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Judges #1-3
JUDGES Volume One: The Avalanche, Lone Wolf & When the Light Lay Still
New fiction series exploring the (very) near-future origins of Judge Dredd’s Department of Justice
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 2033 A.D.
In a time of widespread poverty, inequality and political unrest, Special Prosecutor Eustace Fargo’s controversial new justice laws have come into effect.
Protests and violence meet the first Judges as they hit the street to enforce the Law; the cure, it’s clear, is far worse than the disease.
Is this a sign of things to come?
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 2033 A.D.
In a time of widespread poverty, inequality and political unrest, Special Prosecutor Eustace Fargo’s controversial new justice laws have come into effect.
Protests and violence meet the first Judges as they hit the street to enforce the Law; the cure, it’s clear, is far worse than the disease.
Is this a sign of things to come?
480 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2019
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 7, 2020
I enjoyed this collection of three novellas set in broader Dredd universe. Each takes a different look at the start of the new regime of law enforcement with some truly violent moments befitting of Dredd and co.
Readers not familiar with the source material can rest assured, this collection reads like ultra-violent crime fiction and doesn’t require an in-depth knowledge of the UK magazine or Dredd as a character.
Individual ratings for the novellas:
The Avalanche by Michael Carroll – 5 stars
Lone Wolf by George Mann – 4 stars
When the Light Lay Still by Charles Eskew – 3 stars
Readers not familiar with the source material can rest assured, this collection reads like ultra-violent crime fiction and doesn’t require an in-depth knowledge of the UK magazine or Dredd as a character.
Individual ratings for the novellas:
The Avalanche by Michael Carroll – 5 stars
Lone Wolf by George Mann – 4 stars
When the Light Lay Still by Charles Eskew – 3 stars
August 27, 2020
JUDGES - Volume 1, is a single volume collection of three stories set in the transition period when the new Judge system was first being introduced, that would ultimately end up as the world we know from Judge Dredd, and the pages of 2000AD.
The three stories are:
1) 'The Avalanche' by Michael Carroll - 5/5
2) 'Lone Wolf' by George Mann - 4/5
3) 'When the Light Lay Still' by Charles J Eskew - 2/5
I have posted individual reviews for each of the stories, so only include my scores above, and my recommendation to skip the third story.
The three stories themselves comprise of 453 pages, and the remainder of the book contains an interview with Michael Carroll. During this interview, Michael talks about his hopes for more trilogies to come, moving forward a decade at a time. I hope that happens, and look forward to more exciting stories, but I personally hope that Charles J Eskew either doesn't participate, or drastically changes his writing style.
As a collection, if you add up my scores (11/15) and divide by three, rounding up, you end up with 4/5. The first two stories really are great, and the additional introduction at the beginning, and the lengthy interview at the end, make this compilation a good choice.
The three stories are:
1) 'The Avalanche' by Michael Carroll - 5/5
2) 'Lone Wolf' by George Mann - 4/5
3) 'When the Light Lay Still' by Charles J Eskew - 2/5
I have posted individual reviews for each of the stories, so only include my scores above, and my recommendation to skip the third story.
The three stories themselves comprise of 453 pages, and the remainder of the book contains an interview with Michael Carroll. During this interview, Michael talks about his hopes for more trilogies to come, moving forward a decade at a time. I hope that happens, and look forward to more exciting stories, but I personally hope that Charles J Eskew either doesn't participate, or drastically changes his writing style.
As a collection, if you add up my scores (11/15) and divide by three, rounding up, you end up with 4/5. The first two stories really are great, and the additional introduction at the beginning, and the lengthy interview at the end, make this compilation a good choice.
June 4, 2019
Three stories in the time leading up to the iconic appearance of Judge Dredd. The first story was excellent, the second one was pretty good. The third story is hard to review. It's very different in tone than the first two and jumps around in time and also between third and first person (from different perspectives). It's probably the best written of the three but doesn't have the accessibility of the others. Regardless, a lot of societal commentary in all three that's very welcome. I enjoyed it very much.
