alone throwaway tales (well, I guess they're all throwaway!) or refer back to previous story lines. The mixture of childlike swashbuckling, satire and casual violence is always great fun. Ace.
• 
  Druss

  A reread so many years on. Great to see the Judge Child again. Good mix of long and short tales.
• 
  Garth Owen

  It's a good job I'm getting the Case Files books digitally. By the time I' catch up with today's Dredd, I'd be in need of a room just for the books if I were buying paper copies.
  
  File 4 contains another of the great Dredd epics- the Judge Child Quest. This is one I haven't seen the whole of before, because back when I was picking up the Quality/Eagle reprints, this was a mini-series of its own. Disaster is coming to the Big Meg, and it has been predicted that only a child called Owen Krysler can save the city. Dredd sets off to find the boy- who has a justice-eagle birthmark on his forehead and is a powerful precog- first in the Cursed Earth and then outer space. Along the way, he has to battle the King of rubbish, the Angel Gang, ship eating planetoids and a human hating robot empire. The tale is episodic, much like the original Cursed Earth story, with Dredd encountering strange creatures and situations that aren't all directly related to his mission, before the final showdown with the Angels and his important decision about the Judge Child's fate.
  
  The rest of the collection sees Dredd back on Earth, stopping block wars and fending off the poisonous attentions of wayward last Angel, Fink.
  
  All in all, another classic slice of Dredd.
• 
  AJW

  My least favourite JD Case Files so far.
  
  The Judge Child epic didn't work for me. I think it is because MegaCity 1 & the Cursed Earth are part & parcel of the Judge Dredd experience; they are the underrated supporting acts that make Dredd the fascinating character he is. I think one of the reasons JD is such an enduring character is that we can project multiple anxieties about our current environment into his stories. So placing Dredd on alien planets reduces his effectiveness as a fictional character IMO.
  
  The last story introducing Marlon Shakespeare, aka Chopper, is a good example of the JD world capturing contemporary worries. In this case, massive unemployment and fears of young people looking to find a valued place in society.
  
  This volume of Case Files included a one episode story that I remembered vividly reading 30+ years ago. It was about a normal innocent citizen desperately hoping not to attract unwanted attention - firstly by muggers, then at the end by judges. A well-written short story.
• 
  James

  This is my favorite of the Case Files so far because Dredd goes into space and shit gets a little weirder than usual.
• 
  Christopher

  Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 kicks off straight after the previous book! :D Dredd has to overcome the Judge Child who he is sent to retrieve by the Chief Judges! :D It becomes very apparent that things are not all that they seem and the the Judge Child himself is up to no good I the neighbourhood! :D To top all of this off as well the SOV's are also up to no good stirring up trouble in Mega City One! :D The stories all go along at a great pace never letting up at all! :D This of course sends Dredd of to find a being with precognition known as the Judge Child! :D The Judge Child itself is particularly chilling in his ruthlessness but this also gives Dredd a chance to shine and do his thing! :D Dredd wanting to look into the child's eyes to get his measure cuts to to the heart of the character of Dredd really showing that behind the helmet there is more than simple obedience to to the law! :D
  
  The SOV storyline as well gives us an insight and look into the greater politics taking place on Earth and the rivalry between the cities! :D The way that the SOV's go about things really casts them in the classic baddie role and this works excellently for the story! :D The way that the SOV's attempt to even the balance as well is particularly ruthless to boot which really rams home what rivals Mega City One! :D The viscera and the gritty feel the Mega Cities are all on display here and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 never hesitates to put it all up there! :D There no punches pulled here! :D Dredd's we'll be watching is very much like Picard's in the ST:TNG episode The Wounded or Holden's in the Expanses Leviathan Wakes and really works brilliantly! :D
  
  The art style is bright and vibrant throughout with it all serving the script incredibly! :D The action in the panels flows perfectly really showing off the script! :D At the same time the whole book has a cinematic quality with the vista's complimenting the script perfectly! :D Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 really goes for the World Building as we see Dredd getting off planet looking for the Judge Child and encountering all different kinds of planets and cultures which ironically takes him out of normal environment but at the same time doesn't phase him in the slightest! :D This of course gives sees Wagner Grant et al really go to town really putting it all up in the page there giving the book a truly epic quality to the everything! :D Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 has a very explorative feel to it with each original issue moving to a new location! :D This rally puts Mega City One into context! :D For all that it sits in the wider galaxy it's influence spreads far and wide! :D This can be seen in al the diplomatic contacts Dredd clearly is already in touch with as he travels around! :D The books humour is all on display here and Dredd does his casting around routine and pointing out what he sees about the cultures! :D Dredd diplomacy for sure! :D
  
  Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 works on every level with great world building, character development and exploration all mixed in with action and great humour throughout! :D Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 04 pulls out all the stops and is full of adventure, cunning, heroics, law-breakers and action packed throughout! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Crisp High Five! :D Go and Get! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D
• 
  Mark

