Villordsutch reviews Judge Dredd: The Mega Collection – Shamballa…

“In Mega-City One a brutal murder is discovered, seemingly of unnatural origin.  Around the globe people fall prey to visions and religious mania.  It seems that the world is on the brink of a psychic apocalypse and Psi-Judge Anderson must travel into the heart of Tibet to find the source of the disturbance…”

Here in this collection we have five tales about Judge Cassandra Anderson, who first appeared in January 1980 in a Judge Death story.  I’ve always considered Judge Anderson to be the conscience of the Justice Dept.  within Mega-City One, the conscience with a smart mouth and a handy set of fists on her if needs be.  A good balance against Dredd who although she can truly wind him up, he also appreciates the fact that she is a good officer and that she is there. 

We have here a collection of Anderson stories, all written by Alan Grant and the art handled by Arthur Ronson, and we watch her develop spiritually as we move from chapter to chapter, beginning with Shamballa – also the title of this collection.  The entire world has fallen prey to religious hallucinations and Judge Anderson’s investigations lead her to Tibet where she discovers the world’s spiritual well-being is rotting.  The story is an interesting opening for the Anderson newcomers and shows her character well, along with some of her skills in the field. 

The following tale is The Jesus Syndrome, this is one of the stronger stories within this collection as the fear of the peace and hope from a newly formed Christian Group makes the Judges nervous, so they drag the leader in to be interrogated by a rather brutal Judge Goon and not so brutal Judge Anderson.  After a clash between both Judges the dirty side of Justice is observed by Anderson, but all she can do is remember and turn away from it. 

Protest starts of rather brilliantly with a lone member of the public setting himself aflame, with the statement of the witness to the suicide being given as we watch these scenes playout; the story continues to grow strong until the last match falls at the end.  Though the end being, ‘Hope is the ability to keep a Goldfish without a licence’ may appear to be minor and a bit of a damp squib, on a rethink of the world that these Perps inhabit anything so small is hope.  Also Arthur Ronson’s Psi-Dream image of Anderson floating above the city looks amazing. 

R*Volution for me was the weakest of the bunch.  Anderson is sent far out into our Solar System to interview Veran D’Arque, the richest man in the Galaxy, who has absorbed several minds into his own to make him smart and wealthy.  However, one of these minds has written a letter to the Justice Dept.  admitting that they have committed a murder in the past and Anderson has arrived to investigate.  Though the premise is interesting the story ends up being a mess with a chase sequence with leaves you wondering what is going on. 

The final chapter Satan is a supernatural tale of the Dark lord himself (possibly) paying a visit to Mega-City One and after a bit of reading and bravery from Anderson the fallen angel is toppled.  It’s here we also get some kind words from Dredd to Anderson about the work she has done for the City.  Not the strongest story in the book but not the worst either, it was good to see the stretched hand of Judge Dredd and to hear his apology.  The artwork – within this story – from Arthur Ronson is fantastic especially when Satan opens, “The Book of Man”. 

Judge Dredd: The Mega Collection – Shamballa isn’t the best in the collection that’s been released so far, it’s enjoyable but it’s not great.  If you want to know more on Anderson then this will give you that bit more information who she is, however you will possibly be able to pick up some of Anderson’s abilities in the future tales of the Mega Collections. 

Judge Dredd: The Mega Collection – Shamballa is available to buy now priced £9.99 or online here. 

Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children.  Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.