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Judge Dredd versus Aliens: Incubus
The tenacious Judge Dredd, upholding the law in a deadly, radioactive future, has faced everything from mutants to supernatural possessions... but can he, a group of judges, and the elite team called the Verminators fend off an infestation of the deadly, acid-drooling Aliens? Facing their most dangerous enemies yet, it's lawmen versus nature's best killing machines in a bloody battle to keep the vast metropolis of the future from becoming a hideous breeding ground!
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2003
About the author
John Wagner
1,181 books167 followersJohn Wagner is a comics writer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1949 and moved to Scotland as a boy. Alongside Pat Mills, Wagner was responsible for revitalising British boys' comics in the 1970s, and has continued to be a leading light in British comics ever since. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, for which he created Judge Dredd. He is noted for his taut, violent thrillers and his black humour. Among his pseudonyms are The best known are John Howard, T.B. Grover, Mike Stott, Keef Ripley, Rick Clark and Brian Skuter. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 19, 2017
Far better than expected.
Not just a money-grabber inter-companies crossover, but a real good one Judge Dredd story and the Xenomorphs are perfectly introduced into the Mega-City One setting like they always were part of it.
A brutal and sometimes hilarious mash-up highly recommended to all fans of both franchises.
Read it playing loud in loop on your stereo Anthrax "I am the law" song to fully enjoy the ride!
December 27, 2015
This is a surprisingly good story. I was expecting a complete cash-grab as with most crossovers, but got a story that seems to belong in the world of Mega-City One. If you enjoy the Judges and Aliens, you could do much worse than reading this.
January 21, 2018
Got this in the mail today and just finished it a bit after midnight. This was really good and well written by the Main Man himself, John Wagner. Add to it the great art of Henry Flint and you have an amazing story.
Dredd and crew are thrust into this infestation tale by a low level criminal, impregnated with and Alien egg, dying in the nearby med unit. Of course a newly hatched Alien escapes into the hospital's ventilation system and things get worse from there.
Far below Megacity One, in the Undercity, the remnants of the Old World, Mr. Bones dwells with his gang of scavs and muties. He himself is an evil mastermind and has brought the Alien eggs to our planet. His hate of all things Judges compels him to seek to grow an army of Aliens and loose them on the city. Humanity has failed him, cast him out and his disfigured form will gain his ultimate revenge on not on Judges, but everyone who lives on the surface in the megacities. The Judges fight a pitched battle until they bring the full power of their staff, Rad Wagons, made to survive in the Cursed Earth wastelands, and Mechanismo units, powerful robots that were discontinued and shut down due to their cold and indifferent programming. All this is arrayed against the Alien horde as Mr. Bones releases them. War begins.
Judges Dredd and Sanchez find themselves impregnated and stored in the resin tunnels near the Queen. They break out and find that the servants of Mr. Bones are wearing pheromone tags that keep the Aliens from killing them. They don these and find the Queen and attack her. Through ruthless assault and luck they make it back to the Judge army, battling above their heads in the tunnels. A quick thinking Verminator Captain (exterminators called in in the beginning of the infestation), who lost here entire squad almost sacrifices herself to make sure the infestation is eliminated.
This book was fun to read and it made sense, in as much as a fictional world and everything that entails makes sense! LOL
No, this one was a fun read, well drawn and the writing was top shelf. This was a great time and added more to my love of the Judge Dredd and Alien universes. Great book!
Dredd and crew are thrust into this infestation tale by a low level criminal, impregnated with and Alien egg, dying in the nearby med unit. Of course a newly hatched Alien escapes into the hospital's ventilation system and things get worse from there.
Far below Megacity One, in the Undercity, the remnants of the Old World, Mr. Bones dwells with his gang of scavs and muties. He himself is an evil mastermind and has brought the Alien eggs to our planet. His hate of all things Judges compels him to seek to grow an army of Aliens and loose them on the city. Humanity has failed him, cast him out and his disfigured form will gain his ultimate revenge on not on Judges, but everyone who lives on the surface in the megacities. The Judges fight a pitched battle until they bring the full power of their staff, Rad Wagons, made to survive in the Cursed Earth wastelands, and Mechanismo units, powerful robots that were discontinued and shut down due to their cold and indifferent programming. All this is arrayed against the Alien horde as Mr. Bones releases them. War begins.
