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Judge Dredd (IDW) #0.5
Judge Dredd: Year One
"The Long Hard Road" begins here! In an all-new adventure from Joe Dredd's early days as a Mega City-One Judge, writer (and Eagle-award-winning 2000 AD Editor) Matt Smith presents a tale where "all the young juves, carry the news," only in this case, the news is delivered with a lethal blow! Collects Judge Dredd: Year One #1-4.
104 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2013
63 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Matt Smith
98 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matt Smith worked for publisher Pan Macmillan as a desk editor before becoming Assistant Editor on 2000 AD, Britain's award-winning weekly SF anthology title - a comic he had read religiously for the previous fifteen years. He has been editor of the galaxy's greatest comic since 2002, and lives in Oxford.
Matt Smith worked for publisher Pan Macmillan as a desk editor before becoming Assistant Editor on 2000 AD, Britain's award-winning weekly SF anthology title - a comic he had read religiously for the previous fifteen years. He has been editor of the galaxy's greatest comic since 2002, and lives in Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 13, 2014
This a 4-issue mini-series by IDW Publishing. I was able to get them on single issues but I make the review on the TPB edition to be able to focus in one overall review.
The bonus in getting the mini-series on single issues is the really striking covers with great art.
The inside art is acceptable due the mood of the story.
The story is over-saturated and a bad choice since this mini-series was marketed as a "Year One" story of Judge Dredd, so one was expecting a younger Dredd, less experimented, getting used to be a street judge. And it seems that the writer tried to pull that but between the art showing a regular well-muscled Dredd and the way as the character reacts, you would never know that this is a "Year One" story.
In several moments, characters commented that he is supposed to be a newbie judge, but honestly, you don't get that in the story and how Dredd reacts in the graphic novel.
Also, the plot is over-saturated, dealing with juvenile riots, psychic powers, alternate realities, time-travel, flashbacks. Also, you get a lot of history of Mega-City One that I was able to get since I am not newbie about Judge Dredd but I am sure that if some new reader tries this as his/her introduction story to the world of the character, due there is a "Year One" sub-title on the covers, he/she will just get lost and he/she won't understand a lot of stuff and instead of getting new readers, it can very well alienated them.
The bonus in getting the mini-series on single issues is the really striking covers with great art.
The inside art is acceptable due the mood of the story.
The story is over-saturated and a bad choice since this mini-series was marketed as a "Year One" story of Judge Dredd, so one was expecting a younger Dredd, less experimented, getting used to be a street judge. And it seems that the writer tried to pull that but between the art showing a regular well-muscled Dredd and the way as the character reacts, you would never know that this is a "Year One" story.
In several moments, characters commented that he is supposed to be a newbie judge, but honestly, you don't get that in the story and how Dredd reacts in the graphic novel.
Also, the plot is over-saturated, dealing with juvenile riots, psychic powers, alternate realities, time-travel, flashbacks. Also, you get a lot of history of Mega-City One that I was able to get since I am not newbie about Judge Dredd but I am sure that if some new reader tries this as his/her introduction story to the world of the character, due there is a "Year One" sub-title on the covers, he/she will just get lost and he/she won't understand a lot of stuff and instead of getting new readers, it can very well alienated them.
June 28, 2021
While I have always liked the premise and the setting of the Dredd universe, the comics tend not to be to my liking. Especially the ones deeply rooted in the 70's and 80's style of Dredd comics. Then there are rare instances where writers can take that wonderful world and put a slightly more modern spin on things. I have no idea who Matthew Smith is, but I hope he writes more Dredd comics.
Judge Dredd: Year One looks at the young Dredd, fresh out of the Academy. He has been a Street Judge for a year now. One day he runs into a series of events where psi-capable children are starting to lash out. The events point to a strange anomaly that seeks entry into Dredd's Megacity.
Dredd must work with the newly established Judge's Psi-Division as it seeks to combat these types of threats. This story ends up being rather interesting with some time travel, psi-cultists and a great idea of what the Dredd world can offer to readers if one takes good art (nothing great, but the art is at least decent enough to support the story) and a good writer to really make this setting shine, as it should.
Matthew Smith's setting is absolutely familiar, but the more modern take shows the city in a more realistic light. Even when Dredd is spending time in the fallen Megacity, the setting and the cannibals, even the panels with the "underground" city of New York-all are truly well done.
A wonderful Judge Dredd comic. If this is the quality of the newer Dredd comics then consider me a fan. This is good stuff!
Judge Dredd: Year One looks at the young Dredd, fresh out of the Academy. He has been a Street Judge for a year now. One day he runs into a series of events where psi-capable children are starting to lash out. The events point to a strange anomaly that seeks entry into Dredd's Megacity.
Dredd must work with the newly established Judge's Psi-Division as it seeks to combat these types of threats. This story ends up being rather interesting with some time travel, psi-cultists and a great idea of what the Dredd world can offer to readers if one takes good art (nothing great, but the art is at least decent enough to support the story) and a good writer to really make this setting shine, as it should.
Matthew Smith's setting is absolutely familiar, but the more modern take shows the city in a more realistic light. Even when Dredd is spending time in the fallen Megacity, the setting and the cannibals, even the panels with the "underground" city of New York-all are truly well done.
A wonderful Judge Dredd comic. If this is the quality of the newer Dredd comics then consider me a fan. This is good stuff!
October 31, 2013
When you do a Year One story – that is, the first year in that character’s life, often related to superheroes being superheroes for the first time – you need to show that character struggling a bit because they’re not who they will become yet. Let’s take Batman: Year One for an example, as this is clearly the book the publisher is hoping readers will associate this with because of the title. Bruce returns to Gotham for the first time in years – he’s been away training, preparing physically and mentally for his war on crime. On his first outing, he tries stopping some street violence in the red light district and fails miserably. He has a crude facsimile of the Batsuit and has yet to develop any effective gadgets. He takes his lumps, he triumphs, the book ends with Bruce not fully formed as Batman but definitely on his way to eventually becoming the World’s Greatest Detective. Great Year One story.
Now let’s take Judge Dredd Year One. We pick up Dredd’s story nearly a year since he left the Academy – so already this Year One is almost over! Dredd rides his Lawmaster (supercool bike), fires his Lawgiver (even cooler gun), arrests perps – in other words, Dredd is Dredd. So this Year One is pointless because the character is already formed. We don’t see Dredd fail, pick himself up, and learn from his mistakes – the dude is already supercop! The one thing different is that he doesn’t say is “I Am The Law!” (not we’re not even given the story behind the phrase anyway).
So the story is fairly dreary – psychic kids causing crimes. It’s Carrie x 1000. Interesting, you think? Not really. Psychics, telekinesis, and so on are pretty de rigueur in Dredd’s world – there’s even a department of judges who specifically deal with psychic crimes called PSI Division. In fact this is the only aspect of Dredd’s world where the Year One label truly applies as we see PSI Division set up for the first time with Dredd, among others, sceptical of its usefulness. This book should really be called PSI Division: Year One (with Judge Dredd!).
You know what villains would be better for Dredd Year One instead of nondescript psychic kids who we never see again? The Angel Gang. The Dark Judges. Even Dredd’s evil twin, Rico. Dredd has a number of excellent adversaries but none of them are used and we’re given a bunch of nobodies instead. I suppose it’s a thematic choice, Dredd is young, representing justice, and the perps are kids, representing crime, and this is the beginning of the conflict between justice and crime blah blah blah. But really, Mean Machine would’ve been better – even showing Mean before he got all cyborg-ed out – from a story standpoint. It’d at least make for a more interesting read.
I won’t give away the ending but it’s exactly like a Scooby-Doo cartoon ending. Seriously. You see the resolution and won’t believe it’s that easy.
There’s a very brief flashback at the start of the final chapter to when Dredd and Rico were cadets, on their own, against an angry mob that was excellent – it showed two young men, against the odds, inexperienced, somehow doing their duty. This is what the entire book should’ve been. It also very briefly mentioned the Nuclear Wars that led to the Cursed Earth, the Mega Cities, and the rise of the Judges – literally half a page – when really, this too should’ve been a big part of the book.
Judge Dredd Year One should’ve been much better than this. We should see how Dredd learns to deal with the insanity of crime in Mega City One. We should see the fascinatingly weird history of his world leading to this point in time. We should see some of the defining characters make an appearance. More importantly, we should see Dredd’s character being formed. Instead we got Dredd already Dredd, and one forgettable story thrown into the mix.
I think the publishers would like to think Judge Dredd Year One is a good jumping on point for new readers but it isn’t. If anything, it’s uninspired and dull storytelling would turn anyone off of the character. What you should do is pick up the Wagner/Ezquerra stories from the 70s – which were completely barmy and utterly brilliant – instead of this poor effort. Dredd is a great character who deserves better – there’s a great Year One story to be told but this one isn’t it.
Now let’s take Judge Dredd Year One. We pick up Dredd’s story nearly a year since he left the Academy – so already this Year One is almost over! Dredd rides his Lawmaster (supercool bike), fires his Lawgiver (even cooler gun), arrests perps – in other words, Dredd is Dredd. So this Year One is pointless because the character is already formed. We don’t see Dredd fail, pick himself up, and learn from his mistakes – the dude is already supercop! The one thing different is that he doesn’t say is “I Am The Law!” (not we’re not even given the story behind the phrase anyway).
So the story is fairly dreary – psychic kids causing crimes. It’s Carrie x 1000. Interesting, you think? Not really. Psychics, telekinesis, and so on are pretty de rigueur in Dredd’s world – there’s even a department of judges who specifically deal with psychic crimes called PSI Division. In fact this is the only aspect of Dredd’s world where the Year One label truly applies as we see PSI Division set up for the first time with Dredd, among others, sceptical of its usefulness. This book should really be called PSI Division: Year One (with Judge Dredd!).
You know what villains would be better for Dredd Year One instead of nondescript psychic kids who we never see again? The Angel Gang. The Dark Judges. Even Dredd’s evil twin, Rico. Dredd has a number of excellent adversaries but none of them are used and we’re given a bunch of nobodies instead. I suppose it’s a thematic choice, Dredd is young, representing justice, and the perps are kids, representing crime, and this is the beginning of the conflict between justice and crime blah blah blah. But really, Mean Machine would’ve been better – even showing Mean before he got all cyborg-ed out – from a story standpoint. It’d at least make for a more interesting read.
I won’t give away the ending but it’s exactly like a Scooby-Doo cartoon ending. Seriously. You see the resolution and won’t believe it’s that easy.
There’s a very brief flashback at the start of the final chapter to when Dredd and Rico were cadets, on their own, against an angry mob that was excellent – it showed two young men, against the odds, inexperienced, somehow doing their duty. This is what the entire book should’ve been. It also very briefly mentioned the Nuclear Wars that led to the Cursed Earth, the Mega Cities, and the rise of the Judges – literally half a page – when really, this too should’ve been a big part of the book.
Judge Dredd Year One should’ve been much better than this. We should see how Dredd learns to deal with the insanity of crime in Mega City One. We should see the fascinatingly weird history of his world leading to this point in time. We should see some of the defining characters make an appearance. More importantly, we should see Dredd’s character being formed. Instead we got Dredd already Dredd, and one forgettable story thrown into the mix.
I think the publishers would like to think Judge Dredd Year One is a good jumping on point for new readers but it isn’t. If anything, it’s uninspired and dull storytelling would turn anyone off of the character. What you should do is pick up the Wagner/Ezquerra stories from the 70s – which were completely barmy and utterly brilliant – instead of this poor effort. Dredd is a great character who deserves better – there’s a great Year One story to be told but this one isn’t it.
