Dredd Alert

NAME
Invasion!: 'New Recruits'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 35

DATELINE
22 Oct 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Two factions of new Resistance recruits give Savage a dilemma.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The Volgans have taken Fort William.

BILL SAVAGE
He organises a fight between the leaders of the oil workers and the lumberjacks to bring an end to their rivalry. He tips off the Volgans of the fight's location. When they are caught, he leads an attempt to rescue them which cements the two factions together as one.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
Savage volunteers him to referee a fight between the leaders of the oil workers and the woodmen. He escapes into the mist when

DEATHS
At least nine. Three die in hangings. Savage, the oilman and the woodman all kill two Volgans each.

BEST LINES
Savage: "Cor - I'm so 'ungry I could eat a cart horse between two baker's vans!"

WORST LINES
Silk: "Their axes held our weight. We're in the fort! Now let's find out where the prisoners are..."

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
So Savage betrays his countrymen to teach them a lesson, but it's all well that ends well. This is ridiculous. What if the Volgans had executed the brawlers immediately? Why isn't Silk more angry that he could have caught or killed?

Too Hot To Handle, It's Inferno, Next Week

NAME
Judge Dredd: Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 145

DATELINE
29 Dec 79

This prog also contained Blackhawk, Captain Klep, The Stainless Steel Rat, Tharg The Mighty, The V.C.'s and The Mind Of Wolfie Smith strips, a postergraph featuring The V.C.'s and a Tharg cover by Carlos Ezquerra.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best Of 2000AD 2, Judge Dredd Classics 66, The Complete Judge Dredd 13, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 2, Judge Dredd 15, Judge Dredd (Volume 2) 17 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03.

SYNOPSIS
When Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy causes riots, Dredd take extreme action.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Mega-City One's Arnold Stang Block has a hospital with a robodoc.

Umpty Candy is the most popular confectionary of the early 22nd Century. Bat Ump, Dairy Ump, Five Umps, Mivvump, Opal Umps, Sherbet Umpty, Suck Ump, Ump Dust, Ump Gums, Ump Lump, Ump Magic, Umpties, Umpty Bar, Umpty Chews and Umpty Street are among the available products. Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy Factory has been open for a few months and sales have rocketed, causing all the competitors sales to fall. It is deemed to tasty that it ids addictive and withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations and hysteria.

Named Judges: Judge Schuster

JUDGE DREDD
He is present when a riot begins at Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy Factory and begins to investigate.

OTHER CHARACTERS
UNCLE UMP
Uncle Ump opened his Umpty Candy Factory a few months ago and sales have rocketed, causing all the competitors sales to fall. The recipe for his Umpty Candy is so tasty is addictive and the Judges decides to exile him to life on a spacecraft and tell the population of Mega-City One that he had died without passing on the recipe.

ARRESTS
None. Uncle Ump is secretly exiled.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "I'm sorry, Citizen. Sometimes it is the innocent who must suffer."

WORST LINES
Dredd: "Rot this stuff! It's hard to stop eating it!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The story calls Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (1964) to mind. Uncle Ump dresses like Uncle Sam, a national personification of the American government that, apparently, came into use during the War of 1812. Arnold Stang Block is named after Arnold Stang (1918–2009) an actor who provided among other things the voice of Top Cat (1961-1962).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Another craze hits Mega-City One, but this time causes riots by being too good. Once removed it causes riots all over again. This is another riff on the main theme of 'Christmas Comes To Des O'Connor Block', that too much of a good thing is bad for you, but what this strip lacks if sympathy for the victims it more than makes up for in the extraordinary lengths Dredd goes to prevent Uncle Ump's recipe being used again.

The End

NAME
Invasion!: 'Jump Jet'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 36

DATELINE
29 Oct 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
2000AD Annual 1984 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage teams up with the French Resistance and attacks the Channel Tunnel.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first and last Invasion! script written by Chris Lowder. Probably the first use of the phrase "Mean Machine" in 2000 AD.

INFORMATION
Volgan architects have built a tunnel under the English channel linking Britain and France. The tunnel runs along the sea-bed and is constructed from titanium-reinforced concrete. It is 100 feet wide and 50 tall. Shortly before it was due to be opened, it was flooded from within by the Resistance.

The Volgan Air Force has a new three-seater Jump-Jet and uses helicopters with spotter-cameras mounted in their noses.

BILL SAVAGE
He and Silk have travelled south from Scotland to sabotage the Channel Tunnel. Before the Volgan invasion he drove through Calais and frequented Raoul's transport café. Savage kills a Volgan soldier at the garrison for his uniform and has Raoul dress up in it. Raoul hands both he and Silk over to the Volgans who take them both back to Britain via the tunnel on a convoy carrying the new three-seater Jump-jet. Savage and Silk steal the Jump-Jet while Raoul holds off the Volgan troops. They fly it through the channel tunnel's ceiling and eject before being picked up by their rendezvous boat.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He and Savage have travelled south from Scotland to sabotage the Channel Tunnel. Disguised as a Volgan, Raoul hands both he and Savage over to the Volgans who take them both back to Britain via the tunnel on a convoy carrying the new three-seater Jump-jet. He can fly a Volgan Jump-Jet and steals it, while Raoul holds off the Volgan troops. He flies it through the channel tunnel's ceiling and they eject before being picked up by their rendezvous boat.

RAOUL
French Resistance. He used to run a transport café in Calais. Savage is an acquaintance of his. He disguises him as a Volgan soldier to hand over Savage and Silk. He accompanies them in a convoy through the channel tunnel, until on Savage's orders they attack and steal the Jump-Jet. Raoul remains behind and holds of the Volgan troops. He is shot dead.

DEATHS
At least six. Savage kills a helicopter crew of unknown size, a Volgan trooper for his uniform, another in the jeep whilst in Raoul's custody and the driver of a truck in the convoy. Raoul kills at least one Volgan, before he himself is shot dead.

BEST LINES
Silk: "Savage - you're mad...but it just might work!"
Savage: "Of course it'll work, Silk! We've got a 50-50 chance of survival!"

WORST LINES
Savage (whilst underwater): "...ejector seats! They'll take us to the top!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Vlasta!" is a great slice of the Volgan language.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Train Story mentioned that a Channel Tunnel was due for completion in 2002.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Savage references The Big Sleep, sort of. The 1939 novel by Raymond Chandler (1888=1959), has been adapted for film twice in 1946 and again in 1978.

MISTAKES
The reprint Invasion! credits both Peter Knight and Tom Frame with providing the letters for this strip.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Chris Lowder
Artist: Ian Kennedy
Letters: Peter Knight/Tom Frame?

REVIEW
This is a lot of fun, although once again it sees Savage rely on the sacrifice of others. Can the French Resistance do without Raoul? They'll have to now. Raoul wears the uniform, Silk flies the plane and Savage steals a uniform. He is very much just along for the ride here.

Next Prog: An Arms Drop, A Nuclear Submarine And One Very Special Stowaway!

NAME
Judge Dredd: 'New Year Is Cancelled'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 146

DATELINE
5 Jan 80

The first prog of 1980, also contained Blackhawk, Captain Klep, The Stainless Steel Rat, Tharg The Mighty and The V.C.'s strips, another postergraph featuring The V.C.'s and a Judge Dredd cover by Brian Bolland.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Dredd 29, Judge Dredd: Rough Justice and Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files 03.

SYNOPSIS
The King of Mega-City One decrees that new year is cancelled.

FIRSTS & LASTS
Last strip of 2101, first strip of 2102.

INFORMATION
(This strip begins on December 31st, 2101 and runs into January 1st, 2102)

Mega-City One's Andy Stewart Block is within sight of Bosanquet Block, neither these nor Wilkes Warehouse are in Sector 7.

Auto-teach machines educate automatically. Megasynthe, Mega-Trust, Mutiebran and Sunshine Synthi-Foods are companies floated on the stock market. Monotany is a game for 2 to 4 players.

The Justice Department has technology that can read minds to some degree. Named Judges: Judge Frost, Judge Hellman, Judge Ono.

JUDGE DREDD
He ensures that new year goes uncelebrated in Mega-City One, while he locates the H-bombs that Albert Sherman has planted. He takes Albert into custody just after the boy has punched in the safety code, which gives them fifty minutes to diffuse the first bomb. He uses a device to read Albert's mind and deduces which bomb will go off first and takes the boy to its location on top on Andy Stewart Block. Dredd handcuffs Albert to the roof and smashes the controls leaving Albert to diffuse the bomb to save his own life.

OTHER CHARACTERS
KING ALBERT
Born Albert Sherman four years ago to Frank and Betty Sherman. His parents bought him an auto-teach machine as a newborn. At six months he could speak and in 37 different languages on subjects as varied as atomic physics and the history of the universe. By the age of four he was an expert in the stock market and had made his parents a fortune. Bored, he declares himself King of Mega-City One. He explodes an H-Bomb in the Cursed Earth beyond the North Wall of Mega-City One. He holds the city to ransom claiming there are five more bombs and that they will detonate one per hour unless he types in a safety code. His first decree as king is to cancel new year. Having located the bombs, Dredd takes Albert to the site of the first bomb due to explode and handcuffs him next to it, giving him 41 minutes to diffuse it. Albert diffuses all the bombs and Dredd enrols him in the Academy of Law.

ARRESTS
There are some arrests for those celebrating new year under the reign of King Albert, but they are all released after his abdication.

DEATHS
None.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "New Year Is Cancelled! Get off the streets!"

WORST LINES
Betty: "A Judge? But I thought he was going to be a King!"

CATCHPHRASES
The Chief Judge lets out a "Dok!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Dredd previously enrolled a wayweard child in the Academy Of Law in the second instalment from A Tale From Walters Scwapbook .

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Albert Sherman's parents, Frank and Betty share their first names with the couple from Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em (1973-1978). Andy Stewart Block is named after Andy Stewart (1933-1993), the singer of 'Donald Where's Your Troosers?' which was a hit in both 1960 and 1989. Bosanquet Block could refer to Bernard Bosanquet (1848–1923) a philosopher, Bernard Bosanquet (1877–1936) cricketer credited with inventing the googly, Charles Bosanquet (1769-1850) a writer, Lancelot Stephen Bosanquet (1903-1984) mathematician, Reginald Bosanquet (1932–1984) a newsreader
Robert Carr Bosanquet (1871–1935) a archaeologist, Robert Holford Macdowell Bosanquet (1841–1913) a scientist and music theorist, Admiral Sir Day Hort Bosanquet (1843–1923) a 16th Governor of South Australia or someone else entirely.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
Bombs hidden around Mega-City One is an idea that John Wagner will return to and there are comparisons to be made between Albert Sherman and PJ Maybe.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brendan McCarthy
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Albert Sherman's blackmail of Mega-City One is wonderfully convoluted and Dredd's ruthless manipulation of a child is excellent.

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 37

DATELINE
5 Nov 77

PAGE COUNT
4

REPRINTS
Extreme Edition 3 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage finds himself babysitting a high profile son and heir.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Prince John.

INFORMATION
British Naval submarines deliver arms to the Resistance.

