The Star Section: Lifestyle Ad Value: RM 47,105 18-May-2021 Size : 936cm2 PR Value: RM 141,315 The Bat and the Judge WORLDS OF WONDER The Bat and the Judge By KALEON RAHAN I [email protected]. my WHEN it comes to memorable We look back 30 years at the release of Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment On Gotham, inter-company crossovers, those that come to mind immediately a 1991 collaboration between DC Comics and Fleetway Publications. are Superman/Spider-Man, X-Men/ Teen Titans, Batman/Hulk, JLA/ Avengers, and even Godzilla Vs (Charles) Barkley. Sadly, one gem that is often overlooked is Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment On Gotham, a 1991 col­ laboration between DC Comics and Fleetway Publications. Written by an all-British creative team comprising John Wagner (who also happens to be Dredd's co-creator), Alan Grant and Simon Bisley, this labour of love united comics' Big Two law enforcers, each bringing their own unique and different perspectives of jus­ tice. Not to be confused with the 2011 Batman crossover event that shares the same name, this DC-Fleetway collaboration was strictly no-holds-barred when it came to boosting the popularity of both law-abiding heroes. However, since then, the two char­ acters' popularity have gone on different paths. While the Dark Knight's fortunes have been rising, the same can't be said about Dredd as his comics exploits Batman and Dredd's contrasting styles of upholding remained stagnant and very much centred on the glory days of its the law inevitably lead to clashing of egos. British publications. Despite having two movie out­ of this tale revolves around ings -the first in 1995 starring Dredd's stubbornness when it S^vester Stallone and a much-im­ comes to upholding the law! proved total revamp in 2012 star­ While Batman is not known ring Karl Urban - the concept of a for his social skills, Dredd's futuristic lawman is still not as persistence in enforcing the law is appealing as vigilantes, mercenar­ simply legendary. ies or even humans possessed by In the end, the two defining alien symbiotes. moments in this story centred on Dredd's status as a cult hero is a Judgment On Anderson's acts of insubordina­ bit of a doubled-edged sword. Gotham definite­ tion. Despite being supported by revo­ ly set the bench­ Firstly she defied Dredd's lutionary and futuristic stories, it mark not only orders by teaming-up with is his "present” state that is in dire for all Batman/ Batman to stop Death. While this need of an immediate fix to Dredd tales but may sound like common sense, ensure he stays relevant. also for other according to Dredd's logic, two Compounding matters further is crossovers of wrongs don't make a right. that Dredd's comics exploits are in comic univers­ The other defining moment real time (he's presently 77 happens at the end of the tale, es. -Photos: years old!) and he turned where Anderson convinces Dredd down the opportunity to get DC Comics/ to drop all charges against his internal organs and bones Fleetway Batman. rebuilt post-Necropolis event. Publications Despite overcoming Death (and Anyway, today's discussion Scarecrow) and saving lots of is NOT on the Dredd-fijl state results in three body bags (!), am still waiting for in the 2000 lives, Dredd was still insisting on of Mega City's numero uno courtesy of the Dark A.D.-verse. bringing back Batman to serve a cop, but rather, to pay tribute Knight's timely intervention. The inclusion of Judge 20 years sentence for his “crimes” to one of comic's greatest Subsequently, Batman (acci­ Anderson and the combined (which includes possession of ille­ inter-company crossovers. Let dentally) pays Mega City threat of Death-Scarecrow-Mean gal weapons, which were 0n his us revisit the highlights of this One a visit and gets the Machine Angel met my expecta­ utility belt). event from 30 years ago. harshest of welcoming tions and fit the confines of 60 Fortunately, Anderson managed receptions - beginning with pages. Additionally, I was also to not only resonate with Dredd Whors the law? a head butt from Mean relieved that this one-shot is but also invoke a level of respect Machine Angel, followed by "Joker-free". between Dredd and Batman. The biggest challenge of an interrogation session major crossovers ensuring hosted by (drum roll British balance Astounding impact parity in terms of the lead please)... Dredd! characters, and stying true to As expected, Dredd and With an all-Brit creative team The reception for this story was their respective ecosystems. Batman didn't exactly hit it that also has the experience of simply astounding, as it clinched Despite their common belief of off right away, resulting in working for DC Comics, this was the 1992 UK Comic Art Award for upholding the law, Batman and the usual compulsory test indeed a best-of-both-worlds col­ Best Original Graphic Novel, with Dredd's methods for iinple- of strength and egos laboration. Bisley also with the Best Artist menting it differ starkly, with between the two, though While any writer worth his salt Eisner Award that year. Story­ the Dark Knight adhering to a eventually, they unite to can write a Batman tale, the same wise, Judgment On Gotham also strict "no kill" code, while save the citizens of can't be said for Dredd. Hence, earned a nomination for the 1992 Dredd is simply a Judge, Jury Gotham. Wagner's presence provided Elsner Award for Best Graphic and Executioner. added confidence, and helped Album. Fortunately, this crossover Supporting cast ensure that the futuristic law­ The success of this crossover nicely encapsulates the contrast man's idiosyncrasies are correctly spawned three more tie-ups (i.e. between their approaches, All the same, it is Judge portrayed. Batman/Judge Dredd: Vendetta In though it did result in some Anderson who is the unsung While I would have preferred Cotham (1993), Batman/Judge compromise on Dredd's part. our of hosting another chaotic heroine in this tale, as her inter­ Brian Bolland on the art duties Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle (1995), event, this time featuring Judge vention and subordination was due to his epic work on both and Batman/Judge Dredd: Die Death in Gotham Death. required in order to tackle the Batman and Dredd tales, the Laughing (1998). 2000 A.D. and Brian Bolland bigger threat of Judge Death, who choice of Bisley was equally good While each of those team-ups The plot is straightforward and fans will recall the epic battles and has now teamed up with as he was the in-form artist dur­ involved new plots and art-style, self-contained, and very much in massive body counts Mega City Scarecrow. ing that time. Judgment On Gorham definitely the 2000 A.D. style of storytelling. One had to endure from Death's I was really hoping (then) that sets THE benchmark not only for Having been the epicentre of (and his Dark Judges) trail of this adventure would give her the Defining moments all Batman/Dredd tales but also many catastrophes, Gotham City destruction. Fortunately, Death's necessary springboard for more for other crossovers (ie Predator, once again has the dubious hon- inaugural visit to Gotham (only) exposure - which is something I Ironically, the defining moment Aliens, etc)..