February 5, 2014
I saw the Sylvester Stallone Judge Dredd movie as a teenager and was turned off by its campiness, and so -- despite my love of comics -- never bothered looking into the comic character it was based on. I didn't have very high hopes for the rebooted Karl Urban Dredd movie from last year, but heard positive things from enough people that I gave it a chance. Seeing it totally changed my mind and made me a believer in Dredd -- it was a post-apocolyptic, science fiction, Orwellian version of The Raid, and it kicked all sorts of ass.
The reason my above digression is relevant to this is simple -- this graphic novel is cut 100% from the same cloth as the latter movie, and kicked just as much ass. It definitely has me looking forward to reading more of this series. It also functions as an excellent entry point to the character, as it's a story of Dredd's first year as a Judge -- although, to gripe, he doesn't act, nor is he drawn, particularly young.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The reason my above digression is relevant to this is simple -- this graphic novel is cut 100% from the same cloth as the latter movie, and kicked just as much ass. It definitely has me looking forward to reading more of this series. It also functions as an excellent entry point to the character, as it's a story of Dredd's first year as a Judge -- although, to gripe, he doesn't act, nor is he drawn, particularly young.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
April 16, 2019
I actually quite liked the story in this one, but the background that this supposedly is Dredd "fresh out of the academy" goes nowhere. The only reason you even know this is Year One Dredd, is because every few pages someone will call him a rookie, etc. Dredd as a character is exactly the same as he always is - seems a real missed opportunity.
March 26, 2021
It's an ok story, although I prefer my Dredd stories not mucked up with psi-powers, but calling it Year One is annoyingly deceptive - it's not an origin tale at all and it isn't even JDs first year - a senior judge plainly states Dredd graduated a year ago. Unforced errors like this show the writers or editors don't care, so why should the audience?
May 3, 2020
Judge Dredd? More like Judge Read!
November 19, 2018
Judge Dredd: Year One sees Dredd pass his rookie phase and becoming more aware of the wider universe around him! Even though this is a younger Dredd we can still see his character coming through! :D This Dredd though is on a bit of a learning curve and the book does a great job of charting this! :D This Dredd has been out on the street but still has to learn the ropes when it comes to the unusual things that he was not taught back at the academy! D Judge Dredd: Year One really puts Dredd on the learning curve for sure and Smith really establishes that this character still has much to learn from the Dredd we all know! :D This Dredd makes mistakes and it really cleverly handled as we see him underestimating his opponents but at the same time learning from this we neatly ties into the character that we know as the older Dredd never underestimates an opponent! :D This works really well and is a great way to show the kind of Dredd that we are currently seeing! :D
The extra dimensional hopping is brilliancy handled though showing Dredd clearly what could happen if he is to let his guard down! :D The world building throughout is brilliantly handled! :D It has a certain visceral edge that is displayed! :D In the normal Mega-City one it is hidden under the rule of law by the Judges but is completely unbridled in the alternate dimensions where the Judges have lost control! :D This gives us varying viewpoints on what might happen to our Mega-City One which gives the book its tone! :D
At same time the idea of time travelling robbery and the introduction of the character of Ashberry as well as Chief Judge Goodman! :D The book also establishes Dredd relations with the PSI Division of the Justice department which of course if a epic factor in his judging and interactions later! :D Though this is a relatively young Dredd we still get to see him do his Judging and his ruthless but still fair by their standards of dealing with PSI Perps is shocking to even his co-workers but is classic Dredd! :D
The art style and pallet blend perfectly with the script and Smith really brings home the Dredd way of doing things! :D The art itself really uses colours and shadow to perfection and and makes Judge Dredd: Year One an epic Judge fest! :D Judge Dredd: year One though does retain the Dredd humour throughout though Dredd having to endure the disparaging looks from toddlers when he accidentally gatecrashes their party is hilarious! :D This works brilliantly with the other events of the stories and harks back to other Younger Dredd stories where he is put off his balance by the most mundane of things! :D This is not the normal Dredd that we are used to seeing but at the same time you can see the beginnings of the character! :D The books succeeds perfectly with developing this embryonic Dredd and it will you guessing all the way as to how Dredd is going to learn his lessons! :D At the same time though the book does a great job of tying it into other existing plotlines as well setting up new plotlines as well and this handled with aplomb! :D
Judge Dredd: Year One hits all the right buttons and is an epic classic tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat! :D The introduction of time travel and the fact that is from 20 years in the young Dredd's future also neatly set things for more later adventures as well! :D Judge Dredd: Year One is a blast full of daring do, taking down perps, world building, characters development and adventure action packed throughout! :D Crisp High Five! :D Go and get! :D
The extra dimensional hopping is brilliancy handled though showing Dredd clearly what could happen if he is to let his guard down! :D The world building throughout is brilliantly handled! :D It has a certain visceral edge that is displayed! :D In the normal Mega-City one it is hidden under the rule of law by the Judges but is completely unbridled in the alternate dimensions where the Judges have lost control! :D This gives us varying viewpoints on what might happen to our Mega-City One which gives the book its tone! :D
At same time the idea of time travelling robbery and the introduction of the character of Ashberry as well as Chief Judge Goodman! :D The book also establishes Dredd relations with the PSI Division of the Justice department which of course if a epic factor in his judging and interactions later! :D Though this is a relatively young Dredd we still get to see him do his Judging and his ruthless but still fair by their standards of dealing with PSI Perps is shocking to even his co-workers but is classic Dredd! :D
The art style and pallet blend perfectly with the script and Smith really brings home the Dredd way of doing things! :D The art itself really uses colours and shadow to perfection and and makes Judge Dredd: Year One an epic Judge fest! :D Judge Dredd: year One though does retain the Dredd humour throughout though Dredd having to endure the disparaging looks from toddlers when he accidentally gatecrashes their party is hilarious! :D This works brilliantly with the other events of the stories and harks back to other Younger Dredd stories where he is put off his balance by the most mundane of things! :D This is not the normal Dredd that we are used to seeing but at the same time you can see the beginnings of the character! :D The books succeeds perfectly with developing this embryonic Dredd and it will you guessing all the way as to how Dredd is going to learn his lessons! :D At the same time though the book does a great job of tying it into other existing plotlines as well setting up new plotlines as well and this handled with aplomb! :D
Judge Dredd: Year One hits all the right buttons and is an epic classic tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat! :D The introduction of time travel and the fact that is from 20 years in the young Dredd's future also neatly set things for more later adventures as well! :D Judge Dredd: Year One is a blast full of daring do, taking down perps, world building, characters development and adventure action packed throughout! :D Crisp High Five! :D Go and get! :D
September 30, 2013
It is very interesting reading a new comic from a different publisher because you end up drawing parallels to it from your own reading experience. My only real points of reference to the Judge Dread universe are the films, of which the less said the better, and early 80’s issues of White Dwarf which produced a tabletop RPG set in the universe. The book starts with Judges being called to various locations as people start to exhibit all manner of special abilities; flight, telekinesis, telepathy. A rookie judge barely out of the academy, by the name of Dread, is at the last occurrence due to a fleeing criminal taking a hostage. The hostage’s son then manifests and rips the criminal apart limb from limb. At this point there is no mistaking.