August 25, 2020
Oh man, this took me back!
I was 10 years old back in 1977 when the heavily anticipated 2000AD Progs hit news-stands for the very first time and the following years and Progs had a massive impact on me. In Prog 2 we were introduced to Judge Dredd and Mega City One. It changed everything!
The comics and graphic novels are great, but there's something almost more immersive about the novels, so when I discovered these newer Judges novels, volumes one and two I paid my money without hesitation.
So, Judges Volume one.
I guess the first question is, "Can you read it without being steeped in the history of Dredd and the big Meg?" Yes, of course you can. The three novellas within these pages are standalone and self-contained stories. Everything that's necessary to understand the stories and exactly what's going on is fully explained to the reader. There are some subtle gems scattered within that will make the seasoned Dredd fans smile knowingly, but they will by no means detract from the read or confuse a reader new to the world.
The first two stories, 'The Avalanche' and 'Lone Wolf' read quickly and the prose is presented in a very no-nonsense fashion and works perfectly for it. And this is exactly what I would expect from a comic world novel. Don't get me wrong, the world of Dredd can be deep, shocking, tense, horrifying and even emotional, but I think the writing should always flow with a fast pace and the wording shouldn't be too poetic so you're not distracted from simply tumbling down the rabbit hole.
Unfortunately, the third story 'When the light lay still' doesn't work to well for me, simply because the author was being a little too clever with his prose and too abstract with the overall portrayal of the narrative. It's good writing, I just think it's misplaced here.
But overall I loved this read and losing myself in the imaginings I can still vividly remember as a youngster.
I was 10 years old back in 1977 when the heavily anticipated 2000AD Progs hit news-stands for the very first time and the following years and Progs had a massive impact on me. In Prog 2 we were introduced to Judge Dredd and Mega City One. It changed everything!
The comics and graphic novels are great, but there's something almost more immersive about the novels, so when I discovered these newer Judges novels, volumes one and two I paid my money without hesitation.
So, Judges Volume one.
I guess the first question is, "Can you read it without being steeped in the history of Dredd and the big Meg?" Yes, of course you can. The three novellas within these pages are standalone and self-contained stories. Everything that's necessary to understand the stories and exactly what's going on is fully explained to the reader. There are some subtle gems scattered within that will make the seasoned Dredd fans smile knowingly, but they will by no means detract from the read or confuse a reader new to the world.
The first two stories, 'The Avalanche' and 'Lone Wolf' read quickly and the prose is presented in a very no-nonsense fashion and works perfectly for it. And this is exactly what I would expect from a comic world novel. Don't get me wrong, the world of Dredd can be deep, shocking, tense, horrifying and even emotional, but I think the writing should always flow with a fast pace and the wording shouldn't be too poetic so you're not distracted from simply tumbling down the rabbit hole.
Unfortunately, the third story 'When the light lay still' doesn't work to well for me, simply because the author was being a little too clever with his prose and too abstract with the overall portrayal of the narrative. It's good writing, I just think it's misplaced here.
But overall I loved this read and losing myself in the imaginings I can still vividly remember as a youngster.
May 31, 2020
A Mixed Bag
The quality of the stories seemed to diminish as you read through them. The third story just seemed to me to have two separate elements that never meshed together in a satisfactory fashion. Can't help but feel it needed a tighter editorial hand.
Overall a reasonable read and I will probably get Judges Volume 2 in due course.
The quality of the stories seemed to diminish as you read through them. The third story just seemed to me to have two separate elements that never meshed together in a satisfactory fashion. Can't help but feel it needed a tighter editorial hand.
Overall a reasonable read and I will probably get Judges Volume 2 in due course.
March 6, 2022
3.5 stars
It seems weird giving a Dredd related prose-collection a such an average score (I guess 3.5 stars is slightly better than average), but when everything that came before this was so good, and this was just…alright, then it makes sense.