Judges Dredd and Sanchez find themselves impregnated and stored in the resin tunnels near the Queen. They break out and find that the servants of Mr. Bones are wearing pheromone tags that keep the Aliens from killing them. They don these and find the Queen and attack her. Through ruthless assault and luck they make it back to the Judge army, battling above their heads in the tunnels. A quick thinking Verminator Captain (exterminators called in in the beginning of the infestation), who lost here entire squad almost sacrifices herself to make sure the infestation is eliminated.
This book was fun to read and it made sense, in as much as a fictional world and everything that entails makes sense! LOL
No, this one was a fun read, well drawn and the writing was top shelf. This was a great time and added more to my love of the Judge Dredd and Alien universes. Great book!
May 4, 2020
I'm a reader of 2000 AD and a fan of the Alien/Aliens franchise so I was predisposed to liking this book, but it really was lots of fun and a great example of how a crossover can work. Dredd and Aliens work well together, with the 2000 AD influence meaning that we get some lovely moments of humour that helped to lighten what would have been a very dark read.
"Should have figured it out by now ... you're going to have a baby, only it's not going to be the human kind!"
If I was being picky, I would have loved to see exactly how the two stories linked up. For example, an acknowledgement that the original Alien/Aliens story had happened in Dredd's existence prior to the formation of the mega-cities. Aliens on Earth is something that didn't get explored in the official Aliens movie canon and we get a glimpse of that here along with some interesting expansions to the lore (for instance, pheromone tags). There was also a real sense of dread as 2000 AD, and Judge Dredd in particular, doesn't bring back characters once they're dead. The lettering and artwork are fantastic, and I loved the look of the Aliens.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of either franchise, or indeed to anyone who enjoys a good sci-fi comic. Hopefully you'll have as much fun with it as I did.
"Should have figured it out by now ... you're going to have a baby, only it's not going to be the human kind!"
If I was being picky, I would have loved to see exactly how the two stories linked up. For example, an acknowledgement that the original Alien/Aliens story had happened in Dredd's existence prior to the formation of the mega-cities. Aliens on Earth is something that didn't get explored in the official Aliens movie canon and we get a glimpse of that here along with some interesting expansions to the lore (for instance, pheromone tags). There was also a real sense of dread as 2000 AD, and Judge Dredd in particular, doesn't bring back characters once they're dead. The lettering and artwork are fantastic, and I loved the look of the Aliens.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of either franchise, or indeed to anyone who enjoys a good sci-fi comic. Hopefully you'll have as much fun with it as I did.
October 17, 2017
My Judge Dredd interest was recently renewed with Abaddon Book’s Dredd: Year 2 and rather than try and pick up another Compete Case Files prof collection, I decided to pick up 2 of the more popular one-off arcs, both involving Dredd taking on 2 of movie history’s most badass creatures: The Predator and Ridley Scott’s Alien.
My previous review for Predator vs. Judge Dredd stated how disappointing I found that one. I had concerns that Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Incubus would be much the same.
Praise Grud I was wrong. Dredd against the terror inducing xenomorphs made for a surprisingly good read, complete with the face huggers, chest bursters, acid blood, Alien Queen, and the requisite amount of bloodshed, violence, and general badassery that is Dredd. The ending felt a bit rushed, and, yes, this wasn’t exactly a totally necessary or even landmark one-off series arc, but it did show how violent these Dredd comics could be, much like the fantastic 2013 Dredd film than the original early 2000 AD strips.
My previous review for Predator vs. Judge Dredd stated how disappointing I found that one. I had concerns that Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Incubus would be much the same.
Praise Grud I was wrong. Dredd against the terror inducing xenomorphs made for a surprisingly good read, complete with the face huggers, chest bursters, acid blood, Alien Queen, and the requisite amount of bloodshed, violence, and general badassery that is Dredd. The ending felt a bit rushed, and, yes, this wasn’t exactly a totally necessary or even landmark one-off series arc, but it did show how violent these Dredd comics could be, much like the fantastic 2013 Dredd film than the original early 2000 AD strips.
