Invasion!: Jump Jet

NAME
Invasion!: 'Jump Jet'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 36

DATELINE
29 Oct 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
2000AD Annual 1984 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage teams up with the French Resistance and attacks the Channel Tunnel.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first and last Invasion! script written by Chris Lowder. Probably the first use of the phrase "Mean Machine" in 2000 AD.

INFORMATION
Volgan architects have built a tunnel under the English channel linking Britain and France. The tunnel runs along the sea-bed and is constructed from titanium-reinforced concrete. It is 100 feet wide and 50 tall. Shortly before it was due to be opened, it was flooded from within by the Resistance.

The Volgan Air Force has a new three-seater Jump-Jet and uses helicopters with spotter-cameras mounted in their noses.

BILL SAVAGE
He and Silk have travelled south from Scotland to sabotage the Channel Tunnel. Before the Volgan invasion he drove through Calais and frequented Raoul's transport café. Savage kills a Volgan soldier at the garrison for his uniform and has Raoul dress up in it. Raoul hands both he and Silk over to the Volgans who take them both back to Britain via the tunnel on a convoy carrying the new three-seater Jump-jet. Savage and Silk steal the Jump-Jet while Raoul holds off the Volgan troops. They fly it through the channel tunnel's ceiling and eject before being picked up by their rendezvous boat.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He and Savage have travelled south from Scotland to sabotage the Channel Tunnel. Disguised as a Volgan, Raoul hands both he and Savage over to the Volgans who take them both back to Britain via the tunnel on a convoy carrying the new three-seater Jump-jet. He can fly a Volgan Jump-Jet and steals it, while Raoul holds off the Volgan troops. He flies it through the channel tunnel's ceiling and they eject before being picked up by their rendezvous boat.

RAOUL
French Resistance. He used to run a transport café in Calais. Savage is an acquaintance of his. He disguises him as a Volgan soldier to hand over Savage and Silk. He accompanies them in a convoy through the channel tunnel, until on Savage's orders they attack and steal the Jump-Jet. Raoul remains behind and holds of the Volgan troops. He is shot dead.

DEATHS
At least six. Savage kills a helicopter crew of unknown size, a Volgan trooper for his uniform, another in the jeep whilst in Raoul's custody and the driver of a truck in the convoy. Raoul kills at least one Volgan, before he himself is shot dead.

BEST LINES
Silk: "Savage - you're mad...but it just might work!"
Savage: "Of course it'll work, Silk! We've got a 50-50 chance of survival!"

WORST LINES
Savage (whilst underwater): "...ejector seats! They'll take us to the top!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Vlasta!" is a great slice of the Volgan language.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Train Story mentioned that a Channel Tunnel was due for completion in 2002.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Savage references The Big Sleep, sort of. The 1939 novel by Raymond Chandler (1888=1959), has been adapted for film twice in 1946 and again in 1978.

MISTAKES
The reprint Invasion! credits both Peter Knight and Tom Frame with providing the letters for this strip.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Chris Lowder
Artist: Ian Kennedy
Letters: Peter Knight/Tom Frame?

REVIEW
This is a lot of fun, although once again it sees Savage rely on the sacrifice of others. Can the French Resistance do without Raoul? They'll have to now. Raoul wears the uniform, Silk flies the plane and Savage steals a uniform. He is very much just along for the ride here.

Next Prog: An Arms Drop, A Nuclear Submarine And One Very Special Stowaway!