Judge Dredd: America

The Classic 2000 AD Graphic Novel in Full-Cast Audio

By: John Wagner

Narrated by: Joseph Fiennes, Paterson Joseph, Matthew Jacobs Morgan

Length: 1 hr and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In Mega-City One, the Judges are the law - acting as judge, jury, and executioner. But how do the citizens really feel about a system where they are powerless?

America Jara and Bennett Beeny grow up as best friends, living a fairly trouble-free life in a dangerous city...bar the odd, negative encounter with a Judge. Time draws them apart, and when they are brought back together, Beeny is a successful singer and America has become involved with a terrorist organisation known as Total War, which has the Justice Department in its sights!

This dark and complex tale is considered to be one of the best stories to ever come out of the Judge Dredd universe.

Featuring Joseph Fiennes as Dredd, and an ensemble cast including Paterson Joseph, and Matthew Jacobs Morgan, fans of Judge Dredd and newcomers to Mega City One alike will be transported to brutal dystopian world Dredd for an immersive listening experience like no other.

©1991 Rebellion 2000 AD Ltd (P)2021 Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing

Critic reviews

"It's Hollywood quality for your ears." (Mega City Book Club Podcast)

"Some of the most iconic images from the story are brought to life well, and the black humour that permeates the best Dredd tales comes through loud and clear." (Sci Fi Bulletin)

"This might be the most accurate representation of Judge Dredd's world seen outside of the comics themselves." (Pop Culture Bandit)

A powerful and relevant Judge Dredd story

This is a solid adaptation of one of Judge Dress's most powerful and relevant story arcs.
it takes a while to get used to Dredd's performance, which is more Clint Eastwood than the deep growling voice we are used to, but it allows for more subtlety and humanity in his portrayal which works well.
The production values are really strong, and there is a nice sense of tension when needed.
I'm giving it 4 stars rather than 5 as I think, like the other adaptations in this series, this is too short , and should have included more. Perhaps adding America's sequel. Alternatively it could be priced in a way similar to a big finish production. Although the comics script translates well to audio, that lack of visuals needs more than sound to flesh out the story that's being told. It does feel rushed in audio form and could have been adapted a little more.
Overall a well made production of the great story that made me want to reread the comic.

Crazy story

This one is mind-blowing. Joseph Fiennes as Dredd is so fantastic. The story has so many twists and turns and deep political themes. No one is right, and Dredd is often portrayed as a supervillain, and rightly so in many ways. Timely, fascinating. I think oftentimes both sides of the aisle are villainous and out for power at any cost.

Deadpan

I loved the story, and the comics, but the performances on this are so stiff!

Fantastic adaptation!

I consider Judge Dredd: America (audio adaptation) to be like this:

Prologue: Letter From A Democrat
Act 1: Democracy
Act 2: America
Act 3: Democracy Now!

It uses those stories to weave together a central thread on Judge Dredd’s conflict against Democracy while giving new listeners extra context to add investment and tragedy to the classic Judge Dredd: America comic. I’ve read the first 3 stories and thought they were adapted beautifully. Plus it was a joy to listen and read America simultaneously. It’s my favorite Judge Dredd story and this audio drama version was a great reminder as to why.

Then it jumps ahead, giving small details about what happened in later stories (which made me glad I read Necropolis). I feel like they could’ve included a couple of stories like Letter for Judge Dredd and maybe a more detailed outline of Necropolis to make the jump a tad less “okay. We’re here now.” But by the end, I understand why and it made for a chilling ending while trying to keep continuity intact.

My only real nitpick was a couple of word changes in America. Example: “You’re not the only one in the business.” isn’t as strong and chilling as “You’re not the only one in show business.” Otherwise, it’s adapted almost 100% like the comics. Very faithful.

Also, the voice acting talent involved is fantastic. The sound design is immersive, and the music fits very well. Mega City One really alive. Matthew Jacobs-Morgan’s performance is truly incredible as Benny Beeny.

Also, it may take a little getting used to, but Judge Dredd’s voice actor, Joseph Fiennes, is not how you probably have heard in your head or in other adaptations. Rather than gruff and deep, he’s quiet, yet still menacing. A man of iron and steel. His voice is more like Clint Eastwood or Michael Bihen. It’s different, but by the end, it made me curious about rereading my Judge Dredd comics with that voice in mind. Some scenes might be more scary now.

If you’re new to Judge Dredd, this is not a bad place to start. I really really hope they adapt Judge Dredd: Origins and other classic stories. There is already an audio adaptation of Apocalypse War, but if they did it like this, I’d listen to it in a heartbeat.

I enjoyed the other Dredd books

this was terrible. I had pre ordered it and was looking forward to it after listening to the Dredd Year 1 and Anderson audiobooks, but it was extremely disappointing.

dredd is an exciting universe, but this story made it seem bland. and I'm not sure what happened to Dredds voice, it certainly doesnt sound anything like a Judge, let alone Dredd. I have enjoyed the other Dredd books and I hope the next ones are back to the good stuff.