Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 3

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 9

DATELINE
8 July 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein is set against Ro-Jaws.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Meetings of robots are illegal.

RO-JAWS
He dresses up in drag from the Silver Lady's dressing room. He fails to remain undetected.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is equipped with machine guns, rockets and lasers. He fails to remain undetected. He is hypnotised to kill Ro-Jaws.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SWING-ALONGA-MAX
He chairs a meeting of robots.

THE SILVER LADY
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein discover clothing in her dressing room and believe her to be a human in disguise.

DEATHS
One. A hotel guest requesting a massage has his head crushed by a porter robot.

BEST LINES
Porter: "Funny the way a hume's head doesn't unscrew like a robot's!"
Robot: "Yeah! Sorta messy the way you have to keep yanking and tugging to get it off."

WORST LINES
Hotel guest: "I want a massage and - Hey! Meetings of robots are illegal! I'm going to report you stinkin' machines!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
'Some Enchanted Evening' is a show tune from South Pacific (1949) by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Hammer-Stein refers to Ro-Jaws as Julie Andrews, the actress born in 1935 that is famous for Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound Of Music (1965). The Silver Lady sings 'Falling In Love Again', a song made famous by Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) in The Blue Angel (1930).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: Steve Potter

REVIEW
Between the drag chase and the squelchy massage this part has a lot more going for it that those that preceded it.

Next Work: 'A Robot Revolt's About To Start Any Minute!'

Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 2

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 8

DATELINE
1 July 78

PAGE COUNT
6

This issue also featured Strontium Dog, Timequake, Mind Wars and Planet Of The Damned strips, some more of the Hell Planet game and a Timequake cover by Brian Lewis

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein go undercover.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters flashback.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

Waiter robots have chest mounted ovens.

RO-JAWS
He struggles to blend in undercover.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is enjoying his undercover work.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SWING-ALONGA-MAX
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein find clothing in his dressing room and believe him to be a human disguised as a robot.

THE SILVER LADY
Sings a duet with Swing-Alonga-Max.

½ TOUGH
He has stowed away on the Ro-Busters Space Module. He hopes to meet the chairman of British Ley-Mek and convince him to make him another arm.

MEK-QUAKE
He tells ½ Tough that his arm will never arrive.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "Madam...sir...your chicken is ready!"
Sir: "It's burnt to a cinder!"
Ro-Jaws: "Well, you asked for it to be well done. So cut the yak and get it down you - can't stand around here all day, y'know!"

WORST LINES
Madam: "What a rude robot!"

CATCHPHRASES
None

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Max sing 'Take Me To The Moon' to the apparent tune of 'Fly Me To The Moon', a song written by Bart Howard in 1954 and recorded by Kaye Ballard and later by the likes of Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Shirley Bassey, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Cliff Richard, Doris Day, Tony Bennett and Marvin Gaye. Ro-Jaws mentions The Sweeney (1975–1978). There is a Playboy bunny symbol in Max's dressing room, the symbol first appeared in the magazine's second issue in January 1954.

MISTAKES
Part 1 mentioned Waiter robots having head ovens, which for obvious reasons has become chest ovens.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
This feels quite gentle. Ro-Jaws' undercover work is great, Hammer-Stein's undercover work is a bit dull and ½ Tough's presence is very predictable.

Next Week: 'His First Job Will Be - To Kill His Friend Ro-Jaws!'

Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 1

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 7

DATELINE
24 June 78

This issue of Starlord also contains Strontium Dog, Timequake, Mind Wars and Planet Of The Damned strips, part 4 of the Hell Planet game and a Planet Of The Damned cover by Ramon Sola.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Quartz sends Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein undercover on the Ritz Space Hotel.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First space mission.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

The Ritz Space Hotel is a fully robotised hotel in Earth orbit. Among its facilities are a zero gravity sports centre with robotic partners that are programmed to lose.

Robots Today and Droid Review are publications relating to robots.

RO-JAWS
His catalogue number is SM I/G. Quartz assigns him to work on the Ritz Space Hotel as a waiter and installs a cooker unit in his head.

HAMMER-STEIN
Quartz assigns him to work as his bodyguard during a visit to the Ritz Space Hotel.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SWING-ALONGA-MAX
Singing robot at the Ritz Space Hotel. He strangles his owner.

½ TOUGH
Construction robot working for Ro-Busters. He is awaiting the delivery of a left arm unaware that British Ley-Mek have stopped making them.

HOWARD QUARTZ
He is due to attend a business conference aboard the Ritz Space Hotel.

DEATHS
One. Max strangles the human owner of the Ritz Space Hotel.

BEST LINES
Quartz (whilst his chest is ringing): "Miss Marilyn, answer that phone."

WORST LINES
Robot Bed: "I'm a soft bed that's so comfeee!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Max sings 'I left my...heart...in San...Francisco', a song written in 1953 by George Cory (1920-1978) & Douglass Cross (1920-1975), and first released by Tony Bennett in 1962. He later sings 'The Twist', written and first released in 1959 by Hank Ballard And The Midnighters as a B-side, but the song was covered a year later by Chubby Checker and was a massive success and caused a dance craze. Ro-Jaws mentions TV detectives Starsky And Hutch (1975-1979)

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: Tony Jacob

REVIEW
The opening advert and Max's homicidal twist are great, but the Miss Marilyn stuff takes its time.

Next Week: 'From Sewer-Robot To Waiter Robot'

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Aftermath

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Aftermath

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 108

DATELINE
14 Apr 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd 13, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Mega-City One gets back on its feet after Cal's reign.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First day at work for Chief Judge Griffin and Deputy Chief Judge Pepper.

INFORMATION
(This strip begins several days after the death of Cal.)

The rebuilding of Mega-City One begins.

The Klegg mercenaries that attempt to escape in their space ship were punished.

JUDGE DREDD
He has memorials erected all over Mega-City One, including at least one to Fergee. There were calls for Dredd to be Chief Judge, but he refuses.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
Dredd has a memorial statue of Fergee erected naming him King of the Big Smelly and Hero of Mega-City One.

