Exhibition: Dredd @45

2022 sees the celebration of 45 years of Judge Dredd, one of the world’s most recognisable comic book characters, and 2000 AD - the 'galaxy's greatest comic'.

Created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, Judge Dredd is the longest-running 2000 AD character, first appearing in its second issue in 1977. Over those 45 years, Dredd has been reinterpreted by countless artists, keeping the same look while artistic style and technologies have changed and improved alongside him. In 2022, many of the tools that artists use would have been considered 'sci-fi tech' by the readers of Dredd in 1977!

From the physical, cut-and-stick techniques utilized in the 1970s, to the crisp lines of the 1980s and the acetate overlays and detailed inking of the 1990s, to the introduction of digital techniques in the 2000s, Judge Dredd has stood steadfast as the world of comic creation has changed around him. Dredd is always different, but always the same.

These 8 original artworks by different artists and eras are displayed in our In Focus space in the museum’s main gallery.