Comic Book Review - Mega-City Max

Rob reviews Mega-City Max…

Mega-City One, post-apocalyptic city state with an estimated population of 130 million. Across its long tenure as the home to Judge Dredd, the city has been through a lot. From the threat of nuclear war, bloc-wars, and even those pesky Dark Judges - Mega-City One has seen it all. It’s also a cityscape that’s seen it’s fair share of different interpretations throughout the years too. With IDW, DC, Danny Cannon, and Alex Garland all adding their own spin to the 2000 AD world. 

While “The Meg” remains a staple within the weekly Prog, and the Judge Dredd Megazine, 2000 AD publisher, Rebellion isn’t afraid to mess with their own formula. Over the last few years this has seen the rise of Regened - an all-ages spin on the Prog. Subsequently Regened has seen its fair share of new content, as well as new takes on classic 2000 AD characters. For example, while Judge Dredd still features in Regened he goes by Cadet Dredd. For the most Regened works and a few of the original pieces have gone on to star in the more adult themed Prog. 

While it does have its naysayers who always moan on social media about why it shouldn’t be this, or that, at its heart Regened is a way to entice new readers to the “Galaxies Greatest”. After all, old-age doesn’t stop for anyone. Including the 2000 AD readership. And getting into the nitty-gritty, why isn’t introducing new readers to something that a lot of people hold so dearly such a bad thing? 

Rant over…

Anyway, as a way to bridge the gap between Regened and the Prog/Megazine, Rebellion have decided to market their bread and butter towards the YA (young adult) crowd. As such Mega-City Max takes a few classic Judge Dredd/Mega-City One mainstays and adds in plenty of teenage angst. It’s certainly not going to be a comic that’ll appeal to everyone, and those who grumble about Regened will 100% have their issues. But for its target audience, Mega-City Max is the perfect springboard for those older Regened readers who are looking for more.  

DeMarco P.I.: Snake Oil (Hannah Templer)

Kicking things off is one-person band Hannah Templer who writes, draws, colours, and letters this take on Galen DeMarco. While there’s a few similarities to the Galen DeMarco, here Templer is able to add her own spin to the already established character. First noticeable thing is that the strip includes cameos from another two Dreddverse characters - Hershey & Anderson. While they do sort-of fit into the narrative (the duo happen to know DeMarco from her time as a Cadet Judge at the Academy), it feels entirely tacked on. And if anything a little unnecessary fan service. 

Anyway, back to Snake Oil and we get a simple mystery as the rookie P.I. attempts to build her reputation. There’s plenty of world-building throughout as through DeMarco, Templer introduces those who’ll no doubt aid the character if Mega-City Max gets a full run. Art work is pretty pleasing on the eye with everything taking on an anime theme. This works particularly well for Mega-City One, and gives everything a noir feeling - rather than the usual Cyberpunk experience. 

Walter The Wobot: Don’t Be Cwuel (Roger Langridge, Pipper Bowland) 

Whether you love or loathe him, Judge Dredd’s former sidekick makes his triumphant return with a standalone adventure. Written by veteran scribe Roger Langridge, Don’t Be Cwuel follows Walter as he takes a stab at being a comedian. Well, a comedian who’s respectful, and polite…that’ll surely draw in the crowds. Right? 

Eager to take advantage of Walter’s plight is Max Normal - Con-artist and general low-life. Through various bribes and blackmail campaigns Max Normal gets Walter some gigs that makes the robot think he’s a hit. However, Max Normal soon draws the attention of Mega-City One’s robot mafia, and has to lay-low. This then leaves Walter fending for himself, with an interesting outcome.

I’ve never been a fan of Walter The Wobot, and sadly this one didn’t change my opinion of the droid. Langridge does however give a nice look into the prejudices and different cultures that roam the Mega-Cities streets. Also Pipper Bowland on colour duties makes for a very welcomed change from her usual outing as letterer. 

