Tripwire Talks to Artist David Roach About Drawing 2000AD’s Christmas Judge Dredd Story

Christmas In The Cubes

As ever with any issue of 2000AD, this one has a story featuring flagship character Judge Dredd. This issue boasts a longer than usual story titled Life Lessons by writer Ken Niemand, artist David Roach with colours by Chris Blythe and Annie Park House on lettering duties.

Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul Neal recently had the opportunity to briefly speak to artist David Roach about this Christmas story and a couple of other things…

TRIPWIRE: Can you tell me much about the script? Did you find it an interesting project to work on?   

DAVID: I loved the script actually. I felt it was a really nice way of looking back in time and contrasting it with Dredd in action today. It was really well written and paced I felt.

TW: Could you say a little more about your Christmas story? How many pages is it? Without ruining anything, can you say a little more please? 

DR: The strip is 12 pages long, though it’s really tightly plotted so I think it whizzes along. But no – I can’t tell you anything more about it, it’s a strip with a great twist in it which I don’t want to spoil. so, you’ll just have to buy it to find out what it is. Aren’t I a tease?

TW: What can you say about the writer? How did it come about?

DR: I know nothing about the writer at all. Does anybody? He’s very mysterious. It was a rare case where I was brought into the job after the script had been written, with no input at all. I think it was written without anyone specific in mind, or if it was, the artist had to drop out. My involvement was quite last minute it seems, I had literally just finished Nightmare New York and then a day later I was asked if I would draw Dredd. It was just lucky that I was free.

TW: Do you read 2000AD on a regular basis? Even if not do you make a point of enjoying the bumper sized Christmas issues? Can you offer any thought on the other stories in this year’s issue that your art appears in?

DR: I’ve been buying the comic since issue 1 way back in 1977 and ‘ve always looked at each issue ever since. There are are so many great talents working in the Prog these days and there are great examples in this year’s special. I’d say look out especially for the strips by Henry Flint, Tiernan Trevallion and some great art from S B Davis!

TW: Your art is so detailed and meticulous how much time do you require as an artist to produce your best work?

DR: It differs from page to page. Some are easier than others. I do always try my best, and do spend ages on each page, though I’m better at some things than others. I’ve drawn lots of dogs recently, and I’m not sure I’ve drawn them at all well!

TW: Being a huge fan of your encyclopaedic knowledge of comic artists and being nearly Christmas can you say which artist in your opinion has best illustrated Santa Claus? 

DR: The image that sticks in mind the most is a Sanjulian Christmas cover that appeared on Creepy #59, featuring Santa with a large bloody axe…once seen never forgotten!

TW: Would you say 2000AD is your spiritual home as an artist?

DR: I do feel that, yes. My dreams were always to draw for 2000AD and Warren comics- specifically Vampirella- though they went bust a few years before I stared drawing professionally, so I missed my chance there. Working for 2000AD right now is wonderful though, The editorial team is so supportive and creative, and I’ve been lucky to work with some great writers, particularly the amazing Kek W. on our various strips together and my dear friend Alan Grant on so many Judge Anderson episodes. Glory days!

TW: Can 2000AD fans look forward to more of your art in 2025?

DR: Absolutely, I’m drawing an 8 pager right now, and my next series will be around 60 pages long I think. All top-secret stuff though (I think).