Messages

"Either way local legend says that Sheriff Alphaâ??s eyes can see into a manâ??s very soulâ?¦"

You know, I've speculated before on the similarity between Dredd and Alpha. You just look at the way Ezquerra draws their chins and noses sometime...

Regards

Robin

"I hoped the eagle cap badge (not part of Carlos' vision) would help viewers identify him better."

On the plus side, you've drawn two for the price of one, which is pretty neat.

Regards

Robin

"Sorry, *Cursed Earth Koburn 2030ad*"

This isn't meant as a criticism, as it's a great picture, but my first thought was of Sam Slade. And of course, that's how he started off looking, too.

Regards

Robin

"Satanus Part III is the worst thing I have ever read in the Meg or Tooth."

I've only read the first episode so far, but I can think of far worse stuff, particularly from the early years of the Meg.

But then I'm an old fan of John Hicklenton, although he's never done better than The Two Torquemadas as far as I recall.

Regards

Robin

"Yeah, I have no problem accepting Dredd's special insight into Fargo's/his clones and their doings, actually makes a bit of sense, it's just ... mystical? Dredd? Really? I'll settle for a 'twin-bond' psychic doo-dah over 'mystical' (word association: Meg - that cuts two ways!)."

Not sure which is the best word for it. Obviously, magic is real force in setting, but then so are psychic powers and pseudo-science. I admit, I wouldn't want to see it definitively characterised. The Bloodline thing works better as something vague, I think.

Regards

Robin

"What was the deal with Dredd's dreams in The Connection? I assumed that there was some more of the 'clone link' mallarkey alluded to in the bit about Rico's jaw being blown off, and thus that Fargo was alive and up and about. Seeing as he was right where he was for the last 50 years (cryo-sleep), why was the famously non-psychic Dredd having such 'relevant' dreams, and why did he know that Fargo was involved before found out from Hershey?"

I think the dreams simply come down to the whole bloodline thing. There seems to be an almost mystical connection between those of the Fargo bloodline.

Regards

Robin

"Still trapped in Legal hell it appears. Which sucks, because as a relatively new 2000AD reader it's one of the iconic series that I really want to read at some point."

I'd advise you not to get your hopes up over the series. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved every bit of it, but I know people who've read it after hearing how fantastic it is, and they haven't understood what the fuss is all about.

However, I'd like to see a complete collection myself some day.

Regards

Robin

"Nice of Wagner to say in Redeye where he got the idea from. Not many creators admit to where "inspiration" comes from."

I've never corresponded with him directly, but he will always have my gratitude and respect for the thanks on the first page of Origins. What more could a fan ask for?

Regards

Robin

"In a recent Redeye its revealed that the basic plot of Origins came from an idea of yours. I was just wondering with the conclusion of Origins fast approaching whether once its finished youâ??d consider posting what your original idea was."

The idea I had was a very simply one: maybe Fargo didn't die in 2051 as suggested on his tombstone, and that he might have been put into suspended animation due to ill health.

I can't be sure of any other related ideas I had, as I suggested this over four years ago and neither I nor Logan have a copy of my original email. However, when John Wagner asked Logan for assistance in researching background details, I sent Logan a copy of my timeline along with some comments on various continuity issues. One of those comments suggested that Booth might know where Fargo's body was hidden. Another was that Fargo might have been revived briefly for the hand over of power and during the Judd incident (resolving the continuity glitch created in Oz). That said, I don't know if Wagner ever actually saw my timeline and comments - I know the one Logan put together for him was a lot stricter.

"Also how you getting on with your Dredd time line?"

I haven't looked at it for a while. I'm very lazy.

"Finally what do you make of such awful Dredd stories as Sumos and Sporans, Brit Cit Brute etc. How do you reconcile these into continuity. For myself there are several alternative dimensions in the Dreddverse and these belong in them."

At present, I've not included the likes of Cal-Hab Justice or Armitage. For the most part, spin-off stories don't offer much in the way of historically relevant material, so I can safely ignore them. Armitage does have an extended sequence dealing with a Brit-Cit civil war, but my memory is that it didn't work for me at the time. I may go back and look at it again sometime, but I'm in no rush.

