I'm usually a little wary of cynicism in my Christmas stories, but let's be real here: When you're heading to Mega City One to read about Judge Dredd, you really have to adjust your expectations on what qualifies as "cynical." If you can get away with only expecting the worst in the future-shocked citizens of the distant future, then you're actually not in bad shape, all things considered.

By those standards, the annual Christmas issue of 2000 AD is downright festive, leading with a story where the Justice Department decides that the best way to cut down on holiday crime is to just straight-up pay the citizenry to be good. It's one of several new offerings in the extra-sized prog 2011, and you can check out a preview below!

 

2000 AD #2011
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2000 AD #2011
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2000 AD #2011
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2000 AD Prog 2011

2000 AD Prog 2011 sees the return of Chris Weston (The Invisibles) to Judge Dredd and a brand new cover by veteran artist Cliff Robinson, plus everything from everyone behaving themselves in Mega-City One (briefly) to giant trans-dimensional worms and the continued rise of the Dark Judges!

This bumper 100-page issue is a veritable festive selection box of Thrill-powered treats, including traditional staples like Judge Dredd and Ace Trucking Co. alongside new favourites such as Aquila, Kingdom, The Order, and The Fall of Deadworld.

Plus, two brand new series debut this issue – in Kingmaker writer Ian Edginton (Hinterkind), artist Leigh Gallagher (Defoe), and letterer Ellie De Ville (ABC Warriors) take the long-worn tropes of JRR Tolkien and smash them into Star Wars for a cross-genre tale about rebellion and ancient evil.

In noir magical thriller Hope by writer Guy Adams (Goldtiger), artist Jimmy Broxton (Knight and Squire), and letterer Simon Bowland (James Bond), it’s a 1940s Hollywood where victory in World War Two was achieved by occult means. Magic is now a part of daily life, but the costs can be high – especially for Mallory Hope, a magician and private investigator who only wants to find his wife and son.

And, last but not least, there’s a history of the 1980s’ ‘horror comic for girls’, Misty, as well as a special preview of Read Em and Weep, the new serial killer novel by Pat Mills set in the world of British comics, with illustrations by Kev O’Neill (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)!

The full line-up of Prog 2011 is:

-J udge Dredd: Boxing Day by Rob Williams (w) Chris Weston (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
- The Fall of Deadworld: Winter Break by Kek-W (w) Dave Kendall (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
- Kingmaker by Ian Edginton (w) Leigh Gallagher (a) Ellie De Ville (l)
- Aquila: Mors Venetiae by Gordon Rennie (w) Paul Davidson (a) Gary Caldwell (c) Simon Bowland (l)
- Ace Trucking Co.: The Festive Flipflop by Eddie Robson (w) Nigel Dobbyn (a) Ellie De Ville (l)
- Kingdom: As It Is In Heaven by Dan Abnett (w) Richard Elson (a) Ellie De Ville (l)
- The Order: Wyrm War by Kek-W (w) John Burns (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)
- Hope: ...For The Future by Guy Adams (w) Jimmy Broxton (a) Simon Bowland (l)

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