Batman / Judge Dredd: Vendetta en Gotham

Batman

by John Wagner

Crossover entre Batman y Judge Dredd.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

52 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

John Wagner is a comics writer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1949 and moved to Scotland as a boy. Alongside Pat Mills, Wagner was responsible for revitalising British boys' comics in the 1970s, and has continued to be a leading light in British comics ever since. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, for which he created Judge Dredd. He is noted for his taut, violent thrillers and his black humour. Among his pseudonyms are The best known are John Howard, T.B. Grover, Mike Stott, Keef Ripley, Rick Clark and Brian Skuter. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ill D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman, Judge Dredd, and Scarface are all rolled into one in: Vendetta in Gotham. Featuring art that (surprisingly enough) is similar in style (and title) to another comic legend: V for Vendetta, we get a story that is quite pleasing visually. However, the same cannot be said of the story which is more meh than ah.

And just for the record, I'll admit I'm pretty biased toward any story involving Scarface. He's my least favorite Batman villain and has (as far as I'm concerned) the most asinine back-story/powers. Come on, you mean to tell me your psyche can be transferred to a goddamn marionette? And now evidently he can act on his own? Anyways back to the review.

Since the premise is OK more than anything, I'd like to focus on the art which is real nice in this one. Well applied zoom outs are utilized to stunning effect throughout. Even when we're seeing the unbelievable before our eyes, highly realistic illustrations retain an extremely high level of verisimilitude. Toss in some inventive onomatopoetics deployed alongside the tried and true sound effects, the sacred and the profane are gleefully meshed together.

Back to the plot, which has more holes than a wedge of swiss cheese. Scarface is up to the predictable bad-guy hi-jinks befitting of any cape-centric comic. However, it's not another villain that steps in Batman's path to save the day but our otherworldly power-tripper, the fascist (inspired?) Judge Dredd. They duke it out over 2/3 of the narrative until a good ol' fashioned plot twist is unceremoniously dropped in. A climax ensues (that I'll let you discover) and we get a cool little foreshadowing for the next cross-over in the series.

To sum up simply: Great art. Not so great story.

One more thumb up in The Coliseum.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the two most stubborn characters in comics team up for a nice go around against Death itself. Nice story and a good team-up read. Recommended

[Sam Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Vendetta in Gotham", Dredd travels to Gotham to, seemingly, settle a score with Batman when Bats was in Mega City One ("Judgement in Gotham"). However Scarface, the killer gangster puppet, is out to settle his own score against a Senator's daughter during her school play. Somehow the two storylines are entwined and Dredd hints at a future, grander conflict which Batman features alongside Dredd. A decent follow up from Wagner/Grant to the excellent "Judgement on Gotham" and a good read, "Vendetta"'s good fun for comics fans.

[Jose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow... A bit weird.
Some characters are interesting, though.
I guess that I have to read more Judge Dredd comics to get into this

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the other hand, I could absolutely believe Dredd going so far out on his way just to settle a score with a fellow musclehead. He's been done it before, with Stan Lee (no, not that one). Good fight.

[Horus Lupercal Online · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two great tales in one collection! Both are accompanied by terrific art, that blew me away. In the first tale we see Judge Death crossing dimensions to pass his so called “justice” to Gotham City, but finds Batman standing in the way. This was a really dark and brutal tale as well, and clearly aimed at a mature audience. It’s always nice to see an appearance from this incredibly disturbing fiend right out of the pages of Judge Dredd.

The second story was heavily focussing on a face off between the Bat and Dredd, and that part certainly didn’t disapppoint. There was a nice twist at the end of the tale, but admittedly this was a bit of weaker story then the first one. All in all though I definitely did enjoy this crossover storyline, and certainly wouldn’t mind seeing more of these two anti-heroes face/off, team-up again :)

[Mat Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.

Another fun story courtesy of Alan Grant and John Wagner. Cam Kennedy's art is fine, but I was so into Simon Bisley's stuff that I missed it here. The initial story is so absurd that it is loveable. It then makes sense after the seemingly senseless scrap Judge Dredd is in the mood for. Good fun!

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I was annoyed to find it wasn’t actually the full collection of Batman/Dredd crossovers. I completely overlooked that, but now it makes sense as to why it was a fraction of the price of the other releases. So I’ll now have to buy the complete collection to read the other two stories as I enjoyed these that much.

[Colin Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two entertaining stories; Batman's sense of justice meets Dredd's (almost) fanatical to the Law.

Also featuring Scarecrow, Death, and Mean Machine Angel.

