The Cursed Earth (Judge Dredd story)
| "The Cursed Earth" | |
|---|---|
Cover of Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth (2003), trade paperback collected edition.
|
|
| Publisher | IPC Magazines |
| Publication date | May – October 1978 |
| Genre | |
| Title(s) | 2000 AD #61-85 |
| Main character(s) | Judge Dredd |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) |
Pat Mills John Wagner Jack Adrian |
| Artist(s) |
Mike McMahon Brian Bolland |
| Letterer(s) | Tom Frame |
| Editor(s) | Tharg (Kelvin Gosnell and Steve MacManus) |
| The Cursed Earth | |
| Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 02 | |
The Cursed Earth is the second extended storyline of the British science fictional comics character Judge Dredd. It appeared in 2000 AD, and was the first to exceed twenty episodes. Written mostly by Pat Mills, the story arc added many core elements to the backstory of the world of Mega-City One, Judge Dredd's city.
The storyline ran from 2000 AD #61 to 85 (May to October 1978).
Kevin O'Neill said that the story was inspired by Roger Zelazny's novel Damnation Alley.
In 2100 Mega-City Two, on the West coast of North America, becomes infected with a virus called 2 T (fru) T (a wordplay on tutti frutti) that makes its victims into a violent mob. Scientists in Mega-City One on the East coast 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 Cursed Earth, a radioactive 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 called Satanus, and President Robert L. Booth, the last president of the United States.
The Cursed Earth caused a lawsuit involving the publishers of 2000 AD, McDonald's, Burger King, and the Jolly Green Giant. Four episodes in the series, written by John Wagner and Jack Adrian, featured trade marked characters used without permission. One storyline depicted wars between rival gangs, headed by the Burger King and Ronald McDonald – including scenes of Ronald executing a gang member who spilled a milkshake. The owners of these characters objected to the use of their trademarks and sued. Publishers IPC settled out of court, publishing a half-page retraction and agreeing never to reprint the offending episodes.
...
Wikipedia