May 22, 2017
Oh my Grud this was hilarious.
Finally, an Aliens crossover that keeps the Aliens as much a horror and a threat as they were in the original film. These are the Xenomorphs as we all love them best. They are terrifying, ruthless, and nearly unstoppable. Deaths by them are excruciating, bloody, gory, horrifying, and frequent.
The art in this book reminds this reader a little of he MacFarlane inspired art of the mid nineties, in the best way. Characters are truly characters. Every gory, slimy detail is lovingly shown for all to appreciate, hanging from characters, set details, panel edges. The Xenomorphs are gorgeously rendered in beautiful detail that carefully appreciates and imitates Giger's original creature design. And they are frightening.
Wagner, the original creator of Judge Dredd and his world, has grown a lot since the early black-and-white days of everyone's favourite fascist. And fascist he is. Therefore, it is essential to read this, and any Dredd book, as satire of the sharpest order. The camp and ridiculousness of the writing is intentional. The beauty of the writing in this book is that it takes place entirely in the campy, fascistic, ridiculous, over-the-top world of Dredd, while somehow allowing all Aliens elements to remain completely serious. The Xenomorphs are a horror. The Judges are clowns. We get to watch lots of cops die, in exquisite and painful details. Excellent.
And disgusting.
And brutal.
And exactly what it needed to be.
There are also a lot of Easter Eggs in the book. Names of Judges are often other comics writers and sci-if novelists. There are many call backs to the films. Careful readers will enjoy it.
Recommended to fans of Aliens who already know and understand the world of Judge Dredd, and are willing to see their beloved creatures in a gory, campy, colourful, yet ultimately respectful crossover
Finally, an Aliens crossover that keeps the Aliens as much a horror and a threat as they were in the original film. These are the Xenomorphs as we all love them best. They are terrifying, ruthless, and nearly unstoppable. Deaths by them are excruciating, bloody, gory, horrifying, and frequent.
The art in this book reminds this reader a little of he MacFarlane inspired art of the mid nineties, in the best way. Characters are truly characters. Every gory, slimy detail is lovingly shown for all to appreciate, hanging from characters, set details, panel edges. The Xenomorphs are gorgeously rendered in beautiful detail that carefully appreciates and imitates Giger's original creature design. And they are frightening.
Wagner, the original creator of Judge Dredd and his world, has grown a lot since the early black-and-white days of everyone's favourite fascist. And fascist he is. Therefore, it is essential to read this, and any Dredd book, as satire of the sharpest order. The camp and ridiculousness of the writing is intentional. The beauty of the writing in this book is that it takes place entirely in the campy, fascistic, ridiculous, over-the-top world of Dredd, while somehow allowing all Aliens elements to remain completely serious. The Xenomorphs are a horror. The Judges are clowns. We get to watch lots of cops die, in exquisite and painful details. Excellent.
And disgusting.
And brutal.
And exactly what it needed to be.
There are also a lot of Easter Eggs in the book. Names of Judges are often other comics writers and sci-if novelists. There are many call backs to the films. Careful readers will enjoy it.
Recommended to fans of Aliens who already know and understand the world of Judge Dredd, and are willing to see their beloved creatures in a gory, campy, colourful, yet ultimately respectful crossover
April 30, 2021
Sin ser demasiado original, el guion es mejor de lo que esperaba; es muy coherente y tiene un gran ritmo que no decae (sorprende que así sea porque originalmente fue una serie que salía periódicamente).
La narrativa visual y, en general, los dibujos están bastante bien, pero hay un problema con estos, y es que en algunas viñetas (demasiadas para un dibujante profesional) no se entiende qué es exactamente lo está pasando. Eso es imperdonable.
Lo que más destaco es el color, con juegos de tonos cálidos y fríos, cuando la escena lo requiere (por ejemplo, si los personajes están cerca de una fuente de energía lávica, predominan los colores cálidos).
Y bueno, no hay mucho más para decir... es el Juez Dredd contra Aliens: la diversión y la machaca están aseguradas.
La narrativa visual y, en general, los dibujos están bastante bien, pero hay un problema con estos, y es que en algunas viñetas (demasiadas para un dibujante profesional) no se entiende qué es exactamente lo está pasando. Eso es imperdonable.