JUDGE GRIFFIN
Dredd suggests him for Chief Judge.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE PEPPER
He is appointed Deputy Chief Judge.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Potentially millions of Kleggs.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "My place is where it has always been, on the streets....I am needed there more than ever now!"

WORST LINES
Judge: "Griffin for Chief Judge!"

That was quick.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
It's not as clear as it could be whether the Klegg's ship was destroyed, damaged or forced to return to Earth.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
There are no credits printed in the strip itself and so the following are taken from Barney.

Script: John Wagner
Artist: Ron Smith
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
The Aftermath is admitted a quick overview of the day after the law died, but it successfully tells us a great deal with the minimum of fuss in a single page and gives Dredd a great note to end on.

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 20

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 20

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 108

DATELINE
14 Apr 79

This prog also featured Tharg's Future Shocks, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog, a Strontium Dog Star Pin Up and a Ro-Busters cover by Mike McMahon.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd 13, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Cal prepares of his moment in history and Fergee saves the day.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first twenty part story, last appearance of Fergee and Cal (native to this reality).

INFORMATION
The anti-vandal door on the Mega-City One's Statue of Judgement cannot withstand a high speed collision from a truck.

Named Judges: Judges Amos.

ICI '89 is a rare wine vintage.

JUDGE DREDD
He mounts an attack on Cal.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He prepares to kill the citizens of Mega-City One at the top of the Statue of Judgement. He poisons his two SJS bodyguards. During Dredd's attack, the previously hypnotised Judges suffer a relapse in his presence. He shoots Fergee. Cal activates the nerve gas controls, but Fergee throws him off top of the statue. He falls to his death erroneously believing himself to have command over gravity.

FERGEE
Cal shoots him, but he manages to manhandle Cal off the Statue of Judgement. He falls to his death.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Cal poisons his two SJS bodyguards. Fergee, Cal and at least six Judges fall to their deaths.

BEST LINES
Fergee: "Ain't no flies on Fergee!"

WORST LINES
SJS Judge: "Footsteps pounding up the stairs - Dredd's coming!"

CATCHPHRASES
Another "Easy the Ferg!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Alfred Hitchcock's Saboteur (1942) features both a climactic confrontation at the Statue of Liberty and a fall from the top.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
There are no credits printed in the strip itself and so the following are taken from Barney.

Script: John Wagner
Artist: Ron Smith
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
This is brilliant, but oddly anti-climactic. Cal's belief that he can stop himself from falling by sheer force of will is great final moment for the character, but Dredd has almost nothing to do.

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 19

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 19

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 107

DATELINE
7 Apr 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog strips, a Fergee Star Pin-Up and a Strontium Dog cover by Carlos Ezquerra

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 13, and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd attempts to replace Cal's subliminal hypnotism with his own.

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last appearance of Judge Grampus.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One has space-raid sirens. The Statue of Judgement has an anti-vandal door at ground level which is impervious to even the bike cannon on a Lawmaster.

The first Chief Judge of Mega-City One was Judge Fargo. Named Judges: Judge Bob, Judge Fargo (deceased)

Tron is a planet with more than one dominant species.

JUDGE DREDD
He and his men break into the Hall of Justice and substitute Cal's briefing tape for their own. He instructs the newly unhypnotised Judges to go along with Cal's wishes until they hear the space-raid sirens. When the siren sounds Dredd and the Judges attack the Kleggs.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE FARGO
Born in 2001, he was the first Chief Judge of Mega-City One and was given the mantle of Father of Justice. He died in 2051 and was preserved to lay in state in the Hall of Justice's Hall of Heroes. His tomb also hides a secret escape route.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He plans to release the nerve gas from controls at the top of the Statue of Judgement. When Dredd attacks on flees into the Statue of Judgement.

JUDGE GRAMPUS
He plans to leave Earth for a contract on the planet Tron to eat the sub-species. Instead he is killed in Dredd's attack.

JUDGE-TUTOR KELSO
He is crushed by a sliding anti-vandal door at the foot of the Statue of Judgement.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Dozens. Dredd kills three Judges with "good clean shots", the Judges shoot and/or run down the Kleggs and Judge-Tutor Kelso is crushed by a sliding door.

BEST LINES
Grampus: Klegg mercenaries leave now. Got new contract on Tron planet - eliminating sub-species! We get to eat sub-species!"
Cal: "Goodbye, Grampus. It's been a pleasure dealing with you. You're so delightfully vicious!"

WORST LINES
Grampus: "It Judge Dredd!"

CATCHPHRASES
Walter says Dwedd, howwible, pwetending, Judge Bob says "My Dok" and Dredd "I am the law now - and you better believe it!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
The Statue of Judgement was previously seen in 'The Statue Of Judgement'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Have insert something will travel was apparently a common phrase prior to Have Gun – Will Travel (1957-1963), but the US Western series must have popularised it.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: R. Smith
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
When the tables finally turn and they do so in style. The bizarre decisions to hide a secret passage under Fargo's tomb and to situate nerve gas release controls at the top of the Statue of Judgement are great.

Next: The Final Prog?

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 18

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 18

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 106

DATELINE
31 Mar 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog strips, a Ro-Busters Star Pin Up and a Robo-Hunter cover by Ian Gibson

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd 13, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Cal decides to preserve his city for future generations by preventing future generations.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(This strip begins on the hundredth day of Cal's reign, circa 20th January 2102)

Mega-City One is made up of at least 437 Districts. Locations in Mega-City One include Spearman Avenue, an area of the city known as Padmore, City Bottom Row is in District 437.

Millions of citizens have been condemned to Labour Blocks, working to maintain the wall.

For the first time in 170 years, the trains are running on time. The average time of delivery for a first class letter was reduced from 21 days to 4 hours.

Chief Judge Cal announces that he plans to release a nerve gas that will kill Mega-City One's citizens but leave building and documents unaffected and therefore able to stand testament to his achievement.

JUDGE DREDD
He orders Judge Pepper to create a briefing tape which could be used to remove Cal's hypnotism.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
His address above ground is at 18 City Bottom Row, District 437 (WJ2), 1718 673 (9).

