SDCC 2024:’I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future’ Is 2000 AD’s First Eisner Winner And Worth Your Time
by Richard Bruton
At last – 2000 AD finally bags an Eisner Award for I Am The Law…
In its nearly 48 years of publishing history, incredibly, 2000 AD has never won an Eisner award, which, if you’re a fan (and I most certainly am) is really something of a mystery.
However, all that changed this year as Michael Molcher’s book on the politics of Judge Dredd has been named as ‘Best Comics-Related Book’ at the 2024 Eisner Awards given out at this years’ SDCC.
If you’ve read it, you’ll know just how good it is, a deep dive into both comics history and societal theories on modern policing methods. If you haven’t read it, I’d seriously encourage you to do so. Although it’s written with a specifically British viewpoint, Molcher’s incredibly well-researched and intelligently argued work shines a light on the rise of increasingly militarised policing methods that are just as relevant whatever country you happen to be living in.
John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s Judge Dredd has always done that thing that all the best science fiction does, shining a light on the world we live in, right here, right now. But it’s also, as Molcher sets out in an enthralling read, managed to predict, reflect, and parody a hell of a lot of what’s gone wrong in the world. I Am The Law uses the dark world of Dredd, where democracy fell quietly to the absolute rule of law, and where Judges roam the streets acting as Judge, jury, and often executioner, to analyse increasingly hard-line, military-style law enforcement, in a world where politicians find it easy to win over the electorate by preaching ‘law and order’ at any cost.
The parallels with Dredd have always been there, but I Am The Law really brings it all into focus, showing us how the world of Dredd is more of a prophetic warning about our world today – and with important lessons for our future.
Jason Kingsley CBE, CEO of 2000 AD publisher Rebellion, said: “I’m super pleased for Mike. I know the passion and work that went into the book, and we’re all very happy that it’s also been recognised by others. Sometimes 2000 AD predicts the future rather too well. Let’s hope the alien invasions, robot revolutions and future dystopia remain firmly in fiction, but sometimes I think they might not.”
Mike Molcher had this to say… “I am still in a state of shock at winning, but wanted to thank everyone who aided me in writing I Am The Law, as well as everyone who bought a copy, the panel of judges, and all those who voted for it. 2000 AD and Judge Dredd have been a running thread through my life since I was ten years old and to receive such recognition for my first book is out of this world.”
Molcher was, understandably, rather pleased to win and, in his acceptance speech, which you can see in full here. But here’s just a few highlights…
‘Um, are you sure? Okay, okay.’
‘Above all else I want to thank John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra for creating one of the greatest comic book characters of all time. I do want to say, to the whole industry, please value and honour John Wagner while he’s still here. We lost Carlos in 2018, and that is still a loss that we feel every day at 2000 AD.’
He also, as he should, thanked Oliver Pickles, his editor; his beautiful wife; and ended it by dedicating the win to his mom, who passed away last year.’
All good words. Yes, we miss Carlos Ezquerra. Yes, everyone should spend as much time as possible praising John Wagner for the comics-making genius that he is. And always than ll your friends, always tell whoever you love how wonderful and beautiful they are. And always find time for your parents. You just don’t know when you won’t be able to anymore.
Now, in case you want more of an idea what I Am The Law is all about, here’s the 2000 AD PR…
