Judge Dredd The Cursed Earth Uncensored Limited Signed Editions

Script by Pat Mills, John Wagner and Chris Lowder (aka Jack Adrian), art by Mike McMahon and Brian Bolland. All illustrations are ©Rebellion A/S. For a complete list of all books reviewed in this blog, please visit the index page.

This article deals with the hardcover and paperbak limited signed editions of Judge Dredd The Cursed Earth Uncensored, both published in 2017.

Let's begin with the hardcover edition:

brand new Brian Bolland cover commissioned for this reprint

Published in July 2016 by Rebellion (ISBN 978-1-78108-444-1, 11.2 x 8.3 inches or 28.5 x 21.5 cm, 208 pages B&W and colored spreads, cover price £25), this hardcover edition was limited to 250 copies and could only been purchased through 2000 AD online web shop (the regular edition is also sold out on the 2000 AD webshop). It was advertised as follow:

With the ‘banned’ episodes – ‘Burger Wars’ and ‘Soul Food’ – and colour spreads restored, this hardcover edition has only been made possivle following recent changes in UK law governing parody, meaning The Cursed Earth will be reprinted its entirety for the very first time this July.

This special edition will include a numbered bookplate, affixed inside the book, signed by Chris Lowder (aka 'Soul Food’ writer Jack Adrian) plus other creators to be confirmed.

Also, supplied separately with each order will be one of 250 limited edition A3 posters of the 'Burger Wars’ double page spread by artist Mike McMahon. This high resolution scan of the original black-and-white artwork will be delivered rolled, rather than folded, and is exclusive to the 2000 AD webshop!

Rebellion advert

Indeed, this edition features a numbered and signed sticker (signed by Chris Lowder and John Wagner). Note that in fact, the sticker has been simply put on the regular edition of this book as they share the same ISBN.

Further details about the production of this edition designed by Sam Gretton & Oz Osborne and edited by Keith Richardson can be found here.

the A3 print

second of cover

"bookplate" sticker

The book is printing on thick glossy paper, with a very high quality sewn binding. Second and third of cover displayed respectively the covers from the 1982 Titan edition published in two parts (cover for part one by Brian Bolland, and cover for part two by Mike McMahon). Two pictures below are for size comparison with former publications.

third of cover

the book lays flat at any page

left hand side 1994 Titan books softcover edition, right hand side 2015 Hachette hardcover collection

left hand side Rebellion Complete Case File Vol 2, right hand side original 2000 AD #72 (one of the so called banned episode)

This latest edition of the Cursed Earth is the first to feature original coloured spreads and the so called banned episodes never reprinted since their original publishing in 2000 AD #71, 72, 77, 78. It also includes two new introductions by John Wagner and Chris Lowder (both dated May 2016).

The main part of the book collects the 25 parts of the story originally published in 2000 AD #61-85. Two new chapter breaks have also been produced for this edition. I have counted 19 newly coloured spreads, and 6 coloured one-page opening.

one of the new coloured spreads

one of the two new chapter breaks

to the right, the second new chapter break

coloured spread from the first banned episode

right hand side, coloured one-page opening from the second banned episode

I have always really like that one page

Following the main story there are 19 pages of extra material. Here is the complete list:

• coloured prog covers from 2000 AD #61, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 77, 79, 83, 85
• a B&W illustration from Brian Bolland uses as opening page for the 1994 Titan reprint, and three B&W poster illustrations
• coloured Tweak Star-scan from 2000 AD #83 by Brian Bolland
• virgin cover illustration for this reprint by Brian Bolland
• IPC retractation strip illustrated by Brett ewins, published in 2000 AD #84
• a two pages Cursed Earth B&W map

to the right, opening page for the 1994 Titan Book reprint

one of the three Brian Bolland poster illustrations

IPC retractation script

Oddly, two covers are missing, from 2000 AD #74 and #82 (images taken from Barney's database):

The book finished with the creators mini bio. This edition is also described here.

Now let's take a look at the paperback edition:

This paperback edition have been published by Rebellion in December 2017 (ISBN: 978-1-78108-569-1, 11 x 8 1/3 inches or 28 x 21 cm, £19.99 cover price). In addition to the picture that opens this article, here is another size/design comparison between the two editions (the spines for instance):

TPB edition on the top

Out of the regular printing run, Rebellion have proposed only through the 2000 Ad shop a limited edition with a B&W A4 print signed by Mick McMahon (only 200 copies). I have ordered one of these copies, that also features a signed bookplate (a sticker glued to the second of cover).

Rebellion advertising

to the right, the A4 B&W signed and numbered print

The main contain and extra section is quite identical to the hardcover edition, but there are a few differences worth pinpointing here:

• main cover for each edition are exclusive, and are reprinted in virgin form in their respective edition
• second and third of cover of the paperback do not features the 1982 two parts Titan edition covers
• the two pages cursed earth map is not included but instead, prog covers of 2000 AD #74 and #82 have been included

to the left cover for 2000 AD #74

to the right cover of 2000 AD #82

Notice that the London Forbidden Planet store have proposed (and still are perhaps) the regular edition of this TPB with a limited A5 colored signed print (I don't know how many of these prints a have been produced).

Forbidden Planet advertising

picture from an ebay listing