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Judge Dredd: The Mega Collection #10
[Judge Anderson] [By: Grant, Alan] [July, 2008]
Journey beyond the Gates of Perception!In Mega-City One a brutal murder is discovered, seemingly of unnatural origin. Around the globe, there is a massive surge in psychic phenomena as people fall prey to visions and religious mania. It seems the world is on the brink of a psychic apocalypse and Psi-Judge Anderson must travel into the heart of Tibet to find the source of the disturbance...This collection bring together the very best of Alan Grant's (Lobo) and Arthur Ranson's (Button Man) work on this iconic comics character!
Paperback
First published July 25, 1991
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About the author
Alan Grant
1,718 books144 followersAlan Grant was a Scottish comic book writer known for writing Judge Dredd in 2000 AD as well as various Batman titles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also the creator of the character Anarky.
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2020
Now this was a bit of a surprise for me - partly as my weekend was not turning in to a reading weekend with numerous things going wrong but also the fact I wasnt expecting to sit down and read another of the Judge Dredd Mega-collection.
However I was wrong
And so on to the next instalment and yes another Judge Anderson book - and here is the next surprise. I sort of knew of the character although really my reading was pretty much limited to Dredd himself.
So here is another book dedicated to Cas Anderson and I must admit its starting to show me that there is more to this series than just ole Stoney Face. here we have what the introduction clearly states is the polar opposite to Dredd in everything apart from their dedication to duty. As a result you have a whole new world of possibilities. And I must admit this book demonstrate the depths and places they will go. I do not want to give any spoilers but you can see that this series is not two dimensional and certainly not just about one person. I have a new found respect for the writers of this series and I am intrigued on where and how far they will go next.
However I was wrong
And so on to the next instalment and yes another Judge Anderson book - and here is the next surprise. I sort of knew of the character although really my reading was pretty much limited to Dredd himself.
So here is another book dedicated to Cas Anderson and I must admit its starting to show me that there is more to this series than just ole Stoney Face. here we have what the introduction clearly states is the polar opposite to Dredd in everything apart from their dedication to duty. As a result you have a whole new world of possibilities. And I must admit this book demonstrate the depths and places they will go. I do not want to give any spoilers but you can see that this series is not two dimensional and certainly not just about one person. I have a new found respect for the writers of this series and I am intrigued on where and how far they will go next.
December 4, 2022
This review is for the 1991 2000AD Books edition, which keeps the A4 size and only has the Shamballa plot itself. And frankly it’s all you need - Grant had limitations as a writer outside of Wagner, so it’s always a joy to remember that at his very best he managed to write things as strange and elusive as this. If this were Pat Mills there would be a two issue sequence in which someone wanged on to us at length about balance and the spirit and it would have been literally unreadable mush. Grant instead leads us several times to the peripheries of things and lets us as readers fill in the rest. It’s a striking decision but one that helps this book fulfil it’s weird power
The other reason it’s so good is because of Ransom’s art and page design. The prog is currently bogged down in a series called Hope, whose reference heavy art isn’t bad per se but is definitely devoid of any dramatic impetus because you’re not so much reading a story as seeing frankly libellous portrayals of Boris Karloff and Ian McKellen doing awful things. And it has no dramatic heft. You just see what’s being copied. Ranson clearly uses physical references a lot but he does it with a genuine understanding of how to place this in a dramatic setting. It has a slightly unnerving quality because it feels like it doesn’t quite belong to any world, and as such it completely fits the heightened weirdness of the story. It’s a beautiful book and this is the way to enjoy it, seeing the full pages of this exquisite art. Quite unlike anything else in 2000AD history really
The other reason it’s so good is because of Ransom’s art and page design. The prog is currently bogged down in a series called Hope, whose reference heavy art isn’t bad per se but is definitely devoid of any dramatic impetus because you’re not so much reading a story as seeing frankly libellous portrayals of Boris Karloff and Ian McKellen doing awful things. And it has no dramatic heft. You just see what’s being copied. Ranson clearly uses physical references a lot but he does it with a genuine understanding of how to place this in a dramatic setting. It has a slightly unnerving quality because it feels like it doesn’t quite belong to any world, and as such it completely fits the heightened weirdness of the story. It’s a beautiful book and this is the way to enjoy it, seeing the full pages of this exquisite art. Quite unlike anything else in 2000AD history really
March 26, 2023
Breathtaking art, great story.
February 4, 2021
I loved it, been a long time since last read Anderson.
My edition isn't this one, it's the Mega Collection from 2015.
Inside are
Shamballa, The Jesus Syndrome, Satan, The Protest and R*evolution.
All satisfying tales written by Alan Grant and art by Arthur Ranson
My edition isn't this one, it's the Mega Collection from 2015.
Inside are
Shamballa, The Jesus Syndrome, Satan, The Protest and R*evolution.
All satisfying tales written by Alan Grant and art by Arthur Ranson
March 12, 2021
Bought this for Ranson's wonderful art. The story was a little shorter than expected, but overall an enjoyable read.
November 11, 2023
Great artwork but most of the stories are fairly poor.
Read
August 25, 2024An excellent collection of Psi-Judge Anderson's formative stories. The series of tales is complimented by a thoughtful essay. A must read for any fan of 2000ad.
May 18, 2025
Grant and Ranson deliver a spiritual/Fortean journey that feels a bit like a trippier Look-In strip. But in a good way.
August 9, 2015
2000AD Judge Anderson anthology with 5 stories themed around religion.
We have the titular Shamballa - which takes on Eastern mysticism and the nature of sacrifice as Anderson travels to Tibet to find the source of a worldwide epidemic of supernatural events. - Some particularly nice realistic artwork on this story.
Next is the Jesus Syndrome - a surprisingly balanced look at Christianity in the Dredd universe.
In Satan - the devil imprisoned on the asteroid Icarus breaks free and Anderson challenges him to a battle of wits - Adored the artwork on this one.
We return to a more satirical tone with The Protest - where the judges are faced with an increasing surge of self burnings in protest to their totalitarian rule.
Finally in R*volution - Anderson is sent to investigate a murder confession from one personality in a hive mind megalomaniac - this is a weird one, but rather fun.
Really enjoyed this anthology and thought the stories worked very well together. Yes this lacks the humour and biting satire of the Dredd fronted stories - but using Anderson gives a chance to investigate more sensitive issues such as religion. A very nice change of pace, with top notch artwork. Recommended.
We have the titular Shamballa - which takes on Eastern mysticism and the nature of sacrifice as Anderson travels to Tibet to find the source of a worldwide epidemic of supernatural events. - Some particularly nice realistic artwork on this story.
Next is the Jesus Syndrome - a surprisingly balanced look at Christianity in the Dredd universe.
In Satan - the devil imprisoned on the asteroid Icarus breaks free and Anderson challenges him to a battle of wits - Adored the artwork on this one.
We return to a more satirical tone with The Protest - where the judges are faced with an increasing surge of self burnings in protest to their totalitarian rule.
Finally in R*volution - Anderson is sent to investigate a murder confession from one personality in a hive mind megalomaniac - this is a weird one, but rather fun.
Really enjoyed this anthology and thought the stories worked very well together. Yes this lacks the humour and biting satire of the Dredd fronted stories - but using Anderson gives a chance to investigate more sensitive issues such as religion. A very nice change of pace, with top notch artwork. Recommended.
July 29, 2014
One of the few 2000AD judges that are not Dredd to get their own strip, Anderson is from the Psi department, using her psychic abilities to track down the more difficult crimes.
This is actually a collection of strips from 2000AD, starting with Shamballa. Anderson is still reeling from the suicide of her closest friend when she gets to go to Tibet (via Russia) to find the source of the outbreak of psychic crimes. Once again she loses someone close to her in the process.
There are additional stories, some of which focus on the religions that have been lost to the Megacities. She fights Satan, and delves into the mind of a man preaching the second coming of Jesus
Whilst Dredd does have a certain level of humour and violence, Anderson has a different take, being feminine and cerebral and also a little cocky against her superiors. The artwork is not always clear and crisp, (some would call it naive?) but is often detailed
This is actually a collection of strips from 2000AD, starting with Shamballa. Anderson is still reeling from the suicide of her closest friend when she gets to go to Tibet (via Russia) to find the source of the outbreak of psychic crimes. Once again she loses someone close to her in the process.
There are additional stories, some of which focus on the religions that have been lost to the Megacities. She fights Satan, and delves into the mind of a man preaching the second coming of Jesus
Whilst Dredd does have a certain level of humour and violence, Anderson has a different take, being feminine and cerebral and also a little cocky against her superiors. The artwork is not always clear and crisp, (some would call it naive?) but is often detailed
April 24, 2015
Nearly all the strips compiled here really show that Dredd is not the only awesome character in the megacity. Cassandra Anderson is a really human, emotional counterpart for Joe's hard, no nonsense outlook.
Plus she adds an almost carefree attitude to her job, a mouth and opinionated open minded view which tends to get her into trouble.
This is a full on mature read though, really questioning the ideals of faith and pushing the PSI-Judge to her limits. Making her question her role on the Judge system.
Also the two page spread where the so-called Devil is catching up on mankind after a millenia just shows the history of atrocities that mankind have achieved.
Plus she adds an almost carefree attitude to her job, a mouth and opinionated open minded view which tends to get her into trouble.
This is a full on mature read though, really questioning the ideals of faith and pushing the PSI-Judge to her limits. Making her question her role on the Judge system.
Also the two page spread where the so-called Devil is catching up on mankind after a millenia just shows the history of atrocities that mankind have achieved.
August 13, 2015
The story, R*Evolution was an absolute gem.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews