Comic Book Review - The Fall of Deadworld: Book 3

Rob reviews The Fall of Deadworld: Book III...

The Dark Judges (Fear, Mortis, Fire, and Death) have plagued Mega-City 1 - and Judge Dredd - for several years now. First appearing way back in Judge Death Lives (Progs 224-228) it's always been known that these supernatural foes destroyed their world. However, up until now, we've never been told how these four Dark Judges did it...and it all started with the Bees!

Kek-W and Dave Kendall's The Fall of Deadworld has made for some compelling reading. So far the saga has charted the rise of the Dark Judges, as well as the opening stages of Deadworld's inevitable fall. It's certainly a page-turner as the encroaching darkness spreads across the planet. Where Book 1 and 2 focused on the battle between Judge Death and his protégé Judge Fairfax. Book 3 takes a more drastic turn as Death focuses on the new Chief Judge Tweed, who also happens to be the new "plaything" for Nausea and Phobia - The Sisters of Death. 

We're also given a look into Deadworlds future as Kek-W brings us Visions of Deadworld. A self self-contained short story set away from the main narrative that charts the lesser-known tales from the main series. What's more, is that these are told by a mysterious figure who remains on the dead planet long after the Dark Judges have departed to Dredd's reality. 

What makes The Fall of Deadworld interesting is how Kek-W fits it all together. A lot is going on here as everyone seems to be fighting everyone else. The narrative twists and turns as we see the rebels start to make headway in their somewhat impossible task, to then be thrown by the Sovs, and the book overall ending. The inclusion of the Sovs is naturally going to bring comparison to Apocalypse War but here it's a horror reincarnation of the classic story. Surprisingly there's also plenty of political narratives too as Tweed, The Sisters, Death, and even Mortis all make their various power plays.

Dave Kendall's art is just as horrific as the story it's accompanying - and that's a good thing! The use of colour is fantastic throughout and gives everything a decomposing feel. Every cell just reeks of death and decay. There's no bright vibrancy anywhere, with everything taking on plague-ridden greens and browns.

The Dark Judges themselves are also horrific in design with each having various traits to their persons that match their role within the army of the dead. Within this story, Dave Kendall has made the Dark Judges scary again, which's been long overdue. 

The Fall of Deadworld Book 3 is a great addition to the Deadworld mythos. In between Dave Kendall's chaotic action sequences we get a more political tale as both sides make their power plays. Kek-W is doing a wonderful job in bringing this somewhat origin story to the surface and every page takes us further down the Deadworld rabbit hole. Just what will we find at the end? 

Rating 10/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev