‘The Academy of Law - Part 2’
Mega City One Year: 2099
Published 3rd September 1977, 2000ad Prog: 28 (Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 01)
Parts: 2
Script: John WagnerArtist: Mike McMahonLetters: Tony Jacob
Synopsis
Dredd and the rookie Giant, while the former is taking the latter on his final trial to be a Judge, have tracked the gang to the same aeroball stadium that Giant’s father used to play in. Giant quickly takes down two members who poorly attempt to take him out, with the final member kidnapping a child and strapping a bomb to them and heads to the higher levels of the stadium. Giant takes the initiative, grabbing an available aeroball rocket pack, declaring he will give his life to save the child and take down the criminal.
Giant’s earlier years of aeroball tryouts shows as he navigates up the stadium, prompting the perp to drop the bomb-wearing child, with only a five second timer to act on. Giant uses one of his dad’s trademark moves to take out the perp, catch the child and discard the live bomb with a second to spare. Down below, Dredd is sentencing the other two perp to death, until Giant intervenes, stating jail time is the correct course of action, correcting his examiner. This turns out to be Giant’s final test, and Dredd is now assured that Giant has what it takes to be a full Judge on the streets of Mega City One.
Review
This was a tight strip. It displays really what is expected of a judge, potential or not, in the face of both peers and the citizens of Mega City One. It’s not a job I would want for sure. The Harlem Heroes link creates a link between the rest of the 2000ad comic, although Giant Snr is portrayed differently here in the brief interactions that take place. But it provokes young Giant’s desire to make it at Justice Department.
Page three is spectacular from an art and layout perspective. Fast paced, action packed, and looks fantastic.
Line of the strip: Rookie Judge Giant: "Air-strike! My first and last!"
Be back next time citizens for : “The Neon Knights”