Volgan Patrol Jets are equipped with black box voice recorders.

BILL SAVAGE
He and Silk supervise a delivery of arms from a Royal Navy Submarine. It transpires that Prince John is aboard. The Volgans attack and sink the submarine, but not before they are destroyed themselves. Savage and Silk swim to safety and rescue the prince.

OTHER CHARACTERS
PRINCE JOHN
Son of King Charles III and heir to the British throne. He smuggles himself aboard a submarine bound for Britain. When the submarine is attacked he swims to safety and is rescued by Savage and Silk. Savage nicknames him Sunbeam.

DEATHS
At least six. We see four British submarine crew, two Volgan pilots and three Resistance men perish in the fight over Prince John.

BEST LINES
Savage: "Name's Savage, your 'ighness, an' you may be a prince, but I'm a king!...King Bill the Volg killer! An' first chance I get I'm packing you safely off to Canada!"

WORST LINES
Volgan naval officer: "What?! None of those bodies is the prince - He must be ashore in hiding! Rush up Special Divisions at once - now is our chance to get our hands on the British heir!"

How are you certain he's still alive? Also "Rush up" sounds awkwardly British.

CATCHPHRASES
"Vlasta!" is back, but this time it's joined by "Strovnak".

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Tomas Frame

REVIEW
This is an interesting start. Prince John seems like a deeply annoying character in the making, but an interesting predicament to saddle Savage with nonetheless. The Volgan pilot who recognises the heir to the throne even in the heat of battle seems more than a little unlikely. As does the naval officer who is absolutely certain Prince John made it ashore. How do you hide a member of the British royal family on a submarine full of British sailors?

+ + + Alert Status Red + + +

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 38

DATELINE
12 Nov 77

PAGE COUNT
4 and a 1/2

REPRINTS
Extreme Edition 3 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
A traitor reveals the location of the prince.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The spider-troops are Volgan commandos who operate suspended from helicopters.

BILL SAVAGE
He introduces Prince John as the son of a friend of his. He kills Gypsy Jake to prevent him harming the prince.

OTHER CHARACTERS
PRINCE JOHN
When Gypsy Jake asks for a royal pardon, he complies.

GYPSY JAKE
He wants the gold ring that Prince John wears and recognises the royal crest upon it. He gives the information to the Volgans and accompanies the Spider-troops to the Resistance HQ. He is injured in the subsequent crash and asks Prince John for a royal pardon and Savage kills Jake before he can stab the prince with his hidden knife.

DEATHS
Eight. At least one Resistance fighter is shot by the Volgan spider-squad, five spider-squad members killed by flying axes and their pilot and another Volgan are killed in the crash. Savage shoots Gypsy Jake dead.

BEST LINES
Savage: "Braw bricht night, eh Jake? Can 'ol Bill help yer with summat?"

WORST LINES
Ex-Oilworker: "No green stamps, Volgs! Just red death!"

CATCHPHRASES
An "Aieee!" is heard from the helicopter and a dying Gypsy Jake says "Aieeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Braw bricht night is a Scottish phrase meaning beautiful, bright that is probably from 'Hoots Mon' a song written by Harry Robinson and performed by Lord Rockingham's XI, it was a number-one hit single for three weeks in 1958. Green stamps are a reference to Green Shield Stamps, a UK sales promotion using trading stamps, between 1958 and 1991.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Mike Dorey
Letters: Tony Jacob

REVIEW
The aerial altercation is impressive and it's good to see a bit of Prince John's character here, but Gypsy Jake's knowledge of royal symbols seems a bit lucky. An improvement on Part 1.

Sequence Ends Continuance Follows

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 39

DATELINE
19 Nov 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage, Silk and Prince John take refuge at a B & B in Dundee.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(This part takes place days after Part 2)

Dundee is surrounded by checkpoints manned by Volgan guards.

BILL SAVAGE
His name is William A. Savage. He, Silk and Prince John take refuge at Jean and Janet McDonald's Bed & Breakfast in Dundee. When a patrol of Volgans arrive, Savage kills their N.C.O. and escapes with his two friends and a pile of the McDonald sisters' clothes. When the McDonald sisters are arrested, the trio dress up in drag and attack a Volgan checkpoint in an effort to shift the blame.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JANET & JEAN McDONALD
Sisters that run a bed and breakfast in Dundee. The McDonalds are unmarried monarchists who recognise Prince John immediately. They feed and shelter the prince, Savage and Silk. When a Volgan patrol arrives they accidentally give way the prince's identity, but redeem themselves when they knock out two of the Volgans.

DEATHS
About six. Savage kills the Volgan N.C.O., and at least five other Volgans.

BEST LINES
Prince John: "And I've just realised - when the Volgans hear we were dressed as women they won't have reason to suspect those old ladies!"

You hope.

WORST LINES
Jean McDonald: "Oh your highness!"
Volgan N.C.O.: "The old crone has told us - it's the prince - and Savage!"

CATCHPHRASES
Two dying Volgans give us an "Aieeeee!" and an "Aieeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Bill Nuttall

REVIEW
This is nice. It returns Invasion! to one of its strengths, dealing with the huge political ramifications and imperial ambition on a domestic level. The reader is invited to be pleasantly surprised when the McDonald don't turn out to be Volgan informants (at least not on purpose) and the twist at the end is great, but the naïveté with which it is employed is also very revealing. Yes, the attack in drag could provide the Volgans with an alternative to executing the McDonald sisters, but given everything else we've seen should expect them to survive? No. It's far more likely that with two old ladies in custody they could make an example of them and publically blame them for Savage's attack.

