Press Release:

IDW Publishing has partnered with 2000 AD to launch a line of Judge Dredd comics starting later this year.

Details and creative teams will be announced at a later date, but the partnership includes the creation of all-new Judge Dredd comics as well as deluxe reprints of classic Dredd material.

“Judge Dredd turns 35 this year, and it’s great to help him celebrate his birthday like this,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. “It was great to meet up with the 2000 AD team at the recent London Super Con and cement the partnership on this one. My interest in Judge Dredd far predates my tenure at IDW, so it’s a real drokkin’ pleasure for us to now be the first American publisher in 18 years to create new tales of Dredd.”

Judge Dredd was created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, along with editor Pat Mills, and made his debut in the second issue of the science fiction anthology 2000 AD. He remains that title’s longest-running character and is one of the best-known British comic-book characters of all time.

“IDW are renowned for their ability to create new comics for existing characters with both respect and imagination,” said Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion, “so we at Rebellion were intrigued when they approached us. Their familiarity with Dredd and passion for the character were vital components in making this partnership happen. With 2000 AD’s longest-serving, and multiple award-winning, editor Matt Smith working with IDW on establishing the new series, we’re delighted to make 2012 an even more spectacular year for Judge Dredd and 2000 AD.”

Dredd is the toughest Judge in Mega-City One, a city-state located on the East Coast of America and surrounded by radioactive wastelands in a dystopian future. With criminals, thugs and mutants swarming the streets, as judge, jury and executioner Judge Joseph Dredd delivers justice with exacting, and sometimes lethal, force.

In the character’s 35 years of existence, many of the biggest and best British comics creators have told his tales. 2012 also sees the release of a big-budget motion picture based on the lawman. Dredd stars Star Trek’s Karl Urban, who will be donning the helmet and wielding Dredd’s “Lawgiver” pistol.

IDW’s first Judge Dredd series will debut this fall. Until then, remember… he IS the law!