Reviews: 2000 AD Prog 2300 & Judge Dredd Megazine #448

A double review due to the crossover of these titles...

2000 AD and Judge Dredd Megazine have a big crossover in their titles out this week from Rebellion. With some more details below:

2000 AD Prog 2300 and Judge Dredd Megazine #448 combine into one storyline from a host of top and new talent.

Riffing off Garth Ennis’ 1990s Judge Dredd mega-epic ‘Judgement Day’, the myriad of worlds from 45 years of 2000 AD collide in multiple stories featuring legendary characters, all brought to (un)life by Ken Niemand, Henry Flint, Mike Carroll, Gary Erskine, Emma Beeby, Neil Googe, Karl Stock, Kieran McKeown, Dan Abnett, Russell M. Olson, Ian Edginton, D’Israeli, Arthur Wyatt, Toby Willsmer, Rob Williams, Staz Johnson, Leigh Gallagher, Kei Zama, Honor Vincent, Boo Cook, Gordon Rennie, Dan Cornwell, James Peaty, Nicolo Assirelli, Liam Johnson, Conor Boyle, and Steve Yeowell.

From Judge Dredd to Robo-Hunter, from Rogue Trooper to Strontium Dog, characters past and present come together in an undead event like no other – will the contagion of ‘Judgement Day’ consume the whole of the worlds of 2000 AD?

2000 AD Prog 2300

Judge Dredd: Judgement Days - Writer: Ken Niemand, Art: Henry Flint, Letters: Annie Parkhouse
This works well as a primer for the story - telling us what happened in ‘our’ world and what happens in this one. The fallout is well done here…

Rogue Trooper: Mortal Remains - Writer: Mike Carroll, Art: Gary Erskine, Colours: Yel Zamor, Letters: Simon Bowland
I enjoyed this story. The twist is well done, and the ending works out well. A nice touch, and the thought of Southerners and Norts working together is interesting!

Survival Geeks - Writer: Emma Beeby, Art: Neil Googe, Colours: Gary Caldwell Letters: Jim Campbell
Of course, there will be many geek references here. I like the comments about the different zombies and some of the movie references.

The Meat Arena - Writer: Karl Stock, Art: Kieran McKeown, Colours: Matt Soffe, Letters: Simon Bowland
A high-action issue with some good moments and a classic 2000 AD feel. The way this all played out was entertaining.

Sinister Dexter: Zed Zone - Writer: Dan Abnett, Art: Russell M. Olson, Letters: Annie Parkhouse
Slap bang full of action, with some good humour. The twist on the zombie plague is a good touch, and I like the change in the gun-sharks. The end makes sense too!

Ampney Crucis Investigates…: Setting Sons - Writer: Ian Edginton, Art: D’Israeli
Letters: Jim Campbell
I loved the style of this and the setting. I like how it pans out - when we know what is happening and what is coming. Some perfect art here.

Robo-Hunter: Z-Inf - Writer: Arthur Wyatt, Art: Toby Willsmer, Letters: Simon Bowland
Good to see the Robo-Hunter back; I like how this moved, and it has an interesting ending. I wonder if we will see more in the future?

Strontium Dog: In the (Dead) Doghouse - Writer: Rob Williams, Art: Staz Johnson
Colours: Chris Blythe, Letters: Jim Campbell
A good finish to the issue and a tease for what will come in the Megazine.

Judge Dredd: The Darkest Judge - Writer: Ken Niemand, Art: Leigh Gallagher, Colours: Chris Blythe, Letters: Annie Parkhouse
Kicking off this story in a dark way. This isn’t the Dredd we know, but it makes grim sense. This story then bookends the epic with some nice action and bleakness.

Shimura: Hope Lies Buried - Writer: Karl Stock, Art: Kei Zama, Colours: Gary Caldwell, Letters: Jim Campbell
As Alpha looks for allies, we get a look at some of the defence. It’s got some tight action, and I like the fallout. It took me too long to twig about the voice…

Anderson, Psi-Div: Allied Forces - Writer: Honor Vincent, Art: Boo Cook, Letters: Simon Bowland
Good to see Anderson; she adds something extra to these stories. I like the action, and the talks between her and Alpha work well and are something I’d like to see more of.

Missionary Man: The Lonesome Undeath of the Widow McCall - Writer: Gordon Rennie, Art: Dan Cornwell, Colours: Dylan Teague, Letters: Jim Campbell
A dark story, with a western feel. Of course, with these characters. I like the way it plays out and it reminds me of the Saint of Killers from Preacher.

Cadet Giant: ‘I am…’ - Writer: James Peaty, Art: Nicolo Assirelli, Colours: Peter Doherty, Letters: Simon Bowland
Then to something different. Still with a lot of heart - and the law - Giant is a good character and one I like to read.

Devlin Waugh: How I Lost the Waugh - Writer: Liam Johnson, Art: Conor Boyle, Colours: Barbara Nosenzo, Letters: Jim Campbell
Over in Britain, with Waugh. I like Waugh and the way this pans out is well done. I little bittersweet, but it has some good aspects to move things on.

Armitage: An Underlying Fear - Writer: Mike Carroll, Art: Steve Yeowell, Colours: John Charles, Letters: Simon Bowland
Finally as we get to the end, we get a way back. I like the little comments and the way this plays out. This leads us back to the Dredd story from the beginning.

Available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond

Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop & apps for iPad, Androidand Windows 10