I’ll say that the first 2 stories in Judges vol. 1 are great. Sure, they aren’t smack dab in the middle of the Megacity One, and they don’t focus on only Stoney Face, but the way Carroll and Mann have begun to set up the world of 2099 and the genesis of the judge program is well done and entertaining. Personally, “The Avalanche” was the slightly better of the two, but regardless, seeing how America is hurtling towards the dystopian nightmare it becomes is a whole lot of fun.
If it was just those 2 shorts, I’d have no doubt I’d have given this collection a 4.5 to 5 star rating. Unfortunately, Eskew’s “When the Light Lay Still” came in and ruined the good feeling I was getting.
The problem with “Lay Still” is twofold.
First, It’s clearly a woke, SJW story, hiding under the disguise of a “Dredd” one. I got major BLM and CRT vibes. The main character is black, taking on racism in the Judge program, fighting against racist politicians, helping inner-city youths in Chicago rally against “oppression”. There’s way too much pandering to a specific audience and far too much focus on trying to preachy and make readers feel for the black antagonist.
The second issue is that it’s way too literary and also way too “hip”. I go into these stories for a fun filled, action heavy, speculative look at the future. I don’t need a story to be wordy and “unique” and “different”. Reading through Eskew’s writing was a struggle as I didn’t understand what he was trying to say. I don’t need a 3 sentence long description with modern vernacular to get the point across that the main character is trying to have an angry conversation with another. Just tell me. Don’t try to be clever or make yourself seem down with the contemporary language of 2022 (or 2018 when this was written). Doesn’t help that this story is the longest in the collection either.
I’m hoping vol. 2 has a much more coherent and similar set of stories because there is so much room for advancement and world building.
It seems weird giving a Dredd related prose-collection a such an average score (I guess 3.5 stars is slightly better than average), but when everything that came before this was so good, and this was just…alright, then it makes sense.
I’ll say that the first 2 stories in Judges vol. 1 are great. Sure, they aren’t smack dab in the middle of the Megacity One, and they don’t focus on only Stoney Face, but the way Carroll and Mann have begun to set up the world of 2099 and the genesis of the judge program is well done and entertaining. Personally, “The Avalanche” was the slightly better of the two, but regardless, seeing how America is hurtling towards the dystopian nightmare it becomes is a whole lot of fun.
If it was just those 2 shorts, I’d have no doubt I’d have given this collection a 4.5 to 5 star rating. Unfortunately, Eskew’s “When the Light Lay Still” came in and ruined the good feeling I was getting.
The problem with “Lay Still” is twofold.
First, It’s clearly a woke, SJW story, hiding under the disguise of a “Dredd” one. I got major BLM and CRT vibes. The main character is black, taking on racism in the Judge program, fighting against racist politicians, helping inner-city youths in Chicago rally against “oppression”. There’s way too much pandering to a specific audience and far too much focus on trying to preachy and make readers feel for the black antagonist.
The second issue is that it’s way too literary and also way too “hip”. I go into these stories for a fun filled, action heavy, speculative look at the future. I don’t need a story to be wordy and “unique” and “different”. Reading through Eskew’s writing was a struggle as I didn’t understand what he was trying to say. I don’t need a 3 sentence long description with modern vernacular to get the point across that the main character is trying to have an angry conversation with another. Just tell me. Don’t try to be clever or make yourself seem down with the contemporary language of 2022 (or 2018 when this was written). Doesn’t help that this story is the longest in the collection either.
I’m hoping vol. 2 has a much more coherent and similar set of stories because there is so much room for advancement and world building.
August 18, 2020
I first thought this was a graphic novel and became disappointed when I learned it wasn't, however that disappointment disappeared pretty quickly when I started reading it.
Ever since the Origins graphic novel I've been interested in the early Judges and this omnibus does a very good job of fleshing out the history of the Justice Department and an America that's found itself in a sorry state of affairs.
We start in the 2030s, the Judges Programme has been passed through Congress and the Judges are the future, instant justice is now a thing. The early Judges have to deal with a public that suddenly find that their country's legal system of due process has been voided overnight, and militant cops who they have to work with: the local police will be made redundant in a few years, the police are over, Judges are the future.
