2000 AD: Titles Q-R

R.A.M. RAIDERS Creators: Alan McKenzie & Calum Alexander Watt 8 episodes: 1996 Taking the unusual position that computers may gain sentience, and therefore require "spook busters" to ferret out poltergeists of artificial life, this short-lived effort, the last from McKenzie, gave us a sexy pair of techno-savvy hackers. The girl dies in the first one, but lives on as a ghost only the guy can see. Combining Ghostbusters, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) and the cliched "fear of the machine" theme resulted in a series only I seemed to like. Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original progs.
Love and War, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 985-989 (Mar. to Apr. 1996). Story by Alan McKenzie, art by Calum Alexander Watt. Thicker Than Water, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 990-992 (May 1996). Story by McKenzie, art by Maya Gavin.
RAIN DOGS Creators: Gordon Rennie & Colin Wilson 10 episodes: 2000 Reprinted? This series was reprinted in a hardcover Rebellion graphic novel in 2002.
Rain Dogs, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1213-1222 (Oct. to Dec. 2000). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Colin Wilson.
THE REAL ROBIN HOOD Creators: Michael Cook & Gary Erskine 6 episodes: 1991 Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original Revolvers.
The Real Robin Hood, 6 episodes, Crisis # 56-61 (May to Oct. 1990). Story by Michael Cook, art by Gary Erskine & Bernie Jaye.
REALLY & TRULY Creators: Grant Morrison & Rian Hughes 8 episodes: 1993 Really and Truly are heavily-armed and dressed-for-dancing superfemmes carrying a cargo of illicit drugs through Mexico and a flooded Los Angeles to a rave in their great big car, accompanied by cosmonaut Johnny Zhivago and the beat poet Scuba Trooper. They are pursued by government agent Captain Nice and his enormous House of Fun, and mobsters led by Boss Buddah. I'd love to see these two back in action, though that seems pretty unlikely. Trivia: Grant Morrison claims to have written the entire story in one night while tripping on E. Top moment: The House of Fun roaring through a poor urban town, screaming "DON'T WORRY." Reprinted? The series was reprinted in 2007's Yesterday's Tomorrows, a collection of Rian Hughes comics published by Knockabout.
Really & Truly, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 842-849 (July to Aug. 1993). Story by Grant Morrison, art by Rian Hughes.
RED FANG Creators: Steve Moore & Steve Yeowell 12 episodes: 2000 In the early 1980s, Steve Moore had contributed many Future Shocks and the like for 2000 AD before being headhunted to work for Quality Comics, who published his cult favorite strip Axel Pressbutton. He had left the comic industry and was working in other fields when Andy Diggle, then 2000 AD's assistant editor, asked him to come back to the weekly. While a revival of Pressbutton had to be at the back of Diggle's mind, he was certainly pleased to have a veteran like Moore who could tell a story effectively and make his deadlines. Unfortunately, it's arguable whether Moore came up with anything during his five or so years back at the comic that was really memorable. Red Fang, which double-deals with a backstabbing crime lord in a future city, is ponderous, engaging in one too many subplots and story twists for its own good, which is a real shame. There were some good characters in this story which might have made decent players in shorter tales, but they were wasted in the mess of a plot which Moore gave them. Between this, Killer, Tales of Telguuth and some lousy Future Shocks, you have to wonder whether it would kill the man to write some new Pressbutton stories... Top moment: Say what you will about the script, that is one awesomely cool looking table. Forget Fang, that table needs its own series. Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original progs.
Red Fang, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1200-1211 (July to Sep. 2000). Story by Steve Moore, art by Steve Yeowell & Chris Blythe.
RED RAZORS Creators: Mark Millar & Steve Yeowell 21 episodes: 1991-92, 1994-95 Set in East-Meg Two, Red Razors crossed over from the Judge Dredd Megazine. That initial adventure, with superior Steve Yeowell artwork, was a future pop culture nightmare and quite fun. By the time Judge Razors made it to the weekly, he was another Mark Millar indestructible man fighting other Mark Millar indestructible men. Tellingly, Judge Ed, the best thing about his initial run, dies early on in this 10 part story. "Rites of Passage" is set earlier, before Razors became a judge. Reprinted? This first eight-parter was reprinted as a three-part American miniseries. DC/Rebellion printed most of the episodes in a 2004 collection.
