tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720224098385395612024-02-19T07:05:01.384+00:00Dredd AlertA daily dose of Dredd-verse comics.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.comBlogger679125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-18118581945042968082014-11-10T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-27T22:18:16.736+01:00Timequake, Part 1NAME<br />
<i>Timequake</i>, Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>Starlord</i> Issue 1<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
13 May 78<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
An alien race from the future starts World War III and destroys the destiny of the Human race, but Time Control kidnaps a tramp steamer skipper to help them avert Armageddon.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First <i>Timequake</i>.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
In 1997, a man called Lyon Sprague discovers a means of travelling faster than light. The Sprague Interstellar Drive carries humanity to the stars. By the 40th Century humanity was the greatest power in the universe and adversaries of the Droon. The Droon are a highly developed but brutal race from the Rigel system with a desire for more territory. They could not hope to beat the humans with conventional warfare, but they managed to steal the secret of temporal warp-dis-placement time travel.<br />
<br />
Time Control attempts to prevent the Droon from changing history and operates a sub-station in the Cretaceous Era (roughly 85 million years before 1978).<br />
<br />
On the 1st of May 1978 at 07:14 Greenwich Meantime London, New York and Moscow were all hit by nuclear strikes, soon after contact with Paris is lost. Following the nuclear strikes all the Time Control sub-stations after the 20th century ceased to exist.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobU00_rv81dhfwftK0fDc4eyGxjXsqwDC6wdMIYspTwkfkCqjwjDQGGviWzFUPrgx3N9S9r9tVrr1MAzaLG5Ac_fRSnitUm41WSZUfow5R7u3j5Lwi2SUyR5tszV3J12ON6DEbP8BZBw/s1600/TimeQuakeStarlord1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobU00_rv81dhfwftK0fDc4eyGxjXsqwDC6wdMIYspTwkfkCqjwjDQGGviWzFUPrgx3N9S9r9tVrr1MAzaLG5Ac_fRSnitUm41WSZUfow5R7u3j5Lwi2SUyR5tszV3J12ON6DEbP8BZBw/s640/TimeQuakeStarlord1a.jpg" width="457" /></a></div>
<br />
The Droon then attacked the Cretaceous sub-station.<br />
<br />
JAMES BLOCKER<br />
Skipper of a tramp steamer. He is abducted by Time Control seconds before his death in a nuclear disaster and taken to the Cretaceous Period Substation. They want him to travel back on 1978 and prevent himself from transporting Kemel Azwan to Israel.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
HARL VINDA<br />
Temporal Sub-station controller from the 38th century.<br />
<br />
SUZI CHO<br />
A princess of the Haniken Empire of the 32nd century. Time Control member. <br />
<br />
QUEXALCHOLMEC<br />
A pure-strain Aztec. Time Control member. <br />
<br />
MARCUS GELADIUS<br />
A centurion attached to the 9th Legion. Time Control member. <br />
<br />
KEMEL AZWAN<br />
The Droon travelled back in time and paid him to start a third world war. He bought illegal passage aboard a tramp steamer to Israel in March. Azwan is responsible for killings which broke up peace talks in the Middle East and is linked to the nuclear strikes on London, New York and Moscow. <br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Millions. Much of the populations of London, New York and Moscow are killed in a nuclear attack.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Blocker: "Chew knuckles, Sunshine!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Marcus: "Temporal warp-dis-placement time travel"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Jack Adrian<br />
Artist: Ian Kennedy<br />
Letters: Peter Knight<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
The opening page lends the story a grittiness that the Droon, dinosaur-proof force fields and the Time Control tunics couldn't. The continued use of the word sub-station and the weird details Harl Vinda supplies about his comrades makes Time Control seem a very odd bunch. I don't blame Blocker for being confused, but this strip still deals with the concept of alternative timelines very well.<br />
<br />
Next Week: 'The DROON have WIPED OUT he FUTURE!'Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-53576673848188004942014-11-09T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-26T22:30:34.438+01:00Star Pin-Up: Buggo The Brave And UglikaNAME<br />
<i>Star Pin-Up</i>: <i>Buggo The Brave And Uglika</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 217<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
20 June 81<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
None.<br />
<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
None.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
BUGGO THE BRAVE AND UGLIKA<br />
BUggo and Uglika have apparently had a son.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b-vhuSsi8kZweA8atfl-_4jclcwDQyJDsYbc-duPbdNBoSZZIaac6B1BNCevCt1MPMDk6uKNXf2pA0hvES1KHZ99uRW6tr70d3n_QcKux6LYs6-xJrmzUPf8mupKQCmYycbODPzucbw/s1600/217a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b-vhuSsi8kZweA8atfl-_4jclcwDQyJDsYbc-duPbdNBoSZZIaac6B1BNCevCt1MPMDk6uKNXf2pA0hvES1KHZ99uRW6tr70d3n_QcKux6LYs6-xJrmzUPf8mupKQCmYycbODPzucbw/s640/217a.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><br />
ARRESTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
Buggo The Brave And Uglika previously featured in <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/judge-dredd-judge-child-part-8-alien.html"><i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Judge Child</i>, Part 8</a>.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: None.<br />
Artist: Mike McMahon<br />
Letters: None.<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Probably the most obscure characters to get the <i>Star Pin-Up</i> treatment and very nice it is too.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-37405439138605738822014-11-08T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-26T22:30:27.945+01:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 5 - The Psycos, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JAXVdu4yEkp4LMVCXEH4e5Z4Y0-yaui3vaU-zgksoi4oCTDLU_oE5HEbyUzU6P9FC7qbG6RDshTUekPKbT8PEJXAWsShXTjxwGyPZKd1LjM0dEIZvof_kiM4IpJiMMfjLAhNOrv15Jw/s1600/217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="637" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JAXVdu4yEkp4LMVCXEH4e5Z4Y0-yaui3vaU-zgksoi4oCTDLU_oE5HEbyUzU6P9FC7qbG6RDshTUekPKbT8PEJXAWsShXTjxwGyPZKd1LjM0dEIZvof_kiM4IpJiMMfjLAhNOrv15Jw/s320/217.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets, Crime File</i>: 5 - <i>The Psycos</i>, Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 217<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
20 June 81<br />
<br />
This prog featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return To Armageddon</i> and <i>Strontium Dog</i> strips, a <i>Judge Dredd</i> Star Pin-Up and a <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i> cover by Mike McMahon.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD</i> 28, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd</i> 21, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files</i> 5, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice Book</i> 1 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 05</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd goes after Squeers, Squeers goes after Dredd.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
Last <i>Judge Dredd</i> art by Barry Mitchell.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Mega City One's has a Ray Milland Block and the Third Eye Insurance Company has its own building. The city's Mega-Docks Area has at least three Atlantic Gates.<br />
<br />
Judges are trained to resist Psi influence. Psi Division can undertake a brain search of an individual in their 'Psyke Tank'. The process requires a warrant and can legally only take twelve hours. Named Judges: Judge Grant.<br />
<br />
Psykers can convince an individual of something untrue.<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
A Hover'porter crash narrowly avoids him and he stops a woman from climbing into the burning wreckage to rescue a baby she doesn't have. Assuming Squeers' involvement Dredd gets a warrant for a brain search<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
HODGE JONMAN<br />
Hover'Porter driver affected by Psyker related hallucinations of a colossal monster.<br />
<br />
REX SQUEERS<br />
He lives at Ray Milland Block. Psi Division are struggling to get through his scramble shields, so they put him through a brain search and he lasts the full twelve hours without cracking. He returns home and uses his Psi powers to influence two Third Eye 'salesmen' to kill Dredd, they fail and end up in the Black Atlantic. He later turns up dead in the same waters.<br />
<br />
JEREMY SOLL<br />
Chief executive of Third Eye Insurance Company.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Three. Dredd shoots one of Squeers' two 'blitzers' dead, who then drives off the road and into the Black Atlantic drowning the other one. Squeers' corpse turns up later.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Woman: "You - you saved my life, Judge Dredd! I - I don't know what came over me! I don't even have a baby!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Dredd (seeing sign of a car): "Headlights! Could be them!"<br />
<br />
Bit jumpy, Dredd?<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Dredd says "Drokk!", Soll thinks a "Rot", <br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Ray Milland Block is named after actor Ray Milland (1905-1986) who starred in <i>Dial M For Murder</i> (1954), <i>X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes</i> (1963) and <i>Aces High</i> (1976).<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T.B. Grover<br />
Artist: Barry Mitchell<br />
Letters: Tom Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
As with Part 1, the opening page and a half are good, but the strip does not sustain the story.<br />
<br />
The EndDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-1177684946353268802014-11-07T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-26T22:30:21.594+01:00Judge Dredd: 'The Psycos', Part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKhwNnM-MQi98paoznICOi_u1j7rESVj_5V0MinMoh_2NDKqqWqD6OYPRdbvJ1N1D9iEvkIwD79UvTlBLiF9OKE4RZofEt-QHHWQodvDX8-ngCfZSn_tY7R7xGMgClkz4bJNRXr_mTjM/s1600/216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKhwNnM-MQi98paoznICOi_u1j7rESVj_5V0MinMoh_2NDKqqWqD6OYPRdbvJ1N1D9iEvkIwD79UvTlBLiF9OKE4RZofEt-QHHWQodvDX8-ngCfZSn_tY7R7xGMgClkz4bJNRXr_mTjM/s320/216.jpg" width="261" /></a>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: '<i>The Psycos</i>', Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 216<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
