Judge Schmaltz

Judge Schmaltz is a minor Judge operating in the dystopian future metropolis of Mega-City One, the same sprawling, satirical setting as Judge Dredd. He appears among the ranks of the city's authoritarian law-enforcement judges.

Stepping out of the gritty, satirical world of Mega-City One since 1978, Judge Schmaltz is a Bronze Age creation from the legendary British anthology 2000 AD and Starlord, brought to life by John Howard and Mike McMahon. Over a surprisingly enduring stretch spanning nearly three decades, this minor but genuine piece of comics history shares the page with some of the most iconic figures in British comics — Judge Dredd himself, the notorious Chief Judge Cal, and fellow Judges Slocum, Griffin, and Giant. With appearances collected in Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files, Schmaltz is exactly the kind of deep-cut character that rewards the dedicated reader digging into the rich, sprawling tapestry of Dredd's world.