Red Razors, 8 episodes, Judge Dredd Megazine vol.1 #8-15 (Apr. to Dec. 1991). Story by Mark Millar, art by Steve Yeowell & Philip Lynch. The Secret Origin of Comrade Ed, Judge Dredd Mega Special #5 (June 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by Steve Yeowell & Gina Hart. Doctor's Orders, 1993 Judge Dredd Yearbook (Sept. 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by Steve Yeowell. The Hunt for Red Razors, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 908-917 (Oct. to Dec. 1994). Story by Mark Millar, art by Nigel Dobbyn. Rites of Passage, 2000 AD prog 971. (Dec. 1995). Story by Mark Millar, art by Nigel Dobbyn & Dondie Cox.
DC/REBELLION REPRINTS Red Razors (11/04). Reprints "Red Razors," "The Hunt for Red Razors" and "Rites of Passage."
THE RED SEAS Creators: Ian Edington & Steve Yeowell 72+ episodes: 2002-present One of the more popular returning thrills of the 2000s, The Red Seas has always appeared to be on the cusp of greatness without ever actually achieving it. It's a rip-roaring tale of pirates on the high seas in the 1760s, led by Captain Jack Dancer, but it always appears crammed into as few progs as possible, with double-up episodes quickly wrapping up the narrative rather than letting the story breathe for the full planned run. The series is full of brilliant period art, excellent villains and high concepts like a talking two-headed dog and a battle between a giant kraken and the Colossus of Rhodes, but the devices drive the plot more than the characters. We rarely see Capt. Dancer think his way out of an impossible situation - good luck and last-minute rescues are his fortune - and his crew is disappointingly anonymous, although, having said that, 2009's "Signs and Portents" went a long way towards establishing the gang as individuals with their own goals and desires. Perhaps it's not a great strip, but it has its moments. Reprinted? "Under the Banner of King Death" was issued as a Rebellion hardback in November 2005. This was superceded by a paperback collection of the first three stories in 2007.
Under the Banner of King Death, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1313-1321 (Oct. to Dec. 2002). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. (first and final episodes double-length, pts 8 & 9 together in prog 1320.) Twilight of the Idols, 10 episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2004" and progs 1371-1379 (Dec. 2003 to March 2004). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. (first and final episodes double-length.) Meanwhile..., 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1416-1419 (Nov. to Dec. 2004). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. Underworld, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1460-1468 (Oct. to Dec. 2005). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. (first and final episodes double-length, pts 8 & 9 together in prog 1467.) The Hollow Land, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1491-1499 (June to Aug. 2006). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. (first and final episodes double-length, "double-up" episodes in progs 1496-98.) With a Bound, He was Free..., 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1513-1517 (Nov. to Dec. 2006). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. War Stories, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1562-1566 (Nov. to Dec. 2007). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. Old Gods, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1600-1609 (Aug. to Oct. 2008). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell. (first and final episodes double-length.) Signs and Portents, 6+ episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2009" and from prog 1617 (Dec. 2008). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Yeowell.
REBELLION REPRINTS Under the Banner of King Death (12/07). Reprints "Under the Banner of King Death," "Twilight of the Idols" and "Meanwhile..."
RETURN TO ARMAGEDDON Creators: Malcolm Shaw & Jesus Redondo 34 episodes: 1980-81 A space pirate called Havoc abducts two babies, one of which quickly grows into a horned satyr called the Destroyer and one which becomes a blond hero called Amtrak who must kill the Destroyer at any cost. Yes, he's called Amtrak. One of these days, an American comic is going to feature a hero called "British Rail." Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original progs.
Return to Armageddon, 34 episodes, 2000 AD progs 185-218 (Sep. 1980 to June 1981). Story by Malcolm Shaw, art by Jesus Redondo (pts 1-11 & 14-34) and Johnny Johnson (pts 12-13).
REVERE Creators: John Smith & Simon Harrison 18 episodes: 1991-94 John Smith must have terrible nightmares. This dense, violent thriller, a story of the "eco-occult" and set in apocalyptic London, is utterly brilliant, and, like all of Smith's material, it requires several readings to catch it all. This really needs to be reprinted in a collected edition soon. Top moment: Revere suffers a horrible nightmare, thinking that his girlfriend Chloe hasn’t actually been stolen from him. Reprinted? This series was reprinted in 2006's 2000 AD Extreme Edition # 20. .