Regards

Robin

"...let's not forget his paternal instinct extends beyond genetic links as we have seen in America part 3: as Dredd explains to America, "We're your family now" as he rests his hand on her shoulder."

I liked that and chose to view it positively, but then if you view it the way America Jara would undoubtedly have done then it's almost terrifying.

I've always found it interesting that most of the people Dredd is closest to are women.

Regards

Robin

"Not to throw a spanner in the works of Robin's excellent three-fold definition of what makes Dredd an interesting character, but isn't there a more recent fourth angle to Dredd - his interest in his family ties and responsibilities?"

Thank-you for the compliment. It's appreciated.

I think you have a very good point there about the family angle, but I'd tie it back into the core of humanity and decency element.

Like you say, it's something that does begin with Mills' 'The Return of Rico', but it has been significantly expanded in recent years. It's in interesting ongoing plotline, but again it's a precarious balance getting Dredd to show his humanity without him look soft.

Regards

Robin

"Isn't this the episode where Dredd is first mentioned as a Fargo clone?"

I think so, although I used to think this information came out much earlier. However, Prog 389 is starting to look pretty early...

"I think the Dead Man story was the greatest masterstroke in Dredd history. Dredd needed to forget himself for the human part to be exposed completely."

You know, I've never thought of it like that before, and I'm inclinded to agree. Mind you, his harshness remains. For example, he still has no sympathy for the Grunts: "Creatures like these deserve no better!"

Regards

Robin

"Sorry, but I prefer it that Judge Dredd remains a 2D character. It suits him!"

However, he stopped being a 2D character a long time ago, probably about 1984 with Prog 389's 'A Case for Treatment.'

There are three key elements to Dredd that keep me reading. Firstly, there his hidden core of humanity and decency. Secondly, there's that niggling spark of self-doubt. Thirdly, there is his sheer refusal to backdown in the face of overwhelming opposition, regardless of the cost to himself.

The third element is the one that we need to see week-in, week-out. Lose it, or let it be dominated by the other two, and the character's done for.

If the first element is lost the character is just a nasty piece of shit not worth reading about. However, if we saw it too often, it would become mawkish and sentimental, undermining the third element.

The second element is what makes him actually interesting as character, but again if we saw that too often it would just become tiresome - I sometimes wonder if too many references are made to tight boots, but it's not really become a problem.

I think it's a hell of balancing act.

Regards

Robin

 "I agree Robin and that was actually my point, so I don't think we're contradicting each other"

Fair enough. I latched on to one sentence without really following the whole of what you and others were saying, so sorry for that.

Regards

Robin

"Not exaclty true, think of "Bury my knee at wounded heart", Dredd is humane but with a twist. It's the twist part we like, whether he's humane or not is secondary."

I don't entirely agree. In that story, I agree the twist is a vital pay-off - it's a damn good joke and it maintains Dredd's character beautifully - but the most important point made there is that Dredd is, deep, deep down, a humane individual, and that's what matters. He acknowledges there's something fundamentally wrong in the situation. Dredd has a core of genuine humanity and decency tucked away inside, and without it, he's, well, he's something written by Miller or Morrison.

I've spoken online of my favourite part of "Bury My Knee" several times over the years. It's not the final twist. It's when Dredd says to Knee, "Sometimes life isn't fair, Knee", but in the very next panel, Dredd looks away from Knee and says, "I'm sorry. I'm just doing my duty."
 
At that point, we see the bravest, toughness man alive doesn't have the guts to look a frail old man in the eyes as he makes his feeble excuse. Even shielded by his badge and his visor, he just can't do it. For me, that is the single greatest moment in the history of the Dredd strip, in the history of 2000AD, in the history of British comics. You can keep your Charlie's War and your "Gaze into the fist of Dredd!" There's more power and meaning in those two panels than anywhere. They're what makes Dredd more a person than a character.

I've sometimes wondered if Wagner specifically wrote that Dredd turns away from Knee as he says sorry, or if Doherty just drew it that way.

Regards

Robin