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

I AM THE LAW: HOW JUDGE DREDD PREDICTED OUR FUTURE

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 BoysPreacher 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

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2000 AD scoops two Eisner Award nominations

Rebellion Publishing and 2000 AD have been recognized by the committee for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards in two categories.

The awards are given out each year at San Diego Comic Con, and recognise the outstanding works in comics and graphic novel publishing across the prior year.

Rebellion’s 2024 Eisner Award nominations are:

  • Best Archival Collection/Project – Comic Books: The Ballad of Halo Jones Full Colour Omnibus Edition by Alan Moore, Ian Gibson and Barbara Nosenzo, edited by Olivia Hicks
  • Best Comics-Related Book: I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future by Michael Molcher

Buy The Ballad of Halo Jones from the 2000 AD webshop >>

Buy I Am The Law from the 2000 AD webshop >>

“We are thrilled to have two Eisner nominations this year,” said Ben Smith, Rebellion’s Head of Publishing. “The dedication and commitment behind these books from everyone who worked on them cannot be underplayed. Rebellion is exceptionally proud of the work we do to preserve, curate and contextualise the ongoing history of comics.”

“Both of these books show not just how important it is to give classics the best design and production treatment, but how Halo Jones and Judge Dredd are even richer when the reader can find the context in which they were first published alongside deep insight into the ongoing impact they have on readers and society at large. We are delighted for our nominees and for the creators whose work they illuminate.”

Rebellion look forward to celebrating alongside industry colleagues at Comic-Con International: San Diego in July. We would also like to congratulate Bryan Talbot, who will be inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony.

If you would like to read copies of Rebellion’s Eisner-nominated releases, please contact your local comic shop. Graphic novels are also available to order via physical and digital bookstores and booksellers.

ABOUT THE EISNER AWARDS:

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comics world. Named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner, the awards are given out in more than two dozen categories during a ceremony each year at Comic-Con International: San Diego. For more information about the Eisner Awards, visit the Eisner Awards page on the CCI website. Industry members seeking information on how to vote, fill out this form.

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Did Judge Dredd Predict Our Future – The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast

It’s the galaxy’s greatest podcast – The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast brings you more from the worlds of 2000 AD

Did Judge Dredd predict the future? In a startling turn of events, Molch-R goes from interviewer to interviewee as journalist Graeme McMillan grills him about his new book, ‘I Am The Law’, which is out now.

And, with the news that Best of 2000 AD has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, we head back to New York Comic Con from last October to hear from McMillan, Chloe Maveal, Tiffany Babb, ‘Judge Dredd’ writer Arthur Wyatt, and Rebellion droid Owen Johnson about the series and what it reveals about the state of the good ship 2000 AD!

YouTube player

The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast is the award-winning podcast that takes you behind-the-scenes at the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic with creator interviews, panels, and more! You can subscribe to the Thrill-Cast on your favourite podcast app, iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also listen to previous episodes at 2000AD.com/podcast or you can watch at  youtube.com/2000adonline

Got a theme or interview you’d like to hear? Let us know at thrillcast@2000AD.com

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I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future – out now!

I AM THE LAW: HOW JUDGE DREDD PREDICTED OUR FUTURE

Now the winner of the prestigious Eisner Award for ‘Best Comics-Related Book’, I Am The Law is the critially-acclaimed book that examines how Judge Dredd predicted our future!

Judge, jury and executioner, Judge Dredd is the brutal comic book cop policing the chaotic future urban jungle of Mega-City One, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra and launching in the pages of 2000 AD in 1977.

But what began as a sci-fi action comic quickly evolved into a searing satire on 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.

Blending comic book history with contemporary radical theories on policing, I Am The Law by writer and comics critic Michael Molcher takes key Dredd stories from the last 45 years and demonstrates how they provide a unique wake up call about our gradual, and not so gradual, slide towards authoritarian policing.

From the politicisation of policing to ‘zero tolerance’, from violent suppression of protest to the rise of the surveillance state, I Am The Law examines how a comic book warned us about the chilling endgame of today’s ‘law and order’ politics.

Praise for I Am The Law:

Winner of ‘Best Comics-Related Book’, Eisner Awards 2024

Winner of ‘Best Book on Comics’, Broken Frontier Awards 2023

“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 BoysPreacher 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

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Don’t miss the ‘I Am The Law’ signing tour

I Am The Law is the new non-fiction paperback from Rebellion taking 45 years of Britain’s most famous comic book character and blending them with radical theories on policing and politics to demonstrate how Judge Dredd warned us about the chilling endgame of today’s ‘law and order’ politics.

Author Michael Molcher is embarking on a signing tour over the coming months, with the official launch of the book taking place at Gosh Comics on Saturday 11 February at 1pm with Molcher and cover artist Pye Parr.

Check out the signing and talk dates below and be sure to grab your copy of I Am The Law.

11 February — Gosh Comics, London

17 February — OK Comics, Leeds

23 February — The Cartoon Museum, London (sold out)

25 February —Forbidden Planet, Birmingham

28 February — Bookhaus, Bristol (talk with Rob Williams)

2 March — Lighthouse Books, Edinburgh (talk)

4 March — Forbidden Planet International, Glasgow

11 March — Forbidden Planet, Newcastle CANCELLED

27 April — Blackwell’s Bookshop, Oxford (talk)

Judge, jury and executioner, Judge Dredd is the brutal comic book cop policing the chaotic future urban jungle of Mega-City One, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra and launching in the pages of 2000 AD in 1977.

But what began as a sci-fi action comic quickly evolved into a searing satire on 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.

Blending comic book history with contemporary radical theories on policing, I Am The Law by writer and comics critic Michael Molcher takes key Dredd stories from the last 45 years and demonstrates how they provide a unique wake up call about our gradual, and not so gradual, slide towards authoritarian policing.

From the politicisation of policing to ‘zero tolerance’, from violent suppression of protest to the rise of the surveillance state, I Am The Law examines how a comic book warned us about the chilling endgame of today’s ‘law and order’ politics.

The paperback of I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future is out on 23 February 2023 and is available to pre-order now!

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I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future – pre-order now!

I AM THE LAW: HOW JUDGE DREDD PREDICTED OUR FUTURE

He is the law – and you better believe it! Pre-order the new brand new book that examines how Judge Dredd predicted the future.

Judge, jury and executioner, Judge Dredd is the brutal comic book cop policing the chaotic future urban jungle of Mega-City One, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra and launching in the pages of 2000 AD in 1977.

But what began as a sci-fi action comic quickly evolved into a searing satire on 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.

Blending comic book history with contemporary radical theories on policing, I Am The Law by writer and comics critic Michael Molcher takes key Dredd stories from the last 45 years and demonstrates how they provide a unique wake up call about our gradual, and not so gradual, slide towards authoritarian policing.

From the politicisation of policing to ‘zero tolerance’, from violent suppression of protest to the rise of the surveillance state, I Am The Law examines how a comic book warned us about the chilling endgame of today’s ‘law and order’ politics.

The paperback of I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future is out on 23 February 2023 and is available to pre-order now!

  • Out on 23 February 2023
  • Price: £14.99 / $19.99
  • ISBN: 9781786185709
  • Format: Paperback