Finder's Edge, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 744-749 (Aug. to Sep. 1991). Story by John Smith, art by Simon Harrison. Written in Water, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 809-814 (Nov. to Dec. 1992). Story by John Smith, art by Simon Harrison. Book III, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 867-872 (Dec. 1993 to Jan. 1994). Story by John Smith, art by Simon Harrison.
REVOLVER ONE-OFFS anthology series 12 episodes: 1990
Nine Inches to the Mile, Revolver 1 (July 1990). Story by Igor Goldkind, art by Phil Winslade. God's Little Acre, Revolver 2 (Aug. 1990). Story by Ian Edginton, art by D'Israeli. Waltz, Revolver 3 (Sept. 1990). Story by Ian Salmon, art by Glenn Fabry. Plug Into Jesus, Revolver 4 (Oct. 1990). Story by Gary Pleece, art by Warren Pleece. The Crossing, Revolver 4 (Oct. 1990). Story and art by Al Davison. Circular Motion, Revolver 5 (Nov. 1990). Story and art by Simon Harrison. Martello 117, Revolver 6 (Dec. 1990). Story and art by Keith Page. The Secret Garden, Revolver 7 (Jan. 1991). Story by Terry Hooper, art by Aiden Potts. 51 Stars, Revolver 7 (Jan. 1991). Story and art by Ed Hillyer. Zen & the Art of Shopping, Revolver 7 (Jan. 1991). Story by Tony Allen, art by Shanti. Did I in my own self shine?, Revolver 7 (Jan. 1991). Story and art by Brendan McCarthy. All Around the World, Revolver 7 (Jan. 1991). Story by Si Spencer, art by Sean Phillips.
RICK RANDOM 2000 AD version adapted by Steve Moore & Ron Turner 7 episodes: 1978-79 Rick Random was "the first detective of the space age," and his adventures for the Interplanetary Bureau of Investigation had first seen print in Super Detective Library in the 1950s. Following the reprinting of one of Random's better pulpy escapades, 2000 AD presented an original adventure which was not as well-received. Interestingly, the original Rick Random stories were in a small, digest-sized comic. When "The SOS from Space" reappeared in 2000 AD's second summer special edition, its original 64 pages only took 17 pages of the magazine. Reprinted? If anyone really needs "Astral Assassin," you can find all 33 thrill-sucking pages in The Best of 2000 AD #86.
The SOS from Space, reprinted in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1978 (June 1978). Riddle of the Astral Assassin, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 113-118 (May to June 1979). Story by Steve Moore, art by Ron Turner (pts 1-5) & "L. John Silver" (Carlos Ezquerra, pt 6).
RO-BUSTERS Creators: Pat Mills & Carlos Pino 56 episodes: 1978-83 This was the first of two major success stories inherited when the anthology Starlord folded. The Ro-Busters are a disaster recovery crew along the lines of International Rescue from Thunderbirds, only they are staffed by a crew of robots (chief among them our lead characters Ro-Jaws and Hammerstein) and they are by no means as charitable as the Tracy boys had been. Mr. Ten Percent (so named because only ten percent of him, his brain, was human) charges for the dangerous work his droids perform. Apparently, around nine other Ro-Busters tales appeared in Starlord, by which point Pat Mills was already running dry on bizarre disasters for the robots to handle, prompting a rethink as it begain its 2000 AD run, which lasted eight months. Following this, it was replaced by the "sequel" series, The ABC Warriors, which took place after the flashback "Hammerstein's War Memoirs" but before the "contemporary" tales of Hammerstein, Ro-Jaws, Mek-Quake and Mr. Ten Per Cent. Subsequent Warriors tales take place centuries after Ro-Busters. Hammerstein was shown in these stories to be the first Mk III battle droid, sent into action in the closing days of the war against Volganaya. There were a few subsequent Ro-Busters adventures penned by Alan Moore for annuals, including a wonderful parody of Thunderbirds itself, but otherwise the characters have lived on in Nemesis and The ABC Warriors. Top moment: How can anyone forget an entire town singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to its beloved lighthouse droid Charlie? Reprinted? Most of the 2000 AD episodes (all but "Ro-Jaws's Memoirs") were reprinted in two Titan collections in the 1980s. Some of the Starlord episodes made their way into some of the mid-80s Sci-Fi Specials. The American Sam Slade, Robo-Hunter comic found space for several episodes as well. Extreme Edition # 24 (2007) reprinted "Hammerstein's War Memoirs," "Old Red Eyes is Back" and "The Rise and Fall of Ro-Jaws and Hammerstein." All of these were made redundant with the release of Rebellion's complete collection.
