Book Review: Essential Judge Dredd, Volume 1: America

John Wagner, et.al., Essential Judge Dredd, Volume 1: America. Oxford, UK: Rebellion 200AD, 2020.  ISBN: 9781781088609.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: dystopian

Series: Judge Dredd

Format: large trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library 

 

This "essential" series is supposed to be a "curated line of graphic novels showcasing the very best storylines of all time" (from back cover description). The title story, "America," is written by John Wagner, co-creator of Judge Dredd. In addition, the volume features other stories written within or around the title story. 

The main event is a referendum in Mega City One to either keep the Judges or return to democracy. The Dems seem to have some strength coming in. Dredd does not agree with the process, but he goes along with the referendum, vowing to accept the results. However, both sides have extremists. 

Within that setting, we get the story of America Jara and Bennett Beeny, childhood friends who take very different paths. Beeny becomes a famous singer, eventually finds fame and fortune. America becomes a Dem terrorist. Their story, especially America's path, is the main story of the volume. If you are expecting a Judge Dredd story, "America" is not it. The story mostly follows America and Beeny. Beeny is in love with America, but it is not reciprocated, and to make it worse, once he is wealthy, she basically manipulates him for money. You only see Judge Dredd in small appearances here or there. Additionally, the ending to the main story is just weird to put it mildly, and it seems a bit forced. This may not be Wagner's best writing. 

The other stories are somewhat better. They are also shorter. "America" at times seems longer, seemingly stretching the melodrama a bit. The rest of the stories look at events around and on Referendum Day with "Twilight's Last Gleaming" by Garth Ennis covering the events of the referendum and the results. The ending on that story is about what readers will expect, but the story also has some small twists. To be honest, the side stories in this volume are better than the title story. 

The art in the volume is still a good reason to pick this book up. If you like the art of Judge Dredd, you get some solid artists doing great work here. 

One thing to keep in mind is this series is an extreme parody on the United States, democracy, authoritarianism, and law enforcement. It is very much within the dystopian literary tradition. Along the way, it makes some serious commentary on the United States today along with the action and intrigues. 

Overall, I liked the volume as a whole, but the main story felt a bit overwrought. This volume may be more for Judge Dredd fans. I will still look for other volumes in the series, but I would consider this one to be optional reading, or you can just read the other stories in the volume. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

 

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: