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Batman

Batman/Judge Dredd: Vendetta a Gotham

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Gotham diventa un campo di battaglia...

Quando l'ultimo giustiziere viene a cercare la vendetta nella città del Cavaliere Oscuro. Il Giudice Dredd affronta Batman - riuscirà il vincitore a sopravvivere?

46 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

4 people are currently reading
157 people want to read

About the author

Alan Grant

1,718 books144 followers
Alan 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

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5 stars
81 (21%)
4 stars
94 (24%)
3 stars
147 (38%)
2 stars
50 (13%)
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6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Ill D.
Author 0 books8,595 followers
March 23, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Little Timmy.
7,362 reviews59 followers
July 16, 2021
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
Profile Image for Sam Quixote.
4,790 reviews13.4k followers
September 19, 2011
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.
Profile Image for Jose.
154 reviews26 followers
January 2, 2021
Somehow... A bit weird.
Some characters are interesting, though.
I guess that I have to read more Judge Dredd comics to get into this
Profile Image for Juho Pohjalainen.
Author 5 books349 followers
July 4, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Horus Lupercal Online.
50 reviews
April 27, 2023
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 :)
Profile Image for Mat Davies.
420 reviews5 followers
December 15, 2022
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!
Profile Image for Andy.
24 reviews
June 8, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Colin Sinclair.
Author 6 books6 followers
May 6, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Mr Chuck.
308 reviews7 followers
December 11, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Rey.
259 reviews23 followers
August 21, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Eric.
424 reviews
May 14, 2022
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
Profile Image for Etain.
483 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2023
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???
Profile Image for Tim Gray.
1,210 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2023
A lot of fun, a little dated in places, but still good. It takes Dredd to make Batman look like a liberal.
Profile Image for Davide Pappalardo.
256 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Kevin.
Author 137 books308 followers
December 29, 2024
A bit short. A bit pointless, but it was fund reading a Batman/Dredd crossover.
Profile Image for Bookworm Amir.
199 reviews100 followers
September 18, 2011
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).

2,783 reviews44 followers
January 23, 2015
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
Profile Image for East Bay J.
621 reviews24 followers
August 23, 2008
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!

Profile Image for Kahn.
590 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2015
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.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,631 reviews237 followers
September 7, 2012
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.
Profile Image for Cristie.
42 reviews5 followers
December 27, 2012
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.
Profile Image for Dovile.
318 reviews38 followers
July 22, 2013
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.
Profile Image for Rob.
422 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2014
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.
Profile Image for Alan.
2,050 reviews15 followers
July 7, 2014
I'll review all four Batman/Dredd stories with the last one Die Laughing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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