The North Sea Tunnel, double-length episode, Starlord 1 (May 1978). Story by Pat Mills, art by Carlos Pino. The Preying Mantis, 3 episodes, Starlord 2-4 (May to June 1978). Story by Pat Mills, art by Carlos Pino & Dave Gibbons. Midpoint, 2 episodes, Starlord 5-6 (June 1978). Story by Bill Henry, art by Ian Kennedy. The Ritz Space Hotel, 6 episodes, Starlord 7-12 (June to July 1978). Story by Pat Mills, art by Carlos Pino The Farnborough Droid Show, 2 episodes, Starlord 13-14 (Aug. 1978). Story by "V. Gross," art by Ian Kennedy. Massacre on the Moon, 5 episodes, Starlord 15-19 (Aug. to Sept. 1978). Story by Chris Lowder, art by Jose Ferrer & Carlos Pino. The Tax Man Cometh!, 3 episodes, Starlord 20-22 (Sept. to Oct. 1978). Story by Chris Lowder, art by Jose Ferrer & Carlos Pino. Death on the Orient Express, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 86-87 (Oct. 1978). Story by Pat Mills, art by Dave Gibbons. Hammerstein's War Memoirs, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 88-92 (Oct. to Nov. 1978). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill (pts 1 & 3), Mike Dorey (pt 2), Dave Gibbons (pt 4) and Mike White (pt 5). Ro-Jaws's Memoirs, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 93-97 (Dec. 1978 to Jan. 1979. Story by Pat Mills, art by Mike Dorey. The Terra-Meks, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 98-101 (Feb. 1979). Story by Mills, art by Dave Gibbons. The Fall and Rise of Ro-Jaws and Hammerstein, 13 episodes, 2000 AD progs 103-115 (Mar. to June 1979). Story by Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill (pts 1-2 & 9-10), Mike McMahon (pts 3-6 & 11-13) and Mike Dorey (pts 7-8). Avalanche!, 1980 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1979). Art by Kev Sutherland. untitled, 1981 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1980). Story by Chris Stevens, art by Dave Harwood. Bax the Burner, 1982 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1981). Story by Alan Moore, art by Steve Dillon. Old Red Eyes is Back, 1983 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1982). Story by Alan Moore, art by Bryan Talbot. Stormeagles are Go!, 1984 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1983). Story by Alan Moore, art by Joe Eckers.
REBELLION REPRINTS The Complete Ro-Busters (11/08). Reprints all of the above stories.
RO-JAWS' ROBO-TALES anthology series 20 episodes: 1979-82 This was an anthology series “hosted” by Ro-Jaws, each episode bringing another “twist ending” story which involved robots in some way. It is notable for three installments: the first appearance of Alan Moore’s Abelard Snaaz, an episode set in the ABC Warriors universe which features the robot monkey bombs which had been introduced in prog 122, and the episode “Shok!,” which was later used without credit as the basis for a low-budget sci-fi film called Hardware. The subsequent lawsuit and furor is probably the only reason anybody has ever heard of that movie. Reprinted? Sporadic episodes have been dusted off here and there, but nobody has embarked on a coherent reprint program for this.
