The Law In Order: Otto Sump’s Ugly Clinic

As a man who is perpetually cursed with ugliness, Orlok knows the effort that often goes in to making one acceptable to be seen by other humans. In places like east Leeds this isn’t an issue since genetic mutation and gammon faced troglodytes are ten a penny, but here we see that the Big Meg has a different spin on things. Now, ugliness is a desirable quality, with kids of all ages looking to develop a Swansea Smile…

DATELINE:
November 2102 (Progs 186-188).

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE?:
John Wagner and Alan Grant bring ugly to the fore and Ron Smith goes one up.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT (IN ONE SENTENCE)?:
Otto Sump’s Ugly products become the hottest Mega City One craze.

WHO’S THAT IN THE HELMET?:
Judge Lewis assists Dredd in his investigation.
Standards Officers Dawson and Owen bravely try out Sump products to determine their legality.

IT’S CULTURAL, INNIT?:
Marcus Welby was a TV doctor of the 1960s with a kindly bedside manner.
Arnold Swarzenburger is a funny moment of ribbing at the Austrian Oak.
Charles Atlas was a bodybuilder most famous for his adverts about self-development (and kicking the ever living fuck out of bullies).

ANY LAW LORE?:
Using the image of a Judge for a commercial venture is illegal.
Ricochet bullets are constructed of rubber titanium.
Using a Judge’s image for a commercial venture is illegal.
The Department has Standards Officers.

WHAT THE DROKK?:
The pat wagon taking away perps is clearly marked “Black Maria”.
Dredd is carrying two guns again.

WHAT’S THE ART LIKE?:
Workmanlike but nothing special though the robodoc going straight for Bim Mantis’s junk is funny.

HOW MANY LINKS?:
The city and the bonkers citizenry are starting to emerge as the co-stars of the strip and the fact that Dredd is largely absent from episode one is hardly noticed. We also are getting the perception that Judges are starting to bully the little guy into compliance. There’s a nice bit of black humour too. Five links.