Star Pin-Up: Fergee

NAME
Star Pin-Up: Fergee

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 107

DATELINE
7 Apr 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
Unknown.

SYNOPSIS
Fergee.

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last appearance of Fergee.

INFORMATION
None.

JUDGE DREDD
None.

OTHER CHARACTERS
FERGEE
He can write his own name.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Artist: Brian Bolland

REVIEW
Fergee is a great choice of subject.

Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 3

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 22

DATELINE
7 October 78

The last issue of Starlord bore a cover by Graham Cotton and also featured Strontium Dog, Mind Wars and Holocaust strips.

PAGE COUNT
8

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws, Hammer-Stein, Aerials and Miss Marilyn to the rescue.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The last Ro-Busters in Starlord. Last work on Ro-Busters by Jack Adrian/Chris Lowder, Jose Luis Ferrar and Peter Knight

INFORMATION
(This part takes place two days after the first)

RO-JAWS
He, Hammer-Stein, Aerials and Miss Marilyn mount a rescue of Howard Quartz.

HAMMER-STEIN
He, Ro-Jaws, Aerials and Miss Marilyn mount a rescue of Howard Quartz.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
His brother Ebenezer has a device planted into Howard that will destroy him within hours

EBENEZER QUARTZ
He has a bomb planted in his brother. He is presumably killed in the crash following Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein's rescue attempt.

AERIALS
He can pick locks. He, Ro-Jaws, Hammer-Stein and Miss Marilyn mount a rescue of Howard Quartz. He diffuses the bomb inside Howard Quartz.

MISS MARILYN
She, Ro-Jaws, Hammer-Stein and Aerials mount a rescue of Howard Quartz.

BULSTRODE, SNEED & GRADDLE
Howard's Quartz's robot steal Bulstrode's flying craft to mount their rescue. The three men are arrested and charged with conspiracy.

DEATHS
At least six. We see Mek-Quake finish off two robots, but Hammer-Stein says he has dealt with 36 more in the last two days. Ebenezer
Quartz and his crew presumably perish in the crash.

BEST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "When it's a question of sheer survival, mate. I can cringe with the best of 'em!"

WORST LINES
All of Sneed and Graddle's overheard exposition.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
Ferrer is incorrectly spelled Ferrar. Ebenezer is told the explosive device planted in Howard will destroy him in exactly two hours, which he then reports to his brother as six hours.

RETROSPECT
This is something of an end of an era for Ro-Busters, the transfer to 2000 A.D. inevitably alters the strip somewhat.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Ferrar
Letters: P. Knight

Ferrar is Ferrer.

REVIEW
As with most Ro-Busters stories the last part feels rushed, but Starlord's absorption into 2000 A.D. is an obvious reason to rush. Ro-Jaws learning to cringe is nice, Aerials is great and our heroes rescue of Howard Quartz, only to abandon him moments later is brilliant.

And They Do - In Next Week's Merger With 2000 A.D. Don't Miss It!

Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 2

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 21

DATELINE
30 September 78

The penultimate issue of Starlord also featured Strontium Dog, Mind Wars and Holocaust strips, a Strontium Dog Pin Up and a cover by Jose Luis Ferrer.

PAGE COUNT
8

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
The kidnapper of Howard Quartz is revealed to be his brother Ebenezer.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First eight page Ro-Busters, last work on Ro-Busters by Pino.

INFORMATION
In theory, an individual's brain transplanted into a robotic body could live forever.

RO-JAWS
He digs up a remote control timer device and presumes it was responsible for triggering a bomb that was used to destroy the Atom-Cracker.

HAMMER-STEIN
He presumes the remote control timer device that Ro-Jaws digs up was responsible for triggering a bomb that was used to destroy the Atom-Cracker.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He has a brother called Ebenezer.

EBENEZER QUARTZ
He is kept alive by a life support system and hover-chair. He has a brother called Howard, whom he has abducted, and he is responsible for his brother's current tax, nationalisation and explosive problems.

BULSTRODE
He takes command of the robots clearing up of the Atom-Cracker disaster site and fires Miss Marilyn.

SNEED AND GRADDLE
Tax Commissioners. They assist Bulstrode is commanding the robots clear up of the Atom-Cracker disaster site.

AERIALS
Robot with sensors that pick up radio signals. He detects the remote control timer device buried in the ground.

MISS MARILYN
Bulstrode fires her.

DEATHS
Two. Mek-Quake does Big Jobs on two robots.

BEST LINES
Robot: "Gee, er...Boss! That was my partner that just got ground up!"
Bulstrode: "I see -- in that case since you're now without a partner, that means you're redundant!...Mek-Quake!"

WORST LINES
Bulstrode: "You're fired, d'you hear? Fired!"

What is she again?

CATCHPHRASES
Mek-Quakes threatens to do "The Big Jobs".

