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Batman/Judge Dredd #4

Batman/Judge Dredd : Die Laughing

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95 pages

First published January 1, 1998

2 people are currently reading
110 people want to read

About the author

John Wagner

1,281 books188 followers
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)

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5 stars
31 (20%)
4 stars
56 (37%)
3 stars
48 (31%)
2 stars
14 (9%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Ill D.
Author 0 books8,594 followers
March 25, 2018
The dynamic duo of Batman and Judge Dredd's: Die Laughing has truly affirmed my interest in comics. No hyperbole here kids. Straight, no chaser just 100% awesome.

A highly expansive world that straddles first and then enmeshes into another dimension surges across the pages. Crazy beautiful artwork feels almost real to the touch. With light dashes of fantasy and the cartoony, we still feel right at home in this story of elsewhere.

The Joker was a perfect pick for this story. With a well crafted plot, the scheming and mischievousness of Batman's world translates well over to the world of Dredd. Toss in the Judges of Death and we're in for a helluva ride.

Die Laughing looks and more importantly reads like a special. Such a thick read is saturated with a story as vast and epic in its scope. Remarkable consistency of plotting and dialogue is only outshone by the equally redoubtable eye candy that continually glorifies each and every page.

Do yourself a favor and read this!

Profile Image for Juho Pohjalainen.
Author 5 books351 followers
July 4, 2022
I guess it was nice to see some Batman action without the Joker butting in - and now that he finally does show up (they saved him for the finale, perhaps), it's nice to see him not obsessing over Batman for a change. He worked pretty well with the Dark Judges, and honestly might have made for a better fit in Mega-City One than in Gotham: they handle massacres a lot better and could probably contain him better too.

Shame he never got to meet PJ Maybe.
Profile Image for Kevin Jones.
114 reviews
May 15, 2019
Love the artwork of this comic series! The story was pretty awesome too! I read this one a long time ago when Resident Evil 2 (original PS1) was still a very popular thing. I found some copies of this awesomeness and read them again. Two of my favorite superheroes of my childhood!
Profile Image for Garrett.
261 reviews15 followers
October 22, 2017
Ok a five star might be a bit to generous, but this was my favorite of the Judge Dredd crossovers. Sooooo much better than what I was expecting
Profile Image for Pablo Fern�ndez.
Author 5 books63 followers
November 3, 2017
Un buen cómic, pero creo que pudieron haber sacado más jugo a Batman en Megacity.
Profile Image for Pavel Pravda.
602 reviews9 followers
December 2, 2023
Perfektní! Nevím, jestli to je lepší než Rozsudek nad Gothamem, jak hodně lidí píše, ale je to skvělé. Je to dobře ujeté a skvěle nakreslené. Všichni jsou tady krásně temní a drsní. Těžko říct, jestli se mi více líbilo, když po sobě Batman s Dreddem šli, anebo když tady spolupracovali, ale ta část, kdy spolu na motorkách projíždí Megakoulí, je prostě super. No a moment, kdy se z Jokera stane temný soudce… paráda! Fakt jsem se dobře bavil a už vím, že Legendy DC: Batman/Dredd prostě potřebuju.
Profile Image for Dimi Tsioubris.
78 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2023
I like the story a lot on this one is very trippy, but the art by Jim Murray is beyond phenomenal that makes this very special, when reading this I always stopped to admire the art and understand how exactly it was done, it is that good, every panel looks like a painting, very similar to the work of Simon Bisley but i dare to say even better, it's a classic for the art and only
Profile Image for Alan.
2,050 reviews15 followers
July 7, 2014
In summation the four Batman/Judge Dredd tales are entertaining, but not great comics. These were done at the time DC Comics held the U.S. license on Dredd so no huge legal issues to clear for creating the tales. The first tale Judgement on Gotham is a quick one and done where Dredd villain Judge Death (ofttimes overused as a villain) jumps dimensions to Gotham City. Batman jumps to Mega- City One and this is one of the few times the cliche's Hero vs. Hero slug-fest is fun to watch. I like some of the Dredd stories I've read, but lets face it he is fascist so seeing him get punched in the face is mildly amusing. Fortunately Judge Anderson is called in to provide both a cooler head and common sense to the situation.

Vendetta in Gotham has Dredd crossing over to Gotham to try and prevent Batman death's because a Psi-Judge has predicted Batman is needed to stave off a Mega-City One disaster. The villain is so-so, and this was meant to lead into what became their fourth adventure.

The Ultimate Riddle steals from The Dangerous Game/Running Man concept. Nothing really wrong with that and the story is executed quite well.

Die Laughing features the Joker and Judge Death. This is the disaster Dredd saved Batman for in Vendetta on Gotham. The Joker is seeking immortality and somehow he learned about the existence of Mega-City One. Batman and Dredd work together effectively to corral the villains, but Death gets a share of his version of justice when it comes to murdering the living.
Profile Image for Bookworm Amir.
199 reviews100 followers
September 18, 2011
As it turned out, this is Book 1 of 2 books (Die Laughing series).

It sets the plot right, but I can't give a review until I have read the second book.


For one thing, I love the universes of these comic books, as they go beyond their respective stories and engage in multi-verse story lines.

Here we have the Ultimate Lawman and the Dark Knight, both characters whom I respect and love, and both being nearly absolute opposites. Judge Dredd, is a stuck-up, lawman in the most literal sense.

Armed with advanced gadgetry, weapons, vehicles and such - and most of all - his legal power to as a policeman, lawyer, and judge all at the same time (hence having the right to sentence someone on the spot). He abides by his rules dutifully, almost religiously.

Batman on the other hand, well both of them do what they must for the good of their respective societies (Mega City One and Gotham City), but Batman does it the vigilante way (Dredd exclaims he hates vigilantes).

Also, what is interesting is that Alan Grant of Batman, and John Wagner of Judge Dredd (creator), are both penning these series.

Worth a read, if you're into these both characters. It's funny to see how they 'interact'.

And, on a side not, the last Dark Knight trilogy film is going to be shown, as well as a reboot of Judge Dredd.
Profile Image for Steven.
8 reviews
April 2, 2012
Have read parts one and two (and own them both) and this will always be my favorite Dredd/Bats pairing. It doesn't get any better than the dark judges granting immortality and power to everyone's favorite homicidal maniac, the Joker who soon realizes power is nothing without a big, black Bat to harass.
Profile Image for Ryan Scicluna.
141 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2012
Not a bad story and I really enjoyed the art in the book. This was supposed to be the big finale of the Batman/Judge Dredd team-ups so I expected a bit more. This story was even forecast in other issues so I had a certain anticipation while reading it. Overall it is an enjoyable read but nothing special.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,608 reviews227 followers
September 7, 2012
Lets see Batman, Judge Dredd, The Joker & the dark Judges. Mega-city one will never be same again.

Excellent artwork & great story. Easily the best of the Batman/Judge Dredd crossovers. Those two grimm hero's are easily matched in their mood and gruffiness.

Advised reading imho
Profile Image for Angela.
2,592 reviews71 followers
April 16, 2013
The Joker goes to MegaCity and plans to release the Dark Judges. Batman follows to stop him. There's some pretty artwork here, in a painted style. The story is slightly better than the other Dredd crossover I've read, the Joker lifts it a bit. A decent read.
Profile Image for Rob.
419 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2014
Far and away the best Dredd/Batman crossover, and a proper length graphic novel too, great story and great art work. Good to see the Joker finally make an appearance, and good to have the Dark Judges back too.
Profile Image for Hone Haapu.
142 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2016
Great mash up here.
Joker and the Judge Death, Batman and Dredd. Their personalities just mesh so well.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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