The upcoming revival of the Judge Dredd Megazine in North America marks a significant development for collectors and retailers within the toy and collectibles industry, expanding the reach of this iconic franchise.
According to reports from Comics Beat, the Judge Dredd Megazine is set to return to North America under the aegis of Lunar Distribution. The first offering, Judge Dredd Megazine #491, is scheduled for release on May 13, much to the excitement of long-time fans and collectors.
Judge Dredd Megazine #491 will present an impressive array of over six stories by esteemed creators such as Dan Abnett, John Wagner, and Nick Roche. The eagerly anticipated cover art for this issue has been crafted by Paul Williams, ensuring a visually stunning presentation for readers.
- Written by JOHN WAGNER; DAN ABNETT; NED HARTLEY; and KEN NIEMAND
- Art by CHRIS WESTON; NICK ROCHE; PHIL WINDSLADE; and DAN CORNWELL
- Main cover art by PAUL WILLIAMS
- The official solicit synopsis for Judge Dredd Megazine #491 from Rebellion Developments reads, “Our 100-page monthly anthology brings readers into the future-shocked world of Judge Dredd with ‘Judge Dredd: Rojimbo’ by Geoffrey D. Wessel & Nick Roche; wild west action in ‘Lawless’ by Dan Abnett & Phil Winslade; dark political machinations in ‘Megatropolis’ by Ken Niemand & Chris Weston; a fight for survival in ‘Department K’ by Ned Hartley & Mike Walters; and 1970s New York detectives Fargo & McBane making their return in ‘Favoured Sons’ by Ken Niemand & PJ Holden. Plus there’s a new Atomfall story, sci-fi football action in Rok the World by John Wagner & Dan Cornwell, features, interviews and lots more!”
Created by the legendary writer John Wagner and distinguished artist Carlos Ezquerra, Judge Joseph Dredd made his debut in 2000 AD #2 in 1977. As one of the judicial law enforcement officers in the dystopian Mega-City One, Judge Dredd serves as a compelling character, fulfilling the roles of judge, jury, and executioner.
Over the decades, Judge Dredd has established itself as a cornerstone of pop culture, becoming the focus of one of the longest-running comic book narratives in history. The inception of the Judge Dredd Megazine in 1990 provided fans with a fresh medium to delve deeper into the universe of their beloved character.
Unfortunately, due to the dissolution of Diamond Comic Distributors, North American audiences lost direct access to the Judge Dredd Megazine. With Diamond’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025, the comics industry has faced considerable upheaval, prompting publishers, including Dynamite Entertainment, to seek new partnerships.
In response to these changes, Dynamite Entertainment announced its transition to Lunar Distribution in June 2025. In a statement, they expressed optimism about their partnership with Lunar, highlighting their proven capability in enhancing publisher and retailer relationships in the dynamic comic book landscape.
Judge Dredd Megazine #491 from Rebellion Developments will be available for purchase starting May 13, re-establishing a key connection between a celebrated comic legacy and its dedicated North American collectors.
Based on reporting by John Dodge. Read the full story at https://www.cbr.com/judge-dredd-megazine-return-release-date-confirmed/.