"The Solar Sniper”
Mega City One Year: 2099
Published 16th July 1977, 2000ad Prog: 21 (Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 01.)
Parts: 1
Script: Gerry Finley-DayArtist: Ron TurnerLetters: Jack Potter
Synopsis
The judges were instilled due to the high crime rates plaguing Mega City One. Gorilla, equipped with a solar-powered laser, likes to target those same judges ordered to keep the peace. After executing Judge Carter successfully, his next target is Dredd, even going to the trouble of warning him via a death threat letter. But Dredd has better ideas. Visiting with orders from the Grand Judge, Dredd instructs the Mega City weather control to block out the sun, rendering Gorilla’s weapon inoperable.
Gorilla crashes his car into the weather station, with Dredd in pursuit, and proceeds to the top floor of the station, stealing a rocket intended for a test subject chimp in a fatal getaway, as the rocket launches on its three-year orbit close to the sun. Case closed.
Review
This…wasn’t very good. The moment where Gorilla vaporises Judge Carter is one of the most shocking so far in the Dredd strip, but this story is so cut and dry it doesn’t carry the weight it should. One to forget.
Probably worth noting this is the first price rise of 2000ad, by 1 pence.
Line of the strip - Dredd: “halt! Or I use my law rod!” (I mean, come on now)
Be back next time citizens for “Mr Buzzz”