JUDGE WALTER THE WOBOT
He sends Fergee a crime briefing tape. He serves Cal his breakfast.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He decides that Mega-City One has reached perfection and elects to preserve this by killing its citizens with nerve gas.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Cal: "As you know, citizens, my government of this city has reached perfection. I am told the only way to go is down...but I do not agree!...We can go out, citizens! We can end our lives in a glorious moment of sacrifice - and preserve our perfect city forever in its finest hour!...To this end, nerve gas containers have been placed in every district. At noon tomorrow I will personally press the button to release it!"

WORST LINES
Fergee: "Letter come, old chapee!"

CATCHPHRASES
In an astonishing act of alliteration, Walter says bweakfast, bweezy and bwite,

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: R. Smith
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
Where Ron Smith's artwork seemed jarring before, here it takes on a clinical and sinister edge that really suits this point in the story.

Next Prog: Dredd's Army!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 17

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 17

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 105

DATELINE
24 Mar 79

This prog bore a Judge Dredd cover by Brian Bolland and also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog strips.

PAGE COUNT
5 and a half.

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd 12, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Walter slanders Dredd in order to get closer to Cal and vital evidence.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Judge Dredd not to feature Judge Dredd.

INFORMATION
(This strip takes place over four days)

Cal appoints Walter the Wobot as Mega-City's First Robot Judge. Named Judges: Judge Walter, Judge Wicks.

The Daily Mega and 3000AD are publications for sale in Mega-City One.

JUDGE DREDD
Walter accuses him of beating him, taking bribes and killing Chief Judge Goodman.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE WALTER THE WOBOT
He lies to Cal about his mistreatment at the hands of Dredd and the Chief Judge elects not to kill him. Instead Cal appoints him Judge Walter. He appears on several television programmes to repeat his story. He uses the opportunity to get inside Justice Central's Crime Briefing Room to steal a tape. Slocum catches him and marches the robot see Cal, who has Slocum pickled and returns the tape to Walter.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He invests Walter as a Judge.

JUDGE SLOCUM
He accuses Cal of being mad when he makes Walter a Judge. Slocum catches Walter stealing a briefing tape that incriminates Cal, but before he can inform the Chief Judge he is injected with a paralysing agent, his face forced into a grin and then his body pickled.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
One. Judge Slocum is killed by the pickling process.

BEST LINES
Cal: "By the way, Judge Walter - Slocum dropped this tape. Put it in the Briefing Room on your way past."

WORST LINES
Walter: "Cwipes and double cwipes!"

CATCHPHRASES
Walter says (or thinks) bwave, bwibes, bwiefing, cweep, cwime, cwuel, Dwedd, dweadful, Fwank, gweat, gween, howwible, hungwy, pwetty, pwide, scwub, sowwy, thwilled, tweat, twuncheon, twy, ungwateful, wascal, wemember, wich, wubbish, wip, Wobin, wobo-shweds, wobot, woom, wotten, Wussel, but manages a Dredd.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
As Walter courts the media the presenters are parodies of contemporary TV journalists: Wobin Knigt is Robin Day (1923-2000), while Wussel is Russell Harty (1934–1988).

MISTAKES
Due to Walter's speech impediment it isn't clear whether his handler is Judge Wicks or Judge Ricks.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: Ewins/McCarthy
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
The Dreddless part follows Walter and shows us an insight into what the Walter The Wobot strip could have been. Slocum's demise is brilliantly bizarre and the artwork is wonderful.

Next Prog: From Out Of The Sewers!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 16

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 16

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 104

DATELINE
17 Mar 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog, a Dan Dare Star Pin Up and Strontium Dog cover by Carlos Ezquerra.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 12 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd goes on the offensive and persuades Walter to betray him to Cal.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Traffic violations and speeding are punishable with the death penalty.

JUDGE DREDD
He and Fergee fight and incapacitate three Kleggs. He convinces Walter to pretend to betray him, attacks a number of Judges with his Pat-Wagon and then retreats to the Undercity.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
He and Dredd fight and incapacitate three Kleggs. They return to the Undercity.

WALTER THE WOBOT
He sprays Fergee's flies dead. Dredd convinces him the betray the Judge.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
When presented with Walter he threatens him with dismemberment with an axe.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Dozens. Dredd and Fergee have probably killed three Kleggs. Walter kills Fergee's flies. Up to five Judges are run over by Dredd

BEST LINES
Walter: "Just say the word, dear, sweet, angwy master, and - "

WORST LINES
Fergee: "Easy the Ferg!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Gettin' heavy" is back on the agenda with both Dredd and Fergee. Walter says angwy, betway, bwave, bwute, cweep, cwipes, Dwedd, dweams, pwotect, spway, twue, twy, waising, wobo, wobot and woom.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Ron Smith
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
Walter's apparently vital role comes as a bit of a surprise and while Ron Smith's artwork is undoubtedly beautiful, it somehow jars with what has preceded it.

Next Prog: Betwayal!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 15

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 15

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 103

DATELINE
10 Mar 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters and Robo-Hunter strips, Robo-Hunter Star Pin Up, another section of Judge Dredd poster and a Ro-Busters cover by Kevin O'Neill.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 12 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd and Fergee fight off Judges and head in search of Walter.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Cal-less part of this story.

INFORMATION
Kleggs have been billeted to empty homes.

Named Judges: Judge Fergee (Honorary), Judge Raymond, Judge Rossi, Judge Semple.

JUDGE DREDD
He resembles Judges Rossi and Semple. He and Fergee fight off three Judges and steal their Pat-Wagon. They return to Dredd's home and burst in on the Kleggs living there.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
He helps Dredd fight off a trio of Judges and Dredd appoints him an honorary Judge.

WALTER THE WOBOT
He is working for the Kleggs billeted to Dredd's old rooms.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Unknown. Dredd shoots a Judge and then flees the scene.

BEST LINES
Walter (to Kleggs): "Your gwub - waw beef bwisket. If there's nothing else, Walter will wetire."

WORST LINES
Klegg (whilst tripping): "Harrr! Have a nice trip!"

CATCHPHRASES
Dredd says "Drokk it!", Dredd and Fergee discuss "getting heavy" five times and Walter says betway, bwisket, cweep, Dwedd, gwub, waw, wetire, wip and sacwed.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Gary Leach
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
This is a surprising change of tone as this part moves from an epic satire of totalitarian states with massive anthropomorphic crocodiles to a buddy movie with massive anthropomorphic crocodiles. I'm warming to Fergee and it's nice to see Walter back.

