It's out now - just got my copy. Reminds me that I really must get round to finishing reading Volume 20!
Collects 2000ad #888-915, Megazine volume 2 #57-68.
Stories are as follows, presented in the following order:
The Accidental Culprit 2000 AD prog 888 Story by "Sonny Steelgrave" (Alan McKenzie), art by Anthony Williams.
The Time Machine 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 889-890 Story by John Wagner, art by Carlos Ezquerra.
Conspiracy of Silence 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 891-894 Story by John Wagner, art by Mark Harrison.
Rad Blood 2 episodes 2000 AD progs 895-896 Story by Dan Abnett, art by Ron Smith.
Moving Violations 2000 AD prog 897 (7/22/94). Story by Chris Standley, art by Peter Doherty.
TV Babies 2000 AD prog 898 (7/29/94). Story by Chris Standley, art by Peter Doherty.
A Guide to Mega-Speak 2000 AD prog 899 Story by John Wagner, art by Ron Smith & Dondie Cox.
Casualties of War (prog-length Rogue Trooper crossover) 2000 AD prog 900 Story by John Wagner, art by John Higgins.
Judge Death: The True Story 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 901-902 Story by John Wagner, art by Ian Gibson.
Part Exchange 2000 AD prog 903 Story by Dan Abnett, art by John Burns.
Tenth Planet: Prologue Judge Dredd Megazine vol.2 #57 Story by Wagner, art by Peter Doherty.
Tenth Planet 5 episodes, Judge Dredd Megazine vol.2 #58-62 Story by Wagner, art by Carlos Ezquerra.
Wilderlands 16 episodes, 2000 AD progs 904-914 and Judge Dredd Megazine vol.2 #63-67. Story by John Wagner, art by Carlos Ezquerra, Mick Austin.
Parting Shots 2000 AD prog 915 Story by John Wagner, art by Carlos Ezquerra.
Farewell to the Chief Judge Dredd Megazine vol.2 #68 Story by Wagner, art by Cyril Julien.
Colour: Red
Strapline: 'CHAINED HEAT!'
As previously noted, the design of the book has flipped to mirror volumes 1-10, with the block colour on top and black on the bottom.
So we're well and truly over the worst of it now, with Crusade the only notable stinker left, which is in the next volume. As you can see, the bulk of this book is the Tenth Planet/Wilderlands saga - which brings the reign of McGruder to a close, and is imo a somewhat unfairly maligned story that suffers a little from frequent switching of artists, Ezquerra's slightly fruity early computer colouring, a bizarre art/editorial(?) error that fluffs the ending reveal and pacing that is hampered substantially by being a 2000ad/Megazine crossover, with early episodes especially jarringly repeating events multiple times. However, this story, along with the earlier Mechanismo trilogy, represents a bit of a turning point in Dredd that led to less showy, more character-based stories, a style that Wagner would perfect with The Pit, due in Case Files 24.
Looking forward to this dropping through the letterbox soon then :thumbsup:
Just read my email, confirming that it has been dispatched :D
Hope it will be available in 2000AD Newstand app...?
http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/dredd-on-your-ipad-20-volumes-of-the-judge-dredd-complete-case-files-released-on-ios/ (http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/dredd-on-your-ipad-20-volumes-of-the-judge-dredd-complete-case-files-released-on-ios/)
^^ Says it will.
Quote from: Steve Green on 09 October, 2013, 03:54:45 PM
http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/dredd-on-your-ipad-20-volumes-of-the-judge-dredd-complete-case-files-released-on-ios/ (http://2000ad.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/dredd-on-your-ipad-20-volumes-of-the-judge-dredd-complete-case-files-released-on-ios/)
^^ Says it will.
Yep got few on my iPad, but it said from 1 to 20, but will it be 21?
"Volume 21 in the continuing series is out next month and more volumes are scheduled for regular release in the future."
Since the article is about the ipad editions, I'm guessing it's talking about those rather than the printed ones.
You're right, Steve, it on 2000AD App now! Woohoo!
So guys this is a recommended item for those of us who only came on board in 2012?
its sitting ready for purchase.
Quote from: The Prodigal on 10 October, 2013, 10:24:03 AM
So guys this is a recommended item for those of us who only came on board in 2012?
its sitting ready for purchase.
I guess that all depends on whether you own volumes 1 through 20
Quote from: sheldipez on 10 October, 2013, 10:31:41 AM
Quote from: The Prodigal on 10 October, 2013, 10:24:03 AM
So guys this is a recommended item for those of us who only came on board in 2012?
its sitting ready for purchase.
I guess that all depends on whether you own volumes 1 through 20
Just selected ones. I don't have any after 14.
Quote from: The Prodigal on 10 October, 2013, 10:24:03 AM
So guys this is a recommended item for those of us who only came on board in 2012?
its sitting ready for purchase.
It's certainly the strongest Case Files in a while, and as most of the book is dedicated to a single epic storyline it's a more cohesive reading experience. However, the Tenth Planet/Wilderlands arc very much ties into the Mechanismo trilogy of stories, which are in earlier books (I want to say 18 and 19). Also, Mechansimo/Tenth Planet/Wilderlands, while solid stuff, is arguably a bit patchy and among the least popular of the Dredd epics.
If you don't own any previous Case Files books there are better places to start (02,05,09 etc).
Got my e-mail saying its on it's way
QuoteJust selected ones. I don't have any after 14.
Personally, I would favour going back and filling in the gaps in your collection. As for which ones I'd consider 'essential':
04:
The Judge Child, The Fink, Unamerican Graffiti05:
Judge Death Lives, Block Mania, The Apocalypse War07:
Cry of the Werewolf, Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Graveyard Shift, Portrait of a Politician08:
Dredd Angel, Question/Error of Judgement, A Case for Treatment, City of the Damned, Sunday Night Fever09:
The Midnight Surfer, Death of a Politician, The Warlord, A Chief Judge Resigns, Letter from a Democrat, The Falucci Tape, Zombies, Riders on the Storm11:
Revolution, Oz14:
Tale of the Dead Man, Countdown to Necropolis, NecropolisAlso:
America
The Dead Man
The Taxidermist
Judge Anderson Psi Files 01
As a General Rule, Case Files 02-14 are pretty much all solid/great. 01 is more of a curio, and 15 to 20 are a mixed bag. 21 is stronger, and in the next few volumes, with stuff like The Pit, The Cal Files, The Three Amigos, we're firmly back in 'essential' territory.
Just download it... honest I never read those stories in Case File 21m and what an opening!
Quote from: radiator on 10 October, 2013, 12:04:24 PM
09: The Midnight Surfer, Death of a Politician, The Warlord, A Chief Judge Resigns, Letter from a Democrat, The Falucci Tape, Zombies, Riders on the Storm
Now
that's a helluva book.
Cheers!
Jim
Yep, a lot of people always suggest 05, but 09 is always my go-to recommend 'if you have to buy just one' Case Files book for people new to the character.
Midnight Surfer
Nosferatu
Westside Rumble
Back on the Streets
Get Smart
Something Abnormal About Norman
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Magnificent Obsession
Mega Man
Death of a Politician
Love Story
The Lemming Syndrome
The Squadron that Time Forgot
The Ugly Mug Ball
A Day at the Block Wars
The Lurker
Merry Tale of the Christmas Angel
The Warlord
Beggars Banquet
A Chief Judge Resigns
The Secret Diary of Adrian Cockroach
Last Voyage of the Flying Dutchman
Letter From a Democrat
The Falucci Tape
Griblings
The Big Sleep
It Pays to be Mental
Rumours Can Kill
Zombies
The Exploding Man
Riders on the Storm
No major epics, just wall to wall (mostly self-contained) short stories, and loads of Cam Kennedy artwork. Whats not to like? This period was basically my own introduction to Dredd, via the 'Classic Judge Dredd' reprint title rather than the original publication, with The Midnight Surfer being the first Dredd story I ever read, alternating with The Pit, which was running in the prog at the time. Couldn't have asked for a better intro, really.
The period from directly after The Apocalypse War up to and including Oz is probably my favourite era of 'classic' Dredd for that reason. Feels like Wagner & Grant were really on fire around this time, every strip is just bursting with creativity and most of them add something to the Dredd mythos.
It pays to be Mental.
That was a good one.
Since I jumped on board I have picked up Origins, Tour, Pit, Mandroid, Total War, America and more besides together with case files 10, 12 and 14 (no science involved with first 2-I just jumped on bargains).
Financial circumstances are more stringent now and I find myself now hovering towards 9 as a gem I have missed out on. Its cheap as chips on Amazon as well.
I'm fightin' with No.7 Block. The Graveyard Shift. The Suspect. Requiem for a Heavyweight. Portrait of a Politician. Citizen Snork. The Dekker trilogy. Haunting of Sector House 9. Cry of the Werewolf. Rumble in the Jungle.
You stinkin' 9-ers can't touch it. Dredd at its Dreddest.
I am with No. 5 block! The best!
