Well I'll be that was a little drab.
After reading some of the annuals for this period I was really looking forward to these, at least the latter half of anyway but the Specials, have to say I'm mighty disappointed.
Each one has a pretty cool Dredd leading it off, from Alan Grant's first script (I believe) with a fun little story of Don Uggie Apelino and co (out of interest does anybody know if there was a different intended vehicle for this? The first half certainly seems to be designed to be read in page long chunks?) to dare I say it John Byrne's strip in '83.
I know the Byrne Dredd isn''t to well regarded but there's bits were I think its excellent and really works. Okay there's bits were he clearly has to make back the time he spent drawing the crowd scenes but over all its nice stuff. Always thing Byrne is better working with a good inker but that aside I liked it.
After the Dredd's though the Specials are by and large a bit of a let down and seem a bit cobbled together. There is the odd nice touch, or at least curio. That Joe Staton, Blackhawk, the Steel Claw reprint, an early Fabry Slaine picture etc etc but overall a bit throw away.
Even the reprints seem to be saving the best stuff for the annuals. Yet the Dredd's continue to be excellent. Shame they lack the consistency of those.
One final note to end on a positive. There is of course one other major highlight the first actual appearance of Nemesis in 'The Sword Sinister' man oh man now that is a treat and a joy to behold.
