Inferno, Part 10

NAME
Inferno, Part 10

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 45

DATELINE
31 Dec 77

The last Prog of 1977 bore a Dan Dare cover by Brian Bolland (with a face apparently by an unknown different artist) and Invasion, Bonjo From Beyond The Stars, Dan Dare, Judge Dredd, Tharg's Future Shocks and M.A.C.H.1 strips.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Complete Harlem Heroes.


SYNOPSIS
The Harlem Hellcats investigate the Crystal Maze.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Keith Cullen.

INFORMATION
Crystal Maze is a casino in downtown Brooklyn. It also offers simulations of shoot-outs with android cowboys, space-walks, meteor showers and Inferno.

Photographic portraits can be developed into a three dimensional hologram.

The groat is either a nickname for the dollar or another form of currency entirely.

GIANT
He investigates the Crystal Maze, prevents a gambler from commiting suicide and discovers the managers link to Charlie Vance.

SLIM
He accompanies Giant, Zack, Junk and Moody Bloo to the Crystal Maze.

ZACK
He accompanies Giant, Slim, Junk and Moody Bloo to the Crystal Maze.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MOODY BLOO
He accompanies Giant, Slim, Zack and Junk to the Crystal Maze and plays simulated Inferno. He scores a cave-in, but hits the ball so hard he over-energises the circuits. The staff attempt to throw him out and he punches an android bouncers head clean off.

JUNK
He accompanies Giant, Slim, Zack and Moody Bloo to the Crystal Maze.

NAT CULLEN
The manager of the Crystal Maze. He has had dealings with Charlie Vance, but denies them and flees.

DEATHS
None, but it's worth pointing out that Giant prevents a suicide.

BEST LINES
Cullen: "Man, this place is so crazy, I sometimes forget my own name! Sorry, Pal, I can't help ya!"

WORST LINES
Zack: "Wow! Freakin' far out, man!"
Slim: "Yeah! The maze ain't just a palace of thrills, Zack..."

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
The holographic technology on show at the Crystal Maze would seem to be the midpoint between the grand scale seen at the Museum of Sport in Harlem Heroes, Part 12 and the home entertainment use seen in Judge Dredd: 'Krong'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
The use of the word Groat is odd here. Earlier in Inferno we've had mentions of Dollars, the "suicide freak" here says he has lost every cent and the currency of choice in Judge Dredd is Credits. Maybe the Groat is some sort of intermediate step.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Tom Tully
Artist: Belardinelli
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
It doesn't feel much like Inferno, but it makes for an interesting diversion.

Next Prog: Murder By Meteor!