Lo que más destaco es el color, con juegos de tonos cálidos y fríos, cuando la escena lo requiere (por ejemplo, si los personajes están cerca de una fuente de energía lávica, predominan los colores cálidos).
Y bueno, no hay mucho más para decir... es el Juez Dredd contra Aliens: la diversión y la machaca están aseguradas.
November 17, 2022
Pese a tratarse de una aventura anecdótica, el crossover de ambas franquicias logra un ritmo y estilo que encaja cómodamente en la continuidad del juez Dredd; algo esperable al contar entre sus autores al veterano John Wagner e incluir unas cuantas referencias a la historia del personaje. Paradójicamente, lo mismo convierte a los aliens en un reclamo poco más que genérico para la acción (no se profundiza en sus orígenes ni naturaleza), si bien su encuentro con los jueces los presenta como formidables contendientes y no tiene desperdicio.
July 11, 2023
Spectacular. A story with two great protagonists. One from comics (Judge Dredd) and one from entertainment in general (Alien). And, although there are all the canons of when there are xenomorphs, the story is not at all banal, but really well written, also because the veteran John Wagner, i.e. the co-creator, with Carlos Ezquerra, of the judge/judge/executioner favourite of us comics lovers, is doing it. A really good read (100 pages) for those who love these two characters, highly recommended.
January 7, 2024
Fine as silly pulp entertainment.
The art style was excellent - EXCEPT for Dredd himself, whose was so disproportionate that it annoyed me on every, single page.
His face consists of two thirds jaw - but not a masculine, square Superman jaw.
His nose is tiny and somehow inside the front of his face and his forehead is incredibly short.
It's just an absolute mess.
The art style was excellent - EXCEPT for Dredd himself, whose was so disproportionate that it annoyed me on every, single page.
His face consists of two thirds jaw - but not a masculine, square Superman jaw.
His nose is tiny and somehow inside the front of his face and his forehead is incredibly short.
It's just an absolute mess.
May 15, 2017
Such a great pairing to pit the judges of Mega City One against the unstoppable Alien horde. Wagner and Diggle knock this one out of the park and the artwork by Henry Flint is equally perfect for this project. So much fun to read. Highly recommended!
November 8, 2023
Buen crossover, se siente muy orgánico mezclar el universo de ciencia ficción de Juez Dredd con el de los xenomorfos. Quizá algo excesiva la sangre como ácido, pero en líneas generales la historia es disfrutable y el cómic cumple su cometido, entretener sin pretensiones.
May 13, 2017
Hostias como panes, jueces, Aliens y Megacity 1.
July 25, 2017
Арт норм, історія дуже передбачувана.
January 5, 2019
It's like the two series were made for each other.
July 19, 2022
Not been a fan of any Dredd I’ve read so far but this one was great. Hard to tell if that is just because of my love of Aliens though
July 27, 2022
What can I say? The xenomorphs never really stood a chance once Dress got on their case but this is a very good comic book story indeed. There's nothing here not to like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
It was fun.
December 29, 2017
This was amazing two of my favourite characters in one graphic novel, Judge Dredd and the Xenomorphs going against each other and I've got to say that this was amazing. Dredd just blowing away the Aliens but also dispensing law against the criminals of Mega City One which links up well to how the Xenomorphs were introduced and had their own kind of mythos different to that of what is canon.
I love these versus graphic novel featuring characters that don't normally interact, one of my favourites was Batman Vs Aliens.
I love these versus graphic novel featuring characters that don't normally interact, one of my favourites was Batman Vs Aliens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2009
I'm not a 2000AD fan, nor can I usually stand the Alien comics but I was surprised at the quality of this. Not a classic, but there's many worse ways to spend your time.
March 12, 2013
Great story in which the world of Dredd clashes with Aliens. Really nice artwork and keeps to the classic style of 2000AD narrative.
March 4, 2016
Judge Dredd + Aliens = badass! I loved the cheesy as hell dialogue, Aliens movie references, and vibrant illustrations.
January 5, 2017
This is one of the best comic books I have ever read, I highly recommend it
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews