Since it was announced, the promise of Lionsgate's "DREDD 3D" film being an adaptation of the Judge Dredd character that hews closer to 2000AD's original hardcore law enforcement officer than ever before. But even as the film takes its cues from the classic British publisher, 2000AD is drawing from the movie to entice fans of the film to the comics line.

This August sees the release of a "DREDD 3D" digital comic prequel to the film, which will feature the first comics appearance of Ma-Ma -- the villainous prison warden played in the movie by "Game of Thrones" star Lena Headey.

Today, CBR News has an exclusive first look at the digital story's painted cover by Greg Staples. The final story, written by 2000AD editor Matt Smith and approved by Dredd's co-creator John Wagner and "DREDD" screenwriter Alex Garland, will feature the interior art will be by Henry Flint - a longtime 2000AD artist so associated with the character, his surname is used for one of the cell blocks in the film.

Stay tuned for more on "DREDD 3D" as well as more from 2000AD in advance of the movie's September 21 debut, and check out CBR's review of the film here.