Judge Dredd: The Oubliette Officially Arrives April 2027

Published Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. Judge Dredd is officially entering its 50th anniversary year in 2027, marking five decades since the iconic lawman first appeared in the pages of 2000 AD back in March 1977. Created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Dredd has since become one of the most enduring characters in comic book history, dispensing his own brutal brand of justice on the crime-ridden streets of Mega-City One. Beyond countless comic book adventures, the franchise has inspired two major film adaptations, including 2012's cult favorite Dredd, starring Karl Urban, which developed a devoted following and continues to fuel demands for a sequel. With the milestone anniversary approaching, fans have plenty to celebrate, including several exciting new releases honoring the character's legacy. However, one particularly intriguing release arriving April 20, 2027, could take the franchise in a much darker direction, with Judge Dredd: The Oubliette promising another major chapter in the legendary lawman's history. Judge Dredd is switching genres in 2027 with Judge Dredd: The Oubliette, a two-part graphic novel collection that takes the iconic character into the realm of supernatural horror. Published by 2000 AD and distributed by Simon & Schuster, Part One arrives April 20, 2027, as a 192-page paperback priced at $34.99, making it an exciting addition to the franchise's 50th anniversary celebrations. Written by longtime Judge Dredd contributor Kenneth Niemand, with artwork from Nick Percival, Dan Cornwell, Tom Foster, and Richard Elson, The Oubliette collects material from an iconic storyline that began appearing in 2000 AD and Judge Dredd Megazine in 2026. The publisher explicitly describes the release as a horror adventure, a significant tonal shift from the franchise's traditional combination of dystopian science fiction, crime, and action. Although Dredd has encountered supernatural horrors before, particularly through Judge Death and the Dark Judges, The Oubliette places these darker elements at the forefront. The official description sets the scene: "Mega-City One, 2147 AD. Home to over 250 million citizens, this urban hell is situated along the east coast of post-apocalyptic North America, with the toxic Black Atlantic on one side and the irradiated wasteland the Cursed Earth to the west. Crime is rampant and only the Judges — empowered to dispense instant justice — can stop total anarchy. Toughest of them all is JUDGE DREDD — he is the Law!" The story itself revolves around the mysterious city "Fathers," spectral entities seeking to return from the old world and reclaim Mega-City One. However, Dredd has been warned that he won't be around to stop them, with his fate seemingly tied to the titular Oubliette, a terrifying prison regarded as the worst place in the universe. The nightmare continues in Judge Dredd: The Oubliette Part Two, scheduled for August 24, 2027. This 224-page follow-up, also priced at $34.99, follows Dredd as he struggles to survive imprisonment on an alien world, battling hostile creatures while attempting to escape a mysterious dungeon. You can pre-order Judge Dredd: The Oubliette Part One via Amazon here. Meanwhile, back on Earth, a sinister black tower has appeared in Mega-City One, unleashing chaos and leaving the remaining Judges to confront an increasingly dangerous supernatural threat. Together, the two volumes are an ambitious 416-page horror adventure that promises to challenge Dredd in ways that ordinary criminals cannot. For longtime fans eager to see the legendary lawman pushed into unfamiliar territory, The Oubliette could be one of the most interesting Judge Dredd releases of his entire anniversary year. Judge Dredd