Judge Dredd Creator John Wagner Responds To His MBE In the King’s Birthday Honours List

Wagner Gets An Unlikely Honour

Social media suggested a few days ago that 2000AD legend and Judge Dredd writer John Wagner has recently been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. With this in mind Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul Neal very politely decided to ask the gentleman himself to find out if the rumours are true and if indeed they are how he feels about it all. Here are the results…

TRIPWIRE: As I understand it via social media, you may have very recently been awarded an MBE I believe in the King’s Birthday honours list. Just for the sake of clarification is this indeed true and accurate?

JOHN WAGNER:  Yes, it’s been in the papers, it must be true!

TW: How do you feel about this honour? Can you describe how you feel about this award?

JW:  As an immigrant with only fairly recently acquired citizenship (although I have for a long time considered myself British) I am honoured.  Of course, to be chosen you must be nominated, so in reality it could have been any one of the many deserving people in and around comics.

TW: Out of genuine curiosity, were you actually consulted or given prior notice beforehand? In fact were you given an opportunity to decline the honour?

JW: They let you know a couple of months before the announcement, at which time you can accept or decline.  The cabinet office receives several thousand recommendations and of those they choose about 400 to go forward.  The MBE, I believe, is the least prestigious of them.

TW: It is not entirely unprecedented for a knighthood and so forth to be declined. Obviously I personally believe it should be a knighthood. 

JW: So, do I.

TW: Your writing at times could be described as a touch anti-establishment. Given that fact are you ever so slightly surprised to receive an honour like this from the King of England?

JW: I’m not sure how much the King has to do with it, apart from putting his name to it. I was indeed very surprised as I didn’t think comics would ever be on their radar.

The thought of declining the honour did cross my mind.  I dismissed it immediately.  I am not anti-establishment, Paul, I am anti bad establishment, and bad government, and all the corruption and elitism that goes with it.  The opportunity arose to, I hope, do comics some service, and I was happy to accept.

TW: My final question is simply this: To the best of your knowledge, will you be planning a trip to Buckingham Palace to receive your award? Can 2000AD and Judge Dredd fans attend such an event?

JW:  That’s where the honours ceremony is held. I believe you’re allowed three guests, but I don’t think it’s open to the public.