  Fourth in the ongoing series reprinting every Dredd story from 2000AD, this covers progs 156-207 originally published between 1980 and 1981 (my golden period of reading ‘the galaxy’s greatest comic’). The biggest story is “The Judge Child”, which I don’t remember at all and while it starts well, it then sets off on a wild goose chase which now appears little more than an excuse to try Dredd in different settings rather than follow any chain of logic. The bulk of the stories are written by John Wagner (often as T.B. Grover), helped out by Alan Grant and Kelvin Gosnell while the art is by Brian Bolland (absolutely incredible), Steve Dillon, Brett Ewins, Ian Gibson, Mike McMahon and Ron Smith (who I remember most vividly from this period, especially “Chopper”, the story that closes out the piece). A nice mixture of series and one-offs, some of the ideas on display are astonishingly good and there are also some nice flashes of humour to leaven the atmosphere. Great writing and artwork (naturally), superbly reproduced, vivid and iconic (and nicely nostalgic for those of us who caught these stories the first time around), this is an excellent read and I’d highly recommend it.
• 
  Daniel Sevitt

  Part of my ongoing efforts to read all of classic Dredd in chronological order. This latest volume covers well over a year's worth of Dredd strips from 1980-81, right when I was at my peak of buying weekly comics and waaaaay too scared to pick up 2000 AD. Included here is the Judge Child saga which ran over half a year in weekly chapters. I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to watch this play out every time a new issue became available for 10 or 12p at the local newsagents. What a fabulous time to have been alive. Dredd always existed at the nexus between satire and badassery. Individually these stories don't necessarily hold up, but as a record of the things young kids had to cling on to in Thatcher's Britain they are an invaluable historical record and bloody good fun to boot.
• 
  Matt

  Case Files 4 is a decent affair, but the epic Judge Child saga had me scratching my head. Half the book is devoted to this story, and reads a bit like a pen and paper RPG - the GM has many stories to tell, but can't quite come up with a main plot line. The idea is decent, but the story arc seems a bit to random and scattered for my liking. The rest of the book however is bloody Stella, and a big improvement over Case Files number 3.
• 
  Hamid

  Still entirely bonkers and weaving its way into the early 1980s. Seems to be a few issues playing with the art style which is great. No very-long story arcs but there is a completely madcap multi-parter involving 'sov-block' where Judges with hammer & sickle insignias plot to use a cyborg - who thinks a colossal mutant squid is his mother - to launch dozens of nukes against Megacity One. Bizarre fun.
• 
  Rachel Redhead

  The Judge Child storyline dominates the first half this collection, the second half is a little more eclectic, lots of smaller stories set in the big meg, there's even room for a small sequel of sorts to the JC story, as a previously unknown member of the Angel gang makes an appearance looking for vengeance.
• 
  Lee Broderick

  At last! The first appearances of Judges Anderson and Death and of the Angel Gang. Just when you think you're moving towards what Dredd became though, Walter reappears. This is a big step in the evolution of Dredd, stepping away from classic British comic-book tropes and becoming a more mature cannon. That transition's not yet quite complete though.
• 
  Derek Moreland

  The first volume so far that felt a little underwhelming. I really enjoyed The Judge Child mega-epic, even if the ending left a little to be desired. But everything after that was incredibly hit or miss, and the writers clearly thing Otto Sump is a WAY funnier concept than he turns out to be (the Beatles one-off parody was gold though).
• 
  M.

  The judge child saga was a whole lot of fun with the creative vibe of the original star trek series. Space travel, weird and wonderful aliens and planets. The heart of mega city 1 is still full of the sort of commentary and meta analysis of a Paul Verhoeven film too.
• 
  Simon

  1980, the satire is getting darker and the strips more violent. Excellent to re-read some of these as an adult. #04 includes the Judge Child Saga
• 
  Andrew

  Formative moments in my childhood: Fink Angel, Block War! Get ugly with Otto Sump and most importantly, Marlon Shakespeare / Chopper appearing for the first time. Classics.
• 
  Russio

  Judge Child, Sov-Blok, Otto Sump, Chopper...need I say more? Early magical stories from the strip that was still on its way up!
• 
  Chris

  I read this around 2008/09 and loved it re-read is due.
• 
  ComicNerdSam

  Some real good Dredd stories here. Wagner’s at the top of his game, and these stories are also a showcase for some of the most talented British comic artists of the 80’s.
• 
  Mirko Liang

  Alright. Judge Child, Mean Machine, Chopper.
• 
  Sergio Armisén

  La edición no es la mejor, pero ¡que grande es el Juez Dredd!
• 
  Alan Fricker

  Chopper!
• 
  James Holt

  I really like this collection. I think it's an improvement on the prior 3 case file collections.
• 
  Etain O

  Probably the best volume so far