Big-Picture Power - Programmed For You

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 4

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 40

DATELINE
26 Nov 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Extreme Edition 3 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage gets Prince John to a failed rendezvous.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
(This part takes place weeks after Part 2)

Storm Bay is on the west coast of Scotland. The Royal Navy uses Seawolf class destroyers.

The Volgan airforce uses Vulture high altitude spy planes. It has a crew of eleven and is armed with Cyclops missiles, which are equipped with televisual control.

BILL SAVAGE
He gets Prince John to the rendezvous with the Royal Navy, but when the Seawolf Destroyer is attacked by a Volgan Vulture spy plane. He kills all eleven of the plane's ejecting crew.

OTHER CHARACTERS
PRINCE JOHN
Before the Volgan invasion he did a course in the RAF.

DEATHS
More than eleven. Savage kills all eleven of the ejecting Vulture crew, but it's not clear if any of the Seawolf Destroyer's crew lose their lives.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
Savage: "Blow me - another Volg! An' me pump gun's outta ammo - still - this Volg pistol is good enough for killing Volgs!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Dasga" is presumably a bit of Volgan lingo, while a dying Volgan chalks up another "Aieeeeeee!".

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Mike Dorey
Letters: Bill Nuttall

REVIEW
This is nothing special and Savage's sudden dislike of initials is overwrought. Savage shooting the last Volgan airmn through the forehead is great, but loses it's impact after the first ten.

Order 2000 A.D. Now + For Big-Picture Power

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 5

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 41

DATELINE
3 Dec 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Prince John takes Savage and Silk to Balmoral.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The Volgans have seized Balmoral.

BILL SAVAGE
He loads his gun with a black shell and puts a pair of stag's antler into the end of his gun. When he fires the antlers shoot out like a spear and kills the huntsmen collaborator who lead the Volgans to them.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
When Savage killed the huntsmen collaborator, Silk grabbed his gun and shot his Volgan acquaintance.

PRINCE JOHN
He knows his way around the Balmoral estate and leads Savage and Silk to a cave behind a waterfall that he had visited as a child. He was last at Balmoral a year ago with his father and family on their annual holiday.

DEATHS
Savage kills three Volgans.

BEST LINES
Savage: ""We'll take you lot as trophies too!"

WORST LINES
Volgan: "A good day's killing - but our collaborator friend has found something"

CATCHPHRASES
Another dying Volgan, another "Aieeeeeeee!". "Nie" is presumably Volgan for no.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Savage has already been to one of the Royal residences in Invasion!: 'Sandringham'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
The Volgan Worst Line (see above) has no full stop.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
'The Prince' proves so far not to be a story per se, but a new format that sees Savage and Silk as bodyguards and it's good to see Prince John getting a bit more character. Even with this new format, this strip still relies on luck, with the fortunate discovery of the shotgun shells and the stag skull between panels are odd.

Next Prog: - Savage And A Circus And An Old Friend!

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 6

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 42

DATELINE
10 Dec 77

PAGE COUNT
4 and a 1/2

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage and co seek refuge in London.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First use of Mike Dorey's J. Clough pseudonym. First time an Invasion! story has reached six parts.

INFORMATION
(This strip takes place six days after Part 5)

The Volgans appear to have broken the Resistance network in London. The Volgan Republic Circus are reputed to be a the best in the world.

BILL SAVAGE
He, Silk and Prince John travel to London and head to a safe house. The safe house turns out to be a Volgan trap and they flee. They hide in a circus and encounter Big Nessie McNairn who gives them refuge in her circus stall.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
Big Nessie McNairn calls him Skinny Silk, and gives him, Savage and Prince John refuge in her circus stall.

PRINCE JOHN
Big Nessie McNairn gives him, Savage and Silk refuge in her circus stall.

BIG NESSIE McNAIRN
She is working for Bertie Hills Circus as a bearded lady. She gives Savage, Silk and the Prince refuge in her circus stall.

DEATHS
Savage apparently kills four Volgans at the safe house.

BEST LINES
Volgan: "-Something over my eyes! Euugh! It's revolting!"
Big Nessie McNairn "It's me beard, Volg!"

WORST LINES
Prince John: "A Volgan sniper! He's got the drop on us!"
Savage: "Correction! It's him who's been dropped!"

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Big Nessie McNairn was previously seen in Invasion!: 'Volgess', part 2.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: J. Clough
Letters: Peter Knight

J. Clough is a pseudonym for Mike Dorey.

REVIEW
Savage takes a bit of a back seat, but it's great to see the return of Big Nessie. London seems a much bleaker place than when we last saw it and it seems very fitting.

+ Alert Status Red +

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 7

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 43

DATELINE
17 Dec 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Nessie hides Prince John.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First time an Invasion! story has reached seven parts.

INFORMATION
None.

BILL SAVAGE
He and Silk hide from the Volgans inside the barrel of Howitzer Harry the Human Cannonball's cannon. When the prince is discovered, Savage enters Nessie's tent and kills a couple of Volgans.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He and Savage hide from the Volgans inside the barrel of Howitzer Harry the Human Cannonball's cannon. Later, when the Volgans discover the prince, Silk fires the cannon to cover up the noise of Savage's shotgun. He then rounds up the Volgan survivors and puts them in with the circus gorillas.

PRINCE JOHN
He remains unconcious. Big Nessie McNairn hides him under her table, the Volgans discover him.

BIG NESSIE McNAIRN
She is also working as Madame Midnight, fortune teller. She hides Prince John under her table and reads the fortunes of the Volgan captain that comes looking for him.

DEATHS
Two. Savage kills the Volgan captain and another soldier.