Right now I'm dizzy.
When you say you've got 'up to 14', Prodigal, do you mean you've got all the first 14 books? Because you really should get 15 as well, as it includes all the Necropolis wrap-up stuff - burying the bodies, taking stock, Dredd's rejuve - and tidies up all sorts of loose ends like Yassa Povey's tale (and therefore the story of the Dead Man as well) and the fate of Chief Judge Silver.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 10 October, 2013, 09:22:56 PM
When you say you've got 'up to 14', Prodigal, do you mean you've got all the first 14 books? Because you really should get 15 as well, as it includes all the Necropolis wrap-up stuff - burying the bodies, taking stock, Dredd's rejuve - and tidies up all sorts of loose ends like Yassa Povey's tale (and therefore the story of the Dead Man as well) and the fate of Chief Judge Silver.
No DJ. I only have 10, 12 and 14 of the case-files. I have Dead Man as well.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 10 October, 2013, 09:22:56 PM
it includes all the Necropolis wrap-up stuff - burying the bodies, taking stock, Dredd's rejuve
With all due respect to your admirable grasp of Dredd lore,
Jimbo, I'm not sure that was a rejuve treatment
per se. Cosmetic treatments are qualitatively different from procedures which effect change on a genetic level.
mine arrived
I have been really enjoying 15 - 20, more than I should! There is some great art in them and it looks a lot better than the versions that were in the comic. Ok some of the stories are stinkers, but they are still worth a gander.
21 looks great though - a must buy, Tenth Planet and Wilderlands are a classic Dredd tale!
Just woke up and popped down stairs to find that my copy has arrived. Now back in bed about to devour the contents :D
I have a question when did Judge Death get captured was it in the Judge Dredd Batman crossover
Quote from: IronGraham on 11 October, 2013, 02:47:54 PM
I have a question when did Judge Death get captured was it in the Judge Dredd Batman crossover
Last time we saw Death, wasn't he riding a rocket roughshod Dr. strange love style in this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Judge-Death-My-Name/dp/1904265731/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381499685&sr=1-2&keywords=my+name+is+death
Quote from: IronGraham on 11 October, 2013, 02:47:54 PM
I have a question when did Judge Death get captured was it in the Judge Dredd Batman crossover
Yes - he's missing in action at the end of Necropolis; his tale then continues in the Batman stories, by the end of which he's in containment with the other three.
So has he been out there now when was he last seen?
Quote from: IronGraham on 11 October, 2013, 08:31:14 PM
So has he been out there now when was he last seen?
Unknown.
Quote from: IronGraham on 11 October, 2013, 08:31:14 PM
So has he been out there now when was he last seen?
Aye, he then spent most of the next ten years or so in containment, busting out for a few notable stories -
Dead Reckoning and
Three Amigos - before finally escaping for good in
My Name is Death. He was eventually [spoiler]dragged to Hell/oblivion by an army of the souls of those who he'd killed[/spoiler] and hasn't been seen since.
i know this is a little off topic, but i always get confused by Death's chronology. I stepped away from 2000ad around the 1000th prog and with death jumping into batman/dredd, his own wee off shoots like young death, death the true story and then three amigos as well as his appearances in anderson, i get confuddled. Is there a definitive chronology for his stuff - barney separates it all out into different publications and doesn't mention the batman stuff.
cheers
Dave
Quote from: Proteus4 on 12 October, 2013, 04:44:45 AM
i know this is a little off topic, but i always get confused by Death's chronology. I stepped away from 2000ad around the 1000th prog and with death jumping into batman/dredd, his own wee off shoots like young death, death the true story and then three amigos as well as his appearances in anderson, i get confuddled. Is there a definitive chronology for his stuff - barney separates it all out into different publications and doesn't mention the batman stuff.
cheers
Dave
I would like something like this for the before the next Wagner story
"Judgement on Gotham" comes just after "Young Death."
Basically it's:
1. Judge Death
2. Judge Death Lives!
3. Anderson: Revenge (a.k.a. Four Dark Judges in reprints for some reason). There was also a one-off Dredd episode set during those events, "Aftermath Ron Reagan."
4. House of Death, from Diceman, if that counts.
5. Anderson: Beyond the Void
6. Necropolis etc. (Also "Return of the King" showed a flashback to events during Necropolis.)
7. Young Death: Boyhood of a Superfiend (also has flashbacks to Death's origins)
8. Batman vs Dredd: Judgement on Gotham
9. Judge Death: The True Story
10. The Three Amigos
11. Dead Reckoning (this story has time travel, so we also see the Dark Judges from their distant past on Deadworld)
12. Batman vs Dredd: Die Laughing
13. Judge Death: My Name is Death and Judge Death: The Wilderness Days
(14. Day of Chaos)
Forgot to mention the Dredd Vs Death computer game and novel tie-in, which if you want to count them would come between Die Laughing and My Name Is Death.
