For any Judge Dredd and 2000AD fans out there who remember the classic story The Cursed Earth on its original run, yet felt on its republishing and reprints that something was missing and you’ve put it down to your failing memory, well you shouldn’t have – because there was! Now thanks to the Law those fuzzy gaps in your head will soon be filled back in.
The Cursed Earth saga was written by Pat Mills, John Wager with art from the fantastic Brian Bolland and Mick McMahon back in 1978. With Mega-City Two virtually destroyed due to the 2 T (fru) T plague it’s upto Dredd and a small handful of Judges – plus a perp named Spikes – to make the perilous journey across the Cursed Earth to deliver the cure to this disease. Here at Flickering Myth we reviewed The Cursed Earth on its Mega-Collection reprint back in April 2015 here, and that too didn’t include these two missing chapters which were Burger Wars and Soul Food.
The reason for the removal was due to the fact that the McDonalds, Burger King and Jolly Green Giant trademark characters were being used in a uber-violent way in warring gang-style scenario method. Clearly at the time these major eating establishments didn’t appreciate their Smiling Clowns and a Green Giant be contorted in such away, so they promptly sent the men and women in suits to inform 2000AD not to show such chapters again.
The official line on what upset the major corporations is:
“In ‘Burger Wars’, after World War III self-styled ‘burger barons’ had taken control of whole areas of middle America and were worshipped with religious zeal. Dredd and his comrades are captured and forced to consume burgers and shakes, only escaping thanks to the guards being fat and lazy due to too much fast food. They are then captured by the rival side and placed on trial for eating “the wrong kind” of burger.
In ‘Soul Food’, on their way through the Great Utah Dustbowl Dredd encounters the copyright infringing creations of Dr. Moreau-like scientist Dr Gribbons – including a Jolly Green Giant, a Michelin Man, and others – who drugs Dredd’s team in order to remove fluid from their nervous systems to keep his creations alive.”
Now however due to the UK Law governing parody [more info here], the full version of The Cursed Earth can be printed. This release will be called Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth Uncensored and will appear in both the UK (£25) and America (£35), not only this the colour spreads will be produced within the deluxe edition.
Keep your eyes open at 2000AD Online for more news on this release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=W04aXcyQ0NQ
Originally published November 3, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
