The Law In Order: Showdown On Luna 1

Fresh from seeing another disappointing entry in the Star Wars franchise, Orlok looks to the skies and focuses his gaze on the troubles plaguing the moon. The main issue appears to be the appointment of a Texan as the Deputy Chief. Still, it’s not like Texas is ever interested in the affairs of other cities, is it?

DATELINE:
December 2099 (Prog 43).

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?:
John Wagner on script and Mick McMahon brings his wild west style to the art.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT (IN ONE SENTENCE)?:
While cleaning up the town, Dredd has to content with a roboslinger.

WHO’S THAT IN THE HELMET?:
Judge Jefferson J. Tex refuses to assist Dredd with anything, causing Dredd to be immediately suspicious of the rotund ballbag.

ANY LAW LORE?:
The consumption of alcohol as well as the possession of firearms is illegal on Luna 1.
Several Judge Marshals have died in the line of duty on Luna-1. This is suspicious at best and downright criminal at worst.
The Lunar Judges wear capes, even though there is no practical use for them.
The swearing in on Luna 1 is somewhat similar to the US Pledge of Allegiance

IT’S CULTURAL, INNIT?:
Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the moon. Unless you’re a tinfoil hat wearing mentalist and believe it was all filmed in Stanley Kubrick’s garage.

WHAT THE DROKK?:
Dredd outdraws the roboslinger beating the robot’s speed of 0.002 seconds.
Despite his alleged speech issue, Walter says “hundred” and “craft” correctly.
Tex appears to be the permanent Deputy Marshal which seems odd. If you are keeping one role intact and the Judge Marshals above this keep dying then you have a problem.
The robo-slinger is able to transcend the Asimov programming. Why is never explained.

WHAT’S THE ART LIKE?:
McMahon is able to pull off the Wild West feel to this story, especially with the view of the robo-slinger through Dredd’s legs which is right out of the cowboy classics. It’s interesting that despite the cape, Dredd looks more like a normal man under McMahon’s tenure than as he will look under other artists. Here he is bereft of the stature and the chin that will make him something that differentiates him from the rank and file.

HOW MANY LINKS?:
The plot is a paper thin Wild West homage but worth it for the distrust going on between the Judges, something we have not seen before. It is early days but already the dynamic is more interesting than what we have seen in the city. Three links.