LAWGIVER Con report - 5th May

 

Don't forget, click on the pics to enlarge!

 

Well folks, what an event! After many years since the last Dreddcon (which was held in a pub) we finally had a new version of an event for fans of Dredd and all from the wonderfully enthusiastic Su Haddrell and her exceptional team, who really pushed the boat out on the day! Su is below being questioned by myself and Judge Pal

I was travelling up from the Cellar at 06:00 with Ashley Beeching and picking up Guy Robins and Steve Green along the way and the car was full of items. Obviously the Plant Replicas uniform but also standees, items to sign and camera gear, that's obviously Steve's. We arrived about 09:30 and settled down, before the doors opened at 11:00.

Here's a quick rundown of the creators and guests in attendance (just click on their names for links):-

John Wagner

Michael Carroll

Nick Percival

Peter Docherty

David Roach

Edmund Dehn

Steve Sterlacchini

Steve Green

Also there were Forbidden Planet, Dale Jackson (original art and back issues of 2000AD), Barry Renshaw (storyboarder and artist on Judge Minty) and Owen Watts (2000AD/Dredd fanzines)

There were various panels throughout the day, as shown in the poster below but there was also a tombola (with some superb prizes), a 'Chin Off' (which I'll mention later), a You Be The Judge area, a gaming area with loads of Dredd action, a dealers area and a signing & sketching area!

Due to this being the first, of hopefully many Lawgiver events, it was intimate and very friendly and that's what makes this stand out from other conventions. All attendees can grab time with their favourite creators for a chat, a sketch or multiple signatures and obviously some great photo opportunities. This is something that is not always possible at larger cons!

The panels were very entertaining. I actually managed to watch the whole of the final one Writing Dredd, which had Michael Carroll, John Wagner and Nick Percival on it and it was extremely informative and very, very funny. Now don't even ask me what they said, as the rule of all conventions is as follows:- "What's happens at the Con, Stays at the Con" Otherwise how are we supposed to get people to attend! The moderator on this, Pete Allison had some great questions and knew when to let the panel chat between themselves.

 

I did catch little bits of the other panels, some of which Steve Hargett ran, as I did my thing. Each had the audience laughing and asking questions throughout, which is down to good moderating and obviously the stories from the panels!

 

The Judge Minty Team held a panel and in the background, on screen, they showed never seen before footage from the filming, mainly taken by other people who helped out, another con exclusive!
Another! I hear you say, yes folks another, as the star of Judge Minty was there, the delightful Edmund Dehn for his first official appearance at a convention!

During these panels the other guests busily signed items and feverishly sketched away for all who asked and also regaled fans with tales about their work. Some of the sketches that I managed to see both in the flesh and on facebook since are absolutely stunning. I'm always amazed that the artists can sit there under the pressure and close scrutiny of the fans and produce such 'so called' sketches.
At the same time the writers would be forthcoming with other stories and answer any questions that had been niggling people, especially if they were too shy to ask during a panel. Luckily for some both John and Mike needed escorting to the pub by Judge's Pal, Aberg (who had flown in from Sweden especially for this con) and me. Luckily for us Tony Richards managed to capture this on his camera. These are the extra special parts of being at such a con!

There was no need to leave the convention for food, as tat was supplied in house and at a reasonable price and it helped sustain the Judges, guests and attendees throughout the day. Did I forget that the bar was open as well, yes drinks could be bought less than 10 feet away from the seating for the panels, pretty drokkin' cool!

As mentioned earlier, there was a 'Chin Off' competition and this was to win an outstanding A2 sized print by Nick Percival, which is below!

Everyone had the chance to win this and all they had to do was wear one of the Planet Replicas Judge helmets and do a Dredd chin front on and in profile, followed by saying 'I am the Law' This was in front of everyone and John Wagner and myself voted on the winner and we unanimously agreed on that, which was Ivan Noel (in the top pic in red and holding the print).
I have to say, this must've been a very daunting task, as said above they did this in front of everyone and obviously the man who created the character and all I can say is 'well done to all who had a go'

Here are a few pics of that event happening...

 

Also during the day you could have the chance of looking like a Judge, as the Judge Minty Team had brought up jackets, helmets and Lawgivers and this was very popular. Some people were shy at first but once they wore the robes of office, they loved it! I'm pretty sure that many peoples facebook pages may have a new profile picture now!

Here are the uniforms waiting for the eager and not so eager to try them on!

Would you believe it, I had to force a mate to wear this but once the jacket was on I could see that he was enjoying it and so just to embarrass him more I'll post a pic of Ian on here!

 

 

Throughout the day the gaming area was where people battled Judges against perps. Something I have never done, even though I have all the games! one day I may find the free time to learn this stuff!

 

All in all, for a first con this was pretty damn good. Let's hope that when the sequel is announced more fans come along and help make it bigger each year but not too big, as we wouldn't want to lose the intimate feel.