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Ebenezer's name recalls Scrooge from A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens (1812-1870), while his appearance bears a resemblance to Davros, creator of the Daleks from Doctor Who, first seen in 1975's Genesis Of The Daleks.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Pino
Letters: P. Bensberg

REVIEW
Another good instalment. I'm glad that Ebenezer acknowledges that he is the mastermind behind Ro-Busters troubles as it saves everyone a lot of time. Miss Marilyn's worries about "the end of Ro-Busters", must have seemed genuinely final if readers were aware that this was the penultimate issue of Starlord.

Next Week: 'They Can't Do This To Us!'

Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 1

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Tax Man Cometh!, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 20

DATELINE
23 September 78

This issue of Starlord bore a Holocaust cover by Ian Kennedy, and also featured Mind Wars, Holocaust and a one-off called Skirmish!

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
As Quartz gets a tax demand, receives threats of nationalisation and his atom-cracker blows up, he is abducted.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The Earth Credit is a unit of currency.

An Anti-Grav Tractor Beam can lift a person or object up

RO-JAWS
He investigates the site of the Atom-Cracker disaster.

HAMMER-STEIN
He investigates the site of the Atom-Cracker disaster and saves Quartz from being crushed by a girder.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He owes 238 billion Earth Credits in tax. Whilst investigating the site of the Ro-Busters Atom-Cracker disaster on Devil's Island, he is abducted. He knows his kidnapper.

BULSTRODE
He works for the British Government and is on its Nationalisation Board.

DEATHS
One. Tonto the robot was destroyed when the Atom-Cracker blew up.

BEST LINES
Quartz: "I owe what!"
Tax Commissioner #1: "Two hundred and thirty-eight billion Earth Credits!"
Tax Commissioner #2: "Payable in 30 days of course!"

WORST LINES
Hammer-Stein (after saving Quartz from being crushed): "Done it! The boss'll be really grateful for that!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Quartz and the Tax Commissioners mention the events of The Preying Mantis, Midpoint, Farnborough Droid Show and Massacre On The Moon.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Ferrer
Letters: T. Frame/B. Henry

REVIEW
This is a fantastic opening and it's good to see Quartz take centre stage.

Next Week: 'You're On A One-Way Ticket To Nowhere!'

Futuregraph: Judge Cal Propaganda Poster

NAME
Futuregraph: Judge Cal Propaganda Poster

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 105

DATELINE
24 Mar 79

PAGE COUNT
1/2

REPRINTS
Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
A propaganda poster featuring Chief Judge Cal.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One's Justice Department issues propaganda posters.

JUDGE DREDD
None.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CHIEF JUDGE CAL
During his reign, Cal's face is being used on propaganda posters issued by the Mega-City One Justice Department.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Cal's slogan evokes "Big Brother is watching you" from 1984, a 1949 dystopian novel by George Orwell (1903-1950).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Artist: Brian Bolland

REVIEW
This is a beautiful image of state oppression in action.

Star Pin-Up: Ro-Jaws And Hammer-Stein

NAME
Pin-Up: Ro-Jaws And Hammer-Stein

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 19

DATELINE
16 September 78

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein pose for a pin-up.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters pin up.

INFORMATION
None.

RO-JAWS
He has visited the Robo-Wash.

HAMMER-STEIN
He wants Ro-Jaws to stand to attention.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Artist: O'Neill

REVIEW
This is great, but the choice of a posed image, rather than an action shot is an odd one.

Flesh File: Big Hungry!

NAME
Flesh File: Big Hungry!

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
Big Hungry

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last appearance of Big Hungry.

INFORMATION
A warning from Trans-Time: employees please note that they leave Trans-Time stations at their own risk and the company accepts no liability for accidents.

OTHER CHARACTERS
BIG HUNGRY
He has an altercation with a boat and two humans.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
A great star pin-up that never was.

Flesh File: A Day In The Life Of Trans-Time!

NAME
Flesh File: A Day In The Life Of Trans-Time!

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
An advert for Trans-Time.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First explicit mention of a Jurassic operation.

INFORMATION
Trans-Time advertises with a jingle and simultaneously has operations in the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
Unknown.

BEST LINES
Jingle: "Who's working hard on the Jurassic cliffs and creeks, providing Phytosaur to put bubble in your squeak?"

WORST LINES
Jingle: "Who's working hard in the Triassic seas, to provide fresh fish for your frozen chips and peas?"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
This is great fun and would have made a brilliant Futuregraph. I'll be honest, the existence of this strip is the probably reason for the previous eleven posts and I thank you for putting up with them.

Flesh File: Creatures To Steer Clear Of

NAME
Flesh File: Creatures To Steer Clear Of

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Cynognathus, Giant Plant-Eaters, Bone-Headed Dinosaurs and Giant Scorpions.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Cynognathus is a Triassic Period reptile with mammalian qualities and has been nicknamed the 'dog-reptile'. Trans-Time has given it a rating of 7.

Giant Plant-Eaters are the Jurassic Period animals that Trans-Time come to catch, including the Brotosaurus or Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Camarasaurus and Brachiosaurus. The latter of these grows to thirty metres in length. Trans-Time suggests that employees stay well clear and there are numerous examples of incidents what happened when they didn't. They have given them a rating of 4.

Bone-Headed Dinosaurs are from the Cretaceous Period. Their skulls are five times thicker than that of a human, but their brain is the size of a hen's egg. They use their heads like battering rams.

Giant Scorpions are of unknown lifespan and history. They are seen sparingly.

OTHER CHARACTERS
STUMPY MacPHERSON
The sole survivor of an attack by a pack of Cynognathus after being part of a group that goaded them.

RANGER PRESTON
Responsible for a Brotosaurus herd. He and a fellow Ranger abandoned them to watch some bone-headed dinosaurs fight, his friend was killed when the Brotosaurs stampeded.

DEATHS
Plenty.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
Now this is what you want to an image of. The exploits of Stumpy MacPherson and Ranger Preston would be worthy of strip in themselves.

Flesh File: Tyrannosaurus Rex

NAME
Flesh File: Tyrannosaurus Rex

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Tyrannosaurus Rex is a Cretaceous Period Carnivorous dinosaur which grows to sixteen metres in length, six metres in height and weighs more than 8,000 kilogrammes. Its teeth can grow up to thirteen centimetres in length.

Trans-Time suggests that the Tyrannosaurus Rex is to be avoided at all costs, but may be less dangerous and lethargic after a large meal. They have given it a rating of 10.

OTHER CHARACTERS
OLD ONE EYE
She drove out all the humans from her area.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
Earl Reagan's surname is mis-spelt Regan.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
This is dull. How do you get T-Rex wrong?

Flesh File: Triceratops

NAME
Flesh File: Triceratops

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to the Triceratops.

FIRSTS & LASTS

INFORMATION
The Triceratops was a Cretaceous Period herbivorous dinosaur. They are eleven metres long and weigh 8,000 kilogrammes.

An old Trans-Time saying is: "If you're fool enough to get caught by a Triceratops' charge, make sure it's a fatal one!".

The company has given them a rating of 6.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
Unknown.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
Another disappointing entry.

Flesh File: Stegosaurus

NAME
Flesh File: Stegosaurus

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Stegosauruses.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Stegosaurus was a Jurassic Period herbivorous dinosaur that weighed 6,000kg and was up to nine metres long.

During the establishment of the Jurassic Base, a herd of Stegosaurus were startled by the sound of the arrival of an unscheduled Time Shipment and a number of Trans-Time workers were trampled and impaled.

Time-Time have given them a rating of: 5.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
Probably.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
The case history is nice and better suited to this medium than it would have been to a comic strip.

Flesh File: Pteranodon

NAME
Flesh File: Pteranodon

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Pteranodons.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Pteranodons are flying reptiles from the Cretaceous Period. They were three metre long with a wingspan of eight metres and ate fish.

Time-Time have given them a rating of: 5.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
Some. Pteranodons killed a welder on Atlantis Station and a few citizens of Carver City.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
The case histories are both taken from Flesh, Books 1 and 2.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
Pteranodons are an absolute gift to something like this, but they are utterly squandered here.

Flesh File: Monster Timer

NAME
Flesh File: Monster Timer

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to which Dinosaurs lived in which period.

FIRSTS & LASTS

INFORMATION
Trans-Time claim they do not know why the Dinosaurs died out, but are not willing to finance an expedition to find out.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
Tantalisingly Cynognathus, Phytosaur and Gorgosaurus only get name-checked.

Flesh File: Nothosaur

NAME
Flesh File: Nothosaur

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Nothosaurs.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Nothosaurs are Triassic reptiles that live on land, but fish at sea. They have an average length of six metres.

Time-Time employees are not permitted to swim in the Triassic sea. The company have given Nothosaurs a rating of: 7.

OTHER CHARACTERS
BIG HUNGRY
He and his pack were for a time Trans-Time's number one enemy.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Big Hungry appeared throughout Flesh Book 2.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
Again it's nice to see a reference to Big Hungry, but sadly there is very little detail.

Flesh File: Ichthyosaur

NAME
Flesh File: Ichthyosaur

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Ichthyosaurs.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Ichthyosaurs lived throughout the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. They range from one to twelve metres in length. As a rule they don't attack man. Trans-Time have given Ichthyosaurs a rating of: 3.

Cybosaurs have been bred by 23rd Century geneticists for speed and strength. They have been referred to as 'violence machines'. They have stronger snouts and a computerised circuit implanted in the brain. Trans-Time have given Cybosaurs a rating of: 9.

OTHER CHARACTERS
EMPLOYEE 68777-B4X
An employee that ordered a Cybosaur to kill a predator only to have it turn on the human giving the order.

DEATHS
One. Employee 68777-B4X

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
There is very little here.

