New Judge Dredd thrill begins in this week’s 2000AD

By John Freeman on October 10, 2022

Luke Horsman provides the dramatic cover for this week’s 2000AD, Prog 2303, on sale in comic shops and newsagents from Wednesday 12th October.

This issue sees the start of a new Judge Dredd story, “Buratino Must Die”, from Rob Williams and Henry Flint, picking up plot threads from the End of Days saga. Mega-City One has granted sanctuary to the two Sov Judges Buratino and Izaaks, but as the Grand Hall debates what to do with them, East-Meg has plans of its own…

In this issue:

Judge Dredd: Buratino Must Die by Rob Williams (Writer) Henry Flint (a) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2144 AD. Home to over 180 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America. Crime is rampant, and only the Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law! Now, following the ‘End of Days’ incident, two East-Meg Judges have been granted sanctuary in MC-1…

Chimpsky’s Law: A Terrifically Disturbing Adventure by Ken Niemand (Writer) PJ Holden (Artist) Chris Blythe (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2144 AD. Noam Chimpsky is a super-intelligent ape living in Ludi Wittgenstein block, and he sees it as his mission to protect his fellow residents from the various threats and problems that can befall a citizen of the Big Meg. He does all this secretly, allowing others to take the credit, such as Wittgenstein’s useless block Judge Stan. But now a malicious pair of psychic juves have moved into the block…

Enemy Earth: Book One by Cavan Scott (Writer) Luke Horsman (Artist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

The near future. Mother Nature has turned against the people that live upon the Earth’s surface. Now, the planet’s flora and fauna have mutated and are viciously attacking humanity. As society crumbles, and survivors seek safety, young Zoe, who has lost her own family, has discovered an underground bunker in London, in which a young boy has been living for five years with his protective robot…

Hope… In The Shadows: Reel Two by Guy Adams (Writer) Jimmy Broxton (Artist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)

An alternate 1940s USA. World War Two is over, victory having been secured by occult means, and consequently magic is a part of everyday life. Mallory HOPE is one such skilled operative, though calling on the dark arts takes its toll on the user. He’s also a P.I., hired for all manner of down n’ dirty jobs — and an investigation into a cursed movie has led to the reappearance of Hope’s missing wife, Alice, who has plans for the film…

Hershey by Rob Williams (Writer) Simon Fraser (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)

Judge Barbara Hershey was one of Justice Department’s most respected and capable young officers before she became Chief Judge. Leading the city through numerous challenges, she only occasionally clashed with Dredd — until the ‘Small House’ affair and the revelation of Judge Smiley’s clandestine operations on her watch. Now, seriously ill from a microbial virus, she’s faked her death to deal with Smiley’s legacy…

• 2000AD Prog 2303 Available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000AD webshop & apps for iPad, Android and Windows 10

Coming soon: Judge Dredd Megazine 449, on sale from 19th October, offering a whole new line-up of strips. Ian Edginton and D’Israeli have Dredd tackling xeno-sabotage in the Cursed Earth in “Babel”, the Dark Judges are back in “Death Metal Planet” by David Hine and Nick Percival, while John Wagner and Colin MacNeil take to the skies once more in the second book of “Surfer”, – and lots more.

• Available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond | Available in digital from: 2000AD webshop & apps for iPad, Android and Windows 10

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.