Some disturbing and sad news today, former 2000 AD artist Ron Smith, noted for his clean, sharp Judge Dredd strips, is in court faced with an accusation of child abuse according to The Sun. The paper has precious few details – predictably it has a large, bold-face headline then very little in the way of actual factual reporting in the article of the case, which apparently concerns allegations from the early 1980s when he would have been working on the Dredd strip. Given the paucity of information in the newspaper article and the usual lurid Sun-style of presentation I should stress this is an ongoing case with no verdict proved either way yet. Still quite upsetting to hear of an artist who was one of my Dredd favourites in my younger years being caught up in such a case though. (heads-up via PJ Holden)
June 10th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Disturbing and sad news indeed. I’ve never met Ron, even though he worked in Powerman and 2000 AD at the same time as Dave, Carlos and me. You’re right. The Sun’s presentation was as lurid as ever and there was something worrying, to me, about the fact that it thought the public would be more interested in this man because he’s a Judge Dredd artist.
I’ve just been looking back at some of the great characters he drew – I’d forgotten he created Otto Sump for instance – and I’m equally upset by this turn of events.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I really hope this turns out to be a false accusation – and all because Ron Smith’s artwork is such a part of my comics-reading childhood. The collection I have of his Daily Star JD strips has sentimental value to me as my mum gave it to me to read on a long hospital stay. It’s interesting how the outcome of that case will affect the way I look at his work – and I wish it didn’t. He could be completely innocent (I’m thinking of several teachers who have been falsely accused in the past, yet it has still blighted their careers) – but either way, horrible news.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I was lucky enough to lettter a few of Ron Smith’s Daily Star Judge Dredd strips in the mid-eighties, plus some Rogue Trooper strips he drew a few years later for 2000 AD. It’s easy to throw mud – less easy to clean up the stain it leaves – let’s reserve judgement on the man until the full facts are known and judgement reached.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Ron Smith is my father. He was found not guilty on all counts today.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Ron has been cleared of all charges.
http://www.themorningstarr.co......l-charges/
June 12th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Sue, thank you very much for commenting at what must be an incredibly stressful time, have put up a new blog post to say that your dad was cleared, hope you can all get on with your lives after this.