This book is about as far as away from what I expect to see in a Judge Dread book as it would be to see the Punisher taking bribes from the mob. But strangely enough, it really works. It works because Dread also feels out of his depth, it is not something he can just shoot, or punch; he is lost because he is taking the proverbial knife into a gun fight. He tries to offload the case onto the ‘psi division’ but his superiors calmly tell him to get on with it and then proceed to show him that events can get even weirder. And weirder still for him it gets as the cases of young people with excessive powers grows and grows as Dread and his Psi-handler find the emanations coming from a rift between dimensions into which Dread strides through, to find himself in a decimated Mega-city, destroyed by the very events that are now starting back in his city.
The one thing that really strikes me quickly is the language. Having read nothing except American written comics for a long time, you can immediately hear a British voice in this, even through the ‘misspelt’ words. I would love to know if this is noticeable or even annoying to an American reader as there is a lot of slang used. Admittedly, some of it is ‘Dread speak’ with Drokkin’ standing in for the obvious swear words, but much of the rest of it would not seem out of place in the East end of London.
The art in this series is fantastic, it is exactly the right tone for a book like this and there has been no cheating or block coloring of the backgrounds here. You can see and feel the dirt on every panel with what appears more time spent on the surroundings than on the characters themselves. It is a masterclass in the use of light and shadows as the sources of light are often faint and very directional, constantly placing Dreads covered face in dark shadows. The color pallet chosen also fits the theme perfectly; there is no shying away from the fact that the Judge uniform is no different to a superhero costume being a riot of vibrant red, gold, green and blue, but you only see these colors when the characters are standing in a direct light source, otherwise, it is almost mono chromatic.
The book has one trick that I thought would never work, the ending is underwhelming. Normally that would be a terrible attribute to attach to a story, but for various spoiler related reasons I cannot explain, the subdued and boring ending is absolutely necessary and works so well in a story that is supposed to make up part of Dreads formative years. For the comic to go through with the dramatic and exotic possible ending, it would put Dreads character development onto a different plane from where we all know he ends up. It is, to be frank, a perfectly done ‘slot in’ story. It is one that makes you feel like there is character development towards a different place to where we know the character ends up, only to pull it away and leave everything untouched for the next story.
This book is about as far as away from what I expect to see in a Judge Dread book as it would be to see the Punisher taking bribes from the mob. But strangely enough, it really works. It works because Dread also feels out of his depth, it is not something he can just shoot, or punch; he is lost because he is taking the proverbial knife into a gun fight. He tries to offload the case onto the ‘psi division’ but his superiors calmly tell him to get on with it and then proceed to show him that events can get even weirder. And weirder still for him it gets as the cases of young people with excessive powers grows and grows as Dread and his Psi-handler find the emanations coming from a rift between dimensions into which Dread strides through, to find himself in a decimated Mega-city, destroyed by the very events that are now starting back in his city.
The one thing that really strikes me quickly is the language. Having read nothing except American written comics for a long time, you can immediately hear a British voice in this, even through the ‘misspelt’ words. I would love to know if this is noticeable or even annoying to an American reader as there is a lot of slang used. Admittedly, some of it is ‘Dread speak’ with Drokkin’ standing in for the obvious swear words, but much of the rest of it would not seem out of place in the East end of London.
The art in this series is fantastic, it is exactly the right tone for a book like this and there has been no cheating or block coloring of the backgrounds here. You can see and feel the dirt on every panel with what appears more time spent on the surroundings than on the characters themselves. It is a masterclass in the use of light and shadows as the sources of light are often faint and very directional, constantly placing Dreads covered face in dark shadows. The color pallet chosen also fits the theme perfectly; there is no shying away from the fact that the Judge uniform is no different to a superhero costume being a riot of vibrant red, gold, green and blue, but you only see these colors when the characters are standing in a direct light source, otherwise, it is almost mono chromatic.
The book has one trick that I thought would never work, the ending is underwhelming. Normally that would be a terrible attribute to attach to a story, but for various spoiler related reasons I cannot explain, the subdued and boring ending is absolutely necessary and works so well in a story that is supposed to make up part of Dreads formative years. For the comic to go through with the dramatic and exotic possible ending, it would put Dreads character development onto a different plane from where we all know he ends up. It is, to be frank, a perfectly done ‘slot in’ story. It is one that makes you feel like there is character development towards a different place to where we know the character ends up, only to pull it away and leave everything untouched for the next story.
