FCBD Interview: Editor Keith Richardson on 2000 AD Judge Dredd Special

For Free Comic Book Day 2012, the UK's leading SF anthology comic, 2000 AD, is back for its second year as a sponsor, bringing you a fresh batch of Thrill-Powered strips from the biggest and best creators in the industry. Ichabod Arazel by Rob Williams & Dom Reardon; Zombo: The Day the Zombo Died by Al Ewing & Henry Flint; a classic Ro-Busters tale by Alan Moore and Steve Dillon, and a superhero-themed 'Future Shock' tale, Whatever Happened to the Green Pedestrian Palm? by Chris Weston! All this, plus an all-new Judge Dredd tale from John Wagner and a surprise guest artist!

Now graphic Novels Editor Keith Richardson (2000 AD FCBD 2012 issue) talks about the release of 2000 AD, working in the comic industry, why readers should pick up the book at the event, and much more in Freecomicbookday.com’s exclusive interview.

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FCBD: Set your project up for those that might be new to your comic book. What can we expect to see in terms of story and art?

Keith Richardson (KR): 2000 AD is a 32-page, weekly anthology comic which has been published in Britain since 1977. This issue, put together especially for FCBD, gives those unfamiliar with the comic a chance to sample some of the various strips that have helped make 2000 AD a British institution. From the mean streets of the futuristic Mega-City One in Judge Dredd to blood-drenched death planets in Zombo, there is always something for everyone to enjoy in 2000 AD.

FCBD: What has been your favorite part of book or character to tackle?

KR: It has been a privilege commissioning the legendary John Wagner to write a brand new Judge Dredd story for the FCBD issue. It is a fantastic introduction to those who know nothing about the character and Rufus Dayglo draws one hell of a mean-looking Dredd!
 
FCBD: Tell our readers why they should pick your book first on FCBD.

KR: 1.) It the greatest comic in the galaxy.

KR: 2.) Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Kevin O’Neill, Pat Mills, Alan Davis, John Wagner, Mick McMahon, Cam Kennedy, Alan Grant, Brian Bolland, Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, Simon Bisley, Dan Abnett, Garth Ennis, Jock, Steve Dillon, Glen Fabry, Frank Quitely, Andy Diggle, John Higgins, Clint Langley, Chris Weston, Richard Elson – these are just a few of the biggest names in the industry that have honed their skills at 2000 AD. If you enjoy reading great stories whilst lavishing your eyes over some magnificent art and want to know who are going to be the next superstar creators working in American comics, then the 2000 AD FCBD 2012 comic should the first title you reach for.   

FCBD: What’s your favorite part about being able to work in comics?

KR: I don’t have to pay for them!

FCBD: Many newcomers will be picking up comics for the first time on FCBD—what was the first comic you remember reading?

KR: I was a child of the seventies/early eighties in Britain where we had a tradition of buying weekly anthology  comics. I can’t remember the first title I read, but it would have been something like Nutty, Buster, Battle, Scream or 2000 AD.

KR: As for American comics, I remember buying titles from the ‘Big Two’ which featured lesser-known characters  -mainly Marvel ones. 3D-Man and Deathlok, ROM and Shogun Warriors were all favorites. I also liked Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew and Dial ‘H’ for Hero from DC.

FCBD: Where will you be for this year’s FCBD? Do you have any annual FCBD traditions?

KR: I will be stood outside Forbidden Planet in London offering counselling to those unfortunate people who miss out on getting a FCBD copy of 2000 AD.
 
FCBD: Looking to the future of the book, is there anything you can tease about what's coming?

KR: Expect rampaging dinosaurs, slavering lycanthropes and Mega-City One on the brink of destruction! And don’t forget to go and see the action-packed Dredd movie coming to a theatre near you this September!

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Be sure to visit Freecomicbookday.com often to check out previews of this year’s books and to learn more about the creators involved. You can also follow all the latest FCBD news on Facebook and Twitter.