"The Comic Pusher”
Mega City One Year: 2099
Published 9th July 1977, 2000ad Prog: 20 (The Complete Judge Dredd 2 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 01.)
Parts: 1
Script: John WagnerArtist: Mike McMahonLetters: Bill Nuttall
Synopsis
Dredd visits his informant, the anachronistic Max Normal, who advises that kids are being targeted by a comic book ring with the intention of selling increasingly valued comics, with a big drop happening later that evening. the intel is good, even linking to a suspected importer that was already on Justice Department’s radar.
Dredd storms their warehouse, takes out what little resistance there is with both ricochet and heat-seeking bullets, and millions of comics stored on microfilm are seized. Following the heist, Justice Department review the contents of the heist, the comics of which are none other than issues of 2000ad.
Review
This one is not only memorable due to the first appearance of Max Normal, but also its prediction of a future where hard copy comics are now read and obtained via alternative means - something that wasn’t possible back in 1977. The end reveal of 2000ad being the illegal contraband is a little eye-rolling, but also slightly amusing. Nothing wrong with having confidence in your product.
Line of the strip - Dredd: “Open it- Or you get an extra nostril!”
Be back next time citizens for “The Solar Sniper”