Next Prog: Splat!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 14

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 14

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 102

DATELINE
3 Mar 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Tharg's Future Shocks and Robo-Hunter, a bit more Judge Dredd poster, a futuregraph and a Robo-Hunter cover by Ian Gibson .

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 12 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Fergee takes the Judges through the Undercity to his home and then Dredd takes him to the surface.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First revelation of how Cal has achieved his takeover.

INFORMATION
Judges are required to attend a daily briefing, where crime information is fed directly into their brains. The tutors from the Academy of Law are exempt.

JUDGE DREDD
He and Fergee head to the surface.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
He used to live on the surface, but fled into the Undercity after he did "bad things". He feeds the Judges rat. He and Dredd head to the surface.

JUDGE GIANT
He was on a month's leave when Cal's hypnotic suggestion took hold.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Kelso: "Mmm...delicious meat. Is it rabbit?"
Pepper: "Nonsense, Kelso! Any fool knows this is squirrel."
Fergee: "Rabbit - squirrel - hurrr, hurrrr! That good one!...This only food down here - and no shortage of it either."
Kelso: "Uggh - rat!"

WORST LINES
Fergee: "Hey, old chapee - where all the people gone?"

CATCHPHRASES
Fergee threatens to "get heavy" with a pat-wagon.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Dredd missed Cal's subliminal hypnotism because he was in The Cursed Earth.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The "strange half-men" look like a cross between the Morlocks from George Pal's film adaptation of The Time Machine (1960) and the salt vampire from Star Trek's The Man Trap (1966). Fergee sings 'Put On A Happy Face' from the musical Bye Bye Birdie (1960).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brian Bolland
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
This is an interesting change of pace as we stick with Dredd after some pretty Cal-heavy parts, but also as Fergee comes to the fore.

Next Prog: Trapped!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 13

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 13

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 101

DATELINE
24 Feb 79

This prog also contained Dan Dare, Ro-Busters and Robo-Hunter strips, a Futuregraph, some more Judge Dredd poster and a Dan Dare cover by Dave Gibbons.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd 12, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Cal plans to dramatise his life and Dredd manages to win Fergee over.

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last appearance of Judge Schmaltz.

INFORMATION
Conred Conn is a famed vid-pic star, now retired.

JUDGE DREDD
He fights Fergee and knocks him into the Big Smelly, which impresses him and makes him consider Dredd a friend.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He auditions actors to play Dredd in a TV spectacular and ultimately chooses a midget.

CONRED CONN
Retired actor, star of vid-pics and reputed to be the handsomest man in the world. He is convinced to play Cal on pain of death.

FERGEE
Dredd beats him, but this only makes him like the Judge even more.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Three. Cal orders the prospective but unsuccessful Dredd actors be killed.

BEST LINES
Schmaltz: "It has been a rare and...and wonderful honour to...to serve with you, Judge Dredd! My...my sun is sinking behind the...hills of life, but...but I am...at peace with my...my destiny..."

WORST LINES
Probably Giant: "Sweet movin' J.D!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Fergee's badges now include Superman, 2000 A.D., Batman and a swastika.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: B. Bolland
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
Bolland's art, Cal's auditions and Judge Schmaltz's death scene are fantastic.

Next Prog: Fergee's Palace!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 12

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 12

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 100

DATELINE
17 Feb 79

This strip appeared in Prog 100 alongside Dan Dare, Ro-Busters and Robo-Hunter, a Judge Dredd poster to cut out and Robo-Hunter cover by Ian Gibson

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd 11, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd survives the crash and must face Fergee.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Fergee.

INFORMATION
Cal has declared happiness, laughter, smiling and conversation illegal. Citizens are instructed to destroy their dearest possessions and anyone discovered to be hiding an item likely to cause happiness will be shot.

The Genmo DX3 Road Liner is fitted with a crash-proof command capsule and equipped with air bags.

Undercity dwellers refer to those who live on the surface as upsiders.

JUDGE DREDD
His road liner crashes through into the Undercity.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He claims to hear the voices of deceased Chief Judges calling for him to be tougher on Mega-City One.

FERGEE
Undercity dweller. He challenges Dredd to a fight.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
At least four die in the road liner crash.

BEST LINES
Fergee: "Dang fly trick me. It too smart for Fergee!"

WORST LINES
Fergee: "Hurrr! Hurrr!"

CATCHPHRASES
Cal says "By Grud" and Giant says "Drokk it"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
The Undercity was last seen in 'The Troggies'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Fergee's badges include Spider-Man, 7UP and Coke.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: M. McMahon
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
The new and petty low that Cal's madness has reached is excellent, but Fergee has yet to impress.

Next Prog: The Law - And The Loon!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 11

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 11

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 99

DATELINE
10 Feb 79

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd 11, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd's road liner crashes, Cal celebrates and the Judges take a day off.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The old Ohio River flows underneath Mega-City One, it has been nicknamed The Big Smelly. It became so polluted that it was concreted over.

Cal allows a day of lawlessness, but the streets are deserted and crime is down.

Named Judges: Judge Atting, Judge Jennings.

JUDGE DREDD
His road liner crashes through city bottom and into the old Ohio river.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
Believing Dredd dead, he declares that there will be no arrests for 24 hours regardless of the crime.

JUDGE COX
He claims to love Cal sufficiently to die for him. Cal allows Cox the use of his own gun for the purpose.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Unknown.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "Judges, Cal has won...I weep - I weep for my city."
Giant: "Suit yourself, J.D. - - But me, I'm weepin' for me!'

Cal: "Do you love me, Judge Cox? I mean really love me?"
Cox: "Yes, Chief Judge. I...I would die for you!"
Cal: "Would you? That's a very generous offer. You've made me feel a lot better, Judge Cox. Off you go and do it then. I'll let you use my gun."
Cox: "B-B-B-But-"
Cal: "No "buts", Judge Cox! Either you love me or you don't!"
Cox: Yes, sir...

