Judge Dredd Megazine 494 Preview - The Black Tower, Megatropolis Finale & New Lawless Run

Judge Dredd Megazine 494 is here, and it's a packed issue for fans of the Dredd universe. This week's Meg delivers the next instalment of The Black Tower, the finale to Book Two of Megatropolis, and a complete Tale from the Black Museum - plus a fresh dose of Rogue Trooper.

Also inside: the start of a new Lawless run from Abnett & Winslade, creator chats on the new Albion and BattleBritton collections, and a look at a new Doomlord reprint. Lawless is a firm favourite of ours, thanks to its brilliant writing and striking black-and-white art, so we're glad to see it back in the pages of Megazine 494.

• RELEASE DATE: 15th July £7.50
• US RELEASE DATE: 12th August $14.99
• COVER: JOHN MCCREA AND JACK DAVIES

In Judge Dredd Megazine 494

Judge Rico: The Black Tower

Writer: Ken Niemand.
Art: Nick Percival.
Letters: Simon Bowland.

Mega-City One, 2148 AD. This vast urban hell on the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America is home to over 300 million citizens, where tensions run a constant knife-edge. Crime is rampant, and stemming the tide of chaos are the Judges. Toughest of them all is Judge Rico – he is the Law! Now, a mysterious black tower has manifested in the metropolis, causing chaos...

Lawless: An Exhibition

Writer: Dan Abnett.
Art: Phil Winslade.
Letters: Simon Bowland.

Colonial Marshal Metta Lawson was appointed to the frontier township of Badrock on the planet 43 Rega, intent on stamping her authority on the colony. But in doing so, Lawson made many enemies, including Munce, Inc., the mega-corporation that funded Badrock. Now, with the SJS also running things, Lawson's recently returned to the force after going undercover...

Rogue Trooper: An Iteration of Allies

Writer: Andi Ewington.
Art: Sinu Senan.
Colours: Jim Boswell.
Letters: Simon Bowland.

Mega-City One, 2148 AD. Deep in the heart of the Grand Hall of Justice lies the Black Museum, Justice Department's permanent exhibition of the relics from bygone crimes. Whether it's a notorious serial killer's trophies or the weapons of the Dark Judges, the violent history of the Big Meg is laid bare here. Let undead guide Henry Dubble show you around...

Tales From the Black Museum: Bad Idea

Writer: James Peaty.
Art: Stewart K. Moore.
Letters: Annie Parkhouse.

Nu Earth, a planet ravaged by war, its atmosphere poisoned by chemical weapons. It is the site of the conflict between the Southers and the Norts, and where Genetic Infantryman Rogue Trooper, along with his biochipped buddies Helm, Gunnar and Bagman, is on a quest to find the Traitor General that sold out his comrades. Now, he's found Norts and Southers hiding in an abandoned fortress...

Megatropolis II

Writer: Ken Niemand.
Art: Chris Weston.
Colours: Antonietta Saulino.
Letters: Rob Steen.

Imagine a Mega-City One from an alternate timeline – less the gleaming metropolis of the twenty-second century but instead an art deco retro-future variation. Joe Rico is the one good cop in a police department riddled with corruption, and partnered with the young Amy Jara, they investigated a series of vigilante killings committed by a robot. Now, the mayoral election is here... 

Pick up Judge Dredd Megazine 494 in print from newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond. Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android, Windows 10.