Dredd: Uprise #2 - Rebellion

DREDD: UPRISE No. 2, November 2014

Shifting just 3,561 copies, almost a thousand books less than the title’s first issue, this second instalment of “Dredd: Uprise” definitely creates the aura of a disappointing conclusion upon its first read. But this perception of a rushed or abbreviated ending is almost certainly due to the lead story simply containing a significantly lower page count than its predecessor, and that in order to ‘bulk up’ its size, “Rebellion” have included “a bonus Judge Dredd story from Rob Williams and RM Guera.” Indeed, as the total length of the main storyline is actually fifty pages, then this subconscious feeling of somehow being ‘cheated’ could arguably have been avoided if the adventure had simply been published as two twenty-five page periodicals instead.

Psychology aside, Arthur Wyatt’s writing certainly picks up the pace with Judge Darryl being revealed as the Justice Department traitor. Joseph Dredd’s character also suddenly takes centre stage as the square-jawed lawman mentally picks his way thought the events of the past few days, courtesy of a splendid ‘recap montage’, and grimly realises that rookie Judge Conti is actually a “levelheaded… good Judge.” Throw in the revelation that shadowy citizen Wallace is in fact an undercover street Judge and before the reader knows it John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra's co-creation is up to his visor battling rogue robots and turbo-boosting his lawmaster across flaming sewers packed full of more of the murderous machines.

Somewhat frustratingly, there is no confrontation between Mega-City One’s most feared Street Judge and the portly conspirator Darryl. But the overweight villain’s demise at the hands of his rookie Conti is a somewhat satisfying alternative. Disappointingly the involvement of the Chief Judge behind the entire ‘uprising’ is left open-ended, as the story actually finishes with Dredd informing a recuperating Wallace that she “is promising an investigation at the highest level.” However this does mean that there is plenty of opportunity for a subsequent tale of corruption at the Justice Department’s highest level to be penned in the future; after all this title was being advertised as an “ongoing comic-book sequel”.

Paul Davidson’s artwork, with his clean line-style, really suits this sort of action-packed adventure. Especially when his illustrations are so remarkably well coloured by Chris Blythe. Certainly those who criticised his choice as a replacement for fellow British comic book artist Henry Flint, must have wondered why they were making such a fuss.

The bonus story “The Man Comes Around” seems an odd choice to package alongside this 2012 ‘realistic film version’ of Judge Dredd. Unfortunately this displeasure doesn’t just stem from the fact it features the comic book character, all huge shoulder pads and full-eagle, as sadly the tale's plot, a suicide bomber trying to kill off as many of his accommodation block’s residents before he himself dies, is a rather tried and tested one these days.

In addition, whilst RM Guera’s pencils are reminiscent of an early Mike McMahon, they jar horribly when compared to Davidson’s far more disciplined and polished drawing technique. As a result readers must have been left thinking that with over three hundred issues of “Judge Dredd Magazine” to choose from, “Rebellion” could surely have picked something more appropriate or enjoyable than a reprint from Issue Three Hundred and Forty Four.

The regular cover art of "DREDD: UPRISE" No. 2 by Boo Cook