Another week involves another issue of 2000AD. This week, in 2000AD #1836, there’s a decent selection of science fiction and other strange and wonderful titles. With Judge Dredd, Cadet Anderson, Defoe, Sinister Dexter and Terror Tales to look at, there’s a lot to take in.

First up, as always, is Judge Dredd. It may just be a one-shot, but Rob Williams offers plenty of action and scope. Like a lot of the recent arcs, this issue focuses on city life post-chaos bug. Unlike the others, this issue at least teases something a bit more relevant and personal to both the character and the Judge Dredd comic as a whole, rather than just repeating old, yet still important, ground. Likewise, the art of Trevor Hairsine and Chris Blythe make this an excellent issue to look at, especially during the well-defined and colorful action.

Following on from this is more Mega City One action with Cadet Anderson. Although it feels quite short in pacing, Alan Grant’s offering this week none the less keeps the story very person and distinct from Judge Dredd. It’s not my personal favorite, but the art of Carlos Ezquerra holds its own weight.

Next up is Defoe. Pat Millis offers an interesting script and idea here, but there isn’t enough to really comment on just yet. What can be noticed, however, is the beautiful, well detailed art work of Leigh Gallagher. The black and white, fine detailed art really sets the horror atmosphere of the piece. No wonder, then, that there’s no dialogue for the first two pages.

After this is more Sinister Dexter. Dan Abnett continues to offer a decent script, which cleverly pushes the need for dialogue when there’s only one character and no-one to talk to. It works well and suits the slightly unusual nature of the piece. It also goes well with the visuals of John Burns, which continues to offer great artwork in an amazingly slightly disturbed sort of way.

Finally, we end with a Terror Tales. David Baillie writes an interesting one-shot. Whilst the story itself is rather shallow, offering little mythos or inner working, the atmosphere itself is brilliant. The story captures a lot of the atmosphere surrounding various urban myths, especially those relating to music and musicians during the earlier years. Will Morris offers competent art work, although this story doesn’t offer much to work with. If you’ve got to draw people sitting or standing around, there’s little to demonstrate the greater themes at work.

4/5