The Sunday Herald talks to Judge Dredd writer Alan Grant about the growing similarities between the post-apocalyptic Mega-City One and the world he lives in today:
“It’s pretty horrific when you realise that what you’ve written, admittedly an extrapolation of a trend, has got stronger and stronger,” said Grant. Going to Glasgow airport and seeing police officers armed Judge Dredd-style confirmed to Grant the state of society. “We are living in a dystopia, and pessimistically I can only see it getting worse. I think the world that we, and I include myself, are bequeathing to our grandchildren, is a horrible, horrible place.”
The smoking ban is another worrying example of science fiction becoming reality, according to Grant. A 1979 Judge Dredd storyline featured the Smokatorium, the only place in the city where people could smoke. “But instead of having a Smokatorium, they’ve made us go outside to do it,” said Grant. “This blanket ban is, well, it’s Judge Dredd. We deliberately set out to portray Judge Dredd as a fascist. And while our government is nominally a left-wing government, it has all the signs of a fascist government.”
January 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Mr. Grant should go to this website and buy the boook:
http://liberalfascism.nationalreview.com/
January 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
We are displeased. Are we to understand that being made to smoke outside is on par with rounding up ethnic, religious, and political groups and putting them in concentration camps?
January 28th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
AnthonyX, I was going to comment on the same book! Good post.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:23 am
I sincerel doubt the Doughy Pantload’s nonsensical screed will sway Mr Grant to believe that Hitler would have been Hilary’s running mate if only the brave Republicans hadn’t won WW2, hugely disappointing the Democrat Bund.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Wasn’t Doughy Pantload in The High Chaparral?
//\Oo/\\
January 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
National Socialist Workers Party of Germany. And repeat……
January 29th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Serious post. Goldberg’s book ( I hope you have all read it) makes numerous mentions that he is not comparing modern day Socialists to the examples he cites.
I would like to stress that socialism seems to go through growing pains and susceptible to extremists. see Hugo Chavez.