13 June 81<br />
<br />
This featured one of the all time great <i>Judge Dredd</i> covers by Brian Bolland, a Rogue Trooper preview and <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return To Armageddon</i> and <i>Strontium Dog</i> strips.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD</i> 28, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd</i> 21, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files</i> 5, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice Book</i> 1 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 05</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd investigates a death caused a Psyker.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First part of 'The Mega-Rackets' not labelled as such. Last part of 'The Mega-Rackets' not labelled as such.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Synthetti is synthetic spaghetti. Crepetto is a dish.<br />
<br />
A hover taxi is taxi that hovers. Whizz bars are a automobile component.<br />
<br />
Individuals with Psi powers, or Psykers, have been used by criminal gangs to ensure loyalty among members, to predict potential failure and to broadcast directly into the minds of individuals to convince them to pay protection money. A Psyker can confuse the senses of its target. The Justice Department's Psi Division can detect psionic interference in a corpse.<br />
<br />
Third Eye Insurance is an insurance company that employs Psykers to force individuals to take out policies.<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He is called to scene of Aldo Pollo's death. Under Section 59(d) of the criminal code he undertakes crime blitz search of Rex Squeers' home. Dredd later has him followed by spy-in-the sky cameras and strip-searched when he arrives at work. <br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
ALDO POLLO<br />
Wealthy restaurateur without insurance. He owns Aldo's Sintheria on the 698th floor of a high rise building. He hallucinates a synthetti monster and steps on an equally illusory hover taxi and falls to his death. He was subject to psionic interference that burnt out half his pineal cells.<br />
<br />
FINGERS<br />
Member of a criminal gang that was loyal to Low-Side Larry instead.<br />
<br />
LOW-SIDE LOUIS<br />
Fingers really works for him.<br />
<br />
REX SQUEERS<br />
Third Eye Insurance's top Psyker and Psi Division's top suspect for Aldo Pollo's murder. Dredd undertakes crime blitz search of Rex Squeers' home. Later Dredd has him followed by spy-in-the sky cameras and strip-searched when he arrives at work.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
One. Aldo Pollo fell to his death.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Gangster: "Put it this way, Bud - if you don't buy one of our policies, you're gonna have an accident for sure!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Squeers says "Rot you"<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Squeers shares his surname with a character from <i>Nicholas Nickleby</i> (1838).<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
Sintheria was presumably meant to be spelled Syntheria.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: John Wagner/Alan Grant<br />
Artist: Barry Mitchell <br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Sadly, Barry Mitchell's Synthetti monsters in the strip fail to live up to Brian Bolland's amazing cover and that is the general tone of this strip. It doesn't quite live up to the other 'Mega Rackets' that we've seen so far. The script gives us an interesting character in Aldo Pollo, but he doesn't survive past the second page. Rex Squeers, however, seems fairly unremarkable despite his abilities and isn't shown in close-up until the final frame at which point his desire to exact revenge on Dredd falls pretty flat.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-50198299559971910402014-11-06T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-24T11:14:17.522+00:00Strontium Dog: Funfair Of FearNAME<br />
<i>Strontium Dog</i>: <i>Funfair Of Fear</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>Starlord</i> Annual 1980<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
1 Sept 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>Strontium Dog: Search/Destroy Agency Files 01</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Johnny and Wulf search for Colombo at the fun-fair.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First <i>Strontium Dog</i> strip in a <i>Starlord</i> Annual.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Neridian 5 is a planet with at least one island on it.<br />
<br />
Inter-Galactic Fun-Fun Tours built a fun-fair on an island on Neridian 5, but when the space lanes were re-routed the holidaymakers stopped coming.<br />
<br />
JOHNNY ALPHA<br />
He and Wulf go in search of Colombo. After Wulf is shot, Johnny climbs the helter skelter to get an aerial view, but instead he himself is shot with a stun-ray. He slides down to the bottom unconscious. He awakes to discover that Colombo has tied him to a duck. Colombo shoots a hundred bullets at Johnny but only successfully hits his S.D. bag. Colombo is about to shoot at Johnny again when Wulf crushes him with a Big Dipper carriage.<br />
<br />
WULF STERNHAMMER<br />
He and Johnny go in search of Colombo. Whilst in the hall of mirrors, he is shot in the shoulder. Gomo tends to his wound and he follows the sound of Colombo's laughter. He discover Colombo about tho kill Johnny and throws his hammer at the starting lever for the Big Dipper causing the ride to start and the carriage to crush Colombo.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
COLOMBO HARLEQUIN<br />
Criminal hiding in the fun-fair on Neridian 5. He adopts a variety of disguises. He shoot Johnny with a stun-ray and ties him to a large duck. When Johnny awakes he shoots a hundred bullets at him but only successfully hits his S.D. bag.<br />
<br />
GOMO<br />
The keeper of the fairground. He tends to Wulf's wound.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
One. Colombo is crushed by the Big Dipper carriage.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Wulf: "No-one shoots at Voulf and runs vithout a fight!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Johnny: "In the end we caught him fair and square."<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Wulf says 'goot', 'vere', 'vill', 'vithout', 'vot' and 'Vulf'.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
Johnny and Wulf are travelling without the Gronk and so this presumably takes place at some point before <i><a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/strontium-dog-two-faced-terror-part-3.html" target="_blank">Two-Faced Terror</a></i>.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
The abandoned fun-fair is a widely used trope and, beginning in 1969, the backbone of the various incarnations of <i>Scooby Doo</i>.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
Colombo shoots a hundred bullets at Johnny but only hits his S.D. bag? And presumably his bonds?<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Brendon McCarthy<br />
Letters: Unknown <br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
This is a very slight tale that could have featured any characters and therefore doesn't really feel like <i>Strontium Dog</i> at all. Johnny's abilities are referenced, but entirely unnecessarily as they don't help him in the hall of mirrors nor are they any use in finding Colombo. The captions allude to Johnny's powers to pass for dead as if it was an amazing skill. I'm willing to concede there an element of acting ability involved, but how impressed are we supposed to be that he can play dead? Colombo is very a creepy design, but we find out almost nothing about him or his motivations and how scary can he be if he fails to hit Johnny with hundred bullets? And why has Johnny put his hand on Gomo's head like that in the last panel? It's bizarre.<br />
<br />
The EndDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-26314690981392337452014-11-05T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-22T21:11:41.482+00:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 4 - The Blitz Agencies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS54v1iiLjeaLw7Bpk4l9dXg0axuIGtt2KZ42zqtJ9kbuMoTqHYnsvAqjILilhECx8Aqaq4KFnfiCe8SYeIb4cFlmQAi_zkqMuZFwkYW7h9grvqmbezdBZqALS2B_8kxz4caIbo4jbIys/s1600/215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="622" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS54v1iiLjeaLw7Bpk4l9dXg0axuIGtt2KZ42zqtJ9kbuMoTqHYnsvAqjILilhECx8Aqaq4KFnfiCe8SYeIb4cFlmQAi_zkqMuZFwkYW7h9grvqmbezdBZqALS2B_8kxz4caIbo4jbIys/s320/215.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets, Crime File</i>: 4 - <i>The Blitz Agencies</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 215<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
6 June 81<br />
<br />
This prog also featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return To Armageddon</i> and <i>Strontium Dog</i>, alongside a Star Pin-Up of Tharg and all behind a <i>Judge Dredd</i> cover by Brian Bolland.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD </i>27, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd </i>20, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files </i>2, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice </i>Book 2 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 05</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd takes on a pair of contract killers.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First of the <i>Mega Rackets</i> to be a single part. Last of the <i>Mega Rackets</i> to be a single part.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
In Mega-City One, Grover Cleveland Block is poor quality housing, Mark Clark Block is thought to be worse and Sir Kenneth Clarke Block is part of a new upcity development and considered much better accommodation. Mega-City One has a housing committee responsible for moving people out of slum housing. It's rare to see a human delivering things door-to-door in Mega-City One, it's work usually performed by robots.<br />
<br />
Contract murder is also known as blitz, wipe-out, hit, big whack, among others. Organised contract killers are known as a blitz agency or 'blitzers'. All 'blitzers' are equipped with emotion-sensitive self-destruct devices or 'suicide boxes'. Conspiracy in a blitz agency murder carries a sentence of fifteen years in an iso-cube.<br />
<br />
Munce can be fried.<br />
<br />
Kneepads come in different grades.<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He is called to the Lumly's home following the assassination of Teddington Lumly. He is present when an attempt is made on the life of Reeta Lumly. He intervenes and shoots a Blitzer dead. He arrests Reeta for her own safety.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