A sign of a good con for me is not managing to fit everything in during the day and I saw one of my travelling companions only once during the day, as I was that busy and that was only when I arrested him!

One funny note, due to the trains being terrible Edmund was a little late, so as to save him another horrendous journey back, he jumped in my car with the rest of the reprobates. remember folks , it was rather full on the way up but let's just say, he arrived home safe!

I'm sure I've missed loads out but I know that there will be reports flying around the web by loads of other people, so I can relax in that knowledge!

I'll end on a montage of pics from the day. These are borrowed from Tony Richards, Lawgiver's facebook page and anyone else who posted them. They'll mostly be of the Judges but who knows what else I'll find and post. So sit back and enjoy these!

The Judge Point

 What a gorgeous bunch

 Judge Elbarone

Judge Labelle

 Judge Lally

Judges Glaz and Aberg

Cal-Hab Judge

Judge Haddrell

 Barry Renshaw

 Peter Docherty, Nick Percival and David Roach

 Judge Fish

 Judge Labelle and a Simp

 Judge Minty Panel

 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

DREDD (movie/comic) badge by Planet Replicas

 

This badge is produced by Planet Replicas and is yet another magnificent build in their current line of badges from the world of DREDD. You've already seen the Comic version and the Judge Death version, well this (as you can obviously tell) is the Karl Urban movie version, taken from the Underbelly comic by Arthur Wyatt and Henry Flint.

Due to first print run of this comic selling out, there was another print run but with a cover by Jock. Here for your pleasure are those two covers!

 

 

 

Anyway enough about where the badge design came from, here's a bit of info about it, taken from Planet Replicas themselves.

With styling taken from the comic and a genuine DREDD badge from the movie used as further reference, the badge is cast in metal with a stunning finish.
Presented in it's own gift box, it comes with a subtle black display stand that clips into recessed holes in the back of the badge.
This replica is an iconic piece for any Dredd fan, and a perfect crossover for film and comic Dredd collections!

 

Details:106mm x 80mm x 7mm thick
275g in weight
Gift Box
Clip-In Display Stand

It costs £40 plus P&P

 

Here are a few pictures of the one I bought, so excuse the average photo's and just so you know, the background is actually official Judge Dredd wallpaper!

 

On it's stand

 

The presentation box

 

In the palm of my hand

Here is the Comic style Dredd badge with the movie Dredd and comic Death badges, just so that you can compare them next to each other!

Don't forget, for all your 'official' Dredd merchandise, just pop along to Planet Replicas website, which is HERE and have a look at all their items available to purchase. With new ranges being added all the time.

 

Lawgiver MK1 by Planet Replicas

At last the Iconic Lawgiver MK1 has been realised by Planet Replicas and is now available for all Dredd fans and fans of sci-fi in general, to own. It's available to buy from their shop HERE, for the rather incredible price of £125 plus p&p.

After the release of the MKII I just knew this would be of an equally superb build and I wasn't wrong, as I was lucky enough to have a play with the proto-type at a couple of conventions! Let me add, it was torturous to hand back at the end of each con.

There isn't much to say really apart from what is written on their site:-

JUDGE DREDD'S MK1 LAWGIVER PROP REPLICA

Lovingly created from the original design by Dredd's creator Carlos Ezquerra, this is a faithful reproduction of the iconic original Lawgiver, as first seen in the pages of 2000 AD.
Using additional styling input by Mick McMahon, the replica measures almost 40cm long, and feels amazing in the hand !
Hand finished and cast in solid Polystone, this static piece has a lovely weight to it - and is the ultimate piece for any Dredd collector.
Comes in a printed, retro style card box with polystyrene packing.

Limited run of just 350 pieces !
This is a static piece that has no moving parts and does not fire projectiles.
It is recommended for ornamental use only.

Available with World Wide shipping.

Here's an extra piece added to the blog, since it's been posted.

Now for a load of pictures showing a few close-ups. Obviously these ones are by me and are not the greatest pictures in the world but they do the job. Don't forget to click on a photo to enlarge it!



 Looking underneath the barrel towards the mag and pistol grip.

The pistol grip, front on.



Now for the packaging and as always this has been thought out by the designers, as it has some lovely touches on the box.

You also have the credit card on the front, which shows your limited edition number, 115 for me.

In hand!



It comes extremely well packaged inside the box.

There it is folks, the Lawgiver MK1, which is now on sale from Planet Replicas. I have to say that this is awesome to look at on display and equally, it feels excellent in the hand, if you want to mess about with it.

I shall be using mine, along with the MKII at all future conventions and I'm sure you will see some other Planet Replicas Judges doing the same.

And just to end, here's another picture of the weapon, complete with uniform (which is also available from Planet Replicas), taken at the ExCeL Centre by Steve Green (as were the other two decent pics).

If I were you I would buy one of these before they sell out, especially as this is the ICONIC design, which most Dredd fans still think of when they think of Judge Dredd!