BEST LINES
Nessie: "I see a tall dark stranger come into your life! He means ill for you and your men!"

WORST LINES
Volgan: "No, no - not the shotgun - it - it is Savage!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Drobnak!" is another great Volgan word. "Aieeeeeeee!" is not.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Bill Nuttall

REVIEW
This is a nice runaround, but once again it's Nessie that is the real star of the show. The final pun outstays its welcome.

Alert Status Red + + + Don't Miss Next Prog

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 8

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 44

DATELINE
24 Dec 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage, Silk, Nessie and Prince John attempt to run away from the circus.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The first Invasion! story to reach eight parts.

INFORMATION
None.

BILL SAVAGE
As he attempts to escape with Silk, Nessie and Prince John, the circus owner raises the alarm and Volgan troops swarm into the circus. Savage tries to lead them away while the others hide. When he is caught in the big top. Nessie, Silk and the prince come to the rescue. They escape in Nessie's truck.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He hides with Nessie and Prince John as Savage draws the Volgans off, then comes to his rescue and shoots the circus owner dead before he can kill Savage. They escape in Nessie's truck.

BIG NESSIE McNAIRN
She hides with Silk and Prince John as Savage draws the Volgans off, then comes to his rescue and drives a trailer truck through the big top. They escape in her truck.

PRINCE JOHN
He hides with Nessie and Prince John as Savage draws the Volgans off. They escape in Nessie's truck.

DEATHS
Five. Savage kills one Volgan soldier. Silk kills a Volgan and the circus owner. Nessie runs over at least two Volgans.

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
Savage: "That's what you Volgs get for loitering' with-in tent! Okay, Nessie drive!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Aiee" is presumably a time saver.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Savage sings 'The Daring Young Man On The Flying Trapeze' a song first published in 1867, with music by Gaston Lyle and lyrics by George Leybourne (1842-1884), lyrics based on the success of trapeze artist Jules Léotard (1838-1870)

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Mike Dorey
Letters: Unknown

REVIEW
Another nice instalment and once again it's Nessie that saves the day. Silk gets to save Savage's life and the prince does absolutely nothing. The circus puns don't do anyone any favours. This isn't the end of an eight part story at all, it's the end of a three part story begun in Part 6 and the confirmation of the new dynamic for the strip.

Next Prog: Nessie 'N' Bill - Bonnie 'N' Clyde Of 1999!

Astonishingly Dredd Alert has reached four hundred posts...

NAME
Judge Dredd: 'Judge Minty'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 147

DATELINE
12 Jan 80

This prog also contained Blackhawk, Captain Klep, Ro-Jaws' Robo-Tales, The Stainless Steel Rat and The V.C.'s, alongside a postergraph focussing The V.C.'s and a cover by Carlos Ezquerra featuring The Stainless Steel Rat.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best of 2000AD 1, Judge Dredd Classics 66, The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Dredd Definitive Ed. Hall Of Justice, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 2, Judge Dredd 15 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03. It was also the inspiration for the fan film Judge Minty.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd accompanies an ageing Judge and assess his compassion.

FIRSTS & LASTS
The Long Walk is shown for the first time. First appearance of Judge Minty.

INFORMATION
The Kovaks Mob are a criminal gang operating from the headquarters of Move It Ltd. in Mega-City One.

A retiring Judge has the the right to teach at the Academy Of Law or to take The Long Walk which sees them head into the Cursed Earth to take the law to the lawless. Named Judges: Judge Minty, Judge Young.

Possession of burglary tools carries a sentence of one year, while illegal firearm two years, traces of tobacco three months

JUDGE DREDD
He and Minty are searching for the Kovaks Mob. He kills two members of the Mob and then Kovaks himself. He puts in an adverse report based on Judge Minty's performance.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE MINTY
He and Dredd are searching for the Kovaks Mob. He was supposed to deal with them three months ago alone. He attempts to negotiate with Kovaks, who shoots him. He survives, but Dredd puts in an adverse report. Two weeks later he retires with honour and takes the Long Walk.

TOMMY
Judges Dredd and Minty question him about the Kovaks Mob. They arrest him for possession of burglary tools, an illegal firearm and traces of tobacco

KOVAKS
Leader of the Kovaks mob. He is wanted on seventy four counts of murder. During a fire fight, Judge Minty gives him the opportunity to turn himself in. Kovaks shoots Minty and Dredd shoots Kovaks.

ARRESTS
One. It's implied that Tommy's sentence for possession of burglary tools, an illegal firearm and traces of tobacco will be one year, two years and three months consecutively giving a total of three years, three months.

DEATHS
Three. Dredd kills two members of the Kovaks Mob and Kovaks himself.

BEST LINES
Minty: "When you get old, you start getting strange notions...like maybe people aren't so bad. Maybe if we treat 'em with kindness, the good in them will come out!...I guess that's when it's time to quit."

WORST LINES
Dredd: "One of 'em in there! Dodgems"

Lawgivers even respond to nicknames?

CATCHPHRASES
None.

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Mike McMahon
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Fantastic. Great art combined with a wonderful tale of another Judge that can't measure up to Dredd's standards. A classic.

NAME
Invasion!: 'The Return Of Rosa'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 45

DATELINE
31 Dec 77

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Extreme Edition 3 and Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage does a bank job.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
The Volgsmark is the Volgan unit of currency. Branches of the Bank Of Volga have opened up in London. The Volgan army has deployed King Tanks.

BILL SAVAGE
There is reward of ten million Volgsmarks for information on his whereabouts. He leads a bank robbery and steals enough money to fund rebuilding the Resistance.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
There is reward of ten million Volgsmarks for information on his whereabouts. He assists in a bank robbery.

