Invasion!: 'Bluebird'

NAME
Invasion!: 'Bluebird'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 26

DATELINE
20 Aug 77

PAGE COUNT
4

REPRINTS
Invasion!.

SYNOPSIS
Savage plans to destroy the Volgan V-Boat prototypes, but fails.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
British holiday resorts are under Volgan control. The Volgans are testing prototype vessels on Coniston Water in Lakeland. The V-Boat could be the world's fastest military vessel.

The Warbird broke water-speed record in the 1980s and is capable of 400 miles per hour. Apparently Robb breaks the record again on Coniston Water.

The Volgans have set up local radio stations to broadcast propaganda.


BILL SAVAGE
He and Silk plan to destroy the Volgan navy's new prototype V-Boat. He and Silk meet Commander Robb by accident. Later they attempt to launch an attack on the V-Boat but are caught. Robb comes to the rescue and crashes into both V-Boats with the Warbird and destroys them. Savage and Silk break into the local Volgan propaganda radio station and broadcast the news that Robb broke the speed record.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He and Savage plans to destroy the Volgan navy's new prototype V-Boat. Silk is shot in the arm whilst swimming away from the V-Boat. Robb comes to their aid and destroys the Volgan vessels.

COMMANDER ROBB
Before the invasion, he broke his during an attempt to break the record for water-speed. He briefly meets Savage and Silk on Coniston Water. Later, he sacrifices himself and uses the Warbird to destroy the Volgan boat that is chasing them.

DEATHS
Probably eight. Savage kills a spotlight operator, whilst Robb crashes the Warbird into two ships each with what looks like three crew and is killed himself.

BEST LINES
Volgan: "Run down the scum! Turn them into a red stain on the water!"

WORST LINES
Savage: "Go on Grandad you give it to 'em!"

CATCHPHRASES
An unseen Volg shouts an "Aaiiiee!", whilst another goes for a "Aieeeeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Why is it called 'Bluebird'? Well Bluebird was the name of a series of vehicles, some cars some boats, all designed to break speed records by Sir Malcolm Campbell and his family. The V-Boat obviously recalls the U-Boat used by the German Navy during World War II. Savage name checks James Bond, the spy in a series of novels by Ian Fleming (), beginning with Casino Royale (1953) and followed by a series of films, the most recent of which would have been The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: John Aldrich

REVIEW
This strip takes another notable hallmark of Invasion!, the noble British sacrifice and couples it with Savage bungling his plan. It's still very lucky for Savage (less so for Silk), but it doesn't seems as easy as is was before.

Thrill Value Increases + + + Next Prog