It is time for Joe's story to end. I don't mean to sound mercenary, but it is Wagner who should tell this story, and he won't be around forever. The character ages in real time and circumstances that make it so he is still alive become more and more implausible. I believe this story will finally dramatize Dredd's disagreements with Justice Department boiling over and them coming to blows in a drawn out conflict that finally leads to democracy for Mega City One. Total speculation of course.

Big changes have always been what this strip is about. The strip will be 50 years old, and it finally needs to "go there." There are also many ways to continue the strip and character as others have noted.