Comics

2000 AD wins its first Eisner Award – ‘I Am The Law’ named ‘Best Comics-Related Book’

31st July 2024

Michael Molcher’s book on the politics of Judge Dredd has been named as ‘Best Comics-Related Book’ at the Eisner Awards in San Diego, California.

Described as “thoughtful, and often alarming” by The Spectator and “an essential read” by SFX magazine, I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future was announced as winner at the ceremony during San Diego Comic Con on 26 July.

Blending comic book history with contemporary radical theories on policing, I Am The Law is a critically-acclaimed, searing, and in-depth analysis of how John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s ‘Judge Dredd’ has reflected, parodied, and predicted the rise of hardline, militarised policing and ‘law and order’ politics, its endless inventiveness and ironic humour acting as a prophetic warning about our world today – and with important lessons for our future.

It is the first ever title from 2000 AD to win one of the prestigious Eisner Awards, which are named after pioneering cartoonist Will Eisner and are awarded at a ceremony as part of the San Diego Comic Con every July.

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.”

In his acceptance speech, Michael Molcher – who is also 2000 AD’s Brand Manager – thanked Rebellion editor Oliver Pickles for his work on the book, as well as Dredd co-creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. He added: “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.”

The award was presented by actors Maurice LaMarche (The Real Ghostbusters) and Sarah Natochenny (Pokémon) during a star-studded ceremony at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego.

The Eisner Award-winning I Am The Law is available to buy from all good book stores and online retailers, as well as through the 2000 AD webshop.

I Am The Law was nominated alongside books by several 2000 AD alumni – Dave Gibbons’ Confabulation: An Anecdotal Autobiography by Dan Dare and Harlem Heroes artist Dave Gibbons, Bryan Talbot: Father of the British Graphic Novel by J. D. Harlock and Nemesis the Warlock artist Bryan Talbot, and Thalamus: The Art of Dave McKean by the renowned artist and 2000 AD Titan reprints cover artist – as well as Flamed Out: The Underground Adventures and Comix Genius of Willy Murphy by Nicki Michaels, Ted Richards, and Mark Burstein, and The Pacific Comics Companion by Stephan Friedt and Jon B. Cooke. Bryan Talbot was also inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony.

Rebellion has previously received Eisner nominations for 2000 AD for ‘Best Anthology’ in 2013 and ‘Best Comics-Related Book’ for David Roach’s Masters of British Comic Art in 2021. The Ballad of Halo Jones Colour Omnibus Edition by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson, edited by Ollie Hicks, was nominated for ‘Best Archival Collection/Project – Comic Books’ alongside I Am The Law at this year’s awards.

Praise for I Am The Law:

“thorough and intelligent” — John Wagner, co-creator of Judge Dredd

“The product of intricate research and clear vision … a serious work for serious times …an essential read for art historians and actual historians alike.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — SFX

“I cannot recall a more timely book … not just a celebration of a future fictional character: it is a thoughtful, and often alarming examination of the state of law enforcement in a liberal, or neo-liberal, society” — Nick Lezard, The Spectator

“With I Am The Law, [Molcher] has achieved a rare thing, and written a book that deals with a complex and often controversial subject in a nuanced and highly readable way” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Fortean Times

“the in-depth analysis the strip has long deserved” — Garth Ennis, writer of The Boys, Preacher and Judge Dredd

“Stunning … An absolutely phenomenal piece of comics scholarship” — El Sandifer, author and critic

“Radical, daring, hyper-intelligent and utterly vital” — Ian Dunt, author of How To Be A Liberal

“an absolute ripper of a book, equally deft with Judge Dredd comics, Giorgio Agamben and Dardot & Laval” — Spencer Ackerman, author Reign of Terror

“A terrifying vision of the future as present. Molcher shows us in graphic detail how the politics of “law and order,” rooted in never ending fear and ever increasing police power, is leading us towards the dystopian hellscape that is Mega-City One.” — Alex S. Vitale, author of The End of Policing

“May be one of the most important books about science fiction published this decade” — Hugo Book Club Blog

“Excellent work of pop culture scholarship & sociology as well” — Matt Zoller Seitz, film and television critic

“A book equally satisfying for a law geek and a comics geek” – David Allen Green, legal commentator