WORST LINES
Cal: "The Big Smelly! A fitting end to that stinker Dredd!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Giant mentions his Pappy again.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
Judge Jennings' badge is very difficult to read and I may have gotten it completely wrong.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
The Ohio River is indeed ranked as the most polluted river in the USA based on data from 2009 and 2010.

CREDITS
Script: T.B. Grover
Artist: M. McMahon
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
It's interesting that Cal's madness is almost leading him into a series of diminishing returns. You might expect that in a narrative structure, Cal's activities would escalate, but here almost the opposite is true, as genocide gives way to incarceration and then to draconian laws before a removal of law and order altogether. It probably shouldn't work as well as it does and yet in defying that logic Cal is all the more unpredictable and gives this story its edge.

Dredd - Shock News - Next Prog!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 10

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 10

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 98

DATELINE
3 Feb 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 11 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd escapes, but for how long?

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of a Justice 1.

INFORMATION
The Trans-Ohio Tunnel runs through part of Mega-City One. At one exit the roadway is 8,000 feet high.

The Judges have 200 hover ships. Named Judges: Judge Fernandez, Judge Jonas

JUDGE DREDD
He and his forces retreat to a sub-garage and escape in a road liner. Cal shoots out the road and the liner falls from 8,000 feet.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE FERNANDEZ
He is injured badly during the Klegg attack and sacrifices himself to let the others escape.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He destroys the roadway ahead of Dredd's liner, causing it to fall.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Dredd kills a Klegghound after it tries to swallow his gunhand. The other Judges kill the rest.

BEST LINES
Cal: "What lovely boys they are! So delightfully murderous! Ha, ha! Perhaps I should have been born a Klegg, eh, Slocum?"

WORST LINES
Giant says Baby far too often.

CATCHPHRASES
The Kleggs sing a bit (see below) and get a battle cry in "Klegg-Haiiii!" twice. Dredd insults Jonas with a "Drokk you!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Giant mentions his Pappy again, late of Harlem Heroes and Inferno.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brian Bolland
Letters: Tomas Frame

REVIEW
Bolland's art, Dredd's killing of a Klegghound from the inside and the cliffhanger is fantastic.

Next Prog: The Crash!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 9

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 9

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 97

DATELINE
27 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 11, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
The Klegghounds track Dredd.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Klegghounds tracks via their sense of taste, not smell. Bloodhounds have been extinct for a hundred years.

Advanced Leadership is a course taught at the Academy of Law. Named Judges: Judge Peace, Judge Smith

JUDGE DREDD
His base of operations is an underground garage. He is tracked by a pack of Klegghounds and attacked.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE PEPPER
He taught both Dredd and Cal Advanced Leadership at the Academy of Law.

JUDGE KELSO
Kelso is attacked by a Klegghound.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
One. Judge Peace dies of injuries sustained in a raid.

BEST LINES
Giant: "Mah pappy never tol' me there'd be days like this"
Dredd: "Grin and bear it, Giant - It could get worse!"

WORST LINES
Smith: "Judge Dredd! Large force coming this way! It sounds like they've got Bloodhounds!"
Kelso: "Don't be foolish, boy! The last bloodhound died a hundred years ago!"

What do they sound like, then?

CATCHPHRASES
Giant says "Drokk it!", Kelso says "M-My Dok-" and, oddly, Pepper says "By Dor!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Giant's pappy never tol' him there'd be days like this. Giant's pappy was of course John 'Giant' Clay from Harlem Heroes and Inferno.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
How does Smith know what Bloodhounds sound like?

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: M. McMahon
Letters: T. Frame

REVIEW
The manhunt for Dredd comes to an end and all seems lost. Recent parts of this story have seemed a far cry from the Judge Dredd we're used to as they have concentrated more on Cal and had very little of Dredd in them. This bucks the trend and seems all odder for it.

Next Prog: Slicey, Slicey - Oncey, Twicey!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 8

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 8

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 96

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd 11, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 2, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Cal brings the exodus from Mega-City One to an end.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first appearance of the wall.

INFORMATION
(This strip takes place over the course of three weeks)

Millions of people leave Mega-City One for the Cursed Earth, until Cal's forces attack and the exodus ends.

Chief Judge Cal has makes it illegal to talk, run or stop and introduces a fresh air tax. Defacing an image of Judge Cal is punishable by death. The Judges turn to schoolchildren to inform on their parents. He orders the construction of a mile-high wall around the city using prisoners, robots and recent arrestees as a workforce. Named Judges: Deputy Chief Judge Grampus, Judge O'Leary (SJS), Judge Rice. Judge Wilkins,

A flyer is a pedal-powered helicopter.

Kleggs have the hounds of Klegg.

JUDGE DREDD
He leads an attack against the wall and successfully blows a hole in it. He still inspires the citizens of Mega-City One.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He appoints Grampus as Deputy Chief Judge. Once the exodus is over, he orders the building of a mile high wall around the city in three weeks and authorises the use of Mega-City One's criminals and robots as a workforce.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE GRAMPUS
Cal appoints him Deputy Chief Judge and give him absolute power in preventing the exodus from Mega-City One. He orders an airstrike on those leaving the city and the exodus is over.

WALTER THE WOBOT
He was arrested and put to work on the wall.

ARRESTS
At least seven. Walter is arrested to work on the wall. Six citizens are arrested for being 'Dreddists'.

DEATHS
Probably hundreds. Grampus orders the refugees be shot from the air. A citizen is killed trying to escape over the wall with a flyer, while another is shot for writing Dredd Lives! over an image of Cal.

BEST LINES
Cal: "Ungrateful scum, I'll squeeze them till the pips squeak!"

WORST LINES
Unknown: "Eat lead, ugly!"

CATCHPHRASES
Walter says awwested, cweep, Dwedd, gweat and wotten.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Pipsqueak squeezes (see BEST LINES), come from British politician Eric Campbell-Geddes (1875–1937) who said during a rally before the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919, "We shall squeeze the German lemon until the pips squeak!"

Cal's wall encloses Mega-City One, but there is an obvious parallel with the Berlin Wall. It was a large concrete wall with guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches and an area known as the "death strip" which individuals were not permitted to enter. It was constructed by East Germany from 1961 to completely cut off West Berlin to prevent mass emigration and defection that affected the rest of the communist Eastern Bloc after World War II.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
In 'Mutant Land', a McMahon provided some conspicuous graffiti in '78 (presumably 2078).

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: M. McMahon
Letters: T. Frame

REVIEW
It's good to see Dredd on the back foot in another great episode. It's interesting that Cal's gone off the idea of mass exterminations and replaced it with a wall to incarcerate his citizens, thereby making living in Mega-City One literally a fate worse than death.

Next Prog: The Hunt!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 7

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 7

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 95

DATELINE
13 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 10 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Cal's executions begin, but Judge Fish's death convinces him to stop.

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last appearance of Judge Fish.

INFORMATION
In Mega-City One, Macey's is very close to Justice Central. There is a vid-phone book listing all Mega-City One citizens.

Named Judges: Judge Cox

JUDGE DREDD
He kidnaps Slocum and orders him to kill Judge Fish and exploit his death to end the killing.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He is convinced to end the executions when Judge Fish dies, but is angered when no one attends the funeral.

AARON A. AARDVARK
He was born Eric Plunkett, but changed his name to be first in the vid-phone book. He is the first to die in Cal's alphabetical genocide.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE FISH
He dies. Judge Slocum convinces Cal that his death was an omen that the executions should end. He was cremated and his funeral

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Possibly millions. Sector 1's executions begin.

BEST LINES
Cal: "Never before has a ruler sentenced his entire population to death! This is a great day - the greatest day in history - and you are lucky to be taking part!"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
Slocum thanks drokk.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Anthony A. Aardvark was the name of the first of 70,000 witnesses to be called in The Day Perry Masonmint Lost A Case from Mad Magazine (1959).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Bolland/Leach
Letters: Thomas

REVIEW
The art and dialogue is great throughout again. Cal's moment in history, Aardvark and Fish provide the best moments.

Next Prog: Exodus To Mutant Land!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 6

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 6

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 94

DATELINE
6 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd's rebellion almost ousts Cal, but then his reinforcements turn the tide.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of the Kleggs.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One's Sector 1 is to the west of the city.

The Kleggs are a species of alien mercenaries who fight because they enjoy killing and seek payment in meat.

Named Judges: Judge Jenkins

JUDGE DREDD
His army of citizens drives Cal's forces back to Justice Central, but the arrival of the Kleggs.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He has engaged an army of Kleggs to put down civil disorder. He sentences the whole of Mega-City One to death in strict alphabetical order.

JUDGE JENKINS
Judge Jenkins graduated from the Academy of Law as part of the Class of '97. He is fighting for Judge Cal.

GRAMPUS
The leader of the Kleggs.

ARRESTS
Dredd sends two looters home on house arrest and says he will deal with them later.

DEATHS
Probably hundreds. Four of Dredd's loyal Judges and presumably hundreds of citizens die in the Klegg attack.

BEST LINES
Cal: "Now, I want things carried out in an orderly manner. Report to your execution stations. In good time. No barging or rowdiness in the queues. And bring a book in case there is a delay. That is all."

WORST LINES
Giant: "Lock up those traitors, baby!"

CATCHPHRASES
A citizen exclaims "M-my dok!", while Dredd says "Drokk it!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Bolland/Leach
Letters: Tom Frame

Leach is Garry Leach who also worked as an artist on Future Shorts, Slaine, The V.C.'s, M.A.C.H.1 and as both writer and artist on Dan Dare and Tharg's Future Shocks.

REVIEW
Cal sentences the city to death again, but this part is anything but repetitive. The arrival of Kleggs and the prospect of the alphabetical executions are great, the art is wonderful and the looters under house arrest serve as an excellent reminder of the strip's usual content.

Next Prog: Judgement Day!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 5

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 5

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 93

DATELINE
30 Dec 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day the Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd appeals for Mega-City One's citizens to rise up against Cal.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First time Dredd encourages lawlessness.

INFORMATION
From Mega-City One's Broadcast Control building a transmission can be sent on all channels to all homes. The Justice Department maintains an armoury in the East of the city.

Named Judges: Judge Kafka, Judge Jones (SJS), Judge Murphy, Judge Noxin (SJS)

JUDGE DREDD
He and his group break into Broadcast Control and he transmits a message on all channels as a call to arms.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He bathes publically. Two women were sentenced to ten years for littering and plead to Cal for a shorter sentence. He sentences them to death. When Dredd's rallying call leads to widespread rioting, Cal sentences the entire city to death.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Presumably thousands.

BEST LINES
Kelso: "Drokk! Keep punching with the right, but the right ain't there!"

WORST LINES
Dredd: "Drop the rods, boys!"

CATCHPHRASES
Kelso and another Judge say drokk, while Walter says Dwedd, hewo and thwoo.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Giant mentions the 'Robot Wars'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
There are no credits printed in the strip itself and so the following are taken from Barney.

Script: John Wagner
Artist: Brett Ewins (pencils)/ Brendan McCarthy (inks)
Letters: Unknown

REVIEW
Again the artwork is great. The sight of Cal wearing only bubbles is quite shocking, while Dredd's transmission and the repetition of the frame of John and his wife watching telly is a very nice touch. When Cal sentences the entire city to death, it seems like the beginning of the end.

Next Prog: The Kleggs Are Coming!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 4

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 4

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 92

DATELINE
25 Nov 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd 10, Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd goes on the offensive and attempts to take control of broadcasts within Mega-City One.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first appearance of Mayor Grubb.

INFORMATION
The Mayor of Mega-City One is Mayor Grubb. Broadcast Control

Chief Judge Cal passes a law to maintain public order, but leaves Deputy Chief Judge Fish to announce it and despite the uncertainty the penalty for its disobedience is death. Named Judges: Judge Esso (SJS), Judge Holbein (Tutor), Judge Kelso (Tutor), Judge Pepper (Tutor), Judge Strong (SJS).

JUDGE DREDD
He and his men move against Cal and attempt to take control of broadcasts within Mega-City One to recruit more for his rebellion.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MAYOR GRUBB
The Mayor of Mega-City One. Cal has him locked up for being mad.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He has the Mayor incarcerated and a protest gassed.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE FISH
Cal has him announce a new law to confound the citizens of Mega-City One.

