Rok The World, the third series from the “Rok Of The Rovers” team of John Wagner and Dan Cornwell, begins in Judge Dredd Megazine 488 – out on the 21st January!
Originally published in two volumes by the trio of Wagner and Cornwell, alongside the late great Alan Grant, Rok of the Reds is a black comedy about revenge, redemption, and relegation. It follows Rok of Arkadi, an alien who seeks refuge on Earth after his homeworld is destroyed by bounty hunters. However, his attempts to hide under the radar are complicated when he has a chance meeting with arrogant young footballer Kyle Dixon, a bad boy who has been causing problems for his struggling team.
Assuming Kyle’s identity, Rok finds himself thrust unexpectedly into the spotlight: not only does he have to keep himself safe from ruthless alien bounty hunters – but he’s got games to win! Rok is going to have to learn to love the beautiful game if he’s going to keep his cover intact, or he’ll risk being captured by his enemies… or worse, relegated!
“Rok – the character and story – is particularly dear to me,” explains Wagner. “Partly because it’s been so much fun to do, but also because of the long, often difficult but ultimately rewarding process of birthing it, putting together the creative team (including the wonderfully talented Dan Cornwell), financing it and foisting it on an often sceptical public. Its popularity with those who have got on board with it is gratifying. I’d dearly love for some outfit like Pixar or Aardman to pick it up. What an animation it would make.”
Cornwell adds: “Rok 3 was always on the cards, and something we both wanted to do. Just how that was going to happen was anyone’s guess. Self publish, Kickstarter, mystery benefactor? We had faith.
Then Rok signed up with Rebellion – which probably goes down as one of the biggest transfers in history. Ronaldo to Real Madrid? Bah!”
“John had a story brewing, and I was itching to return to the streets of Radford and beyond. Once episode one’s script arrived from John I couldn’t wait to start- and once I did it was like putting on those comfy slippers or warm winter jumper. It’s just a wonderfully warm, familiar, unexpected and thrilling world to return to. And this series just takes it to another (deadly) level.”
The first two Rok of the Reds stories, “Rok of the Reds” and “Rok The God” were republished in Judge Dredd Megazine across the last year, and Wagner describes this new run as the third and final part of the trilogy.
Having already thrilled readers of the Megazine across 2025, it’s time to Rok the World by completing this hat-trick of modern classic stories — and kick off a whole new adventure from the team!
Rok The World begins in Judge Dredd Megazine 488, out 21st January – which also starts a new Judge Dredd story, alongside the latest instalments of Megatropolis, Judge Anderson, Armitage, Dreadnoughts and more! Subscribe now to guarantee your copy!
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- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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