REETA AND TEDDINGTON LUMLY<br />
A jobless couple that rent poor quality housing in Grover Cleveland Block who upon being informed that they are expected to move into Mark Clark Block decide to commit suicide. They can't go through with it and they elect instead to spend their life savings taking a contract out on their own lives. They then discover that they are due to be moved to Sir Kenneth Clarke Block instead and that Teddington has successfully found employment as a kneepad grader, but at that moment the blitz agency strikes and he is killed. Reeta calls in the Judges. Dredd finds Reeta Lumly guilty of conspiracy in a blitz agency murder which carries a sentence of fifteen years in an iso-cube. He commutes that sentence in exchange for assistance in finding her husband's killer. When she discovers that the contract is still open and her life is still under threat, she insists upon serving it.<br />
<br />
CHARLIE<br />
Blitz Agency killer that Teddington Lumly contracted to kill him and his wife.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
One. Dredd finds Reeta Lumly guilty of conspiracy in a blitz agency murder which carries a sentence of fifteen years in an iso-cube. He commutes that sentence in exchange for assistance in finding her husband's killer, but she insists upon serving it for her own safety.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Two. Teddington Lumly is shot dead by a Blitz Agency Killer and a 'Blitzer' called Salinas shot dead by Dredd.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Blitzer: "There's more than one way to fry munce!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Big Whack<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Grover Cleveland Block is named after Stephen Grover Cleveland (1837–1908) the 22nd and 24th president of the United States of America, the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office (1885–1889 and 1893–1897). Sir Kenneth Clarke Block is named after Sir Kenneth Clarke (1903-1983) British historian and television presenter. Mark Clark Block is presumably named after a Mark Clark, but which one?<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
Not necessarily a mistake, but why is Charlie so scaly?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqQWLCujKv0f7jmEkKoVZjsTPMgNJV1btPU2rurDYL-9cukFZLecXs5zRSKjKGSbpeJR3oJDoTYk9FPNNuFdbp8J6GD1de0doFwDUM0cY2oMG4LoeEde4L3LIJJ3PJPC2o1Uw30VjkMI/s1600/blitz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqQWLCujKv0f7jmEkKoVZjsTPMgNJV1btPU2rurDYL-9cukFZLecXs5zRSKjKGSbpeJR3oJDoTYk9FPNNuFdbp8J6GD1de0doFwDUM0cY2oMG4LoeEde4L3LIJJ3PJPC2o1Uw30VjkMI/s1600/blitz.png" /></a></div><br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T. B. Grover<br />
Artist: Ron Smith<br />
Letters: Tom Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
The artwork is great, the idea compelling and the script drives the story along well. This is the most engaging suicide attempt I can think of.<br />
<br />
The EndDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-26180213272514418332014-11-04T10:00:00.001+00:002018-03-20T20:12:53.871+00:00Ro-Busters: 'Avalanche!'NAME<br />
<i>Ro-Busters</i>: '<i>Avalanche!</i>'<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Annual</i> 1980<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
1 Sept 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
10<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Complete Ro-Busters</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Geneva is buried in an avalanche. <br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First <i>Ro-Busters</i> appearance in a <i>2000 AD Annual</i>.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Geneva is home to the world bank. The Robo-Hilton provides accommodation for robots.<br />
<br />
Ro-Busters has medical and maintenance teams.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He parachutes down to the avalanche site, but his landing sends his armaments circuits haywire and his weapons fire with one shell lodging in Mek-Quake. He rescues a little girl on her own and later a group of children.<br />
<br />
RO-JAWS<br />
He parachutes down to the avalanche site. He helps rescue a group of children<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
HOWARD QUARTZ<br />
He keeps his money in the World Bank. When Mek-Quake's brain is damaged the Ro-Busters maintenance team suggest taking a scraping of Quartz' brain and grafting it into the robot. He does not get paid by the Mayor of Geneva.<br />
<br />
MEK-QUAKE<br />
One of Hammer-Stein's shells lodges in Mek-Quake. He pushes back the fallen rocks, but is ultimately buried. Hammer-Stein and Ro-Jaws attempt to use explosives to blow the rocks and expect Mek-Quake to be destroyed. Instead the shell detonates and Mek-Quake is freed and his positronic brain is damaged. The Ro-busters' maintenance team suggest using a scraping of Quartz' brain to fix Mek-Quake. It works and Mek-Quake rescues Quartz' money and eats it before aggressively attempting to cuddle him.<br />
<br />
DOCTOR OPTICS<br />
He hypnotises Mek-Quake to calm him down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzZmhviOMffOOJNIPJ8WxfixzRFIRIorGjjToaWCCI9gpsUgca1VuqiF71Zdan26h0yFFGZVDS15CjZFlSEPOPEKw77FwDIkNbCo-IPreIKZW6BIitzqiKzZUj3V4ccTUsvh_1a_mVk8/s1600/robannual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="604" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzZmhviOMffOOJNIPJ8WxfixzRFIRIorGjjToaWCCI9gpsUgca1VuqiF71Zdan26h0yFFGZVDS15CjZFlSEPOPEKw77FwDIkNbCo-IPreIKZW6BIitzqiKzZUj3V4ccTUsvh_1a_mVk8/s400/robannual.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
DEATHS<br />
None, it seems.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Ro-Jaws (about Howard Quartz): "Heh Heh! He doesn't know which is worse - bein' operated on or losin' his money!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Ro-Jaws (about Howard Quartz): "I reckon they should change his name to Howard Squashed! Heh! Heh! Heh!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
There are a few mentions of "Humes".<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
After the brain scraping graft to Mek-Quake, is Howard Quartz still Mr Ten-Per-Cent?<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Kev F Sutherland<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
This strip features some good characters moments for Ro-Jaws, Mek-Quake and Howard Quartz and some heroism for Hammer-Stein, but the visuals fail to get the avalanche itself across and the story itself feels pretty throwaway.<br />
<br />
The End.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-28526909711834263672014-11-03T10:00:00.001+00:002018-03-20T20:13:12.677+00:00Judge Dredd: The Sweet Taste Of Justice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcEHwfl5O3m_UypS6EPMuPkugBDYD8fpIOP9lJjGbMrU6d_4-U4kfM-tckliB3FS8hX9fLungp2C7TPkS-6zfwcTwGSC5wc12Yvz_g19fpqFTfKftPw-Zo2a-tS8lgAxvsPyvu-AdwBo/s1600/SCIFI81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcEHwfl5O3m_UypS6EPMuPkugBDYD8fpIOP9lJjGbMrU6d_4-U4kfM-tckliB3FS8hX9fLungp2C7TPkS-6zfwcTwGSC5wc12Yvz_g19fpqFTfKftPw-Zo2a-tS8lgAxvsPyvu-AdwBo/s320/SCIFI81.jpg" width="229" /></a>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Sweet Taste Of Justice</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000AD</i> Sci-Fi Special 1981<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
01 Jun 81<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
10<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>Judge Dredd </i>(Volume 2) 6, <i>Judge Dredd </i>(Volume 2) 61 & <i>Judge Dredd: The Restricted Files </i>01 <br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd goes after smugglers of white powder.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First mention of sugar being illegal in Mega-City One.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
In Mega-City One, there is an Eezi-Walk over a speedway near to Muhammad Ali Alley. The Nose And Lip Shop stocks Kosmik Kiss lipstick. Mega-Prison West. All Pan-Can road traffic enters Mega-City One through the North Gate, everything is checked for signs of radioactivity.<br />
<br />
In 1999, scientists declared sugar to be a major cause of heart disease, obesity and tooth decay. It was banned and only artificial sweeteners were permitted. In Mega-City One, the illegal importation of sugar is still a crime as are withholding information from a Judge and defacing a Judge's uniform are crimes. Named Judges: Judge Gale, Judge Medway, Judge Ridley. Judge Watson<br />
<br />
Pan-Can exports clean soil from Mega-City One. The Canada Plantations also grow sugar.<br />
<br />
Hover-Juggers are used for transportation of goods via road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1oXhoIo3OxckjoDuCLxoy57b0mCSWbzTP1KaET7Kf_CBMFh-dL6DgEcemm0K3DAwg4hCxMZbyhxDpZaP6kjIHvXZG83AqnPukjcttOrlP-VNfSB1N9f_8ux5qMat2z1ZW55n3-yrFIU/s1600/dredd_sugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="749" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1oXhoIo3OxckjoDuCLxoy57b0mCSWbzTP1KaET7Kf_CBMFh-dL6DgEcemm0K3DAwg4hCxMZbyhxDpZaP6kjIHvXZG83AqnPukjcttOrlP-VNfSB1N9f_8ux5qMat2z1ZW55n3-yrFIU/s640/dredd_sugar.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
Whilst on patrol he sees Max Normal who gives him information about an illegal shipment of goods coming into Mega-City One tonight. They are shot at by a sniper. Normal is wounded. Dredd pursues the shooter, who takes a hostage. Dredd uses a ricochet shot to take him out and he falls onto the Mega-Way. Dredd investigates<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
MAX NORMAL<br />
Whilst informing Dredd of an illegal shipment of goods coming into Mega-City One tonight, he is shot by a sniper and hospitalised. He recovers and the Justice Department authorises a payment of 40,000 creds.<br />
<br />
ROXANNE GLEEG<br />
She lives at Flat 17A, Ricardo Montalban Block, she is the girlfriend of Dave 'Boy' Tork and customer of The Nose And Lip Shop were she purchased Kosmik Kiss lipstick. Dredd arrests her for withholding information and defacing his uniform when she kisses his helmet.<br />
<br />
DAVID SIDNEY TORK<br />
Known mobster, nicknamed 'Boy'. Boyfriend of Roxanne Gleeg. He was released last week from Mega-Prison West. Dredd stops his Hover-Juggers at the North Gate and after a protracted chase and firefight. Dredd arrests him for the illegal importation of sugar.<br />
<br />
JUDGE WATSON<br />
He assists Dredd's blockade of the North Gate. He gets shot.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
