The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 2

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Tornado Prog 128

DATELINE
1 Sept 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, ABC Warriors 01, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 07, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven and A.B.C. Warriors: The Meknificent Seven

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein trails 'The Mess' and then decants him.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First meeting of the A.B.C. Warriors and their superior.

INFORMATION
Fireman wear Asbestos suits.

HAMMER-STEIN
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.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He is present when Hammer-Stein pour the Mess into a vacuum flask.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
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.

MONGROL
He recognises the pained noises that the Mess makes as being similar to the noise he made when beaten.

DEADLOCK
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.

OTHER CHARACTERS
'THE MESS'
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.

DEATHS
Three. The Mess consumes the manager of the demob centre, a fireman sent to get rid of it, a military policeman guarding outside.

BEST LINES
Fireman #1: "The Mess Is climbing into the sink...it's escaping down the plug-hole! Get down their after it, men!"
Fireman #2: "What? Down the plug-hole, Sir?"

WORST LINES
Fireman: "Glug! Glug! Glug!"

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz" once.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
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.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Brendan McCarthy
Lettering Robot: Aldrich

REVIEW
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.

Next Prog: Beat The Devil!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 1

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'Steelhorn', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Tornado Prog 127

DATELINE
25 Aug 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, ABC Warriors 01, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 07, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven and A.B.C. Warriors: The Meknificent Seven

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein attempts to goad Steelhorn into joining him and fails. The indestructible Steelhorn is melted down and becomes 'the Mess'

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Steelhorn and 'the Mess', also the first ABC Warriors strip not to feature Joe Pineapples or Happy Shrapnel.

INFORMATION
Marshall Volgod is Zarr and leader of the Volgan empire.

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.

A flame barrier is a forcefield that burns with a high intensity.

HAMMER-STEIN
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

BLACKBLOOD
He has been operated upon and reprogrammed.

OTHER CHARACTERS
STEELHORN
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.

MARSHALL VOLGAN
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.

DEATHS
Three. Steelhorn takes his vengeance on Volgod, Steelhorn is melted down and 'the Mess' kills the Furnace operator.

BEST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "Strodd help me!"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
Steelhorn screams an "Aieeee"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Blackblood's 'operation' mentioned in 'The Bougainville Massacre' takes place here.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Zarr is presumably a futuristic spelling of Tzar and/or Czar.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Brendan
Lettering Robot: Pete Knight

REVIEW
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 Terminator 2: Judgment Day and the artwork depicting it is phenomenal.

Next Prog: Revenge Of The Mess!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 2

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 126

DATELINE
18 Aug 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, ABC Warriors 01, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 07 and A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven

SYNOPSIS
Blackblood takes a hostage and Joe Pineapples shoots him.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The A.B.C. Warriors are programmed to enjoy combat. Their motto is "Strike first...strike hard!"

HAMMER-STEIN
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.

JOE PINEAPPLES
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.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He captures a Volgan Daddy Long-Legs and attacks the Straw Dogs.

MONGROL
He like to 'smush' Volgans.

DEADLOCK
He captures a Volgan Daddy Long-Legs and attacks the Straw Dogs.

OTHER CHARACTERS
GENERAL BLACKBLOOD
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.

MISS SWEET
Her whole class was murdered by Blackblood's Straw Dogs. Hammer-Stein carries her up a tree to keep her out of danger.

STEVIE PROCTOR
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.

HAMMER-STEIN'S SUPERIOR
He wants Hammer-Stein to get one more A.B.C. Warrior.

DEATHS
Unknown. It's not clear how many Straw Dogs are killed. Blackblood is shot dead.

BEST LINES
Joe Pineapples: "TGT - A - OK!"

WORST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "Miss Sweet, robots eat bullets for breakfast, spit 'em out at tea - but humans can't even che 'em for elevenses..!"

CATCHPHRASES
Blackblood "Ssss!" six times, Mngrol mentions smushing, Joe Pineapples says "N & V!" again and a Straw Dog yells an "Aieeee!".

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: P. Mills
Art Robot: M. McMahon
Lettering Robot: Pete Knight

REVIEW
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.

We've Kept The Best ABC Warrior Till Last! Meet Steelhorn Next Prog!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 1

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Bougainville Massacre', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 125

DATELINE
11 Aug 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, ABC Warriors 01, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 07 and A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven

SYNOPSIS
Blackblood attacks Bougainville.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First time Blackblood says "Ssss!"

INFORMATION
Bougainville is a remote Pacific Island with a jungle, mangrove swamps, inland rubber plantations and a beach with a mission school on it.

A.B.C. Warriors can regulate the power to their eye-scanners. The Magnum Macho 3000 is a Sniper Rifle.

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.

HAMMER-STEIN
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.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He is armed with a Magnum Macho 3000 Sniper Rifle.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He is in need of a new suit of armour.

MONGROL
He refuses to work with Blackblood. Miss Sweet reminds him of Lara.

DEADLOCK
His sword, X-caliber feeds on death and can home in on its target when thrown.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MISS SWEET
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.

GENERAL BLACKBLOOD
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.

DEATHS
Dozens. Islanders killed by the Straw Dogs and at least three Straw Dogs killed by the A.B.C. Warriors.

BEST LINES
Deadlock: "Remember my sword, 'X-caliber', feeds on death!"

WORST LINES
Deadlock: "Death is its nourishment!"

CATCHPHRASES
Joe Pineapples says "N & V" again, Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz" twice, Mongrol refers to "Laaraa!" and Blackblood says "Ssss!" four times

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
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.
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).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Mc Mahon
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight

REVIEW
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).

Next Prog: The Best Sniper In The World!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Order Of Knights Martial', Part 2 - The Tournament Of The Damned

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: The Order Of Knights Martial, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 124

DATELINE
04 Aug 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
ABC Warriors 01, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 06, A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, A.B.C. Warriors: Meknificent Seven & A.B.C. Warriors: The Mek-nificent Seven.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein and Deadlock fight.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First mention of General Blackblood.

INFORMATION
The Order of the Knights Martial claim to be nourished through death and they keep trophies of those that they kill.

HAMMER-STEIN
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.

JOE PINEAPPLES
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein, but Mongrol wakes him.

MONGROL
His oil is drugged to prevent him interfering with Deadlock's fight with Hammer-Stein, but a vision of Lara wakes him.

OTHER CHARACTERS
DEADLOCK
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.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "Uuuuh? He - He's vanishing! Must be using light refraction! But..."
Deadlock: "Still trying to rationalise with science, Sergeant? Don't you understand yet, simpleton...everything in life is an illusion..."

WORST LINES
The Order of the Knights Martial: "Hhooooowwll!"

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel 'Bzzzes' four times and Mongrol says 'Smush' once.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
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.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Brett Ewins
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight

REVIEW
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.

Next Prog: Jungle Warfare - Robot Style!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Order Of Knights Martial', Part 1

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The Order Of Knights Martial', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 123

DATELINE
28 Jul 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, A.B.C. Warriors: Meknificent Seven & A.B.C. Warriors: The Mek-nificent Seven.

SYNOPSIS
The Volgans attack, General Karnage is captured and Deadlock serves as his judge.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Deadlock.

INFORMATION
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.

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.

Volgans use storm tanks and are able to steer meteorites toward a target with accuracy.

Mek-food provides sustenance for robots.

HAMMER-STEIN
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.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He fights against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower. After the capture of General Karnage he assumes Hammer-Stein wants him killed.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
His boots may smell. He fights against the Volgans attacking the crash-landed Watch-Tower.

MONGROL
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.

OTHER CHARACTERS
BROTHER DEADLOCK
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.

GENERAL KARNAGE
Known Volgan war criminal. He is captured by the Allies and tried in a court martial and found guilty.

DEATHS
Potentially thousands die in the battle surrounding the downed Watch-Tower.

BEST LINES
Deadlock: "Purge the filth that dares to attack us! Cleansewith fire and sword, my brothers!"

WORST LINES
Joe: "N and V, Sarge..?"

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel gives us seven variations on "Bzzz!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Hammer-Stein mentions "Robbie the Robot", a reference to either a character from the Doc Savage adventure The Fantastic Island (1935), Isaac Asimov's short story Robbie (1940) or Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet (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.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Kevin O'Neill
Lettering Robot: Peter Knight

REVIEW
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 The A.B.C. Warriors will never be the same.

Next Prog: See The Secret Powers Of Deadlock!

The ABC Warriors: 'Mongrol', Part 2

NAME
The ABC Warriors: 'Mongrol', Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD Featuring Judge Dredd Prog 122

DATELINE
21 Jul 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven and A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein attempts to recruit Mongrol, fights with Mongrol, fights Volgs with Mongrol, then recruits Mongrol.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of 'Monkey' Bombs and Lara from beyond the grave, as well as the first mention of Deadlock.

INFORMATION
Volg Kommandos are sometimes armed with Atom-Mek 'Monkey' Bombs, so named because once they land on individuals and "you never get them off" before they explode. Volg Deathdozers are large vehicles

Allied forces use Battle Cannons, Cry Baby Mortars and Moleks.

HAMMER-STEIN
He has heard of Deadlock. Hammer-Stein finds Mongrol breaking out of an allied supply dump. When Hammer-Stein mentions Lara, Mongrol attacks him, but when a group of Volg Kommandos attack they fight them together. He saves Mongrol from a pair of Volgan deathdozers. The Volgan forces flee and the weapons dump is saved. Mongrol is not grateful, but Hammer-Stein convinces him that he must join the ABC Warriors to pay off his debt.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He and Joe Pineapples initially don't fight as Hammer-Stein takes on Mongrol, but they join in when the Volgs attack.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He and Happy Shrapnel initially don't fight as Hammer-Stein takes on Mongrol, but they join in when the Volgs attack.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MONGROL
He feels no pain and can smash through walls. He breaks into an allied supply dump to steal weapons for his one-man war against the Volgans. He mounts the guns upon his body. When Hammer-Stein mentions Lara, Mongrol attacks him, but when a group of Volg Kommandos attack they fight them together. Hammer-Stein saves him from a pair of Volgan deathdozers. He is not grateful, but Hammer-Stein convinces him that he must join the ABC Warriors to pay off his debt.

HAMMER-STEIN'S SUPERIOR
The mysterious human officer contacts Hammer-Stein after he has successfully recruited Mongrol. He orders that the fifth member of the team is to be Deadlock

DEADLOCK
The Grand Wizard of the Order of Knights Martial.

DEATHS
At least six. An MP is killed by a 'Monkey' bomb. Mongrol smushes a Volgan and the two deathdozer drivers are killed when their vehicles crash. There are at east two more bodies on the ground.

BEST LINES
Happy Shrapnel (indicating his gun): "C'mon Volgs, this'll bring tears to your eyes!"

WORST LINES
Volg Deathdozer driver: "Ha! We have some sport with this animal!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Mongrol smush" twice, "Bzzzz!" once.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
Here we see that that Lara has made an even larger impact on Mongrol than Part 1 implied.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: P. Mills
Artist: M. McMahon
Letters: Pete Knight

REVIEW
Part 2 achieves a huge amount in just six pages and the battle sequences are great.

Next Prog:- Meet Deadlock!

The ABC Warriors: 'Mongrol', Part 1

NAME
The ABC Warriors: 'Mongrol', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 121

DATELINE
14 July 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven and A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein reads up on Mongrol.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Mongrol and Lara.

INFORMATION
Zarnhem is a Volgan settlement. During the war it was subject to an airborne assault by robo-paratroopers.

Military Police, abbreviated to MP, have been nicknamed 'bogies by robots, and drive flying vehicles accordingly dubbed 'Bogey Buggies'.

Robo-Paratroopers' heads have special armour plating to protect them.

The Volg Secret Police use electro-raks to torture robots.

SERGEANT HAMMER-STEIN
He has been provided with a file on Mongrol and ordered to recruit him. He is determined to recruit Mongrol alone.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He listens to Hammer-Stein reading Mongrol's file.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He drives Hammer-stein and Happy Shrapnel toward Mongrol's location.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MONGROL
A Robo-Paratrooper. He participated in the airborne assault on Zarnhem. His plane was destroyed and he fell to Earth. His parachutes failed to open and his body was destroyed by the fall. His head remained functional and he lay in agony for a week. Lara rebuilds him using robot remains, but his electric motor won't start. Unable to move he is discovered by the Volg Secret Police and tortured on the electro-rak. The rak starts his motor and he kills the Volg police. When he discovers that they killed Lara, he buries her and set on a course of action: to kil Volgs and avenge her. The allies were afraid of Mongrol and tried to kill him.

He escapes, but is captured by Military Police. Mongrol destroys the police vehicle and allows the MPs to flee.

LARA
Her mother and father were shot by the Volgans for resisting. During the Volgan War she was a Battle-Comber. She and her aunt discover Mongrol's head following the airborne assault on Zarnhem and her aunt hopes to sell it to the Volgans. She rebuilds him from robot remains.

DEATHS
Six. The Volg Secret Police are all presumably killed by Mongrol, after they themselves killed Lara and her aunt.

BEST LINES
Happy Shrapnel: "Now lt's get this- Bzzz! - right, Sarge... Our new human officer wants you to form a special squad of ABC Warriors for a highly dangerous mission..."
Hammer-Stein: "That's right..."

WORST LINES
Ally (off): "Kill the metal freak! It's too dangerous to live!

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz!" and "Bzzzz!", while Mongrol says "Mongrol smush!" twice.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
A drogue parachute is designed to be deployed from a rapidly moving object in order to slow its descent, to provide control and stability, or as a pilot parachute to deploy a larger parachute. It was invented by Gleb Kotelnikov in Russia (1872-1944) in 1912.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
The art is mostly stunning, particularly Lara in death, but the story feels somewhat rushed.

See The Taming Of The Beast Next Prog!

The A.B.C. Warriors: Retreat From Volgow

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: Retreat From Volgow

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. & Starlord Prog 120

DATELINE
7 July 79

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, A.B.C. Warriors: Mek-nificent Seven & A.B.C. Warriors: The Meknificent Seven.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein must defend Chateau Volgski against the Volgans.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First contact between Hammer-Stein and his new superior. First mention of Mongrol.

INFORMATION
Chateau Volgski is two miles north of Volgow. The Old Guard are Volgan robots that were deemed too brutal and switched off by their own generals. They have since been reactivated. The Volgans use Kossack Hell-Bikes.

HAMMER-STEIN
His Hammer-arm is being serviced. He is forced to defend Chateau Volgski without the benefit of tanks and without his Hammer arm. He fights Old Horney. He is appointed by his new human superior officer to lead a new team. His next task is to tame Mongrol.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He is in the bath when the Old Guard attack Chateau Volgski. He is still armed.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He dresses up in drag.

OTHER CHARACTERS
OLD HORNEY
The first Volgan war robot. He is programmed to enjoy killing. It leads the attack of Chateau Volgski. He fights Hammer-Stein, who ultimately kills him.

HAMMER-STEIN'S SUPERIOR
Human officer that cancels the tanks defending Chateau Volgski. He is impressed by Hammer-Stein and appoints him to lead a team and tame Mongrol.

DEATHS
Three. Joe Pineapples kills a Volgan robot that interrupts his bath. Old Horney kills one of Hammer-Stein's robots. Hammer-Stein stabs Old Horney with a sword.

BEST LINES
Old Horney: "I was putting ABC Warriors to the zabre while you were still in wrapping paper, child!"

WORST LINES
Hammer-Stein: "He's knocked the sword out of my hand!"

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel Bzzz's three times.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Happy Shrapnel sings 'Happy Feet' by Cab Calloway.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: P. Mills
Artist: Brendan McCarthy
Letters: Pete Knight

REVIEW
This strip ups the ante and the violence. We learn nothing about the motives of Hammer-Stein's new superior officer, but his actions paint a picture. So far the team has three members, but only one of them has any real personality. It doesn't seem that there is any room for further members.

Imagine A Robot Ten Times More Horrifying Than Old Horney And You're Getting Close To Mongrol! Meet him Next Prog!

The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The A.B.C. Warriors'

NAME
The A.B.C. Warriors: 'The A.B.C. Warriors'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 AD & Starlord Prog 119

DATELINE
30 June 79

PAGE COUNT
7

REPRINTS
A.B.C. Warriors Book 1, The Best of 2000AD, A.B.C. Warriors Mek-nificent Seven and A.B.C. Warriors The Meknificent Seven.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein, Joe Pineapples and Happy Shrapnel capture a Volg HQ.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first The A.B.C. Warriors features the first appearances of Joe Pineapples, Happy Shrapnel and an as-yet-unnamed Colonel Lash.

INFORMATION
Volgow is a Volg city.

In the 21st Century, the ABC War is fought by robots able to withstand Atomic, Bacterial and Chemical weapons with their human officers some fifty miles behind the front line in underground bunkers.

A 'Sin' gun is a standard robot weapon. A 'Scrambled egg' grenade (S.E.G.s) scrambles a robot's brains and then they can attack their own side. Torc tube is a ground to air unit. A Lazer dagger can cut through armour. 'Cry baby' mortar fires cryogenic shells which create freezing flames. 'Balls' bazooka fires implosion shells, which suck their targets into balls of debris. Koroda gas is fatal to robots.

Synthi-Champagne is synthetic champagne.

HAMMER-STEIN
He has a sensor organ that provides him with a sense of smell. Sergeant of the A.B.C. Warriors. He is known to the Volg robots as Old Red Eyes. The rest of his squad are rookie robots. Hammer-Stein leads a mission to capture a Volg HQ. He puts a disabled robot out of his misery and in doing so transfers his pain to Rodney.

JOE PINEAPPLES
He doesn't talk much. He is armed with a 'Balls' Bazooka.

HAPPY SHRAPNEL
He has a sense of smell. He is armed with a pair of Kolt 45's he 'borrowed' from a Volg general.

OTHER CHARACTERS
RODNEY
Lieutenant. Hammer-Stein's superior officer. When Hammer-Stein puts a rookie robot out of his misery, the pain kills Rodney. He will be decorated with a medal posthumously.

DEATHS
At least twenty-four. Joe Pineapples kills two Volg robots with his 'Balls' bazooka. Fifteen rookies are killed by the gas and five more in mid-air. Hammer-Stein finishes off a robot in pain and in doing kills Rodney as well.

BEST LINES
Officer: "I say, Rodney...steady on with the old champers!"

WORST LINES
Volg Robot: "Smashing through the roof - Aaaah!"

CATCHPHRASES
Happy Shrapnel says "Bzzz!" (or variations thereupon) four times.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Hammer-Stein first appeared in Ro-Busters and was seen to fight the Volgans in Hammer-Stein's War Memoirs, while Invasion! saw the Volgans invade Britain.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script Robot: Pat Mills
Art Robot: Kevin O'Neill
Lettering Robot: Pete Knight

REVIEW
This intends to introduce three of The A.B.C. Warriors, but it's really only about Hammer-Stein. As a vehicle for him it works quite well. The art is wonderful and Rodney's death is well-earned, but the eclectic charm of Ro-Busters is sadly lacking here.

Next Prog: Retreat From Volgow!