By Joel Harley
A collection of the short-lived but much-loved 2000 AD spin-off Dice Man, which ran for six issues back in 1986. This compilation of roll-playing games (geddit?) allows readers to step into the boots (one size too small) of Judge Dredd, wield the axe of Sláine, and take on the presidency of one Ronald Reagan.
Collected into a handsome, striking hardback tome, the collected Dice Man is an enthralling return to ’80s-era 2000 AD, scripted by creator Pat Mills and illustrated by a legendary line-up which includes the likes of Kevin O’Neill, Bryan Talbot, John Ridgway, David Lloyd, Mike Collins and Hunt Emerson. This collected edition is a treat for fans of UK comic book history and fantasy RPGs, requiring little more than a dice and a pencil and paper to play. With its dice-rolling, page-flipping mechanic, it’s an experience that no iPad or Kindle edition can ever replicate – even if the stories are short and the games somewhat simplistic.
Judge Dredd’s haunted house story House of Death is the main draw, based on a story by Dredd creator John Wagner. Meanwhile, Celtic warrior Sláine gets the lion’s share of stories, his fantasy background making him a natural pick for the choose-your-own-adventure format. 2000 AD faves Rogue Trooper, Nemesis the Warlock, and the ABC Warriors also get their dues, while the magazine’s original creation – the Diceman – gets a solid chunk of the book devoted to his (or your) adventures. All that and Hunt Emerson’s Ronald Reagan, too! The magazine’s six original covers by Glenn Fabry, Brendan McCarthy and Hunt Emerson are also presented in full colour in the final pages, closing out a magnificent compendium of work.
A gorgeous collection of games and a well-presented archive of ’80s sci-fi and fantasy action. What are YOU going to do?
DICE MAN is out now
