Back Of The Net! ‘Rok Of The Reds’ Gets A Free Transfer To The ‘Judge Dredd Megazine’

Reported in last weeks Sunday Spotlight but confirmed through 2000 AD this week, John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Dan Cornwell‘s epic alien soccer saga will be returning in the Judge Dredd Megazine...

Hopefully you know all about Rok of the Reds? I’ve banged on about it here but should that have escaped your attention, it’s a great tale of an alien outlaw who crash-lands on Earth and steals the identity of the first person he meets – a very well-known and complete egomaniac footballer (soccer player to you Americans!)

It’s a black comedy of redemption, revenge, alien cultures, and the joy and despair to be found in the beautiful game. And speaking as someone who’s sat through three England group games at the Euro 2024 Championships in the last couple of weeks I can tell you there’s more often despair than joy involved.

Rok of Arkadi is seeking refuge on Earth after his homeworld is destroyed by bounty hunters. With the power to seamlessly blend into the culture by taking on human form, things should go fine. Unfortunately, the first human he sees and takes the form of is Kyle Dixon, a local legend (mostly in his own head) for the Radford Reds, a struggling English league side.

As Kyle, Rok’s about to learn all about the game, with games to win, relegation to avoid, and a hell of a lot to learn about football. All while avoiding the bounty hunters coming for him.

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Created by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Dan Cornwell, Rok Of The Reds was originally published by BHP Comics in two series Rok of the Reds and Rok The God. Both of these series will now be republished in the Judge Dredd Megazine as creator-owned strips before we get an all-new third volume in 2025.

John Wagner said this in the press release:

‘Rok fans kept asking for a third series of our alien footie saga, but keen as Dan and I were to do it we couldn’t see a way to make it happen. So when Rebellion stepped in and agreed to run it in the Judge Dredd Megazine we went from ’sick as parrots’ to ‘over the moon’ quicker than you could say ‘Fergie time’!

‘We’re more than pleased, too, that books one and two will be reprinted first, helping to bring the story to a wider audience. As regular readers will tell you, you don’t have to love football to enjoy Rok of the Reds.

‘As for book three – provisionally titled ‘Rok the World’ – in our alien hero’s hands may lie the fate of the human race…not to mention the more weighty matter of promotion for the Radford Reds!’

And keeping with the footballing references, Tharg was quoted as saying this:

‘With a proven track record, Rok of the Reds is a zarjaz addition to our back line, and will add even more depth of play to the already stacked roster we have in the Meg.’

Rok of the Reds will see print in the Judge Dredd Megazine later in 2024, followed by the second volume, Rok The God. The third storyline, provisionally titled Rok The World, will be in the Megazine some time in 2025.