By the year 2031 life on earth has changed drastically, nuclear war, disease and famine have literally cursed the earth and most of the land is unable to sustain any form of life. Humans now live in huge mega-cities that are populated with millions of people that are festering in crime and decadence. Mega City One is one of these cities and with over 800 million people living inside it’s walls things are almost always out of control.

There are those known as The Judges that keep the peace in the city, these mobile officers are not only judges, but also the jury and executioners of justice on the city streets. Of all the judges none is more feared and respected than Judge Dredd, even among the other judges. But what if a new form of evil was introduced to the criminal world of Mega City One? Something that was foreign, something that was merciless, something that was uncontrollable, something that was rapidly multiplying and most importantly something that was… ALIEN!

Very few times do genre or character crossovers get things right, but “By Grud!” Judge Dredd vs Aliens: Incubus, knocks the ball clean out of the park by staying faithful to both properties involved and simply let’s the bodies hit the floor in one hell of a page turning read.

Judge Dredd is a walking uber-badass from the world of 2000 AD Comics. Dredd simply walks the walk and talks the talk. Spouting his classic catch phrase “I am the law!” Dredd is hardcore and hard line. He sees things only in right or wrong and there is nothing in between. With his “Lawgiver” on his hip and the word of the law on his lips, Dredd is the man on the streets of Mega City One.

The Aliens are an extraterrestrial race with acid for blood, able to maneuver and adapt to any terrain or climate, lack any form of compassion or mercy, they have the ability to propagate their race through implanting eggs into other living organisms and are controlled through a collective conscience where they will do the greater good for the collective hive on the whole.

Throw these two together and you have one hell of a splatterfest on your hands and that’s exactly what you get with Incubus from start to finish. As a matter of fact due to all the acid splatter and chest busting I almost had to but on a pair of goggles while I read this graphic novel and the only other time I have to wear goggles while reading is when I’m checking out the “Naughty Neighbor” section of Spread Eagle Monthly, or my latest pen-pal letter from Paynecraft.

The best thing about Incubus is that it stays true to both characters and their already well established origins and character histories, something that normally and sadly gets thrown away during crossovers, comic or otherwise. Dredd is Dredd and the Aliens are Aliens and there is no dumb ass reason why the two meet. The plot is simple and the execution is flawless. Writer Andy Diggle really deserves a pat on the back for his story telling and character appreciation. Also, artist Henry Flint, deserves not only a pat on the back, but a cookie as well because the artwork is fantastic. Each page leaps out at you and the images that flint creates are amazing. The splatter, the chest explosions, the characters and everything in between is just great.

If you’re a fan of Judge Dredd, you’ll love Incubus, if you’re a fan of the Aliens you’ll love Incubus and if you’re a fan of comic crossovers you’ll love Incubus, the bottom line is you’ll love Incubus. Good story, fantastic art and great characters, what more could you ask for? Bottom line check this one out or get out of the “Drokking way!”

9 of 10.