The Dark Judge Rises.

You’ve seen bits and pieces of this pin-up posted on my blog over the last couple of months, but here’s the finishes thing in black and white.

Two street Judges on the look out for the recently escaped Judge Death find the missing Dark Judge moments too late, as he emerges from his tub of sinister chemicals (in Judge Dredd lore, Judge Death’s body must be treated with “Dead Fluids” before he can live again), ready to start judging the living once more.

I rarely get the chance to do fan-art, as I just don’t get the free time, but as a British horror comic book artists, I’ve always wanted to do my take on everyone’s favourite super fiend. I think Judge Death probably is the best British horror comic book character of all time (although I also have a soft spot for Captain Constanta and the Stix Brothers), and now I’ve finally got to do my take on him, in my style.

I wanted to try and make sure this pin-up focuses on Judge Death as much as possible. I also tried to stick to the classic Brian Bolland design as much as I could, as I don’t think you can beat those first two stories and original design.

It was also very cool to get to draw a couple of Mega City Judges in this pin-up too, although I did nearly go mad having to draw all those pockets and pads. I now have a new respect for artists who have to draw multiple Judges in one scene. Lawgivers are also nightmares to get just right.

It was also both fun and maddening to really get into the design of Judge Death’s custom. From the double-ended witch fingers on his elbows, to the weird turkey pterodactyl thing he wears on his right shoulder. His outfit has soooooo many bizarre elements to draw in. I’ve never spent as long drawing a character as these three.