The Bisley art is stunning and unfortunately not best suited to the A5-ish 'digest' format, Cam Kennedy's art is cleaner and brighter.

Veers very close to silliness in places, but manages to succeed despite that.

[Mr Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dredd strong, Batman weak.

This comic is worth it alone for the art. Simon B is incredible and it gives such depth to the action and grit.
Both stories are good but Batman is seen as the weaker of the two but as it's next to Dredd I'll allow it.

[Rey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 1.5.

Dredd so petty, comes to fight Batman, which gives premise for some action in between them and only highlight.

Then a revelation. Villain taken down smoothly.

Forgettable overall. Bit needless in how created conflict, not much sense to it, just for the sake of it.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stilted dialogue but I love them????

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story and nice cross over. Batman and Judge Dredd have a lot in common, so it was nice to see them go against each other and have a dialogue with their fists :P

[Etain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to believe dredd changed his mind after reading some batman comics.
Why in hell did the choose a G-list villain like the ventriloquist to kill Batman???

[Tim Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun, a little dated in places, but still good. It takes Dredd to make Batman look like a liberal.

[Matty · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Batman is an authoritarian fascist" people when they meet Undead Cop Joker.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

First story: wonderful art, ok story. Second one: ok art, underwhelming story. But let’s be honest: one would get love it for Bisley’s art alone.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit short. A bit pointless, but it was fund reading a Batman/Dredd crossover.

[Bookworm Amir · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first time I see the "Ventriloquist" villain (of Batman comics). Usually almost all Batman comics I read the main antagonist is the Joker.

As you can see from the title, this is one of the in-between books between the Batman and Judge Dredd canonical, multi-verse stories.

This book serves as a bridge between the first book (Die Laughing) with the second part.

The art is significantly different than the other versions - probably because of the new artist.

Anyways, the story like was, well alright. Only the last page refers to its connection with Die Laughing Part 2.

But again, if you like to see the 'chemistry' between the two, this is the book to see.

There's a fighting scene between the both of them at the beginning of the comic, and all for good reason (you'll soon understand why).

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

For reasons that are initially unexplained, Judge Dredd arrives in Gotham City and picks a fight with Batman. He systematically removes all his weapons and they slug it out in hand-to-hand battle. No initial explanation is given other than the fight must take place.
While the battle is raging, the Ventriloquist is managing to sneak a dummy into a performance of fairy tales being given by children. The dummy is packed with explosives and the goal is to kill a Senator that is in the audience.
All is settled and explained at the end and the stage is set for future action where the Batman and Judge Dredd are on the same side. The action is unusual yet plausible in this particular comic book universe, I enjoyed the story and I am now searching for the sequel alluded to in the last few captions.

This review appears on Amazon

[East Bay J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dredd and Bats together again! Grant and Wagner team up once more to bring together those lovable, crime fighting scamps, batman and Judge Dredd. I think this story is a little better than Judgment On Gotham but, unfortunately, Bisley wasn’t along for the ride this time. Cam Kennedy is not bad but there’s really no comparison when you’re talking about Simon Bisley. I do love the fight scene silhouettes on page 26. And the Mignola cover is cool because… well, it’s Mike Mignola.

Good stuff!

[Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you can't beat a good mash-up of comic heroes.
And while this isn't one, it's still daft fun.
Dredd fights Batman while Ventriloquist plans to blow up a school play. Brilliant.
What lets it down, sadly, is the artwork. Cartoony (and with dialogue that borders on big print) and overly simple, this feels like it's aimed at the younger reader.
Which probably explains why it's so damn short.
Still fun though.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

As preperation on the next Dredd movie I decided to read some of the crossovers with Dredd & Batman. In this comic Dredd travels to Gotham to basicly kick Batman behind. Is he a bit over the top or does Dredd have another motive?-

A short but fun story to read.

[Cristie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by the weak storyline and cliche ending. Not one I'd recommend to anyone. I wasn't a fan of the art style either. Overall it was a lukewarm read.

[Dovile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dredd comes to Gotham to pick a fight with Batman, and meanwhile the Ventriloquist is up to no good.
A short, but interesting story with superb art. Definitely recomended for Batman fans.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great crossover, good to see the Batman and Dredd going toe to toe, and sets up the next offering. Not sure about the art though, not quite Batman, and not quite Dredd.

[Simon Fletcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short on both story and artwork to be truely satisfying. It serves merely as an appetiser to the subsequent stories.

[Beau Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as entertaining as their first encounter. The artwork was atmospheric, and seeing these two pick-up exactly where they left off was great.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll review all four Batman/Dredd stories with the last one Die Laughing.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading.