Gay kiss shock for fans
of comic lawman Dredd

The latest edition of the comic 2000 AD is titled Closet and deals with the issue of a teenager coming out.

The first page has been released on the internet and apparently shows Dredd – a judge/policeman form the future – kissing the youth in a gay club.

Reaction to the teaser, which was released online last month, has been mixed, with some fans so hostile to the idea they have threatened to burn the comic.

A spokesman said: “We have had quite an extreme reaction.

“Dredd has always been satirical, while touching on serious issues. This is another example of this.”

But there is a twist in the tale, with all not being as it seems.

Writer Rob Williams said Dredd’s sexuality – whatever it is – was buried beneath his love for the law.

He said: “Although, can you imagine what would happen if that repression ever fell away, just for an instant? Sure, Dredd could be gay.

“You can’t look at the original costume design of leather and chains and not see a fetishistic edge there.

“But Dredd’s feeling are so deeply hidden, he is extremely unlikely to ever let them show.”

The writer said comics were a “great” place to deal with issues such as homophobia.