ARRESTS
None. Is the gas poisonous?

DEATHS
Unknown. Is the gas poisonous?

BEST LINES
Strong: "I brain you in the name of the law!"

WORST LINES
Giant: "Yeah baby - All the way!"

CATCHPHRASES
A mob member obliges us with an "Aieeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: J. Howard
Artist: Brett Ewins
Letters: Jack Potter

REVIEW
The art is fantastic throughout, but it's a shame that the Judge Fish bloop gag is repeated so soon.

Next Prog: "The City That Roared!"

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 3

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died, Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 91

DATELINE
18 Nov 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, Judge Dredd 10 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Giant and Dredd escape Justice Central, avoid the manhunt and meet with the tutors of the Academy of Law to plan a revolution.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Judge Slocum and Judge Scmaltz, first use of Judge Griffin's name, first acknowledgement that the tutors of the Academy of Law are all injured Judges.

INFORMATION
Justice Central has emergency exit tube which lead to the garage. The tutors at the Academy of Law are chosen from Judges that were wounded in action.

Named Judges: Judge Clubman, Judge Cody, Judge Glass, Judge Griffin, Judge Percy, Judge Scmaltz, Judge Slocum.

JUDGE DREDD
Giant breaks him out of Justice Central and Cal orders a manhunt with a reward of one million credits for information leading to his capture. Giant delivers him to a secret location where he meets the tutors from the Academy of Law and they begin to plan the overthrow of Cal.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE GIANT
He rescues Dredd and delivers him to a secret meeting with the tutors from the Academy of Law.

CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He orders every Judge to search for Dredd.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE FISH
Slocum uses his inscrutability to bamboozle Cal and save the lives of Judges Percy and Glass, by claiming the goldfish sentenced them to dress as little girls.

JUDGE SLOCUM
SJS Judge. He outmanoeuvres Cal by claiming the Judge Fish sentenced two Judges to dress as little girls.

JUDGE GRIFFIN
The Principal of the Academy of Law. He pledges his staff to help Dredd overthrow Cal.

JUDGE SCHMALTZ
Tutor at the Academy of Law. He joins Griffin in the fight against Cal.

JUDGE CLUBMAN
Tutor at the Academy of Law. He joins Griffin in the fight against Cal.

ARRESTS
None. Although the fraudulent Dredds and/or those who informed on them probably had their collars felt.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Schmaltz: "Youre safe, Judge Dredd. Safe! Oh, how I weep when I think your precious life has been saved! Saved for a city that needs you so badly-"
Griffin: "Enough of that, Judge Schmaltz!"

WORST LINES
Giant: "You're blockin' the tubes, dudes!"

CATCHPHRASES
Dredd pledges to win "By Drokk"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Cal has ordered every Judge on a manhunt for Dredd before in Bring Me The Head Of Judge Dredd. Judge Griffin was previously seen in 'The Academy Of Law' and 'Mutie the Pig'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: Tom Knight

Tom Knight also provided letters for A.B.C. Warriors.

REVIEW
Another great part here. Judge Slocum's use of Judge Fish, Judge Schmaltz's eulogising and Cal's building madness are all wonderful.

Next Prog: Mega-Riot

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 2 - The Tyrant's Grip!

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 2 - The Tyrant's Grip!

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 90

DATELINE
11 Nov 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Judge Dredd 8, Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, Judge Dredd 9, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02. It also formed part of the Judge Dredd radio adaptation of The Day The Law Died.

SYNOPSIS
Chief Judge Cal exerts his new power, appoints a new deputy and makes a move against Dredd.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Judge Fish.

INFORMATION
MCTV broadcasts a news programme called Hot News.

Chief Judge Cal reintroduces the death penalty for crimes such as criticism of the Chief Judge and curfew breaking. The curfew will be in effect from 18:00 hours. Named Judges: Judge Brady, Deputy Chief Judge Fish, Judge Rizzo, Judge Stapleton.

JUDGE DREDD
The bullet has been removed and his damaged brain tissue has been regenerated. He comes around and is moved against medical instruction to see Cal. Call allows his new deputy to pass judgement of Dredd and interprets Fish's verdict as death.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He reintroduces the death penalty and order that a curfew be in effect. He appoints Judge Fish as Deputy Chief Judge.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE FISH
A goldfish. Cal appoints him as Deputy Chief Judge.

ARRESTS
Potentially millions. The newsreader of Hot News is arrested for criticising the Chief Judge and all of the viewers at home are told to await a visit from a Judge for watching illegal broadcasts. The members of the crowd same

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Cal: "My new deputy will deliver the verdict!"
Fish bubbles.
Cal: "You all heard the verdict that my deputy gave! Now I will carry out the sentence!"

WORST LINES
Cal: "You dare! You dare to go against me, Judge Giant!"
Giant: "No - no, Chief Judge it's just that...just that the blood would spatter all over your clean uniform!"

CATCHPHRASES
Cal describes himself as "I am the law now - The living law!", Walter says cweeps, gwateful, mowe, wain, wite and tweatments.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Giant refers Dredd's involvement in his time as a rookie, as seen in 'The Academy Of Law' .

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: Frame

REVIEW
Another brilliant instalment. The MCTV censorship, the unveiling of Judge Fish and his subsequent sentencing are all fantastic.

Next Prog: The New Law!

Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 1

NAME
Judge Dredd: The Day The Law Died!, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 89

DATELINE
4 Nov 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Epics: Judge Caligula 1, Judge Dredd Epics: The Complete Judge Caligula, Judge Dredd Epics: The Day The Law Died, The Complete Judge Dredd 8, Judge Dredd 9 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02. The story also formed part of the Judge Dredd radio adaptation of The Day The Law Died.

SYNOPSIS
The Chief Judge is killed, Cal replaces him and Dredd is shot.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First use of Betalgeusian in dialogue, last appearance of Chief Judge Goodman.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One has a rejuvenation clinic.

If the Chief Judge dies, then the Deputy Chief Judge automatically takes over his duties. Named Judges: Judge Schultz.

