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

The first page teaser has been released on the internet and  shows Judge Dredd – a judge/policeman from the future – kissing the youth in a gay club

Dredd is a Street Judge in the American metropolis Mega-City One, with the power to enforce law and impose an instant sentence, including even execution.

But is Judge Dredd really GAY?

A spokesman has been quoted saying that “”Dredd has always been satirical, while touching on serious issues. This is another example of that.”

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

Some of the Dredd’s more homophobic fans have been  so hostile to the idea they have threatened to burn the comic. But that doesn;t bother Williams.

“As long as you stay true to the character throughout – which I think ‘Closet’ does – you can deal with all sorts of issues in a story.”

“And if they push people’s buttons, fine.

“I’d rather a story be provocative than just, ‘and they have a fight’.

“Plus, putting Dredd in a gay club filled with men dressed as him is a pretty funny image. It’s worth it for that alone.”

Well whatever happens, if Dredd is gay or not the strip, illustrated by CLiNT magazine’s Mike Dowling, will be available on Wednesday and then we’ll find out.