Hi all, I couldn't see a general discussion thread on the IDW Dredd line. I was curious to see how others feel about it and whether my reactions hold true.
I only buy the collected graphic novels and have so far got the main Dredd line volumes 1 - 3, Dredd Year One volume one and Mars Attacks Judge Dredd. I have to say that on the whole I have been disappointed and felt that the IDW version does not come near enough to the output of 2000AD/The Megazine.
The main line just does not sit right with me. It has all the hallmarks of an unnecessary remake. I haven't felt engaged with the storylines and it all just feels like it's been done, and done better, before. The inclusion of the Angel Gang for example, just came out of the blue. Did they need to be there? Were these characters used well? The answer to both is really no. There is no feeling of Dredd's world beyond the fact the main readers are already probably familiar with Dredd's usual output. It all just feels like a botched effort.
The writing on Year One was infinitely better but my main disappointment with it is that it doesn't feel like Year One. This just seems like regular old Judge Dredd. There is no sign that this is MC1 a good 20 years before we first ever saw Judge Dredd and his world. I would have preferred for it to be more in line with what we saw depicted in Origins. Make it feel like this is slightly old fashioned. For me, the only real sign that this is a younger Joe Dredd is that he is occasionally referred to as an academy brat.
The one success for me has been Mars Attacks. This felt like the classic dark humour of 2000AD. It was the first of the IDW line where I felt that I had got my money's worth.
So what do you all think about IDW's Dredd output in general. Does it get better? Is it worth my while continuing to read it? I know they are about to introduce three million new dark judges but will it be a good story? Or are they simply going to be included because, hey, they worked before?
I only buy the collected graphic novels and have so far got the main Dredd line volumes 1 - 3, Dredd Year One volume one and Mars Attacks Judge Dredd. I have to say that on the whole I have been disappointed and felt that the IDW version does not come near enough to the output of 2000AD/The Megazine.
The main line just does not sit right with me. It has all the hallmarks of an unnecessary remake. I haven't felt engaged with the storylines and it all just feels like it's been done, and done better, before. The inclusion of the Angel Gang for example, just came out of the blue. Did they need to be there? Were these characters used well? The answer to both is really no. There is no feeling of Dredd's world beyond the fact the main readers are already probably familiar with Dredd's usual output. It all just feels like a botched effort.
The writing on Year One was infinitely better but my main disappointment with it is that it doesn't feel like Year One. This just seems like regular old Judge Dredd. There is no sign that this is MC1 a good 20 years before we first ever saw Judge Dredd and his world. I would have preferred for it to be more in line with what we saw depicted in Origins. Make it feel like this is slightly old fashioned. For me, the only real sign that this is a younger Joe Dredd is that he is occasionally referred to as an academy brat.
The one success for me has been Mars Attacks. This felt like the classic dark humour of 2000AD. It was the first of the IDW line where I felt that I had got my money's worth.
So what do you all think about IDW's Dredd output in general. Does it get better? Is it worth my while continuing to read it? I know they are about to introduce three million new dark judges but will it be a good story? Or are they simply going to be included because, hey, they worked before?