BIG NESSIE McNAIRN
There is reward of ten million Volgsmarks for information on her whereabouts. She disguises herself as a traffic warden and fires an anti-tank rocket at a Volgan King Tank, destroying it.

PRINCE JOHN
There is reward of ten million Volgsmarks for information on his whereabouts. He takes part in a bank robbery.

COLONEL KASOV
He replaced Rosa Volgaska as head of security.

EX-COLONEL ROSA VOLGASKA
She has lost her rank and been imprisoned by the Volgans. She convinces her ex-superior officer to give her another chance to kill Savage and he reinstates her. She kills Kasov and his guards and she replaces him.

DEATHS
Eight. Savage kills a Volgan leaving the bank and two more with their own globe grenade. Nessie destroys a Volgan tank killing its two-man crew. Rosa kills Kasov and two guards.

BEST LINES
Nessie: "Get it movin' Bill you're parked on a yella line!"

WORST LINES
Savage: "Oh, tough cheese, Volg!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Aieeeeeeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
None.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
This is really interesting. We join the story already underway, Savage claiming his own reward is a great hook and needless to say Nessie saves the day once again. The Volgan infighting is surprisingly interesting, but fails to make them more formidable.

Free Entry Star Wars Contest Next Prog - Order Your Copy Now!

NAME
Judge Dredd: 'Alien Seeds'

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 148

DATELINE
19 Jan 80

This prog also featured Blackhawk, Ro-Jaws' Robo-Tales, The Stainless Steel Rat, Timequake and The V.C.'s strips, another postergraph featuring The V.C.'s by Bill Le Fevre and a Judge Dredd cover by Mike McMahon.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best Of 2000AD 6, The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Dredd's Crime Files 1, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 24, Judge Dredd (Volume 2) 22 and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03.

SYNOPSIS
The fruit of alien seeds attack Mega-City One, while Dredd goes in search of the cause.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First time we see Dredd leave Earth orbit.

INFORMATION
Mega City One's government has a number of space-rigs in operation, including an experimental low gravity space farm operated by the Mega-City One Department of Agriculture, or Deptag. Space rigs are not subject to the same customs requirements as ports and their artificial gravity is controlled by a gravity field regulator. The city also has a vermin control department.

Alien seeds arrived on Earth a few years ago and have been declared illegal. They are available on the black market at a high price. The plants do not produce seeds in Earth conditions and grow larger in low gravity. A few days after planting multi-coloured aliens sprout. When they are fully grown they begin to growl and are about to enter the animal stage. The stalk separates into legs and the aliens turn pink.

JUDGE DREDD
He leaves Earth to go to Mega-City One's space farm ands discovers several adult aliens grown from seed. He destroys the space rig's gravity field regulator sending the aliens into disarray. He arrests the last surviving Department of Agriculture worker on the rig that grew them.

OTHER CHARACTERS
None.

ARRESTS
One. The surviving member of the space rigs crew.

DEATHS
At least Four. At least two humans are killed by the aliens in Mega-City One and then two more on the space farm.

BEST LINES
Deptag employee: "H-Holy tomato! It's Judge Dredd!"

Seriously.

WORST LINES
Dredd: "These life-lines will hold us. But your home-grown aliens can't handle Zero-G!"
Deptag employee: "Thank heavens for that! Get outa, Judge Dredd! I long for the safety of a cosy isolation cube!"

CATCHPHRASES
Dredd says "Dok!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
The design of the space rig is similar to the equally agricultural Valley Forge in Silent Running (1972).

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Ron Smith
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
This isn't much to write home about. Already the latest fad leads to chaos idea is wearing a bit thin, but here it isn't helped by the dialogue, artwork or story structure either and to top it all off the ending is anti-climactic as well.

The End

NAME
Invasion!: Deadlier Than The Male

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 46

DATELINE
7 Jan 78

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage gets a surprising guardian angel in Rosa Volgaska.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Volgan forces use Scout cars. Monitor cameras allow recording of footage, two-way communication and can be fitted to explode remotely.

BILL SAVAGE
He distributes the money from the bank raid to members of the Resistance and heads with Silk, Nessie and Prince John to Solway Firth. They are pursued by Volgans and Savage jacknifes their truck, knocking the Volgan vehicles off the road. They continue the chase and Savage leads them across the Solway Firth where they are hit by a tidal wave.

OTHER CHARACTERS
COLONEL ROSA VOLGASKA
Her rank has been reinstated and she has been put in command of a group of security captains. She instructs them to carry monitor cameras. She remotely destroys a Volgan sniper team because they attempt to kill Savage in a manner that conflicts with her plan.

DEATHS
Nine. The Solway Firth killer tide presumably drowns four Volgans, while Rosa kills five members of a Volgan sniper team.

BEST LINES
Rosa: "Rosa is back in business and brought with her a perfect plan to trap those scum at last!"

WORST LINES
Rosa: "I'm watxhing you poor fool. Both Savage and I know something you do not...that Solway has a secret!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Mother Volga" is evidently a Volgan exclamation. Drowning Volgans scream an "Aieeeeeeeeeee!", while exploding Volgans go for "Yaieeeeeeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Savage distributes the money from the bank raid in 'The Return Of Rosa'.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: J. Clough
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
This is intriguing, but, Jacknife aside, Rosa is definitely the star of the show here.

Next Prog - The Liverpool Connection!

