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Spoilers => Other Reviews => Topic started by: robprosser on 23 December, 2020, 01:40:16 PM

Title: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: robprosser on 23 December, 2020, 01:40:16 PM
A nice early Xmas present when this just popped through my letter box this morning courtesy of Waterstones along with the Trigan Empire vol 2, joining the Nemesis hbk yesterday. That's my Christmas reading sorted,  Tier 4 be damned!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: AlexF on 04 February, 2021, 04:29:48 PM
Just got mine through the post. I haven't read it yet (well, I re-read Incubus not that long ago, which takes up nearly half the book) but flicking through there's a fascinating mix of artists and art styles going on.
You've got late efforts from old masters Ian Gibson, Jim Baikie, Mike McMahon and John Ridgway (and they're all leaning heavily into their most stylistic elements) nestling up against newcomers (who are nowadays Prog regulars) trying to find their feet: Ben Willsher, PJ Holden, Staz Johnson.
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 04 February, 2021, 06:21:53 PM
I also got it but first need to finish a few other graphic novels. If I read this then I have read all the Dredd stories from both the prog and meg. So this one I am quite excited about
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 05 February, 2021, 10:24:03 AM
Can't wait for this, but I'm so far behind. I've got 24-30 sitting on the shelf still to be read for the first time (all new stuff to me).

Still a bit surprised they didn't make use of a Xeno on the cover...!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Rogue Judge on 05 February, 2021, 08:22:34 PM
I just purchased case files 35 & 36 today. All new content for me too. Finally caught up on the case files! These are such a treat.
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: AlexF on 08 February, 2021, 09:37:01 AM
The extreme Carlos close-up on the cover does feel a bit like either a last-minute replacement for something not approved by Fox/Disney, or a temp cover that nobody got around to updating what with the pandemic and lack of oversight generally. For what it's worth, the back end of CS36 reprints a LOT of covers, many of them xeno based.

I'm still pinching myself that we live in a world where a collection like this one can exist at all and keep going and going. At some point the Dredd Case Files are going to be rivalling some Manga series for most volumes in one series!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: IndigoPrime on 08 February, 2021, 02:32:20 PM
It'll be interesting to see how long they run for. I was talking with someone earlier about Dark Justice and figured that'd show up some time in the 60s or so!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 08 February, 2021, 04:16:00 PM
Currently the cases files are 18 years behind, so there is still a lot a material just waiting to be published.
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Klegg Bait on 09 February, 2021, 03:24:24 AM
The case files, graphic novels and Mega collection volumes are the only way I read Dredd and related comics.

I only got into Dredd about 6 years ago.

So I hope they keep making more!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: AlexF on 09 February, 2021, 10:04:26 AM
I mean, they must be making enough money that it makes sense to keep pumping out 2/3 volumes per year. And at this point, the art is all stored digitally and available in Progs/Megs that are in the digital store, so you'd think it's getting easier and cheaper to put each new volume together. And in terms of the quality of the stories inside, well, it's just going to stay super good - arguably it's reaching a point where it's getting better and better...
(at this point I think boarders know how I feel about Terror/Total War, Mandroid and Origins, which are the epics coming soon(ish) to future Case Fileses. Not to mention the return of PJ Maybe in future Megazine episodes)
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: IndigoPrime on 09 February, 2021, 10:44:14 AM
It's been interesting to see Near Mint Condition on YouTube go through the first dozen CFs. After not being that excited by CF1 (understandable), he's ended up smitten. Notable also that he pulls out one story from each CF to discuss and he caught Letter From A Democrat's importance in CF9. Nice also to see plenty of people in the USA spot these videos and get excited about the prospect of collecting more Dredd — although some do seem a bit confused about where to start. (If I were 2000 AD, I'd be penning some articles on that sort of thing and whacking them on the website. I know there are YouTube videos about that at least.)