Two. Dredd arrests Roxanne Gleeg for withholding information from a Judge and defacing a Judge's uniform. He later arrests Tork for the illegal importation of sugar and sentences him to twenty years.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Four. Dredd shoots the assassin who falls into traffic below and is "spread over 500 metres of mega-way". Tork's driver is shot dead by Judges and the driver and passenger of Hover-Jugger 1 die in a explosion.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Adult with Susan: "Look, Susan - that what you'll get if you don't behave"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Perp: "Judges! Whack 'em out!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Dredd: "Halt in the name of the law!", a dying perp named Mico screams an "Aieeee!" and a Judge says "Drokk!"<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Muhammad Ali Alley <br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Staccato<br />
Artist: Colin Wilson <br />
Letters: Thomas<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
The action sequences are impressive and it's great to see Max Normal back again. The script is at great pains to avoid spoiling the reveal of the sugar, with its references to white powder, but the title has already given that away. Colin Wilson's art is magnificent and the layout of the panels really gives it a boost.<br />
<br />
The End.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-63669667036739013662014-11-02T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-06T21:18:48.932+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 2NAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: '<i>Steelhorn</i>', Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Tornado</i> Prog 128<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
1 Sept 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>ABC Warriors </i>01, <i>Sam Slade Robo-Hunter </i>(Volume 2) 07, <i>A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven</i> and <i>A.B.C. Warriors: The Meknificent Seven</i> <br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Hammer-Stein trails 'The Mess' and then decants him.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First meeting of the A.B.C. Warriors and their superior.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Fireman wear Asbestos suits.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He follows the trail of death and destruction left by the Mess and finds a file full of slaughtered A.B.C. Warriors. Hammer-Stein scrapes the Mess off the ground and takes him back to base where he pours it into a vacuum flask.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZXQ99PVGApNBD3JEEmuX19qUMs4NDqp-SwLnTuRTVXDqRtYP4csjssg7iyQyAFIT3Yvwa0VE8rDKxbGwb7EHQoWawBqJhN0TleAQztM6lVOMaITysXEXzrAxk3v7cQ4rtDMCIIoZOmI/s1600/abc9vJX5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="717" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZXQ99PVGApNBD3JEEmuX19qUMs4NDqp-SwLnTuRTVXDqRtYP4csjssg7iyQyAFIT3Yvwa0VE8rDKxbGwb7EHQoWawBqJhN0TleAQztM6lVOMaITysXEXzrAxk3v7cQ4rtDMCIIoZOmI/s400/abc9vJX5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
JOE PINEAPPLES<br />
He is present when Hammer-Stein pour the Mess into a vacuum flask.<br />
<br />
HAPPY SHRAPNEL<br />
He is present when Hammer-Stein pour the Mess into a vacuum flask. After hearing Hammer-Stein's information about the slaughter of 'demobbed' A.B.C. Robots, Happy Shrapnel resists having a human superior officer.<br />
<br />
MONGROL<br />
He recognises the pained noises that the Mess makes as being similar to the noise he made when beaten.<br />
<br />
DEADLOCK<br />
He doesn't need to be briefed. Deadlock has read the Tarot and already knows what will happen and that their enemy will be the devil.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
'THE MESS'<br />
It attacks the manager of the demob centre who mocked Steelhorn. It sees itself in a mirror and screams. It writes 'I accuse' on the wall. The Firemen are called and they attack it as they would a fire, but the Mess gets into one of their Asbestos suits and kills him. It escapes down a sink and outside where it kills an military policeman. If it cools down it will lose its ability to move. Hammer-Stein scoops it up into his gun to keep warm and later pour it into a vacuum flask.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Three. The Mess consumes the manager of the demob centre, a fireman sent to get rid of it, a military policeman guarding outside.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Fireman #1: "The Mess Is climbing into the sink...it's escaping down the plug-hole! Get down their after it, men!"<br />
Fireman #2: "What? Down the plug-hole, Sir?"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Fireman: "Glug! Glug! Glug!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz" once.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
The Firemen wear Asbestos suits, the negative health effects of asbestos were first noted in 1899 and the first documented asbestos-related death in 1906. Deadlock's Tarot card, The Devil represents being seduced by the material world and physical pleasures, being caged by luxury and living in fear.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: Pat Mills<br />
Art Robot: Brendan McCarthy<br />
Lettering Robot: Aldrich<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Worth the price of entry for the full page panel of the death of the manager alone. The Mess looks great, but what should be a great twist for Hammer-Stein as he discovers that the humans don't have their best interests at heart is put to one side in favour of keeping the mysterious human officer storyline going.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: Beat The Devil!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-90050571176575922632014-11-01T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-06T21:17:44.513+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 1NAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: '<i>Steelhorn</i>', Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Tornado</i> Prog 127<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
25 Aug 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>ABC Warriors </i>01, <i>Sam Slade Robo-Hunter </i>(Volume 2) 07, <i>A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven</i> and <i>A.B.C. Warriors: The Meknificent Seven</i> <br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Hammer-Stein attempts to goad Steelhorn into joining him and fails. The indestructible Steelhorn is melted down and becomes 'the Mess'<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First appearance of Steelhorn and 'the Mess', also the first <i>ABC Warriors</i> strip not to feature Joe Pineapples or Happy Shrapnel.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Marshall Volgod is Zarr and leader of the Volgan empire.<br />
<br />
Allied forces advance on every front and the Volgan Empire is losing the war. The Allied A.B.C. Robot Steelhorn kills Volgod and the war is over. Decommissioned A.B.C. Robots believe they are going to be able to make a new life for themselves, but instead they are melted down.<br />
<br />
A flame barrier is a forcefield that burns with a high intensity.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He attacks a pacifist Steelhorn in order to goad him into fighting again. Later he gets a feeling that something bad has happened to Steelhorn<br />
<br />
BLACKBLOOD<br />
He has been operated upon and reprogrammed.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
STEELHORN<br />
Steelhorn is constructed from the toughest metals and cannot be destroyed. He can withstand the heat of a Volgan flame barrier. Steelhorn has spent ten years fighting. He takes vengeance on Marshall Volgod and then becomes a pacifist. Hammer-Stein attacks him to try and force him to change his ways. Steelhorn plans to become a fireman. Instead of being demobilised he is dropped into a fusion furnace, but it fails to destroy him and he becomes a 'mess' of flowing living liquid metal. 'The Mess' flows out of the furnace and kills its operator.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiJ8Kib1MvOw6K-2XmvTo2SsKJE31slfbGZWnAR84-qu8Nlv4GNvMuMBGkNWhvBpfiq0edk6MOPAMFbM9ni21OBKSUFJRojNIiLzEvo_Dn90yuWtDTY5taWZExJxTNVMyju8fveTcKyg/s1600/abcMess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiJ8Kib1MvOw6K-2XmvTo2SsKJE31slfbGZWnAR84-qu8Nlv4GNvMuMBGkNWhvBpfiq0edk6MOPAMFbM9ni21OBKSUFJRojNIiLzEvo_Dn90yuWtDTY5taWZExJxTNVMyju8fveTcKyg/s640/abcMess.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />
MARSHALL VOLGAN<br />
Zarr of the Volgan Empire. With the war apparently lost, he is planning to go into exile aboard an imperial plane when Steelhorn arrives to claim vengeance.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Three. Steelhorn takes his vengeance on Volgod, Steelhorn is melted down and 'the Mess' kills the Furnace operator.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Hammer-Stein: "Strodd help me!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Steelhorn screams an "Aieeee"<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
Blackblood's 'operation' mentioned in '<a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-abc-warriors-bougainville-massacre_30.html">The Bougainville Massacre</a>' takes place here.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Zarr is presumably a futuristic spelling of Tzar and/or Czar.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: Pat Mills<br />
Art Robot: Brendan<br />
Lettering Robot: Pete Knight<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Steelhorn, we hardly knew ye and yet Hammer-Stein feels like a passenger in Steelhorn's strip. Steelhorn singlehandedly ends the war and it's shame that it happens so simply and between panels. Steelhorn would make a great addition to the team so, in a move that seems very unlikely, Hammer-Stein attempts to beat Steelhorn's pacifism out of him, then the big fella dies. 'The Mess' is an intriguing idea to pull off in a comic, years ahead of <i>Terminator 2: Judgment Day</i> and the artwork depicting it is phenomenal.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: Revenge Of The Mess!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-2484078476391577802014-10-31T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-04T13:43:06.016+00:00Star Pin-Up: Judge AndersonNAME<br />
<i>Star Pin-Up</i>: <i>Judge Anderson</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 213<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
23 May 81<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
None.<br />
<br />
JUDGE ANDERSON<br />
Depicted here both struggling with Judge Death and sealed in Boing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3J3Ris7wMKZ727rhr8v1SXLapxYWagGrZZLx_8Pgf-Uny2i88cWGf4C3olMkyVEK9S44aOLJhnoKbwznIa_3f2RlID_Akje338hnC9GSS1FtnHADvtcJy4VBQ5OKPV_W840jqTK2hY/s1600/JA213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3J3Ris7wMKZ727rhr8v1SXLapxYWagGrZZLx_8Pgf-Uny2i88cWGf4C3olMkyVEK9S44aOLJhnoKbwznIa_3f2RlID_Akje338hnC9GSS1FtnHADvtcJy4VBQ5OKPV_W840jqTK2hY/s640/JA213.jpg" width="491" /></a></div><br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
JUDGE DEATH<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
Judge Death and Judge Anderson last appeared in <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/judge-dredd-judge-death-part-3.html"><i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>Judge Death</i></a>.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
This serves to remind the reader of two important characters that they haven't seen for eighteen months.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Artist: Brian Bolland<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Bolland's art is wonderful as always.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-40264915530836907202014-10-30T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-04T13:12:16.460+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 2NAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: <i>'The Bougainville Massacre'</i>, Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Starlord</i> Prog 126<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
18 Aug 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>ABC Warriors</i> 01, <i>A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven</i>, <i>Sam Slade Robo-Hunter</i> (Volume 2) 07 and <i>A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven</i> <br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Blackblood takes a hostage and Joe Pineapples shoots him.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
The A.B.C. Warriors are programmed to enjoy combat. Their motto is "Strike first...strike hard!"<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He captures a Volgan Daddy Long-Legs and attacks the Straw Dogs. He gets underneath Blackblood's position and catches his hostage when Joe Pineapples shoots the general.<br />
<br />
JOE PINEAPPLES<br />
Hammer-Stein regards him as the best sniper in the world. Joe shoots Blackblood dead, missing his heart by 1mm and misses the boy he was holding hostage.<br />
<br />
HAPPY SHRAPNEL<br />
He captures a Volgan Daddy Long-Legs and attacks the Straw Dogs.<br />
<br />
MONGROL<br />
He like to 'smush' Volgans.<br />
<br />
DEADLOCK<br />
He captures a Volgan Daddy Long-Legs and attacks the Straw Dogs.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
GENERAL BLACKBLOOD<br />
He has taken Stevie Proctor hostage and when his Daddy Long-Legs is crippled. Joe Pineapples shoots his dead. Hammer-Stein has him taken away and reprogrammed.<br />
<br />
MISS SWEET<br />
Her whole class was murdered by Blackblood's Straw Dogs. Hammer-Stein carries her up a tree to keep her out of danger.<br />
<br />
STEVIE PROCTOR<br />
After the attack on his school by the Straw Dogs, he is taken hostage by Blackblood. He is due to be in Miss Sweet's class next year.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN'S SUPERIOR<br />
He wants Hammer-Stein to get one more A.B.C. Warrior.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Unknown. It's not clear how many Straw Dogs are killed. Blackblood is shot dead.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Joe Pineapples: "TGT - A - OK!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Hammer-Stein: "Miss Sweet, robots eat bullets for breakfast, spit 'em out at tea - but humans can't even che 'em for elevenses..!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Blackblood "Ssss!" six times, Mngrol mentions smushing, Joe Pineapples says "N & V!" again and a Straw Dog yells an "Aieeee!".<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: P. Mills<br />
Art Robot: M. McMahon<br />
Lettering Robot: Pete Knight<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
It's great to see Joe Pineapples very nearly take centre stage. He's been increasingly marginalised by the newer members of the team. Miss Sweet and the hostage taking are nicely handled. Hammer-Stein's feelings of guilt are interesting, but this feels like it needed more Blackblood.<br />
<br />
We've Kept The Best ABC Warrior Till Last! Meet Steelhorn Next Prog!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-58781665032714909172014-10-29T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-04T13:18:43.544+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 1NAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: <i>'The Bougainville Massacre'</i>, Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Starlord</i> Prog 125<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
11 Aug 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>ABC Warriors</i> 01, <i>A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven</i>, <i>Sam Slade Robo-Hunter</i> (Volume 2) 07 and <i>A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven</i> <br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Blackblood attacks Bougainville.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First time Blackblood says "Ssss!"<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Bougainville is a remote Pacific Island with a jungle, mangrove swamps, inland rubber plantations and a beach with a mission school on it.<br />
<br />
A.B.C. Warriors can regulate the power to their eye-scanners. The Magnum Macho 3000 is a Sniper Rifle.<br />
<br />
Volgan Daddy Long-Legs are an amphibious walking vehicle, Men O' War are flying vehicles and Straw Dogs are robots equipped for jungle terrain and lead by General Blackblood.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He came around to the idea of working with Blackblood when he heard that it would require killing him first and them reprogramming him. He carries Miss Sweet away from the remains of her school.<br />
<br />
JOE PINEAPPLES<br />
He is armed with a Magnum Macho 3000 Sniper Rifle.<br />
<br />
HAPPY SHRAPNEL<br />
He is in need of a new suit of armour.<br />
<br />
MONGROL<br />
He refuses to work with Blackblood. Miss Sweet reminds him of Lara.<br />
<br />
DEADLOCK<br />
His sword, X-caliber feeds on death and can home in on its target when thrown.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
MISS SWEET<br />
School teacher at a mission school on the Bougainville coast. She is trapped in the rubble of her school during the Bougainville massacre. Hammer-Stein rescues her and carries her out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l5xI9Xg9j-oyCQcuE6Y0yMLNIpa-W9KiSFtKLSN2IOHejau5dNMQIVWrW95cMuAHrEHilnloZv_wKCNB9F7eCFaufRjSKXqeWc4Lw0wJhw2OhZTjLGbUZsCCgRN1IFj9Q2SKBTUv8e8/s1600/ABC-Warriors-Bougainville-massacre-2000AD-Pat-Mills-Mike-McMahon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l5xI9Xg9j-oyCQcuE6Y0yMLNIpa-W9KiSFtKLSN2IOHejau5dNMQIVWrW95cMuAHrEHilnloZv_wKCNB9F7eCFaufRjSKXqeWc4Lw0wJhw2OhZTjLGbUZsCCgRN1IFj9Q2SKBTUv8e8/s1600/ABC-Warriors-Bougainville-massacre-2000AD-Pat-Mills-Mike-McMahon.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
GENERAL BLACKBLOOD<br />
Robot leader of the Volgan Straw Dogs. He is programmed to be extra cruel and as an expert in camouflage and guerrilla warfare. Blackblood got his name from the rumour that he drinks the oil of dead allied A.B.C. Warriors. He arrives on Bougainville aboard a Daddy Long-Legs.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Dozens. Islanders killed by the Straw Dogs and at least three Straw Dogs killed by the A.B.C. Warriors.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Deadlock: "Remember my sword, 'X-caliber', feeds on death!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Deadlock: "Death is its nourishment!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Joe Pineapples says "N & V" again, Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz" twice, Mongrol refers to "Laaraa!" and Blackblood says "Ssss!" four times<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
The Volgan Daddy Long-Legs look very The War Of The Worlds (1897) or The Tripods, a series of novels by John Christopher that began in 1967.<br />
A Straw Dog is an ancient Chinese ceremonial figure of a dog made from straw often thrown away after use, but also the title of a controversial 1971 film by Sam Peckinpah. The name Blackblood recalls noted pirate Blackbeard, real name Edward Teach (circa 1680–1718), better known as Blackbeard. The General says "No one expects...", which was the opening line of the Monty Python's Flying Circus Spanish Inquisition sketch (1970).<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: Pat Mills<br />
Art Robot: Mc Mahon<br />
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
The attack on the school is shocking, the Volgan hardware is impressive and it's a great twist that Hammer-Stein has to recruit a member of the enemy, but as the team gets larger most members are reduced to a single characteristic (see CATCHPHRASES above).<br />
<br />
Next Prog: The Best Sniper In The World!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-7521996434836492422014-10-28T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-03T12:51:47.398+00:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 3 - The Umpty Baggers, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m17KyyssFj7fNXIJcxk-wmvGFL0cZYHikvPFxRIiqocya8zumnxnbB5_nqVjtW9pyW87-CE6sQUPAZk9pvAlyb-dQrUCnHmx2X-UoCPj4pZk1xe_OpZyYG8t0ixrSUQLBlVryNw2anM/s1600/214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m17KyyssFj7fNXIJcxk-wmvGFL0cZYHikvPFxRIiqocya8zumnxnbB5_nqVjtW9pyW87-CE6sQUPAZk9pvAlyb-dQrUCnHmx2X-UoCPj4pZk1xe_OpZyYG8t0ixrSUQLBlVryNw2anM/s320/214.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets</i>, Crime File: 3 - <i>The Umpty Baggers</i>, Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 214<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 May 81<br />
<br />
This prog also featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return to Armageddon</i> and <i>Strontium Dog</i>, a Pin-Up of <i>Robo-Hunter</i>, a <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i> cover by Brendon McCarthy.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD</i> 32, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd</i> 20, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files</i> 4, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice</i> Book 2 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 05</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd ends the Jongs themselves, but not their Umpty empire.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Evidence taken from addicts in withdrawal is not admissible. Umpty Squad wear a different uniform to street Judges. Named Judges: Brent<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He leads a raid on a suspected Umpty factory and finds it recently abandoned. Dredd suspects a tip-off and blames Judge Cheyney. He lures Cheyney to the factory and knocks him out. When the Jongs arrive, there is a gunfight and Dredd kills them all.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
