Disaster 1990!, Part 12

NAME
Disaster 1990!, Part 12

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 130

DATELINE
15 Sept 79

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd Megazine 331

SYNOPSIS
Savage and Bamber explore the community at Oxford, but Savage must prove his worth and then the birds attack.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Oxford University has used its chemistry labs to make a nerve gas, which they release at the approaches to the city. They grow food using wet rice farming. They also have a radar workshop. The university is attacked by a flock of birds.

BILL SAVAGE
He didn't get much of an education. Savage holds a Class 1 Heavy Goods Vehicle licence. The Oxford University community hold an enquiry into whether Savage has a special skill or qualification that will contribute. When the birds attack, he takes back his shotgun.

OTHER CHARACTERS
BAMBER
He recognises waterfowl.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Savage (on shotguns): "It'll kill people before they kill you!"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
An attacked Oxfordian screams an "Aieee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Savage calls Magnus is presumably a reference to Magnus Magnusson (1929-2007), presenter of TV quiz show MasterMind from 1972 to 1997. The attack of the birds recalls the 1952 story The Birds by Daphne du Maurier and the 1963 horror thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock of the same name which is loosely based on upon it.

MISTAKES
Finlay-Day is back.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: G. Finlay-Day
Artist: Pino
Letters: Steve Potter

REVIEW
This is a real change of pace and it's refreshing to see Savage out of his comfort zone, but the cliffhanger bird attack offers him an obvious opportunity to get straight back into it.

Next Prog: All You Need Is Lead!