Comic Review: Judge Dredd - Lawman of the Future Issue 12

We are on a roll! With us entering issue 12, we are now halfway through the series. With that said, I have enjoyed the trip so far. There is something about this version of Judge Dredd that I find childlike and enjoyable to read. I honestly hope you are also enjoying the read-along.

Let me know in the comments if you want more details on any stories or characters mentioned. But let us get into issue 12.

First up, issue 12 is the Christmas issue. As always, we have a Part 2 story, all about Cold Blood and two new accounts, the first Jimping and the second Umpty Bagging.

In Cold Blood (Part Two) - The last issue left us with Judge Dredd facing down the terrifying Coldblood in Mutie town, and we dive straight back into the action. It's one of the rare occasions when we get to watch Judge Dredd getting his ass kicked, and boy is it a proper beating. Judge Dredd is only saved when Coldblood lashes out at one of his own and realizes how low he has sunk. This moment of clarity breaks Coldblood’s blood lust and leaves us with Coldblood stalking off into the shadows, vowing vengeance on Lucis Bludd.

It's a great way to end the story, as we seemingly have a three-way face-off setting up of Lucius, Coldblood and Judge Dredd. This story inspired my creativity as great-looking muties existed in this issue, especially the restaurant owner. I feel I need more muties in my collection.

Bludd Feud (Mini-Series) The mini newspaper-style comic continues. The Grudd Father, Lucius Bludd, has offered a Million Credits to the person who can kill Judge Dredd, which means every psycho in the city is gunning for our favourite Judge. To make matters worse, Mean Machine has escaped the local Iso-cubes and is hunting the lawman. In a straight fight, it seems like Judge Dredd is going to be bested by Mean, but he is ultimately aided by his bike and can apprehend Mean Machine and take him back to the cubes.

We are then treated to a scene-by-scene breakdown of the 1995 movie, which, for our reading pleasure, is broken down into two parts. Feels like truly unneeded filler.

Umpty bagging - Following a bit of a background check, this story appeared in 2000 AD. It's just been rebranded to fit this version of Judge and given a little facelift. It was a good story originally and is still good in this version. It deals with the illegal sales of sugar-dosed candy and product that is banned in MC-1 and shows how it is now sold like high-grade drugs, with specialist rehab centres built to deal with the sugar-addicted. It also hints at a Mega-Mob informer working inside the Justice Department...drama! It seems like another tale that is building up to a showdown. I hope the series has enough issues to build it out properly.

Jimping - Jimping a Mega-City One term for crazies who dress up and act like a Mega-City 1 Judge. Classified a crime, these Jimps can cause a lot of trouble in a short space of time, as we are about to discover. Following a routine patrol, Judge Dredd spots a Judges Crime Blitz happening - but this is Judge Dredd's patch, so why wasn't he informed? Also, why doesn't he recognize them? Soon, a gunfight breaks out, and Judge Dredd guns the criminal gang down, evening bagging himself a prisoner. It seems all three stories are linked to Mega Rackets and Lucius Bludd. Better yet, it would seem the next issue is the official showdown I am waiting for!

What we got in issue 12 is a seriously well-thought-out issue, and I love that all the stories are focused on one topic: the Mega Rackets and Crime Boss Lucius Bludd. I am excited to get reading the issue. Please drop me a comment and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by!