The Apocalypse War
| "The Apocalypse War" | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | IPC Magazines Ltd |
| Publication date | 2 January – 26 July, 1982 |
| Genre | |
| Title(s) | 2000 AD progs 245–267, 269–270 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | John Wagner; Alan Grant |
| Artist(s) | Carlos Ezquerra |
| Editor(s) | Tharg (Steve MacManus) |
| Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 05 | ISBN |
"The Apocalypse War" is a storyline from the comic strip Judge Dredd, first published in British comic 2000 AD in 1982. A sequel to the story "Block Mania", it was written by John Wagner and Alan Grant and illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra. The Apocalypse War covered 25 episodes over 2000 AD progs 245–267 and 269–270.
Set in 2104, it tells of the invasion of Dredd's city, Mega-City One by its Soviet counterpart, East Meg One. While the city is still vulnerable, most of the population having been infected by the Block Mania drug, the East-Meg forces launch a surprise attack on all fronts, including nuking random sectors of the city. Soviet nuclear weapons are then detonated across Mega-City One's Eastern seaboard, creating a tidal wave that destroys the Atlantic Wall and many sectors. With the wall's laser defences gone, the Sovs are able to launch nuclear saturation bombardment of the southern sectors, killing 150 million people in one volley. Mega-City One's nuclear counterstrike is rendered ineffective by East-Meg One's "Apocalypse Warp", a forcefield which diverts the incoming missiles to a peaceful alternative Earth, destroying it in the process. Mega-City Two and Texas City refuse to aid their ally in order to give themselves time to develop their own forcefield. East Meg ground troops then swarm into the stricken city via the Northern sectors, occupying most of it in only four days while Dredd tries to lead a guerrilla resistance movement.
A decisive turning point was the Mega City Judges' use of the Stub Gun, an experimental two handed cutting weapon able to slice through almost any substance. However, while this weapon was very powerful, sustained use would lead to it overheating and exploding. Dredd leads a band of Mega City Judges who "stubbed" a Mega-City transport nexus forcing East-Meg forces through to the city bottom. Thermal charges were employed in a devastating ambush, temporarily holding the invading forces in the north.
In a few days the Soviets, led by War Marshal Kazan, conquer ninety percent of the city, including the Grand Hall of Justice. Chief Judge Griffin is abducted and brainwashed into spreading pro-Sov propaganda, forcing Dredd to assassinate him. With the destruction of Weather Control, unpredictable weather conditions sweep the city. In an attempt to escape the war, many citizens flee to the Cursed Earth, while those deemed Sov collaborators are executed as an example to others.
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