NAME
Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 149

DATELINE
26 Jan 80

This prog Blackhawk, Captain Klep, Ro-Jaws' Robo-Tales, The Stainless Steel Rat, Timequake and The V.C.'s, yet another postergraph featuring The V.C.'s and a Blackhawk cover by Massimo Belardinelli.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best Of 2000AD, The Best Of 2000AD 3, The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Death: Dredd vs. Death, Judge Death Classic Judge Dredd, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 1, Judge Death: Judge Dredd featuring Judge Death, Judge Dredd 1, Judge Dredd Paperbacks vs The Dark Judges and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03, as well as being available to read online.

SYNOPSIS
Death walks Mega-City One.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearances of Judge Death. First use of the word "scrotnig".

INFORMATION
The Rabbit Hutch is a Mega-City One night spot. 'Who Put The Boop?' is a number one hit in Mega-City One.

Named Judges: Judge Ross.

JUDGE DREDD
He is investigating the murder of Tiny The Tap.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE DEATH
He wears a version of a Judge's uniform. He can kill by reaching into an individual's chest and squeezing. He leaves a stench of decay. His skin is in an extremely advanced stage of decomposition. He is immune to bullets. He may have been dead for centuries. He kills Tiny The Tap.

TINY THE TAP
He is in trouble with the Judges, but becomes a victim of Judge Death.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Maybe a hundred. Death kills Tiny The Tap, the Rabbit Hutch DJ, presumably all the patrons and probably Judge Ross.

BEST LINES
Death: "You cannot kill what does not live!"

WORST LINES
Judge: "There he is! Dressed like a Judge - Or a mockery of one!"

CATCHPHRASES
Death says "My name iss Death. I have come to Judge you!" twice and "You cannot kill what does not live!" once, the DJ uses the word "scrotnig" and Tiny and a Judge both say "Dok!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
'Who Put The Boop?' is a parody of the song 'Who Put The Bomp?' (1961) by Barry Mann.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brian Bolland
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Fantastic. Judge Death makes an immediate impact. An excellent character design with intriguing motivations and a stark objective. The art is stunning and the dialogue brilliant throughout. A cut above.

Next Prog: The Guilty...And The Damned!

NAME
Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 2

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 150

DATELINE
2 Feb 80

The Sesquicentennial Prog also includes Blackhawk, Captain Klep, The Stainless Steel Rat, Timequake and The V.C.'s, another in a line of postergraphs featuring The V.C.'s all behind a Carlos Ezquerra cover of The Stainless Steel Rat.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best Of 2000AD, The Best Of 2000AD 3, The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Death: Dredd vs. Death, Judge Death Classic Judge Dredd, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 1, Judge Death: Judge Dredd featuring Judge Death, Judge Dredd 1, Judge Dredd Paperbacks vs The Dark Judges and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03, as well as being available online here.

SYNOPSIS
Dredd appeals to Psi-Division for help in finding Judge Death and Judge Anderson succeeds, but later Judge Death finds Anderson.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First appearance of Psi-Division and Judge Anderson. Anderson is also the first female Judge seen without her helmet.

INFORMATION
Psi-Division is made up on Judges trained for their abnormal psychic power. Psi-Judges wear the same uniform as other Judges, but instead of a name badge, Psi-Judges wear a badge that bears the word PSI. They are renowned for being highly-strung. A heavy Psi-session drains the operator and impedes their sleep. Judge Anderson is regarded as their best telepath.

Named Judges: Judge Anderson (Psi Division), Judge Runciman, Judge McCay.

It is possible to cross the span between dimensions.

Long ago on Judge Death's world, Judges deduced that since all crime was committed by the living, life itself must be a crime. They killed everyone on their world.

JUDGE DREDD
He takes Judge Death's corpse to the morgue and elicits the assistance of Tec Division and Psi-Division.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE DEATH
He has travelled from another dimension. He is susceptible to fire, but it will not kill him. Dredd orders the use of Incendiary rounds and Death's body is burnt to a charred husk, but his spirit escapes. After Anderson makes contact with him, Judge Death seeks her out and inhabits her body.

JUDGE ANDERSON
Telepath and Psi-Division's best operator. She is called in to contact Judge Death. Anderson does so by physically touching his corpse and speaks with his voice.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
One. Judge Death kills Judge Runciman.

BEST LINES
Dredd: "I'd better fill you in, Anderson..."
Anderson: "Save your breath. I've already read you. Can't hide your guilty secrets from a telepath, you know!"
Dredd: "I have no guilty secrets."

WORST LINES
Judge: "He's gone up like a human torch!"
Dredd: "Not human!"

Is that really the issue here?

CATCHPHRASES
Death's "You cannot kill what doess not live!", a Judge and Anderson both say "Dok!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
The Tek is Part 1, spelled it Tech, while the Teks in Part 2 spell it Tec.

RETROSPECT
Judge Anderson will go on to become a very important part of the Dreddverse and star in her own strips Judge Anderson, Anderson Psi Division, Anderson Psi and Cadet Anderson.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brian Bolland
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Anderson is an immediate breath of fresh air in a strip obsessed with the stench of decay. Judge Death's motivation ought to be ridiculously overblown, but its logic here is presented as airtight. Bolland's art maintains its quality and the dialogue remains superb.

Next Prog: The Monster Within!

NAME
Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 3

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. and Tornado Prog 151

DATELINE
9 Feb 80

This prog also contained Blackhawk, Captain Klep, The Stainless Steel Rat, Timequake and The V.C.'s, yet another postergraph of The V.C.'s and cover by Carlos Ezquerra featuring The Stainless Steel Rat.

PAGE COUNT
5

REPRINTS
The Best Of 2000AD, The Best Of 2000AD 3, The Complete Judge Dredd 14, Judge Death: Dredd vs. Death, Judge Death Classic Judge Dredd, Judge Dredd Chronicles Book 1, Judge Death: Judge Dredd featuring Judge Death, Judge Dredd 1, Judge Dredd Paperbacks vs The Dark Judges and Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 03, as well as online.