Maybe I'm a bit sadistic, but a running theme in these stories that I like are: "you can't do that" to which the Judges reply "Yes I can". No one is yet willing to accept that the Judges are the ultimate authority. You don't get a lawyer, you don't get a trial, you don't get an appeal. No one, no one, has authority over a Judge. A junior street Judge out ranks everyone... Everyone.
Is the system perfect? No. Far from it, but it's what the US has and it's here to stay.
My only gripe would be book three, When the Light Lay Still, whatever that means. This is going to sound like an exaggeration but in truth it is the hardest thing I've ever read.
The author writes in metaphors and cryptic pseudo language, half the time I had no idea what he was talking about or what the hell he was trying to convey. I thought it was me, but then I read some other reviews and it's not just me. I'm not really sure how this got past the editor.
Other than that I was a great book and it is a must read for any Judge Dredd fan.
Ever since the Origins graphic novel I've been interested in the early Judges and this omnibus does a very good job of fleshing out the history of the Justice Department and an America that's found itself in a sorry state of affairs.
We start in the 2030s, the Judges Programme has been passed through Congress and the Judges are the future, instant justice is now a thing. The early Judges have to deal with a public that suddenly find that their country's legal system of due process has been voided overnight, and militant cops who they have to work with: the local police will be made redundant in a few years, the police are over, Judges are the future.
Maybe I'm a bit sadistic, but a running theme in these stories that I like are: "you can't do that" to which the Judges reply "Yes I can". No one is yet willing to accept that the Judges are the ultimate authority. You don't get a lawyer, you don't get a trial, you don't get an appeal. No one, no one, has authority over a Judge. A junior street Judge out ranks everyone... Everyone.
Is the system perfect? No. Far from it, but it's what the US has and it's here to stay.
My only gripe would be book three, When the Light Lay Still, whatever that means. This is going to sound like an exaggeration but in truth it is the hardest thing I've ever read.
The author writes in metaphors and cryptic pseudo language, half the time I had no idea what he was talking about or what the hell he was trying to convey. I thought it was me, but then I read some other reviews and it's not just me. I'm not really sure how this got past the editor.
Other than that I was a great book and it is a must read for any Judge Dredd fan.
August 4, 2019
A great idea at its core, lost in execution
** mild spoilers**
Building the world that leads Dredd is a significant undertaking. There’s an interesting idea at the core of these novellas but, for me, the execution isn’t quite there. They seem rushed and at times a bit flimsy. Personally I’d like to see a bit more nuance to the conflict between the emergent Judges and the existing forces of law. And I’d like to see a realistic portrayal of how the US would give up due process. It would require constitutional change, something that is never covered in these books. For me, the underlying premise of how the judges come into being is never realistically explored. It would be interesting to see more of Fargo and the legal process he has to go through to bring about the judge system.
As for the writing, again not my cup of tea. A bit light on substance I felt. Just not quite at the ball game, in terms of some of the great Dredd writers like John Wagner or Rob Williams.
I love Dredd and his world, and I’ll always be drawn to these stories. I just hope in time, the writing can be tightened up and a bit more substance brought to bear on the plotting.
** mild spoilers**
Building the world that leads Dredd is a significant undertaking. There’s an interesting idea at the core of these novellas but, for me, the execution isn’t quite there. They seem rushed and at times a bit flimsy. Personally I’d like to see a bit more nuance to the conflict between the emergent Judges and the existing forces of law. And I’d like to see a realistic portrayal of how the US would give up due process. It would require constitutional change, something that is never covered in these books. For me, the underlying premise of how the judges come into being is never realistically explored. It would be interesting to see more of Fargo and the legal process he has to go through to bring about the judge system.
As for the writing, again not my cup of tea. A bit light on substance I felt. Just not quite at the ball game, in terms of some of the great Dredd writers like John Wagner or Rob Williams.
I love Dredd and his world, and I’ll always be drawn to these stories. I just hope in time, the writing can be tightened up and a bit more substance brought to bear on the plotting.
