Invasion!: 'Diversion'

NAME
Invasion!: 'Diversion'
(I have called this story 'Diversion', to differentiate it from other equally Untitled Invasion! strips in other 2000 A.D. Annuals)

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD Annual 1979

DATELINE
1st September, 1978

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage provides a diversion that help the Brigadier's commando raid to succeed.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Since the invasion, Bristol is considered impregnable to land attack. The Volgans have converted Bristol's aircraft factories to produce short-range nerve-gas rockets for anti-resistance operations. The river has been unused for shipping since the 1970's when Avonmouth replaced Bristol as a port.

The Volgan air force use Drobny Jump Jets. Scuntripp is a Volgan word, but not a compliment.

BILL SAVAGE
He goes along on the Brigadier's commando raid and steals a fuel container lorry. He destroys it on the Clifton Suspension Bridge providing a diversion that helped ensure the success of Brigadier Bentley-Pearson's commando raid.

OTHER CHARACTERS
PETER SILK
He goes along on the Brigadier's commando raid and helps Savage steal a fuel container lorry.

BRIGADIER BENTLEY-PEARSON
He plans to send a commando raid to destroy the nerve-gas rocket factories.

DEATHS
One. Savage kills a Volgan with his own bayonet. Presumably others die in the blaze.

BEST LINES
Volgan: "Staga! Kill the British Scuntripp!"

WORST LINES
Savage: "Silk? Thought I said get the heck back to the sub? Ever try listenin' to what I say?"
Silk: "I imagine th Brig feels like you, whenhe's trying to obey orders, Savage!"

What?

CATCHPHRASES
"Staga!" appears twice, while the words "Scuntripp" and "Neechar" are of interesting construction.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) and opened in 1864. It spans the Avon Gorge and River Avon linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Unknown
Artist: Unknown
Letters: Unknown

REVIEW
It's a shame that writer and artist are Unknown as the story and artwork are much better than many Invasion! strips that appeared in the prog. Aside from a bizarre panel of a truck driver waggling his finger at a Volgan guard, the artwork has an intriguing style that combines a sketchy quality with architectural precision. The writing has a humility and realism that is often lacking in the main strip. Savage doesn't save the day here vat all, instead he improves the odds so that fewer people will be killed. A more adult take on Invasion! years before Savage.