Judge Cassandra Anderson is a fictional law enforcer and psychic appearing in the British science fiction comics 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine. Created by writer John Wagner and artist Brian Bolland, Anderson made her debut as a supporting character in the Judge Dredd story "Judge Death" (2000 AD #150, February 1980). The character's popularity with readers led to her starring in her own series, Anderson: Psi-Division, which (since 1988) has been written almost exclusively by Alan Grant, often working with artist Arthur Ranson. In 2012 the character appeared in the film Dredd, played by Olivia Thirlby.
John Wagner created both Judge Death and Judge Anderson for the Judge Dredd story "Judge Death," the latter helping introduce the Psi-Judges, which were seen as a natural progression. Artist Brian Bolland based the character on Debbie Harry, "having recently drawn the singer into an advertisement for Forbidden Planet."
Short afterwards, Alan Grant began to co-write Judge Dredd with Wagner. When Anderson got her own series, Wagner and Grant also co-authored those stories. This collaboration lasted until 1988, when their differences of opinion about how to develop Dredd's character came to a head while planning the last episode of the Judge Dredd story "Oz." After that, Grant wrote Anderson's stories on his own, while Wagner wrote Dredd's.
Grant later said: "A lot of Anderson counts among what I think of as my best work. The fact that I've had one of the best storytellers in the business, Arthur Ranson, along for most of the ride makes it even more memorable for me."
Fictional character biography
Like the mythical Cassandra (the sister of Paris of Troy), Judge Anderson has psychic powers, chiefly telepathy and precognition. These abilities made her a member of Mega-City One's 'Psi Division' of Judges.
The character debuts during the first attack by Judge Death of the Dark Judges (a group of nihilistic undead Judges). During this encounter, Anderson is possessed by Judge Death but then thwarts him by entombing herself in Boing®, a tough but porous material. This lasts until the Dark Judges free her to release Judge Death, whereafter Anderson returns to active duty. She is instrumental in stopping this first attack by the Dark Judges, as well as several others. Due to being possessed and manipulated by them, Anderson develops a personal hatred of the Dark Judges.
Anderson is prominent in her Division and gains the respect of Dredd. Unlike Dredd, she is a critic of the weaknesses in the judicial system of Mega-City One, has a sense of humour, forms personal friendships with fellow Judges, and permits herself doubt and remorse. Because her determination is similar to Dredd's, the two of them co-operate effectively on several missions.
In the story "Engram", Anderson regains memories of an abusive father and is shocked to learn that her Division was responsible for blocking them from her mind in the first place. This, together with the events of "Leviathan's Farewell" (concerning the suicide of her friend Judge Corey), "Shamballa", "The Jesus Syndrome" and "Childhood's End", prompts Anderson to resign from the judicial system. After several adventures in outer space, she returns to Mega-City One. Dredd and Anderson are both considered veterans and regarded with awe by less experienced judges.
Later, after a deadly run-in with Judge Death, Anderson falls into a coma and is infected with the psychic Half-Life virus. A team of Psi-Judges succeeded in rescuing Anderson, but the Half-Life passes to Judge Gistane, who is then tortured by the mad Judge Fauster. When Half-Life is unleashed on the city, causing a wave of mass murder, Anderson stops it. Since she awoke from her coma, Anderson is now in her fifties. Being a Psi prevents her from using drugs and treatments Street Judges use to stay active despite aging. Because of this, Anderson expects to age beyond usefulness.
Alternative comic versions
In 1994 DC Comics began publishing the short-lived title Judge Dredd – Legends of the Law, which featured their own version of Dredd. Issues 1–4 featured Anderson as a cadet in a story called "The Organ Donors" (1994–1995), written by John Wagner and Alan Grant and illustrated by Brent Anderson and Jimmy Palmiotti. (Note that the Anderson in the Judge Dredd and Batman crossover stories is the original 2000 AD version of the character.)
In 2012 issue #2 of IDW Publishing's new Judge Dredd title included Anderson. IDW gave Anderson her own comic in 2014.
In 2016 the Judge Dredd Megazine published stories based on the version of Anderson which had appeared in the 2012 film Dredd, in issues 377 to 379. "The Deep End" was written by Alec Worley, with art by Paul Davidson. "Judgement Call" was written by Worley, with art by Lee Carter.