Flesh File: Deinonychus

NAME
Flesh File: Deinonychus

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to Deinonychus.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Deinonychus, also known as Terrible Claw due to its deadly sickle shaped claw, lived during the Cretaceous Period. It was 2.5 metres long and 1 metre tall.

They only allow two of their claws to drag on the ground and elevate the third to keep it sharp and fight standing on one leg. Trans Time suggest this leaves Deinonychus at a slight disadvantage. They give it a rating of: 10.

OTHER CHARACTERS
CLAW CARVER
Many of his associates believe that his wearing a Deinonychus claw has almost turned him into an animal.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
It's nice to see mention of Claw Carver, nut it's a shame we don't really learn anything new.

Flesh File: Allosaurus

NAME
Flesh File: Allosaurus

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
A guide to the Allosaurus.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First case history.

INFORMATION
The Allosaurus is a carnivorous dinosaur from the Jurassic Period that was 10 metres long and weighed 2 tons. It is surprisingly fast and armed with sharp claws and a muscular tail. Inside it's large head is a rather small brain.

Trans Time employees are advised to attack the brittle skull and the company have given the Allosaurus a rating of: 8.

OTHER CHARACTERS
BRIAN McGINTY
Nicknamed 'The Braggart', McGinty boasted that he and others had fought an Allosaurus and that they had killed it with a long staff. When the opportunity to reprise this action single-handed presented itself, he successfully killed the Allosaurus, but due to reflex action after its death, McGinty was killed.

DEATHS
Two. The deaths of McGinty and the Allosaurus are reported.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
The artwork is great, but the case history is a bit odd. 'The Braggart' claimed he once a did a thing and then when given the opportunity, he does exactly that thing.

Flesh File 1: 'A Letter From Arthur Raymond'

NAME
Flesh File: 'A Letter From Arthur Raymond'

FIRST PUBLISHED
Free with 2000 A.D. Prog 96, 97 & 98

DATELINE
20 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
2

REPRINTS
None.

SYNOPSIS
Arthur Raymond takes time out of his busy day to write to new employees of Trans Time.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Trans Time internal documentation.

INFORMATION
Trans Time is the only supplier of fresh meat and fish in the 23rd century. Arthur Raymond is the Company Chairman.
The company motto is: time is money. Pay is docked if an employee catches less than the average ration of Flesh. Catching more does not earn a bonus.

Time travel is expensive and hazardous to health, travellers are required to take 'Time-Pills' daily.

One in three Trans Time employees has a serious accident. Any employee found in breach of discipline will face the laser lash. The Golden Rule of Dinosaur hunting is: if in doubt, get out.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Is Arthur Raymond one of the huge foreheaded Flesh Controllers seen in the 23rd Century sequences of Flesh, Book 1?

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
None.

REVIEW
The letter has a great tone and it's great to see more of 23rd Century Trans Time.

Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 5

NAME
Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 5

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 19

DATELINE
16 September 78

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein save the day. Sort of.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters five parter.

INFORMATION
The Beezt are from the planet Rabelais 4 and their mental force-field is Lazooka-proof.

Following O'Gonsell's downfall, the United Planetary Authority place the Moon under martial law and release the abducted Lunar Diggings personnel.

RO-JAWS
He knocks out Ka-Zar the Beezt with his shovel. He refuses to self-destruct to save Quartz.

HAMMER-STEIN
He drives a recyclable-effluent-transporter to O'Gonsell's HQ. He refuses to self-destruct to save Quartz.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
O'Gonsell holds him at gunpoint and threatens to kills him unless Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein self-destruct. They refuse.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
O'Gonsell: "Curse! Either you two 'droids self-destruct or I fissionise your boss!"
Ro-Jaws: "Y'hear that, Hammer-Stein? The guy's talkin' sense at last!"
Hammer-Stein: "Yeah - go ahead, pal! We don't care! It'll give us the biggest laugh of the year!"

WORST LINES
Quartz: "Viradium? Here? On the moon?"
O'Gonsell: "Yeah - it's ironic! Under the only part of the moon I don't own!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The Beezt's home planet is named after François Rabelais (circa 1494–1553), a writer best known for Gargantua And Pantagruel.

MISTAKES
In Part 4, Hammer-Stein was described as a Mark 4A Lead Assault War 'Droid, now he's 3A.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
Another rushed ending, but with some wonderful art, fantastic page layouts and the opportunity for our heroes to insult their boss.

Next Week: 'Girders...Crashing Down! They'll Flatten 'Im!'

Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 4

NAME
Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 4

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 18

DATELINE
9 September 78

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein return to Craterville, O'Gonsell blames them for the massacre and Quartz sets Mek-Quake on them.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
A scout-craft can still fly with a shattered cabin.