July 20, 2022
С судьёй Дреддом, как персонажем, я особо знаком не был - только то там, то сям упоминания, да отсылки, в общем, было понимание того, что он стал поп-культурообразующим феноменом. Собственно, из-за этого стало интересно разобраться, хотя б немного.
Вкратце, после ядерной войны в мире остались радиоактивные пустоши и огромные перенаселенные Мегагорода, сохранившие цивилизацию и закон, который охраняют корпус "судей", прокуроры, судьи и исполнители приговора в одном лице. Полагаю, это идея шерифов или маршаллов, доведённая до абсурда. Киберпанк × Дикий Запад, и вот, у нас есть судья Дредд, Робокоп и Арбитры из WH40k.
Начал с фильмов: первым пошёл фильм со Сталлоне конца 80ых, а вторым с Карлом Урбаном, 2012ого. Уже начитавшись после общей информации, стало понятно, что 1ая экранизация испортила образ Дредда, заменив его на клишированного героя боевика того времени - собственно, Сталлоне играл себя, поэтому он 2ую часть фильма играл без шлема, хотя в этом-то и суть Дредда - он словно деперсонифицированный закон, dura lex, предвестник Мандалорца :). Вторая экранизация показала правильного судью, даже низкий бюджет фильма не помешал: наоборот, дешёвая трущёбность подчёркивала криминогенную обстановку, хотя, конечно, киберпанк-мира за стенами было не видать. Ну и Урбан неплохо играл подбородком.
Что же с комиксом? Данный выпуск - о 1ом годе службы Дредда: он уже посадил своего гено-брата Рико, преступившего закон, но в остальном еще не сильно знаменит. Внезапно, во всем городе проходят подростковые бунты, в которых участники стали ощущать в себе пси-силы. Дредд оказывается в центре заварушки и должен понять и искоренить причину преступлений… Честно говоря, не очень понятно, чем отличается молодой Дредд от матёрого, ну да ладно.
Комикс показывает, что сеттинг мира позволяет практически, что угодно, всякие аляповатые фантазии 80ых-90ых, и всё держится на фигуре Дредда, не зря ж его против и чужих, и хищников кроссоверили. Это фантастический боевик по типу боевиков с тем же Сталлоне, только пожёстче. Собственно, лор там не так интересен - скорее, ужасен, но отдельные истории про брутального ультракопа могут порешать.
Вкратце, после ядерной войны в мире остались радиоактивные пустоши и огромные перенаселенные Мегагорода, сохранившие цивилизацию и закон, который охраняют корпус "судей", прокуроры, судьи и исполнители приговора в одном лице. Полагаю, это идея шерифов или маршаллов, доведённая до абсурда. Киберпанк × Дикий Запад, и вот, у нас есть судья Дредд, Робокоп и Арбитры из WH40k.
Начал с фильмов: первым пошёл фильм со Сталлоне конца 80ых, а вторым с Карлом Урбаном, 2012ого. Уже начитавшись после общей информации, стало понятно, что 1ая экранизация испортила образ Дредда, заменив его на клишированного героя боевика того времени - собственно, Сталлоне играл себя, поэтому он 2ую часть фильма играл без шлема, хотя в этом-то и суть Дредда - он словно деперсонифицированный закон, dura lex, предвестник Мандалорца :). Вторая экранизация показала правильного судью, даже низкий бюджет фильма не помешал: наоборот, дешёвая трущёбность подчёркивала криминогенную обстановку, хотя, конечно, киберпанк-мира за стенами было не видать. Ну и Урбан неплохо играл подбородком.
Что же с комиксом? Данный выпуск - о 1ом годе службы Дредда: он уже посадил своего гено-брата Рико, преступившего закон, но в остальном еще не сильно знаменит. Внезапно, во всем городе проходят подростковые бунты, в которых участники стали ощущать в себе пси-силы. Дредд оказывается в центре заварушки и должен понять и искоренить причину преступлений… Честно говоря, не очень понятно, чем отличается молодой Дредд от матёрого, ну да ладно.
Комикс показывает, что сеттинг мира позволяет практически, что угодно, всякие аляповатые фантазии 80ых-90ых, и всё держится на фигуре Дредда, не зря ж его против и чужих, и хищников кроссоверили. Это фантастический боевик по типу боевиков с тем же Сталлоне, только пожёстче. Собственно, лор там не так интересен - скорее, ужасен, но отдельные истории про брутального ультракопа могут порешать.
April 28, 2018
I decided to pick up a Judge Dredd Humble Bundle after hearing one of the hosts on the I Read Comics Book podcast talking about some of the different stories. Year One is the first one out of the batch that I read, and it was a lot of fun.
This is supposed to take place during Dredd's first year out of the academy. He shows a lot more certainty than you might expect from a year one book. The story seemed to lay out that the process of becoming a Judge is pretty intense and could reasonably explain why Dredd wasn't portrayed as more of a rookie.
One aspect of the story that I enjoyed in particular was the focus on psychic/supernatural elements. This wasn't something I was anticipating from a heavy sci-fi/dystopian world. There's a mystery associated with those elements that Dredd has to unravel.
The book as a whole felt like it did a pretty decent job introducing Dredd and Mega City One. There wasn't anything amazing about the art, but it is pretty solid all around. For my first Judge Dredd book, it certainly did a nice job of getting me excited to read more. Now I just need to find some time to dig into the rest of the bundle.
This is supposed to take place during Dredd's first year out of the academy. He shows a lot more certainty than you might expect from a year one book. The story seemed to lay out that the process of becoming a Judge is pretty intense and could reasonably explain why Dredd wasn't portrayed as more of a rookie.
One aspect of the story that I enjoyed in particular was the focus on psychic/supernatural elements. This wasn't something I was anticipating from a heavy sci-fi/dystopian world. There's a mystery associated with those elements that Dredd has to unravel.
The book as a whole felt like it did a pretty decent job introducing Dredd and Mega City One. There wasn't anything amazing about the art, but it is pretty solid all around. For my first Judge Dredd book, it certainly did a nice job of getting me excited to read more. Now I just need to find some time to dig into the rest of the bundle.
December 5, 2013
When juveniles start developing strange psychic abilities, it's up to a rookie Judge Dredd to figure out what's going on. The problem is the youth are extraordinarily violent, often without fully understanding what they are doing.
Dredd is teamed up with Riorden from Psi-Division to try to figure out how to stop these strange outbreaks. What they discover along the way is stranger than they could even imagine, including a possible future where these powerful kids overthrow society.
The one quibble I have is that as a newer judge, Dredd is nearly as competent as he is in later stories. There are a few miscues on his part, but not nearly as many as in other stories of this type. But it's a capable story by Matt Smith and the illustration work by Simon Coleby reminded me of all those great 2000AD stories from the 1980s that I devoured.
I was given a copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
Dredd is teamed up with Riorden from Psi-Division to try to figure out how to stop these strange outbreaks. What they discover along the way is stranger than they could even imagine, including a possible future where these powerful kids overthrow society.
The one quibble I have is that as a newer judge, Dredd is nearly as competent as he is in later stories. There are a few miscues on his part, but not nearly as many as in other stories of this type. But it's a capable story by Matt Smith and the illustration work by Simon Coleby reminded me of all those great 2000AD stories from the 1980s that I devoured.
I was given a copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
August 15, 2020
Apart from the title, which evoked a pleasant sense of déjà vu, the first thing that struck me about Judge Dredd: Year One was the art. It, too, evoked a pleasant sense of déjà vu because I have seen its like before, many moons ago, on Green Lantern, the Spectre and a certain caped crime-fighter of great fame. Simon Coley is very much school of Neal Adams. Since that school is more or less the Oxford University of comic art it’s not a bad institution to inhabit. The pictures are gobsmackingly gorgeous throughout and, just as important, tell the story very clearly. I should add that the fine ink work is distinctly enhanced by the colouring of Leonard O’Grady.
The excellent story is by Matt Smith and it goes like this. Some juveniles in a certain area of the city have started exhibiting psi powers: levitation of themselves and objects first and then, when Dredd gets involved, ripping a man to shreds. The kids have never before had such abilities and it seems they are channels for some outside force. Dredd is put on the case and gets to visit Psi-Division for the first time - it’s year one, remember - and is not keen. Their premonitions tend to be woolly and inaccurate while he likes things clear, plain, black and white. No surprise there. The plot thickens and unrest among the juves gets worse as more and more of them develop powers. The security of Mega-City One is under threat and drastic measures may have to be taken.
As with all the best Dredd stories - and probably all the best science-fiction stories - it’s really about problems here and now. Should the long arm of the law bash in children’s heads with a truncheon or are there better methods? If the young are trapped in hopeless situations with no prospects and no future what else can they do but turn to crime? On the other hand, you don’t want to let them get away with it. No prizes for guessing where Joe Dredd stands on these issues.
Judge Dredd: Year One might seem a bit of a batty idea (geddit?) but in fact, it’s a very good one. For any long-established character, it’s worthwhile to examine the time before they became a living legend and have a look at their beginnings. Fresh out of the Academy, with less than twelve months experience, Dredd is given to quoting the principles he learned there. It stands him in good stead. I am not ashamed to proclaim that this volume is as worthy as any other crime fighter’s year one story, which is high praise indeed for those who know. A treat for the eyes and the mind of the discerning graphic novel fan. Very definitely recommended.
The excellent story is by Matt Smith and it goes like this. Some juveniles in a certain area of the city have started exhibiting psi powers: levitation of themselves and objects first and then, when Dredd gets involved, ripping a man to shreds. The kids have never before had such abilities and it seems they are channels for some outside force. Dredd is put on the case and gets to visit Psi-Division for the first time - it’s year one, remember - and is not keen. Their premonitions tend to be woolly and inaccurate while he likes things clear, plain, black and white. No surprise there. The plot thickens and unrest among the juves gets worse as more and more of them develop powers. The security of Mega-City One is under threat and drastic measures may have to be taken.
As with all the best Dredd stories - and probably all the best science-fiction stories - it’s really about problems here and now. Should the long arm of the law bash in children’s heads with a truncheon or are there better methods? If the young are trapped in hopeless situations with no prospects and no future what else can they do but turn to crime? On the other hand, you don’t want to let them get away with it. No prizes for guessing where Joe Dredd stands on these issues.
Judge Dredd: Year One might seem a bit of a batty idea (geddit?) but in fact, it’s a very good one. For any long-established character, it’s worthwhile to examine the time before they became a living legend and have a look at their beginnings. Fresh out of the Academy, with less than twelve months experience, Dredd is given to quoting the principles he learned there. It stands him in good stead. I am not ashamed to proclaim that this volume is as worthy as any other crime fighter’s year one story, which is high praise indeed for those who know. A treat for the eyes and the mind of the discerning graphic novel fan. Very definitely recommended.
August 20, 2017
Now I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t read much of the Judge Dredd stuff. I have, however, read enough to know that young Dredd is literally the same as old Dredd. They tell you he’s a rookie (don’t let him hear you say that, though) and he occasionally forgets what stealth is. But, besides that, he’s literally the same grizzled veteran without an ounce of fear that he is in all the other Dredd stuff not labelled Year One.
Personally, I always feel that a Year One story shows you the rocky road that brought an individual onto the path he walks for the rest of his life. This one, was literally just a case for young Dredd to solve. We are introduced to the fledgling Psi-Division and, to be fair, it kind of feels more of an origins story for the Psi-Div than it does for Dredd.
The overall plot is a mass breakout of psychic powers manifesting in the juveniles of Mega City One. The inevitable happens and mass violence ensues.
In all honesty, I found the entire graphic novel fairly boring. Took me a good couple of sittings more to finish this than it normally would. I think this could have been due to my expectations being high on a Dredd Origin story. But then, if you expect a steak and get a stick of celery, you won’t eat it with the same enthusiasm.
The story isn’t all bad. I feel it certainly gets better towards the end. Even has a few funny moments that kind of made me feel better about getting through it. The art is also very good, as you’d expect. In fact, the artwork and the last part is about all that made me not give it a 1.
Overall, I just felt fairly disappointed and thoroughly glad it was a library read rather than an actual purchase.
Personally, I always feel that a Year One story shows you the rocky road that brought an individual onto the path he walks for the rest of his life. This one, was literally just a case for young Dredd to solve. We are introduced to the fledgling Psi-Division and, to be fair, it kind of feels more of an origins story for the Psi-Div than it does for Dredd.
The overall plot is a mass breakout of psychic powers manifesting in the juveniles of Mega City One. The inevitable happens and mass violence ensues.
In all honesty, I found the entire graphic novel fairly boring. Took me a good couple of sittings more to finish this than it normally would. I think this could have been due to my expectations being high on a Dredd Origin story. But then, if you expect a steak and get a stick of celery, you won’t eat it with the same enthusiasm.
The story isn’t all bad. I feel it certainly gets better towards the end. Even has a few funny moments that kind of made me feel better about getting through it. The art is also very good, as you’d expect. In fact, the artwork and the last part is about all that made me not give it a 1.
Overall, I just felt fairly disappointed and thoroughly glad it was a library read rather than an actual purchase.
Read
April 15, 2023I never bothered with most of the IDW Dredd stuff, because it felt at best superfluous and at worst like it didn't get the character. But having run out of things plausibly to reprint, the Megazine has now moved on to these – and incorporated them within the main body of the mag so that I can't even just leave them in a separate spot indefinitely like I did with the bundled pamphlets. This has the advantage of being written by long-time 2000AD editor Matt 'Not That One' Smith, and drawn by frequent Dredd artist Simon Coleby, so at least it has the right vibe (as long as we leave out the stretches where Dredd is delivering paragraphs of exposition about the setting) – but it never feels like it justifies the Year One title, mostly coming across as a standard Dredd story rather than anything getting back to basics, not least because Dredd has made only the slightest movement away from those basics in 45 years. Except, of course, in so far as the story is largely about psychic stuff, and here Dredd is presented as sceptical of, and never having previously worked with, Psi-Div. Which...why do a Year One story and take the character away from his comfort zone? Batman shares a world with ghosts, angels, aliens, but he didn't go up against any of them in Year One, did he? He was on home turf, which surely remains the implication of that title, even if Frank Miller himself forgot that when he did likewise with Superman. Not a great Dredd comic, not a bad one either, but definitely not one which lives up to its branding.
December 13, 2018
A story about Judge Dredd in his first year as a street judge, who has to deal with a sudden manifestation of psychic power from a group of juveniles who rise up to threaten Mega City One. When he crosses a dimensional rift to get to the heart of the problem, he finds himself in an alternate world already close to being destroyed by similar psychic juveniles and he has to work with the Judges of that dimension to stop the people giving them psychic powers before his own world is destroyed.
While sold as a story from when Judge Dredd is just starting out as a street Judge (in fact, several characters kept calling him "Rookie"), I don't get them impression from the artwork. The Judge Dredd portrayed here looks like the grizzled 'Old Stony Face' we all know (and love?) from his other adventures and you seldom get the sense that the Joe Dredd featured here is a newbie and possibly out of his depth.
Otherwise, an interesting story.
While sold as a story from when Judge Dredd is just starting out as a street Judge (in fact, several characters kept calling him "Rookie"), I don't get them impression from the artwork. The Judge Dredd portrayed here looks like the grizzled 'Old Stony Face' we all know (and love?) from his other adventures and you seldom get the sense that the Joe Dredd featured here is a newbie and possibly out of his depth.
Otherwise, an interesting story.
June 26, 2018
Fun early Dredd
Before saying else, note that though this is part of IDW’s series of Dredd comics, it it part of the official 2000ad Dreddverse, and not part of the independent IDW version used in their later books. The author and artists are all part of the 2000ad group, so this is the real thing.
It’s basically a fun action story with a young Dredd dealing with yet another threat to the city, though one with a splendid final twist behind what’s going on. In the course of it we get to see Dredd learn to, if not love, at least acknowledge the utility of Psi Division, and get more useful paternal stuff from Chief Judge Goodman. And, hooray, Dredd is already his laconic self, who lets perps trash talk, then, instead of replying, simply shoots them. Hooray.
Before saying else, note that though this is part of IDW’s series of Dredd comics, it it part of the official 2000ad Dreddverse, and not part of the independent IDW version used in their later books. The author and artists are all part of the 2000ad group, so this is the real thing.
It’s basically a fun action story with a young Dredd dealing with yet another threat to the city, though one with a splendid final twist behind what’s going on. In the course of it we get to see Dredd learn to, if not love, at least acknowledge the utility of Psi Division, and get more useful paternal stuff from Chief Judge Goodman. And, hooray, Dredd is already his laconic self, who lets perps trash talk, then, instead of replying, simply shoots them. Hooray.
January 9, 2018
2.5 stars
Strange that this is billed as "Year One" -- it's not anything like Batman: Year One. As a new Dredd reader, I was expecting more origin and character development. Other than everyone he meets saying "you must be straight out of the Academy" you don't get any sense of a protagonist at his early days.
Moreover, the plot, involving alternate dimensions, psychic powers, apocalyptic godheads, and time travel is bizarre. I'm a veteran comic reader, so it didn't really phase me, but it reminded me of the "weird" Hellblazer arcs. Just okay.
Strange that this is billed as "Year One" -- it's not anything like Batman: Year One. As a new Dredd reader, I was expecting more origin and character development. Other than everyone he meets saying "you must be straight out of the Academy" you don't get any sense of a protagonist at his early days.