The only grumble appears to be an ongoing wish that there were more HCs from 2000 AD. It's a pity the market just doesn't appear to be there, unlike for Image. I guess in the UK we at least got the Hachette volumes to get some key complete series in HC; but I suspect the only way you'd get that with Dredd is by buying up all the CFs and related volumes and spending a ton of cash going the custom-bind route.
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Dark Jimbo on 09 February, 2021, 11:36:17 AM
Quote from: AlexF on 09 February, 2021, 10:04:26 AM
I mean, they must be making enough money that it makes sense to keep pumping out 2/3 volumes per year.

Approaching half a million sales now, apparently!
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Colin YNWA on 09 February, 2021, 12:58:49 PM
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 09 February, 2021, 11:36:17 AM
Quote from: AlexF on 09 February, 2021, 10:04:26 AM
I mean, they must be making enough money that it makes sense to keep pumping out 2/3 volumes per year.

Approaching half a million sales now, apparently!

Oh that good to know. Do you have a source for that it would be good to get the detail.
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 09 February, 2021, 01:29:33 PM
Colin it was on 2000AD's news section - it is in the first paragraph:

https://2000ad.com/news/dredd-vs-aliens-judge-dredd-the-complete-case-files-vol-36-out-now/ (https://2000ad.com/news/dredd-vs-aliens-judge-dredd-the-complete-case-files-vol-36-out-now/)

Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Colin YNWA on 09 February, 2021, 01:36:32 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 09 February, 2021, 01:29:33 PM
Colin it was on 2000AD's news section - it is in the first paragraph:

https://2000ad.com/news/dredd-vs-aliens-judge-dredd-the-complete-case-files-vol-36-out-now/ (https://2000ad.com/news/dredd-vs-aliens-judge-dredd-the-complete-case-files-vol-36-out-now/)

Ohhhh I thought there was some intriguing article with more info. Still good news. Even if half of those are Case Files 1 - which feels possible given all that's said that still means others average around 7000 if my shunky maths is to be trusted. That feels like a lot in this day and age?
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 09 February, 2021, 01:42:01 PM
I wonder how many are digital sales? This is one which I would like when I am all grown-up to collect but I would like it to be HC (which I believe is not the case with the current collection).
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: IndigoPrime on 09 February, 2021, 02:13:42 PM
Given that precisely one Case Files volume has been released in HC, I wouldn't hold your breath for any more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Judge-Dredd-Casefiles-10th-Anniversary/dp/1781083320
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 15 February, 2021, 05:59:57 AM
I have completed the case files and here is my highlights:

Incubus - This is a great cross-over and in many ways divines how good  a cross-over can be when it is done correctly. I helps when the art is by the magnificent Flint. He is my modern Dredd artists. The way the story is told makes it much more believe that the Aliens are part of the Dredd-verse.

Out of the Undercity - A very good story related to the underworld as the werewolves tale gets another jab at it (old faces return as well). The art by Critchlow is just as great as his new style is again displayed here.

Radlander - John Ridgway provides the great visuals for a tale of revenge and true justice. Justice is delivered but not by Dredd this round

Give me Liberty - A good Dredd story by Rennie and Gibson as a block decides it is time  to declare their independence. We all know how this will end.

Overall a good addition to the case files, enjoyed all the stories in it with Incubus the champion leading the pack
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: Arkady on 05 April, 2021, 01:01:49 PM
The final cover printed in the back of Vol.36 is a Flint piece for Drwdd Vs Alien Vs Predator. But wasn't that triple-crossover a much more recent thing published outwith the prog/Meg?
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: broodblik on 05 April, 2021, 01:06:53 PM
The Dredd vs Alien vs Predator was never printed in the meg or prog
Title: Re: Dredd Case Files 36
Post by: GoGilesGo on 05 April, 2021, 05:16:59 PM
Quote from: broodblik on 15 February, 2021, 05:59:57 AM

Out of the Undercity - A very good story related to the underworld as the werewolves tale gets another jab at it (old faces return as well). The art by Critchlow is just as great as his new style is again displayed here.


Whole-heartedly agree with this. It took me a while to track down Out of the Undercity (I bought the Mega Collection 74 solely to read it) and despite my high expectations it exceeded them.

Fab Carl Critchlow art, an empathetic Dredd, a wonderfully fleshed out Judge Prager and a perfect ending.