Sirk TV Graphic Novel Review: JUDGE DREDD - FALSE WITNESS [IDW]
The aspect of law in a fascist society is a two way street of lost perspectives, both of those thinking it is for the better good while most of the population is suffering. The story of Judge Dredd has always resounded with a false blood of altruism. Of course, most of his posture is meant to be a comment on the aspect of that exact same society while simultaneously trying to show someone that on the surface could reflect the other side. That is why the story behind the graphic novel "Judge Dredd: False Witness" [Easton & Califano/IDW/100pgs] perhaps rings more true likely some of the other stories of the intrepid lawman. It is a story of refugees told through the perspective of a refugee. It shows the failed innerworkings of the Judges while understanding the aspect of forward facing perceptions in a technological world. This keys into the lead antagonist in the visage of Dr. Filth whom our intrepid refugee delivers product to. The realization and the implementation of what the character itself is doing is a nice reveal because his ambition almost blots out the aspect of loss and/or rage he was trying to fight against by seemingly covering up (literally). Success or an idea of what that could be clouds his judgement. On the reverse end, that same refugee, who has more street smarts than most of the city (but without the firepower to back it up) is, in a way, responsible for the fates that brought all these conflicts together without knowing himself how it happened until deep in the story. Dredd, of course, simply sees black and white...subtlety is not part of his make-up. Still the ultimate treachery doesn't bypass his gaze. He just thinks everyone should go to jail. The eventual resolution, like a super soldier reality show, is a little too over-the-top but the sacrifice shown in the texture of freedom is not lost. It is lost on Dredd but that is besides the point. His perspective is likely: "Good? Bad? I'm the one with the gun". Such is the way in Mega-City, whether it be a frontier or future. B
By Tim Wassberg