JUDGE BRENT<br />
Umpty squad.<br />
<br />
JUDGE CHEYNEY<br />
Dredd lures him to the Umpty factory at Malcolm Allison Block and knocks him out. When the Jongs arrive Dredd suspicions are proved correct and Cheyney is due to be sent to the penal colony on Titan.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
Three. Two elderly Umpty addicts are lead away and Judge Cheyney is due to be sent to the penal colony on Titan.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Four. Dredd shoots the entire Jong gang dead.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Dredd (to Cheyney): "C'mon, Creep! You've got an appointment with the penal colony on Titan."<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T.B. Grover<br />
Art: Emberton<br />
Letters: T. Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
This is a slight ending which deals with the threads left dangling by the first part in quite a perfunctory way. Dredd has no evidence about Cheyney's complicity, but rather than investigating he knocks him unconscious and hopes the evidence will be forthcoming. Ron Smith's characters designs for the Jongs are dispensed with and it's not clear who is meant to be who. The ending, however, is great and shows that although Dredd may win the battle, the war is another matter altogether.<br />
<br />
The EndDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-41344603735385653422014-10-27T10:00:00.000+00:002018-03-03T12:39:31.019+00:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 3 - The Umpty Baggers, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-oGnbCYKGIotXucHxvcW7enDdgG7eASToLU6O_2LP8oSRD5tnSQvtWBKGy-k5qhHo4F6vcbiu86N-6cASw4DkZMSvox9VADk5_BVqVy_6tj7mbrPTb-xG8j4OzK9rgZ_ck5D3gcZ0VU/s1600/213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-oGnbCYKGIotXucHxvcW7enDdgG7eASToLU6O_2LP8oSRD5tnSQvtWBKGy-k5qhHo4F6vcbiu86N-6cASw4DkZMSvox9VADk5_BVqVy_6tj7mbrPTb-xG8j4OzK9rgZ_ck5D3gcZ0VU/s320/213.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets</i>, Crime File: 3 - <i>The Umpty Baggers</i>, Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 213<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
23 May 81<br />
<br />
This prog also featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return to Armageddon</i> and <i>Strontium Dog</i>, a Pin-Up of Judge Anderson, a cover by Brian Bolland as well as two packets of <i>Buck Rogers</i> stickers.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD</i> 32, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd</i> 20, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files</i> 4, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice</i> Book 2 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 05</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Umpty is back. Dredd investigates the supply chain.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
Last appearance of Uncle Ump.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
In Mega-City One, there is a Malcolm Allison Block.<br />
<br />
Umpty Bagging is the illegal manufacture and sale of addictive Umpty candy. 22nd Century medicology has permanently eliminated all known addictions, with the exception of Umpty. Mellowmel is an ingredient of Umpty.<br />
<br />
The Justice Department has a dedicated Umpty Squad and operates Umpty Clinics where addicts can dry out. Named Judges: Judge Cheyney, Judge Jones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EPlCw_ciRuiHT6MSs9ZtZZoPcypLa5q-mTWaPgjlWqdLH-ztHc71xIVA1_vq1g-iijWbkYcL8519gelJL7C_scxGME1_lsOVelxEGoSXdlxLg9Lm5b_jJASi5JNHF3BssaR8l651y04/s1600/umpty.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="745" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EPlCw_ciRuiHT6MSs9ZtZZoPcypLa5q-mTWaPgjlWqdLH-ztHc71xIVA1_vq1g-iijWbkYcL8519gelJL7C_scxGME1_lsOVelxEGoSXdlxLg9Lm5b_jJASi5JNHF3BssaR8l651y04/s640/umpty.png" width="544" /></a></div><br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He arrests Candy Man Fitchit for Umpty Bagging and investigates his supplier.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
CANDY MAN FITCHIT<br />
Umpty bagger working for Oggie Jong. Dredd arrests him and discovers he is addicted to Umpty. He uses this to get information out of him.<br />
<br />
JUDGE CHEYNEY<br />
Head of the Umpty Squad. Dredd is not impressed with his results.<br />
<br />
OGGIE JONG<br />
Member of the Jong crime family. They are tipped off that Uncle Ump is, contrary to popular belief, alive in space. The find him and acquire his Umpty recipe and kill him. Their Umpty factory is situated on the top floor of Malcolm Allison Block, but he is warned to get any evidence out by his informer.<br />
<br />
UNCLE UMP<br />
He is discovered two light years from Earth by the Jong brothers. Uncle Ump's recipe is so precise that it requires twelve drops of mellowmel and to be whisked clockwise for exactly thirty-seven beats. The torture him to reveal his Umpty recipe and when he does they throw him out of an airlock.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
Four. Dredd arrests Candy Man Fitchit for Umpty Bagging and three juves for taking it.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
One. The Jong brothers leave Uncle Ump suffocating in space.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Candy Man Fitchit: "Let me outa here! Umpty! I need Umpty!<br />
Dredd: "Talk first - Umpty later<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Candy Man Fitchit: "Smashed the fire escape!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
There is a flashback to the events "over a year ago" of <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/judge-dredd-uncle-umps-umpty-candy.html"><i>Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy</i></a>. The Ump dumping is <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/judge-dredd-mega-rackets-crime-file-2_23.html" target="_blank">the second chump dumping in as many weeks</a>.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Malcolm Allison Block is named after controversial footballer turned manager Malcolm Allison (1927-2010) who had just lost his job at Manchester City Football Club.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
Medicology isn't a word. Yet. The leader of the Jong gang is identified as both Oogie and Oggie.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T.B. Grover<br />
Artist: Ron Smith<br />
Letters: Tom Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
This sequel to <i>Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy</i> takes the drugs metaphor of the first and turns it up to eleven. This time around Ump himself is the first victim of his recipe and his death makes for a darker tale altogether.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: Bagging The Baggers!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-11407436388825164792014-10-26T10:00:00.000+00:002018-02-25T14:41:16.690+00:00Star Pin-Up: Max Normal - Mega-City One's Pinstripe Freak!NAME<br />
Star Pin-Up: Max Normal - Mega-City One's Pinstripe Freak!<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 212<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
16 May 81<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
None.<br />
<br />
MAX NORMAL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_FeMAVOs65T6jUB02IgKO6A-5a7-YPs31SGl-2ZtaOSkQsFxXSl_JdgjqF8rch6ZYcxvpoUtGwXuWoj9N4MR1v_L5j9yTbA7gbtOWQWmyUMyizIT6BxNI7vCe6zzOK27QBjKkbDao18/s1600/max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_FeMAVOs65T6jUB02IgKO6A-5a7-YPs31SGl-2ZtaOSkQsFxXSl_JdgjqF8rch6ZYcxvpoUtGwXuWoj9N4MR1v_L5j9yTbA7gbtOWQWmyUMyizIT6BxNI7vCe6zzOK27QBjKkbDao18/s640/max.jpg" width="501" /></a></div><br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Artist: Brett Ewins<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
It's good to see Max surrounded by the chaotic nature of the Big Meg and the appalled expressions on the faces of the other citizens are wonderful.<br />
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-20180166952001866812014-10-25T10:00:00.000+01:002018-02-24T22:28:26.010+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Order Of Knights Martial', Part 2 - The Tournament Of The DamnedNAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: <i>The Order Of Knights Martial</i>, Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Starlord</i> <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/judge-dredd-father-earth-part-3.html">Prog 124</a><br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
04 Aug 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>ABC Warriors</i> 01, <i>Sam Slade Robo-Hunter</i> (Volume 2) 06, <i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>A.B.C. Warriors: Meknificent Seven</i> & <i>A.B.C. Warriors: The Mek-nificent Seven</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Hammer-Stein and Deadlock fight.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First mention of General Blackblood.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
The Order of the Knights Martial claim to be nourished through death and they keep trophies of those that they kill.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He is almost defeated by Deadlock, but he successfully disarms him and uses Deadlock's own strength sapping sword against him. He reports Deadlock joining the A.B.C. Warriors to his human superior. He is informed that General Blackblood is their next member, but Hammer-Stein refuses to serve with him.<br />
<br />
JOE PINEAPPLES<br />
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein.<br />
<br />
HAPPY SHRAPNEL<br />
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein, but Mongrol wakes him.<br />
<br />
MONGROL<br />
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein, but a vision of Lara wakes him.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
DEADLOCK<br />
He worships Khaos, he can vanish at will and he can draw on the strength of other members of the Order of the Knights Martial. He almost defeats Hammer-Stein but fails when he is disarmed. He joins the A.B.C. Warriors.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Hammer-Stein: "Uuuuh? He - He's vanishing! Must be using light refraction! But..."<br />
Deadlock: "Still trying to rationalise with science, Sergeant? Don't you understand yet, simpleton...everything in life is an illusion..."<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
The Order of the Knights Martial: "Hhooooowwll!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Happy Shrapnel 'Bzzzes' four times and Mongrol says 'Smush' once.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
