Comic Review // Judge Dredd: The Cape and Cowl Crimes

I’m going to be working on some Judge Dredd graphic novels for a while. There is a very good reason for this: my local library has received about ten Judge Dredd graphic novels. Yes, I still use a library. And yes, I was probably more excited about finding these on the shelf than I should have been!

So, naturally, I'm working my way through them.

This time we're looking at The Cape and Cowl Crimes, which takes a rather amusing approach to Mega-City One by looking at superheroes and vigilantes, or, more accurately, the wonderfully ridiculous way they might fit into the Judge Dredd universe. And when you combine vigilantes, Mega-City One and Judge Dredd's complete lack of patience for idiots running around in costumes, you know you're in for some fun.

So let's jump in.

Fairly Hyperman

Judge Dredd is approached in a seedy bar by a muscle-bound fool declaring himself to be Fairly Hyperman. Possessing a ridiculous collection of fairly super powers, our would-be hero decides to start fighting crime in Mega-City One.

Unfortunately, he's also breaking multiple laws while doing it. Which means he's quickly found himself on Judge Dredd's radar.

Highlight

It seems the Justice Department has dealt with superheroes before, or at least someone in the Department has been reading their DC Comics.

The Judges have access to a rather useful supply of rare minerals, allowing Dredd to create specially crafted ammunition capable of dealing with Hyperman's powers.

It's a funny little story and a good introduction to the superhero theme, although ultimately it feels more like a filler tale.

Bat Mugger

In a future where money is increasingly difficult to obtain legally, some very intelligent people will inevitably find stupid ways to fund their passions. So what do you do when you're a failed artist but incredibly talented at mugging people and building bat-gliders? Become Bat Mugger, of course.

Highlight

This is a great little Dredd story. For a while, it genuinely feels like the villain might get away with it. He's clever, he's careful and he's managing to stay under the Judges' radar. Unfortunately for him, greed eventually gets the better of him, and once you're on Dredd's radar, things generally don't end well.

I also have to admit that I love a good bat-glider, and this one absolutely hits the mark.

The Juve Mutated Kung Fu Kleggs

Orphaned during the reign of Chief Judge Cal, four baby Kleggs are raised by a Kook who decides that these natural-born killers should instead become a crime-fighting force. Unfortunately, his method of controlling them is rather unconventional. It's a ballerina music box.

When that method eventually fails, the Kleggs revert to their natural instincts and escape into Mega-City One. Which means only one thing...Lots of dead citizens.

Highlight

The obvious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles influence is probably the biggest attraction here, but the artwork really sells the whole thing. Dermot Power's work is fantastic. It's highly detailed, with a dark and moody backdrop that makes the whole story look fantastic. It's ridiculous, violent and very Judge Dredd.

Chicken Run

When the local gang from Ozzy Osbourne Block gets bored, the residents of John Major Block had better watch out. The gang covers up its markings and heads out on a Chicken Run, basically an evening of causing as much trouble, violence and general chaos as possible before escaping the Judges.

Highlight

One member of the Ozzy Osbourne crew has a specially augmented jaw and uses it to chomp down on the head of the Bat Mugger. I'm not going to lie. It feels like the writer might have been an Ozzy fan and honestly, I'm here for it.

Marauder

Former Justice Department Cadet Falcone dropped out of the Academy after struggling with authority, controlling his temper and, apparently, keeping his flirting away from the female Judges.

Now back in his old neighbourhood and free from the Justice Department, Falcone has one goal: take down the corrupt Judge responsible for killing his mother.

He becomes known as Marauder and eventually gets his hands on some experimental Hellbender armour, the ultimate stealth and combat suit. Which is, naturally, officially banned on Earth.

Highlight

The Skorps. According to this story, they're the wildest street gang in Mega-City One, taking their name from the Cursed Earth rad-scorpions they have grafted onto their backs. The scorpion and human minds become fused into a single consciousness, giving the gang members increased strength and an even greater appetite for violence.

It's completely bonkers, and that's exactly why I love Mega-City One.

Codename: Weasel

After the Judges discover one of former Chief Judge McGruder's black-ops sites, Dredd and a team are sent in to investigate. Inside, they discover the deadly and dangerous Weasel.

Highlight

This is basically a Judge Dredd version of Wolverine. It's a light-hearted filler story, but it's a fun read and doesn't take itself too seriously. Sometimes that's exactly what you want from Dredd.

The Adjudicators

A missing PR Judge and a large amount of stolen Justice Central video equipment lead Dredd towards a new vigilante group calling themselves The Adjudicators. Essentially, they're Mega-City One's answer to the Marvel superhero teams, and to make matters even worse, these costumed lunatics are actually making the Judges popular with the citizens.

Which, obviously, Dredd isn't particularly happy about.

Highlight

A PR Department of Judges?! Beyond Judge Pal, I honestly didn't know this was a thing. More investigation is clearly required…to Google!

Mask of Anarchy

This one unfortunately feels like I've walked into the middle of a much larger story. An anti-mutant artist becomes the latest target of Anarchy, a vigilante attempting to expose corruption and wrongdoing amongst the rich and powerful. It's an interesting concept, but I was left wanting more context.

Highlight

The anti-mutant graphic novel artist turns out to be...a mutant. Unsurprisingly, this doesn't go down particularly well with the anti-mutant crowd, who nearly beat him to death when they discover the truth.

It's a very Dredd way of delivering the punchline. But not a favourite.

Uncivil Partnership

The final story sees two of the biggest movies of the year being released on the same night at the same cinema. Unfortunately, the two headline stars used to be romantically involved. Now their fans have chosen sides.

And it looks like the cinema is about to become the scene of a full-scale riot.

Highlight

Cosplay: I love watching Judge Dredd beat up cosplaying fans. There is something wonderfully ridiculous about seeing Mega-City One citizens become so invested in their favourite fictional characters that they completely lose sight of the fact that it's just a movie. The artwork in this story is also a lot of fun and really captures the ridiculousness of fandom.

Final Thoughts

I have mixed feelings about The Cape and Cowl Crimes. On the one hand, I really like the overall idea. Taking the superhero genre and throwing it into Mega-City One is a perfect match for Judge Dredd's sense of humour. There are some genuinely funny stories here, some great artwork and plenty of ridiculous characters.

On the other hand, the collection feels a little too compressed. The stories jump around the Dredd timeline, and at times it feels like we're being thrown from one idea to another without enough time to really settle into any of them. A couple of the stories also feel as though they belong to larger narratives, which left me wanting more context.

I think the concept could have been handled better with a little more space to breathe. That said, it's still a good evening's read.

And that's ultimately what I'm getting from this run of Judge Dredd graphic novels from the library. I'm discovering stories, characters and little pieces of Mega-City One that I might never have picked up otherwise. And as a Judge Dredd fan, I'm absolutely not going to complain about that.

Until next time, Drokk heads!