Does the Big Meg have one or just a few criminal, noticeably more powerful organizations in its midst? I'm talking about mafia-like groups with great influence, not some large gang that peddles drugs. If so, where can I read about them?
In their day, the Mega-City Frendz, led by Nero Narcos, fitted the bill. First introduced in 'Bad Frendz' (Case Files 23) further developed in 'The Pit' (Case Files 24 & 25.) Don't recall if the organisation survived the events of 'Doomsday' (Case Files 30, by the looks of it) but [spoiler]Narcos didn't.[/spoiler]
Might be getting the name wrong, but there was the 'Hunter's Club'.
An organisation that ran a murder competition, beautifully rendered by the Mighty Carlos.
Death Aid: Progs 711 to 720 (but not in progs 716, 717, 718, according to Barney)
Not really what you asked for, but one of the better Garth Ennis Dredds.
You are getting the name wrong; there is no apostrophe - much to the chagrin of everyone's favourite bitey man-crocodile.
There were the Mega-Rackets as well, not sure off the top of my head when they appeared in the progs (around the early 200s) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon to say which Case Files they appeared in. Shows the different endeavours that mafia-like organisations get up to in Mega-City One. There was also a syndicate of gangsters about a year or two later who kept meeting up with their latest schemes, usually foiled by Dredd. One of them was called Blobs.
Earlier than all that we met the Ape Gang - possibly the first appearance of organised crime that we saw (unless Max Normal's debut predates it).
Quote from: Greg M. on 26 July, 2017, 05:01:21 PM
In their day, the Mega-City Frendz, led by Nero Narcos, fitted the bill. First introduced in 'Bad Frendz' (Case Files 23) further developed in 'The Pit' (Case Files 24 & 25.) Don't recall if the organisation survived the events of 'Doomsday' (Case Files 30, by the looks of it).
The Frendz Mob is the most powerful crime organisation in the city, at least according to the site I list below. But I just don't like the demonic look of Mr Narcos. Does he look like that in all the stories?
http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Nero_Narcos
Quote from: sheridan on 26 July, 2017, 11:03:44 PM
There were the Mega-Rackets as well, not sure off the top of my head when they appeared in the progs (around the early 200s) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon to say which Case Files they appeared in.
Case Files 5.
Quote from: Sandman1 on 26 July, 2017, 11:26:16 PM
The Frendz Mob is the most powerful crime organisation in the city, at least according to the site I list below. But I just don't like the demonic look of Mr Narcos. Does he look like that in all the stories?
No, just in Doomsday. When we first meet him, he's a brain in a life-support unit, with a human face projected on a screen.
Quote from: CalHab on 27 July, 2017, 06:35:07 AM
Quote from: sheridan on 26 July, 2017, 11:03:44 PM
There were the Mega-Rackets as well, not sure off the top of my head when they appeared in the progs (around the early 200s) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon to say which Case Files they appeared in.
Case Files 5.
Thanks, CalHab!
Quote from: sheridan on 27 July, 2017, 09:15:56 AM
Thanks, CalHab!
That was an easy one. I was reading it last night.
Quote from: Greg M. on 27 July, 2017, 07:49:29 AMNo, just in Doomsday. When we first meet him, he's a brain in a life-support unit, with a human face projected on a screen.
Just a yes or no question, does it become clear why he ended up in that apparatus?
Quote from: Sandman1 on 27 July, 2017, 05:13:28 PM
Quote from: Greg M. on 27 July, 2017, 07:49:29 AMNo, just in Doomsday. When we first meet him, he's a brain in a life-support unit, with a human face projected on a screen.
Just a yes or no question, does it become clear why he ended up in that apparatus?
Yes, the reason for his status is explained in 'Bad Frendz', and the reason for his later, more 'demonic' look is in 'Doomsday'.
For all this talk of 'mafia-like' organisations, it should be remembered that the actual mafia exist in MC-1, too. Lots of appearances in the early years of the comic and various later ones, primarily in the stories of Gordon Rennie, though they've not made any real appearances since then. Not entirely sure that the mafia makes sense in a city ruled by the judges, but there you go.
The Frendz Mob seems to fit the bill, so I'm going to read up on them.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 27 July, 2017, 05:58:24 PMNot entirely sure that the mafia makes sense in a city ruled by the judges, but there you go.
Why not? Such congregations of criminals seems to conduct their business behind the curtains, while gangs act as open targets on the street. Rigorous precautions, and maybe some know-how about the system, can surely make your boat float even in rough regimes.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 27 July, 2017, 05:58:24 PM
For all this talk of 'mafia-like' organisations, it should be remembered that the actual mafia exist in MC-1, too. Lots of appearances in the early years of the comic
Old skool mafia to boot!
(http://i.imgur.com/3QDflaL.jpg?1)
Quote from: Spikes on 29 July, 2017, 01:20:33 PMOld skool mafia to boot!(http://i.imgur.com/3QDflaL.jpg?1)
Professionals? Rex and Louis made a feeble-minded decision and jumped right on Dredd. I hope the Frendz Mob maintains a higher standard.
Quote from: Sandman1 on 29 July, 2017, 04:28:14 PM
Quote from: Spikes on 29 July, 2017, 01:20:33 PMOld skool mafia to boot!(http://i.imgur.com/3QDflaL.jpg?1)
Professionals? Rex and Louis made a feeble-minded decision and jumped right on Dredd. I hope the Frendz Mob maintains a higher standard.
You forget the context though - obviously they're feeble-minded, otherwise they wouldn't have been so easily psychically manipulated!
Quote from: sheridan on 30 July, 2017, 10:30:43 PMYou forget the context though - obviously they're feeble-minded, otherwise they wouldn't have been so easily psychically manipulated!
I may have misinterpreted the context, but the guy with the special powers wasn't particularly shrewd either.
Quote from: Sandman1 on 30 July, 2017, 11:28:45 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 30 July, 2017, 10:30:43 PMYou forget the context though - obviously they're feeble-minded, otherwise they wouldn't have been so easily psychically manipulated!
I may have misinterpreted the context, but the guy with the special powers wasn't particularly shrewd either.
The psyker had been subject to a repeated, sustained harassment campaign by Dredd, involving being psychically assaulted by Psi-Judges for a few days straight (the Psi-Judges got some rest, going on shifts to attack the psyker - the psyker had no such luxury).
Quote from: sheridan on 31 July, 2017, 08:57:02 AMThe psyker had been subject to a repeated, sustained harassment campaign by Dredd, involving being psychically assaulted by Psi-Judges for a few days straight (the Psi-Judges got some rest, going on shifts to attack the psyker - the psyker had no such luxury).
It's not that especially sagaciously to use psychic powers if Judges can track down someone who uses that ability.
Quote from: Sandman1 on 31 July, 2017, 04:15:55 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 31 July, 2017, 08:57:02 AMThe psyker had been subject to a repeated, sustained harassment campaign by Dredd, involving being psychically assaulted by Psi-Judges for a few days straight (the Psi-Judges got some rest, going on shifts to attack the psyker - the psyker had no such luxury).
It's not that especially sagaciously to use psychic powers if Judges can track down someone who uses that ability.
Imagine you're in a CIA cell for a day, under constant 'treatment' from a rotating roster of torturers. After you've endured that for a day you're let out. Upon release you're taken in by the CIA again. Then again. How capable are you of making rational decisions after you've been subjected to that treatment, day in, day out? Context is everything.
Quote from: sheridan on 31 July, 2017, 04:50:41 PMImagine you're in a CIA cell for a day, under constant 'treatment' from a rotating roster of torturers. After you've endured that for a day you're let out. Upon release you're taken in by the CIA again. Then again. How capable are you of making rational decisions after you've been subjected to that treatment, day in, day out? Context is everything.
He shouldn't do business in the underworld if he can't handle arduous adversities. He can also take more thoughtful precautions, especially if he intends to attack a super cop in a totalitarian reality. Or he can also seize other actions, like depart from the city.
I believe there's also The Firm led by the mysterious 'Boss' in The Simping Detective. But they may just be the organisation that runs Sector 13/Angeltown.
Quote from: Rudolph88 on 14 August, 2017, 02:12:02 PM
I believe there's also The Firm led by the mysterious 'Boss' in The Simping Detective. But they may just be the organisation that runs Sector 13/Angeltown.
Trouble with 'The Boss' running organised crime in Sector 13, known as Angeltown, is that 'The Big Man' [spoiler](Aimee Nixon)[/spoiler] runs organised crime in Sector 13, known as The Low Life; and that Vic Burnett runs organised crime in Sector 13, which is known as The Warzone; and the corrupt Sector Chief is Kruger, except that the corrupt Sector Chief is Daveez. All depends on whose script you're reading!
With such a big city to play with, it's a shame the droids keep falling for the showy narrative allure of the number 13.