In Tarot, the Ace of Swords is a card that indicates decisive ability and the ability to see through and expose deception. While the Ten of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card which represents destruction. Knights Templar, also known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, are a Catholic military order founded in 1139 and active until about 1312.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: Pat Mills<br />
Art Robot: Brett Ewins<br />
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
So much occurs in Part 1 that it's surprising how little does in Part 2. The fight itself is largely uninteresting and ultimately, Deadlock cheats, but loses and not a lot more happens. The artwork is great, but jars somewhat with Part 1.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: Jungle Warfare - Robot Style!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-60931818985985436242014-10-24T10:00:00.000+01:002018-02-25T17:48:11.786+00:00The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Order Of Knights Martial', Part 1NAME<br />
<i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i>: '<i>The Order Of Knights Martial</i>', Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD & Starlord</i> <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/judge-dredd-father-earth-part-2.html">Prog 123</a><br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
28 Jul 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>A.B.C. Warriors</i> Book 1, <i>A.B.C. Warriors: Meknificent Seven</i> & <i>A.B.C. Warriors: The Mek-nificent Seven</i>.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
The Volgans attack, General Karnage is captured and Deadlock serves as his judge.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First appearance of Deadlock.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
The Watch-Tower is a huge fortress satellite which orbits the Earth. The Order Of Knights Martial use it to maintain constant surveillance of Volgan army movements on the planet for the Allied forces. It is struck by an enormous meteorite targeted by the Volgans and forced to crash-land.<br />
<br />
The Order Of Knights Martial are A.B.C. Warriors that have become masters of the martial arts and meditation. There are rumours of strange experiments, terrifying powers and secret ceremonies that are unsubstantiated. <br />
<br />
Volgans use storm tanks and are able to steer meteorites toward a target with accuracy.<br />
<br />
Mek-food provides sustenance for robots.<br />
<br />
HAMMER-STEIN<br />
He regards the Order Of Knights Martial as the ultimate A.B.C. Warriors. He leads his A.B.C. Warriors in the fight against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower. Following the battle and court martial, he asks Deadlock to join him.<br />
<br />
JOE PINEAPPLES<br />
He fights against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower. After the capture of General Karnage he assumes Hammer-Stein wants him killed.<br />
<br />
HAPPY SHRAPNEL<br />
His boots may smell. He fights against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower.<br />
<br />
MONGROL<br />
He refers to Hammer-Stein as "Boss-Warrior" and covets Happy Shrapnel's boots. Mongrol fights against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
BROTHER DEADLOCK<br />
Grand Wizard of the Order Of Knights Martial based on the Watch-Tower. He can read Tarot cards and predicts the attack on the Watch-Tower. Deadlock presides over the court martial of General Karnage. Hammer-Stein asks Deadlock to join him and in return Deadlock challenges him.
<br />
<br />
GENERAL KARNAGE<br />
Known Volgan war criminal. He is captured by the Allies and tried in a court martial and found guilty.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
Potentially thousands die in the battle surrounding the downed Watch-Tower.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Deadlock: "Purge the filth that dares to attack us! Cleansewith fire and sword, my brothers!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Joe: "N and V, Sarge..?"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
Happy Shrapnel gives us seven variations on "Bzzz!"<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Hammer-Stein mentions "Robbie the Robot", a reference to either a character from the <i>Doc Savage</i> adventure <i>The Fantastic Island</i> (1935), Isaac Asimov's short story <i>Robbie</i> (1940) or Robby the Robot from <i>Forbidden Planet</i> (1956). We see, The Tower, one of Deadlock's Tarot cards. The Tower is the sixteenth trump card in most Italian Tarot decks. It has been used in game playing since the 15th century and in divination since the mid-19th century, commonly interpreted as meaning danger, crisis, sudden change, higher learning and liberation.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script Robot: Pat Mills<br />
Art Robot: Kevin O'Neill<br />
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight <br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Deadlock makes an instant impression and gives the strip a real shot in the arm, but his Tarot prediction was pretty useless seemingly coming mere seconds before the attack. The court martial illustrates his sense of justice beautifully and the cliffhanger is an intriguing one. So much happens in just six pages and <i>The A.B.C. Warriors</i> will never be the same.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: See The Secret Powers Of Deadlock!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-58256542995834025882014-10-23T10:00:00.000+01:002018-02-25T17:51:36.303+00:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 2 - The Perp Runners, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ-5zmmjlbYVtLTl5QbenqLBbKyKHR9riFqLUF1N3qwEeDmB9da3qmIt5DIp6i0b0-iXgYT9p0dW31u4asX8YtjOaNXvRiFiaOtWTqXGGMBNPVLnnPk359AjBCUuri4e-wKR1jGzTyQM/s1600/212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ-5zmmjlbYVtLTl5QbenqLBbKyKHR9riFqLUF1N3qwEeDmB9da3qmIt5DIp6i0b0-iXgYT9p0dW31u4asX8YtjOaNXvRiFiaOtWTqXGGMBNPVLnnPk359AjBCUuri4e-wKR1jGzTyQM/s320/212.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets</i>, <i>Crime File</i>: 2 - <i>The Perp Runners</i>, Part 2<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 212<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
16 May 81<br />
<br />
This prog also featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return To Armageddon </i>and <i>Strontium Dog</i>, a pin up of <i>Max Normal</i>, a <i>Strontium Dog</i> cover by Carlos Ezquerra and a came with a free <i>Buck Rogers</i> sticker album.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD </i>31, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd </i>20, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files </i>3, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice </i>Book 2 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files </i>05.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd outwits the perp runners.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
'Chumping Up' is the luring to Earth members of alien races with promises of prosperity and luxury, while 'Chump Dumping' is to throw those individuals out of an airlock en route.<br />
<br />
Members of alien species cannot enter Mega-City One without entry permits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4LlsHVp9L9tmYv38L4al-3yKGsXW3REyeiJuuYkofALi8b7uVW9lLuqBT7AbTedXRFjFrXYbbvzjlRIVQ4oboV6MrVCQCZM1KJ1dV7QXoPQSlW1cP70UwVYTBYZw_TC3gZj9WycTbh8/s1600/dolphins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="797" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4LlsHVp9L9tmYv38L4al-3yKGsXW3REyeiJuuYkofALi8b7uVW9lLuqBT7AbTedXRFjFrXYbbvzjlRIVQ4oboV6MrVCQCZM1KJ1dV7QXoPQSlW1cP70UwVYTBYZw_TC3gZj9WycTbh8/s400/dolphins.png" width="365" /></a></div>
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He escapes his shackles, breaking a bone in his hand in the process. Dredd warns the alien 'chumps' and they panic. In the resulting chaos he jettisons the ship's oxygen tanks and the perp runners elect to allow the Justice Department to catch them rather than suffocate. Upon his return to Mega-City One, Dredd has his face returned to normal and confronts Kolorado.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
KOLORADO<br />
Justice Department still have no evidence linking him to the perp running, but the last batch of perps are on their way back to Earth with scores to settle.<br />
<br />
HULGO<br />
Member of an alien hoping enslave humans in Mega-City One. He is disappointed.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
The perp runners are arrested and presumably so are the perps trafficked to Driadus K.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
At least sixteen. At least fourteen members of a dolphin-like alien race are chump dumped and suffocate in the vacuum of space, two human perp runners later go the same way.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Member of Hulgo's Alien race: "The hume's gone nuddly! Run for your lives!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
Dredd: "Flake off, Creep!"<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T.B. Grover<br />
Artist: Ron Smith<br />
Letters: Tom Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
Ron Smith's aliens are a beauty to behold and the lengths Dredd is willing to go to are impressive.<br />
<br />
Next Prog: The Umpty Baggers!Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-78304712082565424642014-10-22T10:00:00.000+01:002018-02-24T20:00:25.651+00:00Judge Dredd: The Mega-Rackets, Crime File: 2 - The Perp Runners, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSPLnyd6YiE-BTOjEJHBEXS3RjWEHuDNUp6eTz2hWiTFfr1fHFWoz4HPFySS2yBYDd9AidSpsrANj5xi1j0ZEC3Af2t7UWQyYBRgN1lC1j6HKFy6ZIs6Q5WMGxKpoNFsoG9Dflib2s6E/s1600/211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="629" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSPLnyd6YiE-BTOjEJHBEXS3RjWEHuDNUp6eTz2hWiTFfr1fHFWoz4HPFySS2yBYDd9AidSpsrANj5xi1j0ZEC3Af2t7UWQyYBRgN1lC1j6HKFy6ZIs6Q5WMGxKpoNFsoG9Dflib2s6E/s320/211.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>NAME<br />
<i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>The Mega-Rackets</i>, <i>Crime File</i>: 2 - <i>The Perp Runners</i>, Part 1<br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
<i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 211<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
9 May 81<br />
<br />
This prog also featured <i>Tharg's Future Shocks</i>, <i>Meltdown Man</i>, <i>Return To Armageddon </i>and <i>Strontium Dog</i>, a pin up of <i>Meltdown Man</i> and a <i>Judge Dredd</i> cover by Ron Smith.<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
6<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
<i>The Best of 2000AD </i>31, <i>The Complete Judge Dredd </i>20, <i>Judge Dredd's Crime Files </i>3, <i>Judge Dredd Mega City Vice </i>Book 2 and <i>Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files </i>05.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Dredd goes undercover in an attempt to find evidence of perp running and finds himself trafficked to another planet.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
First time we see Dredd's face. Sort of.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
Mega-City One is home to at least 54 Meg-Pens for the incarceration of criminals. Perp Running is the illegal transportation of wanted criminals to a place of safety off planet. <br />
<br />
A Flash '99 Selfcon Roadster is a car. Genuine velvet is very rare and velvet kneepads are quite the fashion statement. Raw Munce is notorious for its odour. Munce Gum is a foodstuff.<br />
<br />
Driadus K is a planet some 36 hours away from Earth<br />
<br />
JUDGE DREDD<br />
He catches Slick Ike Kolorado littering and lets him off with a caution. Dredd has his face changed to assume the identity of John Julius Brown and claims to have escaped from Mega-Pen 54. He approaches Brown's known associate, Lanny, who puts him in touch with Kolorado's perp runners who smuggle him, alongside a group of perps, out of Mega-City One is a Raw Munce Tanker and aboard a spaceship waiting in the Cursed Earth. Dredd uses the ship communications to contact the Judges, but the perp runners' ship is much faster and the perps are trafficked to Driadus K, where they have been sold to alien slavers.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
SLIK IKE KOLORADO<br />
A Perp Runner. He is travels in a chauffeur-driven Flash '99 Selfcon Roadster. Judge Dredd catches him littering, but lets him off with a caution. He sells the perps he runs to alien slavers on Driadus K.<br />
<br />
JOHN JULIUS BROWN<br />
He is also known as Icepick Brown. He is currently serving thirty years in Mega-Pen 54 for multiple homicide. Known associate of Lanny. Dredd assumes his identity.<br />
<br />
LANNY<br />
A known associate of John Julius Brown.<br />
<br />
ARRESTS<br />
Dredd gives Kolorado a caution for littering.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
Dredd: "You! Littering the streets is an offence - Pick it up!...Not your driver - you!"<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: T B Grover<br />
Artist: Ron Smith<br />
Letters: Tom Frame<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
It's good to see Dredd taking Kolorado to task over his littering, but the ensuing undercover-as-escaped-prisoner story comes a little out of nowhere. Kolorado was as guilty before the littering as after, but Dredd only takes an interest after it.<br />
<br />
CHUMP DUMPINGDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-66977760797538272772014-10-21T10:00:00.000+01:002017-07-15T19:27:03.436+01:00Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots: Ulti-Mek - The Ultimate Robot<div>
NAME</div>
<i>Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots</i>: <i>Ulti-Mek - The Ultimate Robot</i><br />
<i></i><i></i><br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
Free with <i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 199, 120, 121<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 June 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Meet Ulti-mek<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
The Ulti-Mek is a recently completed robot that fits in the palm of your hand. It is self-regenerating and self-reproducing. The Ulti-Mek is smaller than a human eyeball. It has a Quasar reactor motor, with unlimited power output.<br />
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyryO97nOpR3pIAb28wnjzelOExnfEd7s32-jeLpWiYQME9cps9RGCQLETV0dhhJBgNhlvJf2hncwgx5Zp_9jqWcdRmuiNU_YagkS3cNlqmuLiFsnr2kPrSx11W6DFG_rvZTSteSzomeI/s1600/robo5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyryO97nOpR3pIAb28wnjzelOExnfEd7s32-jeLpWiYQME9cps9RGCQLETV0dhhJBgNhlvJf2hncwgx5Zp_9jqWcdRmuiNU_YagkS3cNlqmuLiFsnr2kPrSx11W6DFG_rvZTSteSzomeI/s640/robo5.png" width="414" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
OTHER CHARACTERS</div>
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
++ Human beings now obsolete ++<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Unknown<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
REVIEW<br />
This is more like it. A great science fiction concept illustrated in a brilliant way with a sarcastic air to it. Move over real robots, this 'micro-prog' should have been all Ulti-Mek in my opinion.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-21450478624613028722014-10-20T10:00:00.000+01:002017-07-15T19:12:44.771+01:00Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots: Arok Home Loving Robot!<div>
NAME</div>
<i>Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots</i>: <i>Arok Home Loving Robot!</i><br />
<i></i><br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
Free with <i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 199, 120, 121<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 June 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
2<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
<div>
A real life robo-servant invented by Ben Skora.</div>
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
INFORMATION<br />
Ben Skora has invented Arok, a robot that can performs various household tasks, and SNEB, a robot that can learn.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Unknown<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
REVIEW<br />
Another real life automaton. Ro-Jaws seems too impressed.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-61845588134847771622014-10-19T10:00:00.000+01:002017-07-15T19:03:34.400+01:00Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots: Robotics 2000<div>
NAME</div>
<i>Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots</i>: <i>Robotics 2000</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
Free with <i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 199, 120, 121<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 June 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
2<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
A look at robotic characters featured in <i>2000AD & Starlord.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8vB-xvipHIrx6e4cfnxB_wVK8rKjL9qAoU2U0y_7PS8iFqpsrUuUZjYAfPx1-B5FJo_c9DAuxuYFKbpkEv9BIh4h3nb9auBoXZUeHwl7f3TTsj5Gqe3K7LuGtF5WBQEHKAQRKVKLkSc/s1600/robo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="787" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8vB-xvipHIrx6e4cfnxB_wVK8rKjL9qAoU2U0y_7PS8iFqpsrUuUZjYAfPx1-B5FJo_c9DAuxuYFKbpkEv9BIh4h3nb9auBoXZUeHwl7f3TTsj5Gqe3K7LuGtF5WBQEHKAQRKVKLkSc/s400/robo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
Artie Gruber of <i><a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/harlem-heroes-part-8.html" target="_blank">Harlem Heroes</a> </i>and <i><a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/inferno-part-27.html" target="_blank">Inferno</a></i>, Charlie from <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/ro-busters-terra-meks-part-one-eve-of.html" target="_blank"><i>Ro-Busters</i>: <i>The Terra-Meks</i></a>,<br />
Boots from <i>Robo-Hunter</i>'s <i>Verdus</i>, Call-Me-Kenneth and the Heavy Metal Kids from <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/judge-dredd-robot-wars-part-1.html" target="_blank"><i>Judge Dredd</i>: <i>Robot Wars!</i></a> and Walter The Wobot of <i>Judge Dredd </i>and <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Walter%20The%20Wobot" target="_blank">his own strip</a>.<br />
<i></i><br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Several<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
It's nice to see some familiar faces.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-89815343360289775872014-10-18T10:00:00.000+01:002017-07-15T18:36:55.282+01:00Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots: Robots For Real!<div>
NAME</div>
<i>Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots</i>: <i>Robots For Real!</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
Free with <i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 199, 120, 121<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 June 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
Some real robots from the past.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVM6_yUk7SCltsjw9UGd1ttVfmB3fs2qClTgwJLvaZta2bo9jEm8Y4eupq8FeHsb3KiuCIW8hbZ38WpkTWs6X69JI8WsgbL-WeuTtVjOHBN_-RZvoRF6CRMj0xaZeXWWhXpTTdc0fws4/s1600/robo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVM6_yUk7SCltsjw9UGd1ttVfmB3fs2qClTgwJLvaZta2bo9jEm8Y4eupq8FeHsb3KiuCIW8hbZ38WpkTWs6X69JI8WsgbL-WeuTtVjOHBN_-RZvoRF6CRMj0xaZeXWWhXpTTdc0fws4/s640/robo2.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown.<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Unknown<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<br />
REVIEW<br />
This compliments the <a href="http://dreddalert.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/ro-jaws-and-hammerstein-book-of.html" target="_blank">timeline</a> nicely, but none of these are photos.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172022409838539561.post-11586295264071944632014-10-17T10:00:00.001+01:002017-07-15T18:27:49.675+01:00Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots: Bomb-Buster!<div>
NAME</div>
<i>Ro-Jaws And Hammerstein Book Of Robots</i>: <i>Bomb-Buster!</i><br />
<br />
FIRST PUBLISHED<br />
Free with <i>2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd</i> Prog 199, 120, 121<br />
<br />
DATELINE<br />
30 June 79<br />
<br />
PAGE COUNT<br />
1<br />
<br />
REPRINTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
SYNOPSIS<br />
An examination of a bomb disposal robot.<br />
<br />
FIRSTS & LASTS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFORMATION<br />
The Remote Handling Equipment (Tracked) Explosive Ordnance Disposal bomb disposal robot is used by the army. It has been nicknamed the Wheelbarrow.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
It is a mobile trolley with an electric cable connecting it to a remote control and it has a TV camera for relaying footage to its operator.<br />
<br />
OTHER CHARACTERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
DEATHS<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
BEST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
WORST LINES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CATCHPHRASES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS<br />
None.<br />
<br />
INFLUENCES & REFERENCES<br />
Unknown<br />
<br />
MISTAKES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
RETROSPECT<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
NOTES<br />
None.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
CREDITS<br />
Script: Unknown<br />
Artist: Unknown<br />
Letters: Unknown<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
REVIEW<br />
This is better.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131223022620329561noreply@blogger.com0