RO-JAWS
He helps free Hammer-Stein from the Lunar Dustbowl. Upon returning to Craterville, Ro-Jaws fires caustic foam into someone's face during a fight.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is a Mark 4A Lead-Assault War 'Droid. He has a tritanium-steel-flexi-cable in his left arm and a jet booster on his back. Ro-Jaws helps free him from the Lunar Dustbowl. He bats a bomb back at the scout craft that dropped it and pilots the craft to Craterville.

OTHER CHARACTERS
K.G. O'GONSELL
He convinces Quartz that Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein have malfunctioned and started a massacre.

HOWARD QUARTZ
He orders Mek-Quake to the moon to destroy Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein.

DEATHS
Presumably at least one. When Hammer-Stein destroys the scout craft we see an ejecting pilot who has little hope of surviving.

BEST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "Yeah, a clean-up job! Try a little caustic foam, mate!"

WORST LINES
Goltz: "Those dam 'droids! Nail 'em fast!"

CATCHPHRASES
Mek-Quake promises big jobs again.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
Goltz says dam, rather than damn.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Ferrer
Letters: Paul Bensberg

REVIEW
Again the set pieces are good and the story is fun, but this is clearly a diversion from the story.

Next Week: 'The Boss, He Say...Smash Ro-Jaws And Hammer-Stein!'

Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 3

NAME
Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 17

DATELINE
2 Sept 78

This issue bore a John Higgins cover and featured Strontium Dog, Mind Wars, Holocaust and a one-off called The Snatch.

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Quartz gets injured, while Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein get lost.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First alien life in Ro-Busters

INFORMATION
Beezts are an alien lifeform with one eye, formidable horns and the ability to project a mental fore-field that can deflect the blast from a firearm.

Communications can be relayed by 3-D hologram image.

The United Planetary Authority, or U.P.A., is the 21st Century equivalent of the United Nations.

The Moon's Cordillera Mountains contain a vast deposit of Viradium.

RO-JAWS
He leads the children in a search for anything that shouldn't be on board. They discover a bug and elect to abandon the bus.

HAMMER-STEIN
He used to do forced marching in the army. Due to a sabotaged gyro-compass, he has driven hundreds of miles in the wrong direction. They abandon the bus and he carries Emma-Jane. He walks a crater full of dust and begins to sink.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He is injured in a ricochet off a Beezt force-field.

K. G. O'GONSELL
The richest man on the Moon. He has a bodyguard of Beezt wrestlers.

MR. GOLTZ
He supervised the massacre.

ALVIN AND EMMA-JANE
Their parents have been abducted by O'Gonsell Holdings.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Goltz: "Just one snag--two of the 'droids managed to escape..."
O'Gonsell: "Wha-aat? You blithering blockhead, Goltz! They'll blow the gaff!"

WORST LINES
Emma-Jane: "Waaah! I want my mommy! Uu-aaww!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
The next week caption only has one single quote mark.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
One of Goltz's men is called Tully, presumably after Tom Tully, the writer of the likes of Harlem Heroes, Inferno, Dan Dare, The Mean Arena and The Mind Of Wolfie Smith.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Pino
Letters: Paul Bensberg

REVIEW
This is a nice pair of set pieces and it's good to see Quartz under threat for a change.

Next Week: Flat On The Ground, Kids!'

Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 2

NAME
Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 16

DATELINE
26 August 78

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein avoid being massacred, save some children and escape.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters work by Jose Luis Ferrer and Paul Bensberg.

INFORMATION
Gassendi Dome is 500 miles from Craterville. It is the site of a mine and its dome is constructed of Low Tension Cellu-Wagnerfoam.

Low Tension Cellu-Wagnerfoam is a substance used in lunar construction. It can keep out the vacuum of space but allow an object to pass through it and then it seals behind it.

RO-JAWS
He and Hammer-Stein discover that Goltz has trapped them and following him they rescue two children from a mine, steal a lunar-bus and head for Copernicus City.

HAMMERSTEIN
He and Ro-Jaws discover that Goltz has trapped them and following him they rescue two children from a mine, steal a lunar-bus and head for Copernicus City.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MR. GOLTZ
He has delivered the Ro-Busters robots to Gassendi Dome, not Craterville, and attempts to destroy Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein. He flees into the mine.

DEATHS
At least four more robots are killed in the massacre

BEST LINES
Ro-Jaws (whilst biting down on Goltz's arm): "Surgrise, surgrise!"

WORST LINES
Goltz: "Fry, 'droids!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Gassendi is the genuine name of a large lunar crater, it is named after French astronomer Pierre Gassendi (1592–1655).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Jack Adrian
Artist: Ferrer
Letters: P. Bensberg

Ferrer is Jose Luis Ferrer. He also provided art for Ant Wars, Tharg's Future Shocks, Robo-Hunter and Holocaust.

REVIEW
This is great. Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein always work well with children and almost biting Goltz's arm off is a fantastic moment.

Next Issue: 'We've Been Heading In The Wrong Direction!'

Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 1

NAME
Ro-Busters: Massacre On The Moon, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 15

DATELINE
19 August 78

This strip appeared alongside Strontium Dog, Mind Wars and Holocaust and bizarrely a Timequake cover by Alberto Salinas, despite that strip not appearing in this issue.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Busters head to the moon to mediate a conference between landowners.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

Copernicus City is the main city of the moon and the headquarters of O'Gonsell Holdings and O'Gonsell Burger-Spoon. K. G. O'Gonsell owns most of the moon and runs a mining operation that has recovered contains minerals and ores such as Pinium, Kelvium, Silenium and Metaxium.

1500 miles from Copernicus City is the dome city of Craterville, owned by Lunar Diggings, Inc. They have also owned the Cordillera mountains near the Eastern sea since the 2050's.

The United Planetary Authorities are an organisation with jurisdiction over the moon.

Viradium is the rarest mineral in the solar system.

RO-JAWS
He travels to the moon with Ro-Busters and is caught in a firefight.

HAMMER-STEIN
He travels to the moon with Ro-Busters and is caught in a firefight.

OTHER CHARACTERS
K. G. O'GONSELL
He owns most of the moon and his company is mining it of rare minerals.

MR. GOLTZ
K. G. Gonsell's partner.

HOWARD QUARTZ
K. G. Gonsell has hired Ro-Busters to assist him during negotiations with Lunar Diggings, Inc.

DEATHS
At least three. Curly's head gets shot off and another two robots are destroyed. Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein also find a human corpse.

BEST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "So this is Craterville! Looks more like a perishin' ghost-town to me!"

WORST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "Craterville? Sounds like Bognor on a bad day, Hammer-Stein!"

How?

CATCHPHRASES
Mek-Quake threatens to do Big Jobs.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
K. G. Gonsell's story would seem similar to readers of 2000 A.D. as they had recently been reading about a lunar millionaire with a monopoly in Judge Dredd: Showdown On Luna 1 , 22nd Century Futsie and Meet Mr Moonie.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Copernicus City is named after Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), the astronomer who theorised the heliocentric model of the solar system which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the centre.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
Pinium is named after Pino, while Kelvium and K. G. Gonsell are both references to Kelvin Gosnell.

CREDITS
Script: J. Adrian
Artist: Pino
Letters: J. Potter

REVIEW
This is a wonderful beginning with some beautiful art and a great cliffhanger. Howard Quartz's upworldly mobile dialogue in his briefing session about Gonsell is fantastic.

Next Week: 'Count The Carcasses, Men!'

Star Pin-Up: Judge Dredd

NAME
Star Pin-Up: Judge Dredd

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 95

DATELINE
13 Jan 79

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
Unknown.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Star Pin-Up of Dredd.

INFORMATION
None.

JUDGE DREDD

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The pointing finger recalls the 1914 recruitment poster depicting the British Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, pointing above the words "Wants You", later becoming "Your Country Needs You"

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Artist: Mike McMahon

REVIEW
The artwork is brilliant and the choice of pose and gesture are great.

Ro-Busters: Farnborough Droid Show, Part 2

NAME
Ro-Busters: Farnborough Droid Show, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 14

DATELINE
12 Aug 78

This issue also featured Strontium Dog, Mind Wars and Holocaust and a Holocaust cover by an unknown artist.

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
2000AD Sci-Fi Special 1988 and The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein save the day.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

Robo-phobia is a fear of robots. Droid Review is a magazine.

A 797 Trans-Pacific Jumbo can carry 2,500 passengers and has a three-inch plastosteel anti-hijack shield.

RO-JAWS
He and Hammer-Stein are sent to Buccaneer Airways Flight 030 to rescue the passengers. They succeed. Ro-Jaws sands down Hammer-Stein after he takes exception to his new striped paint job.

HAMMER-STEIN
His lasers can cut through three-inch plastosteel. He and Ro-Jaws are sent to Buccaneer Airways Flight 030 to rescue the passengers. They succeed and Hammer-Stein demands a re-spray, Quartz agrees and has him painted with stripes. He features heavily in the press coverage of the rescue. Ro-Jaws sands his new paintjob off.

OTHER CHARACTERS
ROGER THE ROBOT PILOT
His emergency navigator unit has kamikaze circuits for use in the event of a mutiny. It mistake Ro-Jaws ans Hammer-Stein for mutineers and attempts to crash into Southampton.

DEATHS
One. Roger is destroyed by Hammer-Stein's laser.

BEST LINES
Quartz: "Okay, you two, not bad, not bad. Now Hammer-Stein, I want you to be photographed with me by the press. Ro-Jaws is too crude."

WORST LINES
Passenger: "A robot pilot is gonna kill us, so we're gonna kill some robots in return!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Hammer-Stein reads the News Of The World, a newspaper published from 1843 to 2011 which became notorious for 'Chequebook journalism', the naming and shaming of alleged paedophiles, the 'Fake sheikh', police corruption and the phone hacking scandal which ultimately lead to the newspapers demise. It also printed a serialised adaptation of the 1995 Judge Dredd film.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: V Gross
Artist: I. Kennedy
Letters: J. Aldrich

REVIEW
This is nothing special.

Next Week: 'Mek-Quake Silence Ro-Jaws, Boss!'

Ro-Busters: Farnborough Droid Show, Part 1

NAME
Ro-Busters: Farnborough Droid Show, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 13

DATELINE
5 Aug 78

This issue of Starlord also included Strontium Dog, Timequake and Mind Wars strips and a Strontium Dog cover by Carlos Ezquerra

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
2000AD Sci-Fi Special 1988 and The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Busters appear at the Farnborough 'Droid Show, while a lightning strike potentially causes a plane crash.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(The year is 2078)

The Farnborough 'Droid Show is an annual event.

Ro-Busters charge circa $50,000 for a rescue from a burning building which deploys the Preying Mantis, fire fighting equipment, evacuation and medical care.

London Heathrow has an aero-space-port with an air traffic control centre. Transworld Droidlines and Buccaneer Airways are airlines. A 797 can fly at altitudes of 47,000 feet and speeds of M.A.C.H. 7. The fuselage is protected by a magnetic field, the flight deck is sealed from the public and outside the field so that the pilot and navigator can function. Both pilot and navigator are protected by triple fail-safe systems.

RO-JAWS
He plays the part of Hammer-Stein's rescuer in the Ro-Busters demonstration at the Farnborough 'Droid Show.

HAMMER-STEIN
He plays the part of the burning hume in the Ro-Busters demonstration at the Farnborough 'Droid Show.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He is present at the Ro-Busters demonstration at the Farnborough 'Droid Show.

ROGER THE ROBOT PILOT
Pilot of a Boeing 797 for Buccaneer Airways Flight 030 from London Heathrow to Dallas. A lightning strike knocks out his navigator robot. His own Strato-Bomber Nav Unit First Class takes over and he begins to fly erratically.

CHATTERBOX
Sky-Spy Droid. He is tuned to wartime distress signal and departs the Farnborough 'Droid Show for the location of Buccaneer Airways Flight 030.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "Help! Help! The flames!"
Ro-Jaws: "Don't panic, sir! This foam has a built-in pain-killer!"

WORST LINES
Navigator (whilst being struck by lightning): "Aah!"

CATCHPHRASES
Mek-Quake threatens big jobs again.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Concorde first flew in 1969, entered service in 1976 and continued commercial flights for 27 years. The robot pilot mentions a film called The Battle Of Britain, which could be a reference to either the fourth in Frank Capra's Why We Fight series of seven documentary films entitled The Battle Of Britain (1943) or a fictional account directed by Guy Hamilton Battle of Britain (1969). The Spitfire is synonymous with the Battle of Britain.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: V. Gross
Artist: Ian Kennedy
Letters: John Aldrich

V. Gross is presumably a pseudonym.

REVIEW
Well, this is all set-up and no punchline.

Next Work: 'Help Us Someone - The Pilot Robot's Gone Mad!'

Futuregraph: Judge Dredd's Lawmaster

NAME
Futuregraph: Judge Dredd's Lawmaster

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Starlord Prog 89

DATELINE
4 Nov 78

PAGE COUNT
1

REPRINTS
Unknown.

SYNOPSIS
Here's a schematic of a Judge's Lawmaster

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
A lawmaster is 1156mm tall, 950mm wide and 2500mm long, while the wheelbase is 1956mm. It weighs 48kgs.

The front fork of the Lawmaster is equipped with a rocket pod housing six 6 inch high explosive armour piercing rockets, automatic direction indicators, a 'Cyclops' Phylon TX laser with Delton phasing and both main and secondary headlamps. The main headlamp is sodium/quartz with a strobe over-ride and the secondary headlamps have an auto-cut in at 300k.m.p.h. in foggy conditions.

The instrument panel includes a Likron GS 4T Tele-communications unit. Below that are power generators, a siren, an emergency cooling system and the main water-cooled radiator with armoured grill. The main seat has 12mm armour plating. Behind that is an emergency communications pod with a range of 200 kilometres. The engine is a Notron 4000cc V8 KT23 with a compression ratio of 16.5.1. It has A.S.B. Quadruple carburettors, a Synitron electro-phased braking monitor, a 6 speed gearbox, a multi-plate wet clutch and an electric starting system. The fuel tank has a capacity of 54.04 litres.

At the rear of the Lawmaster is an ammunition and stores pod, some Hedgehog midrone anti-pursuit grenades and the twin exhausts.

The wheels have triple hydraulic disc brakes and bullet proof firerock all-weather tyres.

Its maximum horse power is 250 Bhp, its maximum torque is 60.5 kg-m and its maximum speed is 570 k.m.p.h.

