Best Dredd Story

James Mackay: The return of PJ Maybe, without even a pause for consideration. One of the best writers 2000AD has, one of the best artists 2000AD has, the best character 2000AD has, and one of the best supporting characters 2000AD has, in a story in which every one of them lived up to their billing.

Adam Crabtree: It’s got to be the loose collection of two to three parters that comprise the ongoing Mutants in Mega City One saga. Mandroid: Instrument of War was a worthy sequel to its seminal forebear as well.

Charles Ellis: A draw between The Facility in 1546 and 50 Year Man in 1536. The first is a brilliant example of what you can do with 6 pages, with world-building, consequences following on from the previous story, satisfying Judging, use of continuity – and MacNeil’s brilliant art. And the second is… well, a brilliant example of what to do with 12 pages and for much of the same reason (and with Goddard’s brilliant art!), as well as a melancholy end to the Mean Machine and the absolutely hilarious Dredd film scenes (Bollywood Judge Death! Glorious!).

So I point to both of them. They show not only how great Dredd can – and should – be, but also that Wagner is awesome.

Robert Cornell: Fifty Year Man, Wagner & Goddard. A sublime little story. Actually three sublime little stories in one. A very funny "Dredd: The Movie" story, a really rather touching Mean Machine and some good, old-fashioned slab-justice. He's had a lot of practice, I know, but only Wagner can do this.

Alex Frith: The year began with a series of interludes in Origins, which all too often eclipsed the big event itself. My favourite? That'd be The Streets of Dan Francisco by John Wagner and Rufus Dayglo. A new Judge is in town, and we need more!

Daniel Payne: The mutants' plight has engaged readers' attention this year. But in terms of individual stories, Robbie Morrison and Mick McMahon's excellent self-contained Shaggy's Big Shoot is worthy of the best Dredd story crown. The enjoyable, action filled story is impeccably written, and fine artwork from one of the best artists in the comic's history seals a pristine package.

Pete McCosh: Across 2000AD and the Meg there have been a whole host of important and gripping Dredd stories, mostly from the pen of Wagner. We’ve seen Dredd’s views on the fairness of the system shaken in Mutants in Mega-City One, the rise of PJ Maybe to mayor in The Gingerbread Man and, simmering away on the backburner, the exploits of the extended Dredd family in Night School.

That’s why I’m going to go for Tartan Terrors. There are a few things we don’t see nearly enough off in 2000AD these days and this had the lot. A genuinely funny Dredd one-off: I was rolling around laughing at some of the dialogue. Jock art: He makes it all look so easy, then wraps it up in a fantastic, eye-catching cover. Dredd on the centrefold: it’s where he belongs and you all know it.

Rennie hasn’t had much of a run on Dredd this year so it was great to see him turn up this little gem without worrying about ongoing subplots or character arcs. Great stuff.

WR Logan: No specific story but as usual with Wagner it’s the ongoing threads he weaves in to many of his stories. The best Dredd story of 2007 is the continuing fleshing out of the ‘Dredd’ family and his ongoing fight for mutant rights. No matter what we think may happen you can guarantee Wagner won’t take the easy option and I want to see where this thread goes.

Steven Denton: Technically it started last year but it went on well in to this year and it’s repercussions have been seen in subsequent Dredd strips including the spirit of Christmas. It may well have rocked Dredd’s world slightly more then it seemed at the time and felt very much like the beginning of the end for old stony face and his alter ego John Wagner. It was, of course, Origins.

Martin Charlton: Night School. A return of Dolman, an exploration of the lasting impact of being trained to kill, an investigation of Blood & Duty in the world of Dredd, and a story with a happy ending. Pure Class.