Chief Judge Goodman is killed and Deputy Chief Judge Cal takes his place.

JUDGE DREDD
He rushes to the Chief Judge's bedside. He realises that the Special Judicial Squad are responsible. Upon leaving his home, he is shot through the head and given a one in a hundred chance of surviving.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CLARENCE GOODMAN
He has been Chief Judge of Mega-City One for 43 years and in considered a celebrity by some. He receives a monthly treatment at a rejuvenation clinic. He is set upon by knife wielding perps who stab him repeatedly. He later dies of his injuries, but not before he manages to place an SJS button ripped off in the struggle into Dredd's hand.

DEPUTY CHIEF JUDGE CAL
He orders the assassinations of Goodman and Dredd, has a haircut and takes over as Chief Judge.

JUDGE QUINCY
He is responsible for the attempts on the lives of Goodman and Dredd. He loses a button in the former and when Cal realises he orders him to conduct his duties in his underwear.

WALTER THE WOBOT
He fears for Dredd's life.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
One. Goodman is killed.

BEST LINES
Cal: "Mmm...the robe of office suits me perfectly! I was born to be Chief Judge - I've always known it. Haven't you, Schultz?"
Schultz: "Er, yes sir. Always."
Cal: "How could you always have known it, Schultz? You only met me two years ago. I have a way of dealing with liars!"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
Walter says bwutal, cwipes, cwime, Dwedd, hewo, tewwible and thwoo. Cal says "I am the law!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The story's title probably alludes to "The Day The Music Died", a lyric in Don McLean's song 'American Pie' that refers to the February 3, 1959 plane crash in Iowa that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Cal's new haircut is very I, Claudius (1976).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: T. Frame

REVIEW
This is a phenomenal beginning. The dialogue is sharp throughout, the assassination attempts are both shocking and Cal's punishment for Quincy is very, very funny.

Next Prog: The Tyrant's Grip!

Ro-Busters: Midpoint, Part 2

NAME
Ro-Busters: Midpoint, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 6

DATELINE
17 June 78

This issue bore a cover by Ron Embleton, Strontium Dog, Timequake, Mind Wars and Planet Of The Damned strips and the third part of the Hell Planet game.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein enlist a cleaner-'droid to help them prevent an explosion that would spread nuclear waste across Europe.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters letters by Tony Jacob. First Ro-Busters two parter.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

Operation Leper is the codename for the US government method of nuclear waste disposal in space. Black Capsule Cooling Systems present nuclear waste

Ro-Busters successfully prevent an explosion that would spread nuclear waste across Europe.

RO-JAWS
He bites through the missile's casing to get to the black capsule control-circuits.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is familiar with black capsule cooling systems, but his fingers are too big to rewire it. He talks Percy through it.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He volunteers Ro-Jaws, Hammer-Stein and four more robots to fix the black capsule cooling system.

HIGGINS
Midpoint's janitor. He likes to sleep inside Percy's 'stomach', climbs half way up the building and nearly falls to his death. He faints a lot.

PERCY
Cleaner-'Droid. Higgins likes to sleep in his 'stomach'. He is equipped with sux-pads on his feet and can walk up and down a vertical surface. Percy can also spray soapy-water and has a vid-screen. Hammer-Stein talks him through rewiring the black capsule cooling system control-circuits.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Percy: "Gosh, this sounds terrific! Are we really in the middle of a real disaster?"

WORST LINES
Percy: "Gosh, d-did you say 'hero'? Quuiiirk"

CATCHPHRASES
"Don't Panic!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
"Don't Panic!" was Lance-Corporal Jones from Dad's Army (1968 to 1977) and recently it played a prominent part in The Hitchhiker's Guide To Galaxy (1978).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Bill Henry
Artist: Ian Kennedy
Letters: Tony Jacob

REVIEW
After the carnage of Part 1, the tone of this is odd. There is little of the interaction between Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein that is such a highlight of the strip, nor do we get enough of Quartz's reaction to his own life being threatened. Instead an excited Percy comes to fore, while Higgins' constant fainting elicits very little from the other characters.

Next Week: 'It's Instant Destruction For Any Robot Involved In A Hume Killing!'

Ro-Busters: Midpoint, Part 1

NAME
Ro-Busters: Midpoint, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 5

DATELINE
10 June 78

This issue also contained Strontium Dog, Timequake, Mind Wars and Planet Of The Damned strips, the second part of the Hell Planet game and a Ro-Busters cover by Kevin O'Neill.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Busters must save the occupants of Midpoint from a rocket full of nuclear waste.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First work on Ro-Busters by Bill Henry and Ian Kennedy

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

A missile carrying nuclear waste launched from a silo in Nevada's Yucca Desert malfunctions and cannot be aborted. It crashes into Midpoint, a 400 storey building in London and becomes lodged. 10,000 people are killed.

It is illegal to dump nuclear waste off-planet.

RO-JAWS
He and Hammer-Stein attempt to get survivors out of Midpoint.

HAMMER-STEIN
He and Ro-Jaws attempt to get survivors out of Midpoint.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He is visited Midpoint when the missile becomes lodged.

DEATHS
At least 10,000 die in the crash, the resulting fires and leaping from a great height.

BEST LINES
Midpointer: "Call up your Preying Mantis craft, Quartz - It's been circling the building all day...showing off...all blasted d!ay"

WORST LINES
Rocketeer: "Oh my stars! Malfunction - a bad one!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Quartz on red"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Midpoint is surely based on London's Centre Point completed in 1967, it also featured in the horror film The Medusa Touch (1977) when a Boeing 747 aircraft is shown hitting the top of the tower and destroying it.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Bill Henry
Artist: Ian Kennedy
Letters: Peter Knight

Bill Henry also wrote for Victor Drago and lettered for Ro-Busters.

Ian Kennedy also provided art for Dan Dare, Invasion, Judge Dredd, Tharg's Future Shocks, M.A.C.H.1 and Timequake.

REVIEW
On the face of it, this is a simpler than its predecessors, but seeing Quartz attempt to profit, and indeed profiteer, from a disaster in which his own life is threatened is brilliant.

Next Week: Don't Panic...Don't Panic! We're Doomed!