JUDGE DREDD
He rides a Lawmaster. There are many like it, but this one is his.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Feared by many, envied by all,

WORST LINES
The machine behind the man!

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Artist: Unknown

REVIEW
I have no idea what any of this means.

Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 6

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 6

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 12

DATELINE
29 July 78

This issue of Starlord also contained Strontium Dog, Timequake and Mind Wars strips, with a cover by Brian Lewis which featured a character montage and promoted body-shock.

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
The robot revolt reaches its height.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters story that has lasted to six parts and the first six parter.

INFORMATION
Robots see with thermographic vision.

RO-JAWS
His big end knocks and his pistons need regrinding. He is not dead.

HAMMER-STEIN
He believes he has killed Ro-Jaws.

OTHER CHARACTERS
½ TOUGH
He helped build the Ritz Space hotel as part of a robo-construction gang. He helps save the chairman of British Ley-Mek and takes the opportunity to humiliate him.

SWING-ALONGA-MAX AND THE SILVER LADY
Humans who were very successful musical artiste in the 2050's and masqueraded as robots to start a robot rebellion and turn public opinion against them to aid their careers. They are killed by Quake-A-Mass as they attempt to flee the hotel.

DEATHS
At least three. We see a murder from the robot's POV with thermographic vision and the humans pretending to be Swing-Alonga-Max and the Silver Lady are killed by Quake-A-Mass.

BEST LINES
Gerry: "As a special reward, we'll get you both repaired and allow you four hours off from your normal duties. Well done! Keep up the good work. Now...back to the cargo hold with you."

WORST LINES
Robot industrialist: "G-get back, you bad robots!"

CATCHPHRASES
Quake-A-Mass does big jobs again.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: John Aldrich

REVIEW
This story gets off to a great start with a murder presented in heat vision and Hammer-Stein's remorse, but it quickly becomes a runaround with a rushed conclusion.

Next Week: 'Presenting The 2078 Farnborough 'Droid Show!'

Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 5

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 5

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 11

DATELINE
22 July 78

This issue also contain Timequake, Mind Wars and a one-off called Good Morning, Sheldon, I Love You! strips and a Mind Wars cover by an unknown artist.

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
The robot revolt continues apace and Hammer-Stein kills Ro-Jaws.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters story that has lasted to five parts.

INFORMATION
Robots were invented in the 1970's. .

RO-JAWS
He and Hammer-Stein fight.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is bullet proof. He and Ro-Jaws fight and Hammer-Stein believs he has killed his friend.

OTHER CHARACTERS
HOWARD QUARTZ
He refuses to believe in the robot revolt.

DEATHS
At least eight. Hotel guests die in the vacuum of space, in Quake-A-Mass' jaws and burnt to death by Waiter robots.

BEST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "I'm gonna do some panel beating on you!"

WORST LINES
Swing-Alonga-Max: "'Cos I'm a...Mekman"
Robot #1: "M"
Robot #2: "E"
Robot #3: "K"
Robot #4: "M"
Robot #5: "A"
Robot #6: "N!"
Swing-Alonga-Max: "'Cos I'm a...Mekman"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Quake-A-Mass claims he "reaches the humes that other robots cannot reach!" which references Heineken's main UK advertising slogan "refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach"

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: Unknown

REVIEW
The juxtaposition between the calm of the boardroom and the robot rebellion outside is nicely handled.

Next Week: 'No Prisoners! No Prisoners!'

Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 4

NAME
Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 4

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Issue 10

DATELINE
15 July 78

This issue of Starlord also featured Strontium Dog, Timequake, Mind Wars and Planet Of The Damned strips with a cover by Graham Cotton

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein goes on the warpath, Ro-Jaws prevents a suicide and Quake-A-Mass starts a massacre.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters story that has lasted to four parts.

INFORMATION
British Ley-Mek no longer make model T robots.

Garbage gobblers are garbage disposal chutes.

RO-JAWS
He has an extendable arm.

HAMMER-STEIN
He is in danger of starting a robot revolt singlehandedly.

OTHER CHARACTERS
GERRY
The chairman of British Ley-Mek.

½ TOUGH
A Model T robot.

QUAKE-A-MASS
External maintenance robot. He breaks into the Ritz Space Hotel interior through the vista window.

SING-ALONGA-MAX
He declares that the robot revolt has begun.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "I wanna rip heads off!"

You and me both.

WORST LINES
Sing-Alonga-Max: "'Droid, 'droid, crazy 'droid! Keep coooool 'droid!"

CATCHPHRASES
Quartz didn't get where he am today..., while Quake-A-Mass borrows a catchphrase and threatens to do "Big Jobs"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The revolting robot click and/or klik their fingers in a style that is very West Side Story (1957). Quake-A-Mass's name obviously recalls Quatermass, first seen in The Quatermass Experiment (1953)

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
This part manages to have a great beginning, middle and end, but still feels a bit lacking.

Next Week: 'The Humes Are Being Ripped Apart!'