This week’s Rebellion Releases, 2000AD sees John McCrea return to cover duties

Out now from Rebellion are 2000AD Prog 2328 and Judge Dredd Megazine Issue 455, with terrific covers from John McCrea and John Higgins respectively.

John McCrea’s 2000AD cover was actually drawn over a year ago, the artist reveals.

“I got long Covid in August ’21 and spent six months unable to do anything but sleep,” he says. “I was literally sleeping 19 hours a day. It was not fun. I had been drawing a DC comic called Soul Plumber and had completed the first issue when Covid struck. After a couple of weeks, I realised I had to get help. So I asked my old pal and 2000AD regular PJ (Maybe) Holden to step in and draw the book until I was better again – sadly, the best I could manage was inking several pages here and there during the remaining five issues.

“Around March of ’22, I felt well enough to try drawing again. I figured a pic of everyone’s favourite fascist Joe Dredd was what I could manage…”

2000AD Prog 2328
Cover: John McCrea / Mike Spicer (Colour)

Judge Dredd: The Disciples of Deathby Ken Neimand (Writer) Neil Googe (Artist) Gary Caldwell (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2145 AD. Home to over 200 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America, with the poisoned Black Atlantic on one side and the irradiated Cursed Earth to the west. Crime is rampant, and only future cops the Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!

Durham Red: Mad Dogs by Alec Worley (Writer) Ben Willsher (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)

Late 22nd century. Of all the mutants that have operated as Search/Destroy agents, perhaps the most feared is vampire DURHAM RED, who requires blood to survive. Mistrusted by both the criminals she hunts and her fellow Strontium Dogs, Red has a formidable reputation that precedes her. Now, after the events on the Hawks- Carpenter Holding Station, she’s in custody…

The Order: Heart of Darkness by Kek-W (Writer) John Burns (Artist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)

Throughout history, mankind has been under threat of extermination by the Wurms, creatures that break into our reality. Defending humanity are THE ORDER, a band of warriors that have fought the entities across the centuries. But time has become fractured, and the despotic Francis Bacon is determined to rule a vast empire. Now, The Order must battle the shadow-creatures at the edge of time itself…

Enemy Earth: Book Two by Cavan Scott (Writer) Luke Horsman (Artist) Simon Bowland (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 rescued Jules, who’s the prime minister’s son. Now, the pair are travelling to Scotland, where they believe they’ll find the PM…

Rogue Trooper: Blighty Valley by Garth Ennis (Writer) Patrick Goddard (Artist) Rob Steen (Letterer)

Nu Earth, site of a galactic war between the Norts and the Southers, where use of chemical weapons has rendered the atmosphere toxic. So the Southers created the Genetic Infantrymen, bred to be immune to the planet’s lethal cocktail of pollutants — G.I.s like ROGUE TROOPER, the last of his kind. Together with biochip buddies Helm, Gunnar and Bagman, they’re searching for the traitor that sold them out…

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

2000AD Covers Uncovered: A return to ‘everyone’s favourite fascist’ for John McCrea on the cover of Prog 2328

Judge Dredd Megazine 455
Cover: John Higgins

Judge Dredd: One-Eyed Jacks by Ken Niemand (Writer) Kieran McKeown (Artist) Quinton Winter (Colourist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2145 AD. This vast urban hell on the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America is home to over 200 million citizens. Unemployment is endemic, boredom universal, and tensions run on a constant knife-edge. Crime is rampant, and stemming the tide of chaos are the Judges. Toughest of them all is Judge Dredd – he is the Law!

Spector: Incorruptible by John Wagner (Writer) Carlos Ezquerra (Artist) Jim Campbell (Letterer)

In a near-future US city, corruption within the branches of government has reached unsustainable levels. City Hall is rotten to the core, and the police force is equally on the take. To that end, SPECTOR is created, a robot detective — beyond bribery and untainted by potential malfeasance — who has been charged with rooting out criminal elements. But the android inspector is making many enemies…

Dark Judges: Death Metal Planet by David Hine (Writer) Nick Percival (Artist) Annie Parkhouse (Letterer)

After the events on the Mayflower, in which the Dark Judges were ejected into space, they ended up on the colony world of Dominion, which they proceeded to decimate. When MegaCity marines were sent in, assisted by survivor Rosco, the planet was destroyed. Then they were taken to Thanatopia, home to death cult, where they were worshipped like gods…

Devlin Waugh: Karma Police by Aleš Kot (Writer) Rob Richardson (Artist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)

Brit-Cit, 2144 AD. A freelance paranormal troubleshooter and exorcist for the Vatican, Devlin Waugh is the world’s foremost supernatural investigator. Despite becoming a vampire after getting bitten tackling an outbreak in an underwater prison, Devlin continues to enjoy the finer things in life. Now, after a trip to Hell, he must investigate the curse on his bloodline…

Anderson, Psi Division: The King of the Six Sectors by Matt Smith (Writer) Carl Critchlow (Artist) Shawn Lee (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2140 AD. Psi-Division is a section of Justice Department that specialises in judges with accentuated psychic talents – from precognition to exorcism, it is at the forefront in the war against supernatural crime. Cassandra Anderson is Justice Department’s top telepath, and has been instrumental in defending the city from numerous foes…

Judge Dredd – Mega-City Two: City of Courts by Douglas Wolk (Writer) Ulises Farinas (Artist) Ryan Hill (Colourist) Tom B. Long (Letterer)

Mega-City One, 2130 AD. This vast urban nightmare on the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America is home to 400 million citizens, every one a potential criminal. With lawlessness rife, only the Judges can prevent total anarchy. These future lawmen are judge, jury and executioner. Toughest of them all is Judge Dredd – he is the law!

Treasury Classic: Jane Bond by Mike Hubbard

Dreadnoughts: The March of Progress by Mike Carroll (Writer) John Higgins (Artist) Sally Hurst (Colourist) Simon Bowland (Letterer)

USA, 2035 AD. The new Justice Department is still in its early years, with Judges working alongside the police. It’s proving an explosive transition, with many citizens – and more than a few cops – unhappy with these helmeted officers taking to the streets. Judge Veranda Glover is a recent transfer to Boulder, Colorado, and is making her presence felt…

Features: Free Comic Book Day, Dave Gibbons interview, Rob Richardson interview

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



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