Collected editions
The Judge Anderson, Anderson: Psi Division and Anderson: Psi stories (and also Judge Corey) are being collected in order of their original publication in a series of trade paperbacks:
Judge Anderson: The Psi Files volume 1, Rebellion Developments, 2009, ISBN 978-1-906735-22-7
“Revenge” (also known as “Four Dark Judges”), written by Alan Grant, art by Brett Ewins (episodes 1–7), Cliff Robinson (8–10, 12) and Robin Smith (11), in 2000 AD #416–427 (1985)
“The Possessed,” written by Alan Grant (as R. Clark), art by Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD #468–478 (1986)
“Hour of the Wolf,” written by Alan Grant, art by Barry Kitson and Will Simpson, in 2000 AD #520–531 (1987)
“Contact,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mark Farmer, in 2000 AD #607–609 (1988–1989)
“Beyond the Void,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mick Austin, in 2000 AD #612–613 (1989)
“Helios,” written by Alan Grant, art by David Roach, in 2000 AD #614–622 (1989)
Judge Corey: “Leviathan's Farewell,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mick Austin, in 2000 AD Sci–Fi Special 1988 (1988)
“Triad,” written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in 2000 AD #635–644 (1989)
“The Prophet,” written by Alan Grant, art by David Roach, in 2000 AD #645–647 (1989)
“The Random Man,” written by Alan Grant, art by Carlos Ezquerra, in 2000 AD #657–659 (1989)
“The Screaming Skull,” written by Alan Grant, art by David Roach, in 2000 AD #669–670 (1990)
“Engram,” written by Alan Grant, art and co–plotting by David Roach, in 2000 AD #712–717 and #758–763 (1991)
“The Haunting,” written by Alan Grant, art by Kim Raymond, 2000 AD Annual 1984 (1983)
Judge Anderson: The Psi Files volume 2, Rebellion Developments, 2012, ISBN 978-1-907992-95-7
"Shamballa", written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in 200AD #700-711 (1991)
"Blythe Spirit", written by Alan Grant, art by David Roach, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.08 (1992)
"Reasons to Be Cheerful", written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson and Siku, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.10 - 2.11 (1992)
"The Witch? Report", written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.14 (1992)
"The Jesus Syndrome", written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.22 - 2.24 (1993)
"Childhood's End", written by Alan Grant, art by Kevin Walker, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.27 - 2.34 (1993-4)
“Voyage of the Seeker,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mark Wilkinson, on back of poster, free gift with Judge Dredd Megazine 2.37 (1993)
“Postcards from the Edge,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson (episodes 1, 10–11), Tony Luke (2, 8), Charles Gillespie (3, 9), Arthur Ranson (4), Xuasus (5–7), in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.50–2.60 (1994)
“Postcard to Myself,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson, in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.73 (1995)
“The Mind of Edward Bottlebum,” written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson, Judge Dredd Annual 1985 (1984)
“A Fistful of Denimite,” written by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson, in Judge Dredd Annual 1986 (1985)
“Golem,” written by Alan Grant, art by Enric Romero, in 2000 AD Annual 1987 (1986)
“A Soldier's Tale,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mike Collins,in Judge Dredd Annual 1988 (1987)
Judge Anderson: The Psi Files volume 3, Rebellion Developments, 2013, ISBN 978-1-78108-106-8
“Something Wicked,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson (episodes 1–3) and Charles Gillespie (4–7), in Judge Dredd Megazine 2.74–2.80 (1995)
“Satan,” written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in Judge Dredd Megazine 3.1–3.7 (1995)
“The Protest,” written by Alan Grant, art by Arthur Ranson, in Judge Dredd Megazine 3.14 (1996)
“Wonderwall,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson, in 2000 AD #1045–1049 (1997)
“Crusade,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson, in 2000 AD #1050–1061 (1997)
“Danse Macabre,” written by Alan Grant, art by Angel Unzueta, in 2000 AD #1076 (1998)
“Witch,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson, in 2000 AD #1087–1089 (1998)
“The Great Debate,” written by Alan Grant, art by Steve Sampson, in 2000 AD #1090 (1998)
“Lawless,” written by Alan Grant, art by Trevor Hairsine, in 2000 AD #1102–1103 (1998)
“Dear Diary,” illustrated text story by Peter Milligan, art by Eddy Cant, in 2000 AD Annual 1988 (1987)
“Colin Wilson Block,” written by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson, in 2000 AD Winter Special 1988 (1988)
“Confessions of a She–Devil,” written by Alan Grant, art by Mick Austin, in 2000 AD Annual 1990 (1989)