January 4, 2023
Really interesting collection of short stories on the founding of the universe of Judge Dredd and the creation of the Judges.
The first two stories are excellent. The first story follows new judges in a small town and the second story is a noir-style thriller in New York City. Both stories help to shape the world of Dredd well. There are hints to future events and ideas that fit well.
The third story was, in my opinion, not as enjoyable. It dated itself a bit on references and context, and it didn’t feel as if it fit within the narrative from the first two stories. For example, in the first story, the judges discuss how they don’t drink coffee. In the last story, two judges are sitting around drinking coffee with sugar loaded in. It doesn’t make much sense.
The book itself was very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
The first two stories are excellent. The first story follows new judges in a small town and the second story is a noir-style thriller in New York City. Both stories help to shape the world of Dredd well. There are hints to future events and ideas that fit well.
The third story was, in my opinion, not as enjoyable. It dated itself a bit on references and context, and it didn’t feel as if it fit within the narrative from the first two stories. For example, in the first story, the judges discuss how they don’t drink coffee. In the last story, two judges are sitting around drinking coffee with sugar loaded in. It doesn’t make much sense.
The book itself was very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
February 8, 2024
Interesting volume and I'll probably read volume two when it comes out.
As others have said the first two are really good. The commentary on the rise of the judges, which is not seen as a good thing, is subtle and nuanced. They are quick reads.
The third.
Perhaps it illustrates the problems with this idea. Dredd needs distance: the MC1 Justice Department is not a nice thing, but Dredd is a hero. The complexities of that may be easier at a distance. 2038 is too close to today's world for that to be hidden.
Perhaps it shows the need for subtle social commentary rather than preaching.the first two are critical but less like reading an OpEd. Dredd is escapism. Weirdly.
Perhaps it was over ambitious and under executed. Convoluted?
It was far weaker, despite being more creative in it's structure and scope.
As others have said the first two are really good. The commentary on the rise of the judges, which is not seen as a good thing, is subtle and nuanced. They are quick reads.
The third.
Perhaps it illustrates the problems with this idea. Dredd needs distance: the MC1 Justice Department is not a nice thing, but Dredd is a hero. The complexities of that may be easier at a distance. 2038 is too close to today's world for that to be hidden.
Perhaps it shows the need for subtle social commentary rather than preaching.the first two are critical but less like reading an OpEd. Dredd is escapism. Weirdly.
Perhaps it was over ambitious and under executed. Convoluted?
It was far weaker, despite being more creative in it's structure and scope.
January 11, 2020
Big fan of Judge Dredd and all things 2000AD and so liked the concept of the telling of the transition from contemporary policing and law through to the Judge system.
First short story was excellent, second was ok, third was convoluted, overly complicated and I'm not entirely sure what the outcome was in the end... or why... disappointing and felt like a grind to complete.
First short story was excellent, second was ok, third was convoluted, overly complicated and I'm not entirely sure what the outcome was in the end... or why... disappointing and felt like a grind to complete.
August 3, 2022
1. Judges start their brand of justice in a small town. Things go downhill when one of their own, a local girl, is murdered and the police hate them as much as the citizens do. 2. Anti Judge riots break out as a storm approaches and they try to find a missing citizen. 3. I tried to get into the third story but it is crap.
November 21, 2020
What a brilliant precursor to the Dredd series and Mega City Justice. The stories are well crafted though I found the last one somewhat disjointed and hard to follow. Echoes of the problems now afflicting the USA (2020) can give credence to Judges rising. Looking forward to volume two.
March 30, 2023
2,5
The first story was a solid 3,5 - with a cool introduction to the judges in a world with the regular police.
The second a 3
The last one sucked! Unreadable and full of tropes and irritating cultural references (on the nose) - with everything from Black Lives Matter to Ted Talks. Urggggg
The first story was a solid 3,5 - with a cool introduction to the judges in a world with the regular police.
