Home › Comics › British Comics › 2000AD › Early Judge Dredd design art by Carlos Ezquerra offered by Heritage Auctions

Early Judge Dredd design art by Carlos Ezquerra offered by Heritage Auctions

By John Freeman on February 16, 2025 • ( 1 )

There’s a cracking piece of 2000AD history coming up for action at Heritage Auctions soon – possibly the first ever illustration by Carlos Ezquerra of Judge Dredd on the Lawmaster, along with an early version of his Lawgiver gun.

*Early Judge Dredd design work for 2000AD by Carlos Ezquerra*

Highlighted by artist David Roach, the art was published in an article in 2000AD Monthly back in 1994.

“Interesting to see the clipping of a Harley Davison Eagle on the left of the page,” David notes, “possibly sent to Carlos by [founding 2000AD editor] Pat Mills? (He was always sending reference and ideas to me as I recall, as did Alan Grant). What price such an important, iconic piece of comic art?”

What price, indeed? Head to Heritage Auctions and check out the preview here, part of their International Comic Art Signature Auction #7417 taking place over 26th – 27th April 2025.

Other gems in the same auction include two terrific 2000AD covers, one by Brian Bolland, for Prog 77, promoting the “Cursed Earth” storyline, published in 1978, and another for Prog 452 (1986), by Cam Kennedy.

*2000AD cover by Brian Bolland, for Prog 77*

This early design for Dredd was published in a 1994 edition of 2000AD Monthly, with other designs. All reflect the 1970s style, but even then, 2000AD’s creators were ahead of the fashion curve.

*Other early designs for Judge Dredd by Carlos Ezquerra*

“Dredd’s breast chain and badge actual predated punk fashion,” noted Steve MacManus in “The Judge Dredd Story” published in 1994, “and with the black clad uniform, screened by a black helmet and his knee-length boots, he was the most exciting British comic book character that radiated menace.”

This isn’t the first time Heritage Auctions has included early Judge Dredd work in one of its auctions. Back in 2019, they sold Mike McMahon’s first published “Judge Dredd” strip for 2000AD, published in Prog 2 in 1977, for a staggering $90,000.

Mike McMahon's first published "Judge Dredd" strip for 2000 AD, published in Prog 2 in 1977. The first panel is a stat of art by Carlos Ezquerra, who designed the character, co-created with John Wagner — Mike McMahon’s first published “Judge Dredd” strip for 2000 AD, published in Prog 2 in 1977, sold by Heritage Auctions in 2019. The first panel is a stat of art by Carlos Ezquerra, who designed the character, co-created with John Wagner

The first panel was a stat of art by Carlos Ezquerra, who designed the character, co-created with John Wagner, very similar in look to the art being offered in this auction, but with Dredd’s costume as published in the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic.

• Heritage Auctions International Comic Art Signature Auction #7417 takes place over 26th – 27th April 2025 | You must be registered to bid

With thanks to David Roach | DJ Food

About the Author
Latest Posts

John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.