Devlin Waugh: Wedding Hells (Oliver Gerlach, V.V. Glass, Simon Bowland)

Much like Walter, I’ve never been a fan of undead lothario, Devlin Waugh. However I did find myself rather enjoying Oliver Gerlach’s adaptation. Here we follow a much younger Devlin as he juggles his two life styles. On one hand he’s a jaded former Olympian who’s stuck performing celebrity weddings to remain in the spotlight. While the other hand holds his new life as an demon hunter. 

If anything Wedding Hells acts as an origin to the character as we see into Devlin’s past. It’s also a story that’s packed with plenty of laugh out loud moments as Devlin literally sees the Devil in front of him, however none of the guests seem to mind. Throw in plenty of social satire, such as the need for “likes”, and has-been sport stars performing in panto (for example), and Wedding Hells is a pretty decent strip. Glass compliments everything with a vibrant and Manga-esc art display. Everything jumps straight from the page, which is needed with the craziness that’s happening on the page. 

Sadly it’s not given me the urge to revisit the older Devlin, but I’m looking forward to a hopeful future for this younger version. 

Cranium Chaos (Lucie Ebrey)

Coming as a totally original strip, Ebrey “heads” into the weird and wonderful side of the titular Mega-City. While Judge Dredd and Co. generally deal with the more troublesome Cits, there are plenty who just want to get by. And with people like Otto Stump on the scene to entice folks with looking ugly, or other body modifications, then life in the Meg can be a little less than ordinary. 

With Cranium Chaos we get a look into the crazes that sweep amongst the youth of Mega-City One. In needing to keep up with current trends, we follow to generic Cits as one of them gets a cranium implant. Now with a larger than average sized head, one of the duo classes himself as a “Summertime Stud”. But what happens when cranial implants become un-trendy? 

Lucie Ebrey brings quite a unique strip to Mega-City Max. Not only do we have a whole original tale that doesn’t adapt any pre-existing character, the art work is pretty unique too! With all the different styles, tastes, and influences that make up Mega-City One, Ebrey makes a welcome home to her style. 

Harlem Heroes VS. The Venetian Vipers (Ramzee, Korina Mei Veropoulou, Simon Bowland) 

Fresh from their appearance as an exclusive strip within Regened Volume 4, Ramzee, and Veropoulou bring their revamped Harlem Heroes back for another adventure - or should it be called match? 

While the Heroes aren’t an entirely new concept, this reinvention not only captures the fun that made Pat Mills, Carlos Trivilo, and Dave Gibbons’ original a hit. It brings it bang up to date for modern readers. There’s plenty of action here as the inexperienced Harlem Heroes go toe-to-toe with the cream of the Aeroball league. Up first is the Venetian Vipers who have a penchant of using whatever advantage they can to remain the best of the best. 

Much like the recent revival of Roy of the Rovers, Ramzee and Verpoulou pull out all the stops to bring this game of Aeroball straight from the page. The high intensity art perfectly captures the essence of a high-steaks future sport, without sacrificing room for a narrative to play out. 

With stories such as Pandora Perfect, and Department K making the jump from their respective publications, could Harlem Heroes do the same? 

All in all and Mega-City Max does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a fun and engaging view into life within the “Big Meg” thats been made accessible for the young adult audience. While it would of been easy for Rebellion to go down the route of chucking in the ever present Judge Dredd, it’s been nice to see Mega-City One without the famous lawman - and the infamous Judges uniform being in the shadows. 

As mentioned above, Mega-City Max isn’t going to be for everyone within the wider 2000 AD fandom, and yes it will no doubt have those who’ll vocally bash what Rebellion are trying to do with this special issue. However, for its target audience, Mega-City Max is an essential read. Not only does it act as a go-between for Regened and the Prog, it’s a perfect way to broaden what the rich world of Mega-City One - and 2000 AD has to offer! 

Rating: 10/10 

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