Talking Judge Anderson And ‘The 2000 AD Annual’ With Maura McHugh And Joe Currie + EXCLUSIVE Preview

On paper, a parade sounds like a good time. That’s not the case for the Judges in charge of patroling it, however. In writer Maura McHugh and artist Joe Currie‘s new strip for this year’s 2000 AD Annual, Judge Anderson knows something’s about to hit the fan. With letters by Rob Steen, here’s what McHugh and Currie could share about Anderson, Psi Division: The Parade of Death, plus an exclusive preview:

Rachel Bellwoar: This story has a tagline, “A different Anderson, a different Mega-City One.” What sets this Anderson apart from the stories we’ve read before?

Maura McHugh: This is an Anderson story where she’s not on the back foot at the beginning of the story. I like to imagine her and Psi-Div strategizing about how to deal with regular threats.

Joe Currie: It was great to work with Maura on this new Anderson story. Anderson is older and battle scarred and has put together a team of judges with slightly unusual skill sets. Maura’s character profile was excellent to work with, no back story needed as the teams identity/skills are explained as the story unfolds!

Bellwoar: In terms of Anderson’s appearance, where did the idea to have her wear what almost looks like an aviator’s cap come from?

McHugh: That was a fun detail that I’m sure Joe can explain

Currie: Anderson is wearing an electrode sensor neuro headset to prevent biofeedback to stop her fractured mind from splitting after a long history of PSI’ing. She’s getting old and needs help.

Bellwoar:  “The Parade of Death” is quite the ominous title. What does a parade look like in Mega-City One (and how fun was it to design balloons for it, like it’s the Macy’s Day Parade and not a parade with radiation)?

Currie: It was great to draw the Macy’s Day style parade. I was inspired by the old photos of the parade and trying not to make it look like Gotham, but wanting a bit of gothic menacing vibe to it.

McHugh: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an important New York tradition and it seemed likely to me that this cultural artefact would continue in Mega-City One just to keep the civs happy, despite the logistic difficulty. It also takes place late in November so that worked for the annual. I suggested a number of the balloons and it was up to Joe to bring them to life.

Currie: Drawing a cartoon version of Dredd was fun as well as my invention of the real strontium dog — who I have named Mr Biscuits. To explore that area/ space in Mega-City that’s normally only available for licensed civilian sky travel was a joy. As was drawing the deflated balloons.

Although I don’t know what Mega-City One has to be proud of regarding the parade a festival of fun… more like a festival of warnings!

Bellwoar: Judge Anderson isn’t working alone this time. In fact, she’s put together a whole team. How difficult was it to establish a team with only a limited page count to introduce everyone?

McHugh: It’s not easy. I’ve done it before, but not with such a tight story constraint. I try for sharply identifiable characters with specific traits, and clear dialogue. I also try to inject a bit of humour into every story as that’s a hallmark of Anderson. And Joe has a lot to do with making it all flow well.

Bellwoar: What’s been your favorite part about writing and drawing for Judge Anderson?

McHugh: Anderson is a wonderful, complex package: she’s great at her job, smart, funny, and she’s kept her compassion despite the decades of horror she’s experienced. Plus she’s a Psi-Judge … she’s a gift to write.

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Maura and Joe!

The 2000 AD Annual 2026 goes on sale on November 12th from 2000 AD.