The Law In Order: Compulsory Purchase

In an ideal world, things would go as planned; Malaysian planes would reach their destinations as scheduled, US Presidents would not be racist man-babies intent on destroying the nation and Neymar would be given an Oscar for some top level artistic expression. It appears that even in the far flung future, things have not changed and the stomm occasionally hits the fan. Luckily they have Judge Dredd to sort that out…

DATELINE:
September 2102 (Judge Dredd Annual 1981).

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?:
John Wagner pens a harsh tale while Mick McMahon gets weird with the visuals.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT (IN ONE SENTENCE)?:
In order to save the life of a defence expert, Dredd must serve a compulsory purchase order for a citizen’s heart.

WHO’S THAT IN THE HELMET?:
Chief Judge Jurgen Griffin signs off on the CPO and actually does some work for a change.

ANY LAW LORE?:
Cling nets are seen in the strip for what I think is the first time.
Under the Security of the City Act, a Compulsory Purchase Order can be served on any property, including body parts.

IT’S CULTURAL, INNIT?:
Victor Mature was a fairly ropey actor of many a sword and sandal flick.
Joe Loss was a British big band leader.
Stan Lee is a genius at stealing other people’s ideas.

CANON FODDER?:
The colour scheme is off in the story, as Dredd’s elbow and kneepads are gold and his badge is silver. Not sure what is happening with the belt buckle, either.

WHAT THE DROKK?:
As established in the story Frankenstein 2, transplant surgery is banned. Despite this, Mega City One seems to have a transplant clinic.
Mega City roadways are once again a health and safety nightmare under the pen of McMahon.

WHAT’S THE ART LIKE?:
Pretty wild in paces but the crazy colour scheme throws off some of the classic designs. That said there are some fine moments here such as Dredd looking uncomfortable sitting in a chair and the characterisation in the faces which enables the tension to be felt. A circle panel for the Whittle certainly helps.

HOW MANY LINKS?:
Dredd’s single-minded nature and the doses of humour throughout (especially from Mrs Williams) lift this above the average. The saving of the defence expert (considering what happens in the next two years) at the expense of the downtrodden Williams is somewhat ironic. Four links.