Moreover, the plot, involving alternate dimensions, psychic powers, apocalyptic godheads, and time travel is bizarre. I'm a veteran comic reader, so it didn't really phase me, but it reminded me of the "weird" Hellblazer arcs. Just okay.
March 2, 2019
A great start to Dredd’s career. I’ve read a review complaining that Dredd is already formed as a character here and that the point of a Year One story is to show him develop.
Wrong. Dredd doesn’t develop; he’s exactly what he was MADE to be. His personality is that of his clone father - Rico is the aberrant - and this shows nicely why Dredd is accepted for being as he is in present day stories. He’s ALWAYS been that way, as Fargo would have wanted.
The stories themselves could have been better, and the third story is mainly about Rico, but they’re good. The pace keeps moving and shows Mega-City and the life of a judge and how dreary things can be in this genre. Well worth a read.
Wrong. Dredd doesn’t develop; he’s exactly what he was MADE to be. His personality is that of his clone father - Rico is the aberrant - and this shows nicely why Dredd is accepted for being as he is in present day stories. He’s ALWAYS been that way, as Fargo would have wanted.
The stories themselves could have been better, and the third story is mainly about Rico, but they’re good. The pace keeps moving and shows Mega-City and the life of a judge and how dreary things can be in this genre. Well worth a read.
March 25, 2020
Enjoyable
This was my first exposure to IDWs version of Dredd and I must say I was very satisfied with it. In all honesty I can never remember the complete lore off by heart, so if they did embellish some aspects, I didn't notice. The story fits nicely with the Year One and Year Two novels as well, and you can easily read them side by side. I'd almost go as far to say that I would except the story as cannon, even though its not 2000ad.
My only criticism would be the ending, as it does come across as underdeveloped.
If you like Dredd, give it a go
This was my first exposure to IDWs version of Dredd and I must say I was very satisfied with it. In all honesty I can never remember the complete lore off by heart, so if they did embellish some aspects, I didn't notice. The story fits nicely with the Year One and Year Two novels as well, and you can easily read them side by side. I'd almost go as far to say that I would except the story as cannon, even though its not 2000ad.
My only criticism would be the ending, as it does come across as underdeveloped.
If you like Dredd, give it a go
July 10, 2017
Початок історії, яка знаходить своє закінчення у сюжеті про суддю-телепатку Андерсон:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Масований грабунок паралельних реальностей з подорожжю в часі (так, це спойлер, але здається, Дредд геть не про сюжет), на зустріч якому виходть юний, і незламний трохи до безголовості суддя.
Сподобався ще з попереднього знайомства підбір лексики: drokk заміст f-word та сленг типу juvs, creeps, meatheads тощо.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Масований грабунок паралельних реальностей з подорожжю в часі (так, це спойлер, але здається, Дредд геть не про сюжет), на зустріч якому виходть юний, і незламний трохи до безголовості суддя.
Сподобався ще з попереднього знайомства підбір лексики: drokk заміст f-word та сленг типу juvs, creeps, meatheads тощо.
August 28, 2018
It does not read like a Dredd comic book and it does not look like it as well. Maybe it does not make sense to have year one story for Judge Dredd because he is the law to the max. See him doubt himself or travel to parallel universes was boring. And resolution of this story as well as whole plot was mediocre and uninteresting. I had to force myself to continue reading it. And this is the first Judge Dredd comic book that I have not liked so I do not think that I am too critical :)
January 9, 2018
A number of other reviews highlight how this isn't a true Year One story, focusing as it does on a competent, fully-formed bad ass law machine. They're right, it's an absolutely fair criticism. However, I give it 3* simply because I did enjoy the story, despite this false labelling and a deus ex lawgiver ending.
February 21, 2018
I am a sucker for year one stories, and this was a fun one. Yes, Dredd seemed ready to go right out of the box, not making many mistakes. At least his narrow focus needed work, and he did show some growth there. I liked the premise and execution didn't feel rushed. Art was solid, not relying too heavily on gore factor, though there is enough to keep young kids away.
December 26, 2019
A fine work
Judge Dredd is one of the most skilled judges in Megacity 1, he deals with ongoing violent crime daily and is judge, jury and, sometimes, executioner. The year one story is Dredd as he exits the academy and becomes a law man. Nuclear war is ten years behind the city but a new threat to civilization rears its head. Well worth a read.
Judge Dredd is one of the most skilled judges in Megacity 1, he deals with ongoing violent crime daily and is judge, jury and, sometimes, executioner. The year one story is Dredd as he exits the academy and becomes a law man. Nuclear war is ten years behind the city but a new threat to civilization rears its head. Well worth a read.
March 23, 2018
This is a pretty satisfying adventure for the helmeted hero, but the title is very much a misnomer. Apart from a few oblique references to Dredd being a little green, this doesn't read like a Year One book. Best not treat it as one, you'll enjoy it more.
October 3, 2018
Starts strong, but not quite what I wanted out of a "year one" story. Too much psychic stuff that's been done way too much in other comics. Dredd year one should focus more on the main character himself.
April 15, 2020
Not only is this a first rate crackerjack of a Judge Dredd story, I believe it works as a perfect jumping on point for Dredd and Mega City One. If you’ve wanted to give Dredd’s world a shot and weren’t sure where to start, this collection has my highest recommendation.
August 20, 2020
Pretty good
A good story based in The early career of Judge Dredd. Not the most exciting story but better than some of the material created for the American market. Great artwork too.
A good story based in The early career of Judge Dredd. Not the most exciting story but better than some of the material created for the American market. Great artwork too.
March 17, 2021
For a story titled Year One, this doesn't really feel like a Dredd that is much younger and different from what you'd expect. Mostly feels like it could be just any Judge Dredd story. Not very insightful about the character's beginnings.
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