Strontium Dog: 'Kane's Kolossal Kasino'

NAME
Strontium Dog: 'Kane's Kolossal Kasino'
(I have called this strip 'Kane's Kolossal Kasino' here, to distinguish it from other Untitled Strontium Dog strips)

FIRST PUBLISHED
Starlord Summer Special

DATELINE
Probably 1 June 78

PAGE COUNT
10

REPRINTS
Strontium Dog Search/Destroy Agency Files 01.

SYNOPSIS
Johnny and Wulf solve a series of murders.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first ten page Strontium Dog strip, first Strontium Dog appearance in a publication other than Starlord itself and the first Strontium Dog artwork by Brendan McCarthy.

INFORMATION
(This strip takes place over ten days)

Orbiting the planet Megista is Kane's Kolossal Kasino. It has multi-complex stores, cafes, amusement arcades, a dream-scope drome, a synthi-safari park and several casinos. It is equipped with weapon detectors.

The Galactic Groat is a unit of currency accepted at Kane's Kolossal Kasino.

Sabre-Catz are a fearsome big game species and highly prized by hunters.

"Anti-Grav" globes are a device which remove the gravity of a given area. They can be countered by gravity belts.

It is possible for a mutant to have normal offspring.

JOHNNY ALPHA
After a spate of killings on Kane's Kolossal Kasino, his services are requested when a mutant is suspected.

WULF STERNHAMMER
He accompanies Johnny to Kane's Kolossal Kasino.

OTHER CHARACTERS
KANE
A mutant with one-eye in the front and another in the back of his head. He hid his mutant status and became part-owner of Kane's Kolossal Kasino and Harry Gross' partner. He has a daughter called Yora. Kane uses his mutant abilities to kill seven businessmen and then he and Gross acquire their companies. Gross threatened to kill Yora if her father didn't comply. Johnny confronts him with the ringleader of Gross' men, Gross shoots Kane causing him a fatal wound. Before he dies he kills Gross.

HARRY GROSS
Part-owner of Kane's Kolossal Kasino and Kane's partner. He attempts to prevent Johnny from finding out the truth.

TZIXGRRL
Part-owner of a casino chain. He was killed in the synthi-safari park on Kane's Kolossal Kasino. After his death, his partners sold out to Kane and Gross.

DEATHS
Ten. Mr Amato, Mr Tzixgrhhl and Mr Nussbaum's heads all explode during their visits to Kane's Kolossal Kasino, four other businessmen are all beheaded in same way between panels. Harry Gross shoots Kane and the ringleader dead, but Kane kills Harry with his mutant power.

BEST LINES
Police: "So...on the principle, set a Mutie to catch a Mutie...it's all yours!"

WORST LINES
Wulf: "Und not forget your eyes, Johnny!"

Is he likely too?

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Bill Henry
Artist: B. McArthy
Letters: Tony Jacob

REVIEW
This is great. The story maybe be quite simple, but the artwork is brilliantly complex and it's nice to see Johnny and Wulf "solve a case" in one sitting. Wulf versus the Sabre-Cat, the anti-grav globe and the reveal of Kane's eyes are the highlights.

The End