The second installment of Judge Dredd’s Year One is upon us. Does it deliver a good story set in he title character’s younger days? Let me say this…you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Dredd comic from IDW.

Here’s the official description from IDW:

‘The Long Hard Road,’ part 2.

When juves across sector start manifesting psychic abilities, Dredd must team up for the first time with Psi-Division to combat the spreading chaos. But just what is causing the psi-outbreaks as it crosses the dimensions — and what does it have in store for Mega-City One? 

Wow, this was truly a great comic. A minor complaint I had with the first issue was that it didn’t feel like a Year One for Dredd, it felt like another gritty story in Mega City One. That changes here, we really get to see what a young Dredd is like. Not only that, but the story reaches new heights with a great balance of mystery and action. This is by far the best Dredd comic IDW has put out.

Matthew J. Smith writes a perfect Judge Dredd. It’s interesting to see him with a ‘fresh out of the academy’ state of mind. The opening dialogue with him and his commanding officer about the nuclear war, the city, and other things was great. We see that Dredd has a blunt way of looking at things, whom doesn’t believe in the supernatural. It makes sense since his frame of mind is on everything learned from the academy. So those hoping for a more in-depth look at Dredd as a character will be pleased with this issue. What I also like is that we get to see through short flashbacks of what happened to the world and how the concept of ‘freedom’ doesn’t apply anymore. Really cool for new readers jumping into the Dredd world. The action is gritty like always, but it’s story that keeps it engaging. What is trying to get into our dimension? The ending will have you anticipating the next issue greatly.

Simon Coleby’s art is also a high point, by far the best Judge Dredd art IDW has put out. There’s great detail in the action, faces, and even backgrounds. (The final page is an example of that.) The main cover I like a lot, having a very Alex-Ross type Dredd in front of a background of the nuclear missiles that had laid waste to the world. The RI is a trippy variant that might appeal to some people, but pales to the fantastic main cover.

Overall, with amazing writing and fantastic art, this issue is a big win and easily the best IDW Dredd comic. The story progresses nicely and we learn more about Dredd himself, his mindset and a little of his past. On top of that we even see what happened the world thanks to nuclear weaponry. Year One is now officially the comic every Dredd fan, new or old, should be reading.

5/5

My name is Daniel (@Destroyer_199), the main guy for comic reviews here at Unleash the Fanboy. I was born in 1995 in the Big Apple, spent my formative years in Staten Island, and currently reside in the awesome state that is New Jersey.