The second a 3
The last one sucked! Unreadable and full of tropes and irritating cultural references (on the nose) - with everything from Black Lives Matter to Ted Talks. Urggggg
May 3, 2019
The first story was really good, the second one was ok, I really didn't understand the last story
April 19, 2020
Nice round up of the origin Judge stories
July 28, 2020
The first two stories are very good. But the end story is absolutely abominable.
July 31, 2020
First two stories are great.
Third story not so much
Third story not so much
May 19, 2021
Would've been a 4 star if it wasnt for the last story When The Light Lay Still
January 15, 2022
First two novella where brilliant 3 rd a bit poor,good book though
April 6, 2022
Couldn't get in to the final story. The first 2 were really good though.
October 5, 2019
I enjoyed these stories, but in descending order from first to last. The Avalanche is a fairly simple but compelling story about the arrival of Judges for the first time in a new town, and their role in clearing up some historic messes. Well paced and interesting. The second is a less compelling tale of some Judges in New York city, working alongside the existing police force; it didn't really align to my expectations of what Judges are but probably a better reflection of the early versions - not as sure of themselves as they will later become. The third story - also the longest - was the most difficult. The themes and plot development were certainly the best and most complex, and reflect important issues which are relevant now. Unfortunately, the interpretation of the Judges wasn't aligned to the previous and future canon (drinking coffee with processed sugar, for example). More to the point, the writing was dense flow-of-consciousness stuff which is extremely difficult to parse. So very mixed feelings - though the ending of the story did largely save it for me.
A book for those who already know and love the Dreddverse, and want to learn more about its formation in a time not too distant from our own - both in chronological terms, and in socio-political ones, if the current state of the US and UK are to be believed...
A book for those who already know and love the Dreddverse, and want to learn more about its formation in a time not too distant from our own - both in chronological terms, and in socio-political ones, if the current state of the US and UK are to be believed...
August 26, 2019
Here's a world I know very well, started reading 2000ad when I was around 12, my earliest edition was from 1984, and I don't recall getting rid of any issues.
Took a break during the 90's and 00's, only resumed buying issues around two years ago.
This book concentrates on the early days of the Judges, we're introduced to cadets and rookies, the first story felt like a John Carpenter film, investigating the murder of a Judge, it's a decent, solid piece and was very old school 2000ad.
The second tale's as strong, dealing with a serial killer and the search for a missing person, and then the 3rd story, Oh my, there was a lot wrong with this one, it was overlong and badly in need of a rewrite. I eventually got to the end and gave a big sigh of relief.
Those curious as to how the Judges came to be will find the first two great fun, some may enjoy the third tale, but I'd suspect that would be a minority.
Took a break during the 90's and 00's, only resumed buying issues around two years ago.
This book concentrates on the early days of the Judges, we're introduced to cadets and rookies, the first story felt like a John Carpenter film, investigating the murder of a Judge, it's a decent, solid piece and was very old school 2000ad.
The second tale's as strong, dealing with a serial killer and the search for a missing person, and then the 3rd story, Oh my, there was a lot wrong with this one, it was overlong and badly in need of a rewrite. I eventually got to the end and gave a big sigh of relief.
Those curious as to how the Judges came to be will find the first two great fun, some may enjoy the third tale, but I'd suspect that would be a minority.
August 22, 2023
Firstly this book needs a serious proof read, spelling and grammar are all over the place and don't get me started on the word spacing.
There is a half decent story in here, sadly its buried beneath a while load of baggy, unnecessary stuff that just clouds the story and cause character confusion.
Making characters swear a lot and use offence terms isn't what makes a book edgy or real.
It's not without merit, but was a slog to get through at times.
There is a half decent story in here, sadly its buried beneath a while load of baggy, unnecessary stuff that just clouds the story and cause character confusion.
Making characters swear a lot and use offence terms isn't what makes a book edgy or real.
It's not without merit, but was a slog to get through at times.
September 2, 2019
The first and second stories in the book are wonderful. The third was, for me, terrible. It affected the overall score by at least 1 star.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews