Ro-Busters: Hammer-Stein's War Memoirs, Part 1 - Yesterday's Hero!

NAME
Ro-Busters: Hammer-Stein's War Memoirs, Part 1 - Yesterday's Hero!

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 88

DATELINE
28 Oct 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
2000AD Annual 1988, Ro-Busters Book 1, Cyber Crush 02, Extreme Edition 24 and The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Hammer-Stein reminisces about the war.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First mention of Volgans and Bill Savage in Ro-Busters, first appearance of Hammer-Stein other head.

INFORMATION
In the twenty-first century, the United States went to war the Volgan Republic, a nation that invaded much of Europe. The US Army developed war robots. The first two models were considered failures. The Mark One attacked anything that moved or had body heat, while the Mark Two was susceptible to surrendering to the enemy. To rectify this, the Mark Three was given intelligence and feelings. The prototype was named Hammer-Stein.

The forces of the Volgan Republic, nicknamed Volgs by the Americans, use Kill-Copters armed with Poltergeist rockets.

Among the robots working for Ro-Busters are ex-Police Robots.

RO-JAWS
He doesn't want to hear Hammerstein's war memoirs.

PRIVATE HAMMER-STEIN 653872
He was the prototype for the Mark Three War Robot, constructed (at least in part) by Rover. He was enlisted in the US Army with the rank of Private. He briefly served in an infantry unit under the command of Sergeant Kowalski. Haammer-Stein was discriminated against and his unit abandoned him. It was attacked while he was catching up with them and everyone was killed except Kowalski who was blinded and required Hammer-Stein to look after him. Hammer-Stein carried the sergeant and fought alongside him without divulging his identity.

Hammer-Stein's top speed is sixty miles per hour, armour piercing ammunition would damage him and his favourite colour is chrome. He wears a different head now than he did during the war. Electronic feedback and memory tape overlord causes him to relive his time in the war against the Volgan Republic.

OTHER CHARACTERS
MEK-QUAKE
He wants to hear Hammerstein's war memoirs.

SERGEANT KOWALSKI
Private Hammer-Stein's commanding officer during the war. He had robo-phobia. His unit was attacked and he was the only survivor, but he was rendered blind. Hammer-Stein saved him.

DEATHS
At least twelve. Kowalski's unit are all killed, with himself and Hammer-Stein the only exceptions. Hammer-Stein destroys a Volg Kill-Copter pilot and all.

BEST LINES
Kowalski: "Sure could use some chow...can see it now juicy flapjacks with lashings of syrup! Ya like syrup, Hammer-Stein?"
Hammer-Stein: "No...But I like grease, Sarge!"
Kowalski: "Italian food, huh!"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
Mek-Quake threatens "Big Jobs", a dying soldier lets out an "Aieeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
The Volgan Republic's march across Europe reached Great Britain in 1999 in Invasion and there is a reference to that strip's main character in some graffiti that reads 'Bill Savage Lives' .

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
Kowalski's Flapjack obsession might seem odd to British readers, but is apparently what some Americans would call pancakes. There is plenty of room for confusion when they refer to their scones as biscuits and their biscuits as cookies.

CREDITS
Script: P. Mills
Artist: K. O'Neill
Letters: J. Aldrich

REVIEW
This is fantastic. The set-up is a little awkward, but during the flashback the story, artwork and dialogue are all phenomenal.

Next Prog: Baptism Of Fire!

Judge Dredd: Punks Rule!

NAME
Judge Dredd: Punks Rule!

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 110

DATELINE
28 Apr 79

This prog also featured Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog, a Starlord pin-up
and a Dan Dare cover by Dave Gibbons.

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Judge Death: Classic Judge Dredd, The Best Of 2000AD 50, Judge Dredd 1, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 1, Judge Death: Judge Dredd Featuring Judge Death, Judge Death: Dredd vs. Death, The Complete Judge Dredd 10, The Best Of Judge Dredd and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 02.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd goes into a lawless part of town on his own, but doesn't come out alone.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One's Southside Sector 41 is lawless and the Cosmic Punk have declared it a no-go area. One of the tunnels into the Cursed Earth is called the South Mutieland Tunnel. Access in one-way.

City Garbage uses trucks that can follow vocal instructions.

Judges can revoke citizenship and exile lawbreakers.

JUDGE DREDD
He goes into Southside Sector 41 alone, arrests several Cosmic Punks, has their citizenship removed and exiles them to the Cursed Earth for ten years.

OTHER CHARACTERS
GESTAPO BOB HARRIS
Leader of the Cosmic Punks gang and self-appointed Chief Judge in Southside Sector 41. Dredd humiliates him, arrests him, removes his citizenship and exiles them to the Cursed Earth for ten years.

JUDGE FILETOOTH
Member of the Cosmic Punks gang and self-appointed Judge in Southside Sector 41. Dredd arrests him, removes his citizenship and exiles them to the Cursed Earth for ten years.

ARRESTS
At least twenty-six. Dredd arrests at least twenty-six Cosmic Punks, removes their citizenship and exiles them to the Cursed Earth for ten years.

DEATHS
One. Dredd kills a shooter with a hotshot.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "The street gangs have lost their fear of us. It's time we gave it back to them...Let's show them one Judge is worth a hundred Punks - Cosmic or otherwise!"

WORST LINES
File-Tooth: "The dumb crumbo tried ta come inna district widout payin' his toll. We're tkin' him ta the Hall of Justus fer trial"

CATCHPHRASES
A Cosmic Punks lets out an Aiiee! as he dies.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Their are references to Cal's reign and the events of 'The Day The Law Died'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: B. Bolland
Letters: T. Frame

REVIEW
It's good to see Dredd getting back to what does best, but it's also reassuring that the strip is acknowledging Cal's legacy as it gets back to normal. Bolland's art is as fantastic as ever.

Ro-Busters: Death On The Orient Express!, Part Two

NAME
Ro-Busters: Death On The Orient Express!, Part Two

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 87

DATELINE
21 Oct 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Ro-Busters Book 1, The Best Of 2000AD 17, Cyber Crush 01, Halo Jones 09, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 02, Judge Dredd Megazine 4.01, 2000AD Yearbook 1994 and The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws deliberates over which human will die and has the decision made for him.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The First Law of Robotics is that robots are programmed to only tell the truth. The Second Law is that a robot must protect its owners.

RO-JAWS
He presides over a trial to decides who will die so that the other nine may live. When Harold kills Mike Morgan it spares Ro-Jaws the decision.

HAMMER-STEIN
He convinces Harold to look after Tim Morgan.

OTHER CHARACTERS
LORD PETER WYNDIE
According to hid robot, he is in debt, gambles and wastes money.

JAMES
His bodywork is by R.R. Royce, his voice by Bong And Olafsen, his electronics by Hetochi. Lord Peter Wyndie's robot, bought on hire purchase. He testifies against his master.

REVEREND STRANGEWAYS
Not his real name, in actual fact he is Max the Cat Burglar.

HAROLD
He wears clothing to cover up damage to his chassis caused by his master, Mike Morgan. He kills Mike Morgan, in the defence of Tim.

MIKE MORGAN
Stepfather to Tim. He has committed acts of cruelty against Harold. When Tim testifies against he threatens his stepson. Harold defends the boy and kills Mike.

TIM MORGAN
Stepson to Mike. He testifies against his stepfather.

DEATHS
One. Harold kills Mike Morgan.

BEST LINES
Harold (disrobing to show damage): "I refuse to say anything on the grounds that it will incriminate Big Master"

WORST LINES
Survivors: "We're saved!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
James' various manufacturers R.R. Royce, Bong And Olafsen and Hetochi obviously allude to Rolls Royce, Bang & Olufsen and Hitachi. The three law of robotics were introduced by Isaac Asimov in his 1942 short story Runaround (although see MISTAKES below).

MISTAKES
Ro-Jaws states that the First Law of Robotics is that robots are programmed to only tell the truth and Mike Morgan says that the Second Law is that a robot must protect its owners, but those aren't the First and Second Laws at all (see the MISTAKES section of Judge Dredd: 'Robot Wars', Part 1)

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Dave Gibbons
Letters: Dave Gibbons

REVIEW
The child abuse is very shocking, the happily ever after ending is odd and both of the main characters are sidelined in favour of those giving testimony during Ro-Jaws' trial. Despite this Death On The Orient Express! is great.

Next Prog: Hammer-Stein's War Memoirs!

Ro-Busters: Death On The Orient Express!, Part One

NAME
Ro-Busters: Death On The Orient Express!, Part One

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 86

DATELINE
14 Oct 78

PAGE COUNT
6

REPRINTS
Ro-Busters Book 1, The Best Of 2000AD 17, Cyber Crush 01, Halo Jones 09, Sam Slade Robo-Hunter (Volume 2) 01, Judge Dredd Megazine 4.01, 2000AD Yearbook 1994 and The Complete Ro-Busters.

SYNOPSIS
Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein attempt to rescue ten trapped train passengers, but there's only enough air for nine of them.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First Ro-Busters in 2000 A.D., first Ro-Busters work by Dave Gibbons and first appearance of invoice logo.

INFORMATION
(This strip takes place in 2080 A.D.)

A new super monorail line has been built between Istanbul and Paris. An avalanche traps survivors beneath tonnes of rock.

RO-JAWS
He is programmed for cleaning sewers, unblocking drains and garbage disposal. He met Hammer-Stein at Flash Harry's Robo-Mart. He and Hammer-Stein attempt a rescue of train passengers trapped by an avalanche. He is appointed judge of which of the humans should die.

HAMMER-STEIN
He has a very distinguished war record and rose to the rank of sergeant. After the war he was discharged as army surplus. He met Ro-Jaws at Flash Harry's Robo-Mart. He and Ro-Jaws attempt a rescue of train passengers trapped by an avalanche.

OTHER CHARACTERS
REVEREND STRANGEWAYS
Train crash survivor.

ROLF & PRU FOSTER
Husband and wife. They own ten thousand head of cattle in Australia. Train crash survivors.

LORD PETER WYNDIE
Aristocrat and train crash survivor.

MIKE MORGAN
Father to Tim and train crash survivor.

TIM MORGAN
Mike Morgan's son injured in the crash. Raised by Harold the family robot after his mother died.

HAROLD
The Morgan's family robot and train crash survivor. He wears clothes.

CALL-ME-BRUCE
Australian robot and train crash survivor.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Rolf: "Too true, Pru!"

WORST LINES
Ro-Jaws: "Funnneee--the way Harold wears clothes!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Hammer-Stein mentions Ro-Jaws dressing up drag in Ro-Busters: The Ritz Space Hotel, Part 3 .

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Lord Peter Wyndie sounds not unlike Lord Peter Wimsey, a fictional character in detective stories by Dorothy L. Sayers beginning with Whose Body? (1923). One of the robots reads Tatler, a British fashion and lifestyle magazine aimed at the wealthy, founded in 1901

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Pat Mills
Artist: Dave Gibbons
Letters: Dave Gibbons

REVIEW
The art is gorgeous throughout, the interaction between Ro-Jaws and Hammer-Stein is brilliant and with this strip Ro-Busters seems to grow up.

Next Prog: Trial By Robot!

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!'