The Cursed Earth (2000 AD epic)

"The Cursed Earth" is the second extended storyline of the "Judge Dredd" character to appear in "2000 AD", and the first to exceed twenty episodes: as such it is sometimes called the first "Judge Dredd" epic. Written by Pat Mills, the series added many core elements to the backstory of the world of Mega-City One. The storyline ran from progs 61 to 85 (May to October 1978).

Plot

In 2100 Mega-City Two, on the West Coast of North America, becomes infected with a virus called 2 T (fru) T that makes its victims into a violent mob. Scientists in Mega-City One have been able to make an antidote, but it is impossible to safely land at the airports in Mega-City Two. The only option is to send a land expedition of Judges in a tank across the nuclear wasteland that covers most of the former US. Judge Dredd is assigned to lead the mission and en route they encounter many perils including a cloned "Tyrannosaurus rex" called Satanus, and President Robert L. Booth, the last president of the United States.

Controversy

The Cursed Earth was also notable for a spat involving the publishers of "2000 AD", McDonalds, Burger King, and the Jolly Green Giant. One story line in the series featured wars between rival gangs, headed by the Burger King and Ronald McDonald - including scenes of Ronald executing gang members who spilled a milk shake. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the owners of these characters objected to the use of their trademarks, and the offending episodes have never been reprinted. [ [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/1810/dreddban.htm Judge Dredd - Banned in Britain? ] ]

Reprints

The series has been heavily reprinted. However, given the controversy mentioned above, they are missing "Burger Wars" (episodes 11-12) and "Soul Food" (episodes 17-18) from the full 25 episode run.

Notable reprints include:

*"Judge Dredd Epics: The Collected Cursed Earth" (Titan, paperback, 1994, ISBN 1-85286-406-0)
*"Judge Dredd Epics: The Cursed Earth" (Titan, hardback, 2000, ISBN 1-84023-459-8)
*"Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02" (Rebellion, paperback, 2006, ISBN 1-904265-83-9)

Trivia

*It is saidFact|date=March 2007 to have been inspired by Roger Zelazny's "Damnation Alley".
*The Land Raider two part vehicle used by Judge Dredd and his team was made by Matchbox toys in the UK as part of a range of similar themed vehicles. When the Cursed Earth story began, the Matchbox toy was offered as a competition prize in the comic.

External links

* [http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=thrill&page=thrillcredits&choice=The_Cursed_Earth&Comic=2000AD Lengthy precis of the storyline] , by Paul Scott
* [http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=reprint&page=gnprofiles&choice=cursed&Comic= 2000 AD's reprint information]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/temple/1810/dreddban.htm Judge Dredd - Banned in Britain?] , a discussion of the controversy and examples of the material missing from the reprints.

References