SYNOPSIS
Judge Anderson makes the supreme sacrifice to trap Judge Death.

FIRSTS & LASTS
First time Brian Bolland has drawn an entire multi-part story.

INFORMATION
Charles Atlas Bridge is a structure in Mega-City One.

Terminal brainstorm is a cause of death

JUDGE DREDD
He attends Judge Death's conapt and traps a possessed Anderson in Boing.

OTHER CHARACTERS
JUDGE DEATH
He has a machine in a conapt building to revitalise him. He has possessed Judge Anderson to steal his skeleton from the morgue and deliver it to his conapt. Dredd arrives and destroys the machine. Death re-enters Anderson's body and attacks Dredd. Dredd seals Death and Anderson in Boing.

JUDGE ANDERSON
Under the thrall of Judge Death, Anderson steals his skeleton from the Justice Department's morgue, despite his influence she transmits the word "Boing" to her fellow telepaths. When Dredd arrives Anderson orders him to cocoon her in Boing. She is installed in the Justice Department's Hall Of Heroes in a bier marked Supreme Sacrifice and Judge Anderson A Monster Dwells Within Her.

ARRESTS
None.

DEATHS
Two. A possessed Anderson kicks one morgue attendant through a window and presumably kills the other.

BEST LINES
Telepath #1: "It's very indistinct, but it's coming through time and time again. Just one word..."Boing"!"
Telepath #2: "Boing? You mean the miracle spray?"

WORST LINES
None.

CATCHPHRASES
Dredd says "My Dok!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
Boing makes a surprising return.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
Unknown.

MISTAKES
None.

RETROSPECT
None.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: John Howard
Artist: Brian Bolland
Letters: Tom Frame

REVIEW
Fantastic. Who would have thought the solution to an undead superfiend possessing a telepath was to seal them both in an apparently recreational plastic bubble? An absolute masterstroke. This three-parter is an excellent piece of worldbuilding and shows what the strip is capable of.

The End

NAME
Invasion!: 'Escape From Liverpool', Part 1

FIRST PUBLISHED
2000 A.D. Prog 47

DATELINE
14 Jan 78

PAGE COUNT
4 and a 1/2

REPRINTS
Extreme Edition 3 & Invasion!

SYNOPSIS
Savage tries to smuggle Prince John back to Canada.

FIRSTS & LASTS
None.

INFORMATION
Liverpool is half in ruins. The famous Cavern Club is now a Resistance Safe House. Several successful musicians from the 1960's and 1970's are hiding out there.

Japan, Sweden and the United States are among the nations that have remained neutral despite the Volgan invasion.

BILL SAVAGE
He and his group have arrived in Liverpool and attempt to find a sailor willing to smuggle Prince John out of the country. He and Silk are discovered at the docks and fight off a group of Volgans, with the help of a US sailor called Georgia who agrees to smuggle somebody back to Canada for them.

OTHER CHARACTERS
SILK
He can play guitar and sing. He uses a guitar modified to contain a gun to kill several Volgans when they are discovered.

PRINCE JOHN
He remains at the safe house.

COLONEL ROSA VOLGASKA
She assigns Sergeant Georgi to find Savage by the docks.

SERGEANT GEORGI
Volgan soldier working for Rosa Volgaska. He poses as a US Sailor from Georgia called Georgia. He helps Savage and Silk in the barroom brawl and kills two Volgans. He agrees to smuggle someone to Canada.

DEATHS
Eight. Silk kills four Volgans with gun hidden inside a guitar, Savage kills two more. Georgia strangles a Volgan with each hand

BEST LINES
None.

WORST LINES
Traitor: "Quick! The arch-terrorist Savage is inside here!"

CATCHPHRASES
"Aieeeee!"

CONTINUITY & CROSSOVERS
None.

INFLUENCES & REFERENCES
John Lennon (1940-1980), Paul McCartney (born 1942), George Harrison (1943-2001) and Ringo Starr (born 1940) formed The Beatles and arguably changed the world. Silk sings 'Happiness Is A Warm Gun', a Beatles song from the eponymous album The Beatles, also known as The White Album.

MISTAKES
The Cavern is the most famous address in all of Liverpool and the Resistance has turned it into a safe house?

RETROSPECT
Published in 1978, this strip could obviously never have anticipated that John Lennon would be assassinated in 1980. Had he lived he would have been 59 in 1999.

NOTES
None.

CREDITS
Script: Gerry Finley-Day
Artist: Carlos Pino
Letters: Peter Knight

REVIEW
The Beatles cameo is better than it sounds, but oddly they aren't referred to by name. I like to think George Harrison really did have a gun concealed inside his guitar. After the appearance of the Fab Four this goes downhill very quickly and disappointingly Savage doesn't seem to spare a thought to consider the convenience of 'Georgia' offering him exactly what he needs exactly when he needs it.

Thrill Value Increases + + + Next Prog + + +

Invasion!: 'New Recruits'

Judge Dredd: Uncle Ump's Umpty Candy

Invasion!: Jump Jet

Judge Dredd: 'New Year Is Cancelled'

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 1

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 2

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 3

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 4

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 5

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 6

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 7

Invasion!: 'The Prince', Part 8

Judge Dredd: 'Judge Minty'

Invasion!: 'The Return Of Rosa'

Judge Dredd: 'Alien Seeds'

Invasion!: Deadlier Than The Male

Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 1

Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 2

Judge Dredd: Judge Death, Part 3

Invasion!: 'Escape From Liverpool', Part 1