The number one question that any Dredd-head gets asked on a regular basis is “Where do I start reading Judge Dredd?!” Well the days of having to compile a list of recommended reading by hand is soon going out the window because as of September 2020, Rebellion Publishing is introducing the Essential Judge Dredd graphic novel line!

Perfect for new readers and retailers, the Essential Judge Dredd line will focus on the key stories that have established and confirmed Dredd’s place as one of the most complex and nuanced characters in comics.

The first collection in the new line, Essential Judge Dredd: America, collects the story of childhood friends America Jara and Bennett Beeny being drawn apart, but when they reunite Beeny discovers America has become involved with the terrorist organization ‘Total War’. This dark and complex tale is considered to be one of the best stories to ever come out of the Judge Dredd universe, and will includes work by John Wagner (A History of Violence), Garth Ennis (Preacher), Alan Grant (Batman), Colin MacNeil (Judge Dredd), John Higgins (Watchmen), John M Burns (Modesty Blaise), and Jeff Anderson (Transformers).

“Not only is America one of the most amazing Judge Dredd stories ever told, this incredibly prescient look at the demands society must make for democracy and what a state will do to protect itself couldn’t be more contemporary,” said head of Rebellion Publishing, Ben Smith. “This is not only the ideal first story for any reader new to Dredd, it’s something everyone should read in this year of all years. Make sure you read it before you vote, citizens!”

The graphic novel series is slated to continue onto it’s second book in November 2020 with Essential Judge Dredd: Origins, the unprecedented epic that sees Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra return to tell the origin story of their greatest creation.

The Essential Judge Dredd: America will be available in September 2020 and retailing at $25.00 US/£19.99 UK from all good comic retailers.