Quote from: Richard on 13 October, 2013, 05:18:52 PM
There was also a one-off Dredd episode set during those events, "Aftermath Ron Reagan."
That one always fascinates me 'cos it establishes which of the Dark Judges is the most dangerous in terms of body-count. (It's Judge Fire.)
Dead Reckoning - I remember really not liking this story
Quote from: Richard on 13 October, 2013, 05:18:52 PM
"Judgement on Gotham" comes just after "Young Death."
Basically it's:
1. Judge Death
2. Judge Death Lives!
3. Anderson: Revenge (a.k.a. Four Dark Judges in reprints for some reason). There was also a one-off Dredd episode set during those events, "Aftermath Ron Reagan."
4. House of Death, from Diceman, if that counts.
5. Anderson: Beyond the Void
6. Necropolis etc. (Also "Return of the King" showed a flashback to events during Necropolis.)
7. Young Death: Boyhood of a Superfiend (also has flashbacks to Death's origins)
8. Batman vs Dredd: Judgement on Gotham
9. Judge Death: The True Story
10. The Three Amigos
11. Dead Reckoning (this story has time travel, so we also see the Dark Judges from their distant past on Deadworld)
12. Batman vs Dredd: Die Laughing
13. Judge Death: My Name is Death and Judge Death: The Wilderness Days
(14. Day of Chaos)
Thanks Richard
awesome - thanks very much for clearing that up! you're a gentleman.
Cheers
Dave
Finished case files 21 today and this relative newbie had a ball with it. It really grabbed me.
Having a massive back-log of thrill power is fantastic.
Quote from: Richard on 13 October, 2013, 05:18:52 PM
1. Judge Death
2. Judge Death Lives!
3. Anderson: Revenge (a.k.a. Four Dark Judges in reprints for some reason). There was also a one-off Dredd episode set during those events, "Aftermath Ron Reagan."
4. House of Death, from Diceman, if that counts.
5. Anderson: Beyond the Void
6. Necropolis etc. (Also "Return of the King" showed a flashback to events during Necropolis.)
7. Young Death: Boyhood of a Superfiend (also has flashbacks to Death's origins)
8. Batman vs Dredd: Judgement on Gotham
9. Judge Death: The True Story
10. The Three Amigos
11. Dead Reckoning (this story has time travel, so we also see the Dark Judges from their distant past on Deadworld)
12. Batman vs Dredd: Die Laughing
13. Judge Death: My Name is Death and Judge Death: The Wilderness Days
(14. Day of Chaos)
Excellent work.
You could also include the
Anderson: "Half-life" sequence, which could fit in between "My Name is Death/Wilderness Days" and "Day of Chaos". It's mostly a psychic flashback to the origins of the Dark Judges and the Sisters, but in its turn it's also the end result of one of their long-running schemes.
Is Anderson part of Dredd continuity?
Quote from: Skullmo on 15 October, 2013, 08:30:53 PM
Is Anderson part of Dredd continuity?
When it comes to her dealings with the Butchershop Quartet, I'd say definitely yes. Some other things, perhaps not so much.
One missing Death story there - Masque of Death. From an old 90s special. Death invades the a wealthy citizen's party at his high security home during Necropolis, and is mistakenly assumed to be in costume. Lots of people die.
Really creepy black and white art from John McCrea.
Also, having just finished Case Files 20 it's definitely one for completists only. Can be safely avoided as it has absolutely nothing that really matters later (other than Giant gaining the full eagle, but we don't need to have seen that for us to understand that it happened).
Case Files 20 is great - buy it!
Sounds like Case Files 20 is a bit of a marmite book? :lol:
Quote from: sheldipez on 17 October, 2013, 03:43:39 PM
Sounds like Case Files 20 is a bit of a marmite book? :lol:
It's more that about three-fifths of it is unmitigated shite (with great art) whilst two-fifths is outstandingly good (with great art.) Whether it's worth buying depends on whether that kind of split makes it value for money for you. Personally, I don't think it's important whether anything that happens in the stories 'matters' later - the Wagner ones are flat-out brilliant stories, and to me, that's all that matters. I think any Dredd fan who'd yet to experience it would want to read 'Bury My Knee...' irrespective of whether it's connected to broader continuity.
QuoteIt's more that about three-fifths of it is unmitigated shite (with great art) whilst two-fifths is outstandingly good (with great art.) Whether it's worth buying depends on whether that kind of split makes it value for money for you. Personally, I don't think it's important whether anything that happens in the stories 'matters' later - the Wagner ones are flat-out brilliant stories, and to me, that's all that matters. I think any Dredd fan who'd yet to experience it would want to read 'Bury My Knee...' irrespective of whether it's connected to broader continuity.
Personally I buy every single Case Files book as they come out - I don't even think about it. I think on some level they're all very good value, and are all worth buying (though Restricted Files 03 is arguable, and Psi Files 04 will probably be the first Case Files book I'll pass up on), but there are definitely some I'd prioritise over others. Case Files 16 would be my pick for 'worst' - it's pretty much all written by Garth Ennis and Alan Grant and is a bit of a slog to read through. And while Ennis' Dredd is preferable to Millar, McKenzie or Morrison, the books with those stories in are bolstered by very strong John Wagner-written stories.
As to the point above, I agree with Greg - a good story is a good story. My favourite Case Files book is 09 - and it doesn't really have any 'important' stories in it (except for McGruder stepping down and taking the Long Walk). To me those little inconsequential one-and-done stories are every bit as important to the appeal of Dredd as the epics.
Most importantly think of the spine gaps.
Quote from: radiator on 17 October, 2013, 05:00:58 PM
QuoteIt's more that about three-fifths of it is unmitigated shite (with great art) whilst two-fifths is outstandingly good (with great art.) Whether it's worth buying depends on whether that kind of split makes it value for money for you. Personally, I don't think it's important whether anything that happens in the stories 'matters' later - the Wagner ones are flat-out brilliant stories, and to me, that's all that matters. I think any Dredd fan who'd yet to experience it would want to read 'Bury My Knee...' irrespective of whether it's connected to broader continuity.
Personally I buy every single Case Files book as they come out - I don't even think about it. I think on some level they're all very good value, and are all worth buying (though Restricted Files 03 is arguable, and Psi Files 04 will probably be the first Case Files book I'll pass up on), but there are definitely some I'd prioritise over others. Case Files 16 would be my pick for 'worst' - it's pretty much all written by Garth Ennis and Alan Grant and is a bit of a slog to read through. And while Ennis' Dredd is preferable to Millar, McKenzie or Morrison, the books with those stories in are bolstered by very strong John Wagner-written stories.
As to the point above, I agree with Greg - a good story is a good story. My favourite Case Files book is 09 - and it doesn't really have any 'important' stories in it (except for McGruder stepping down and taking the Long Walk). To me those little inconsequential one-and-done stories are every bit as important to the appeal of Dredd as the epics.
Millar Dredds, although awful, are still a quick read. Many pages just say Kaboom!
I did find it a lot harder to get through 16, and for me Raptaur is worse than Book of the Dead.
Quote from: credo on 17 October, 2013, 02:34:15 PM
Case Files 20 it's definitely one for completists only. Can be safely avoided as it has absolutely nothing that really matters later (other than Giant gaining the full eagle, but we don't need to have seen that for us to understand that it happened).
But Dredd taking a rookie on their final assessment is my favourite kind of story! There's something very satisfying about the form and structure of those stories, where the rookie's whole life comes down to this one chance to show what they're capable of. You really identify with Giant Sr, Dekker and Kraken, and feel for them when they fuck up in front of the old man and when they eventually prove their worth.
It's a nice counterpoint to the post-Necropolis story which introduced Giant Jr, where Dredd took him out on the streets to determine whether the kid should go through the Academy at all.
And also Giant Jnr went on to become an important character in dredd's world, until wagner just forgot about him.
To be honest, Giant's done most of his important stuff by the time he's fifteen - post 'Giant' he has notable appearances in 'The Pit' and 'Missing', but after 'Incubus' I don't know if Wagner ever writes him again (Rennie and Ewing certainly do though.) It wouldn't surprise me at all (though it would bring a tear to my eye, since he's my favourite Dreddverse character) if he'd just died off-panel in 'Day of Chaos'. I blame Rico - he usurped Giant's place, I tell you!
Surely Rennie or Ewing have something planned for Giant?
I'm a huge fan of that Rennie story where he first meets Rico II.
A follow-up with the two of them partnered would be very nice indeed.
It's not just Wagner. Everyone seems to have forgotten about Giant. Don't know why.
The picture on the front cover isn't from any of the stories inside, strangely.