The Inside Story, 2000 AD prog 144 (Dec. 1979). Story by Pat Mills, art by Kevin O'Neill. Damian, The Child of Tomorrow, 2000 AD prog 147 (Jan. 1980). Story by "W. Gosmore" (Gosnell & Prigmore), art by Mike White. It's a Knockout, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 148-149 (Jan. 1980). Story by Oleh Stepaniuk, art by Jose Casanovas. The Revolt of the Tick Tock Monkey Bomb, 2000 AD prog 157 (Mar. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Dave Gibbons. Droids are Dispensible, 2000 AD prog 161 (Apr. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Brett Ewins. The Robot Revolution, 1980 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (July 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Trevor Goring. The Wanderer, 1980 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (July 1980). Story by Kev Sutherland, art by Steve Kyte. Ye First Robote, 2000 AD prog 166 (July 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Brendan McCarthy. The Killer in the Cab, 2000 AD prog 170 (July 1980). Story by Alan Moore, art by John Richardson. The Contender, 2000 AD prog 175 (Aug. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Brett Ewins. The Robo Shrink, 2000 AD prog 176 (Sep. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by John Higgins. The Dating Game, 2000 AD prog 176 (Sep. 1980). Story by Alan Moore, art by Dave Gibbons. Shok!, 1981 Judge Dredd Annual (Sep. 1980). Story by "Rogan" (MacManus) & Kevin O'Neill, art by O'Neill. The Tidy-Up Droid, 2000 AD prog 181 (Oct. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Dave Gibbons. Tomorrow Brings Doom, 2000 AD prog 183 (Oct. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Dave Gibbons. Night of the Werebot, 2000 AD prog 184 (Oct. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Dave Gibbons. Miracle in Slum Alley, 2000 AD prog 188 (Oct. 1980). Story by Gary Rice, art by Ian Gibson. The Final Solution, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 189-190: see ABELARD SNAZZ. Spirit of Vengeance, 2000 AD prog 198 (Feb. 1981). Story by Gary Rice, art by Dave Gibbons. The Pirate and the Polydroid, 1982 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1981). Story by Steve Parkhouse, art by Ewan Smith. Silicon Soul, 1983 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1982). Story by Gary Rice, art by Alan Langford.
ROADKILL Creators: Dan Abnett & Richard Elson 4 episodes: 2000 Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original progs.
Roadkill, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1208-1211 (Aug. to Sep. 2000). Story by Dan Abnett, art by Richard Elson & D'Israeli.
ROBO-HUNTER Creators: John Wagner, Ian Gibson & Jose Ferrer 215 episodes: 1978-80, 1982-83, 1985, 1991-94, 1996, 2003-2005, 2007 (note the 66 episodes of the 1990s are no longer considered canonical) Raymond Chandler once wrote a few words about mean streets and the detective who walked down them ideally not himself being mean. Well, Sam Slade wasn’t mean, but he was stressed to the point of an imminent heart attack, and the streets he walked were not so much mean as utterly insane, and the combination of such a classic character with a truly perfect background made for a flawless comic gem. Simply put, the original series of Robo-Hunter is one of 2000AD's high points. It's irreverent, silly and bold. Sam Slade is a robo-hunter, a private eye who specializes in missing or stolen droids. In a future world where even the furniture is sentient, this can be a reasonably busy job. Ian Gibson’s designs for dozens and dozens of oddball robots of all shapes and sizes help elevate this series to an elegant little work of genius, where every panel is filled with bizarre things to catch your eye. He is joined in his second story, the epic “Day of the Droids,” by two well-meaning assistants: Hoagy, a sort-of two-legged frog thing built from a kit, and Carlos Sanchez Robo-Stogie, a robot cigar which weans its smoker off nicotine by steadily decreasing the amount the smoker inhales. Roy Huggins, explaining the classic Western Maverick to new writers, said that in a conventional Western, the situation is always serious, but never hopeless. In Maverick, as indeed in Robo-Hunter, the situation is never serious, but it’s utterly hopeless. Sam gets mired in such unbelievably grandiose plots that the situation is never less than hysterical, and Wagner somehow manages to keep piling it on. All of his episodes feature such a constantly escalating mess that when his bravado slips and he whines “Holy Joe Smith, great god of robo-hunters, don’t DO this to your old pal Sam!” you can’t help but sympathize with him even while you’re having the laugh of your life. Such a concept cannot be strung along for years; an appropriate teetering disaster of Robo-Hunter-proportions is assuredly much more difficult to write than most any other adventure strip, and Sam did not outlast his welcome, wrapping up nicely in “Sam Slade’s Last Case” and returning for what should certainly have been the final series, “Farewell, My Billions.” Unfortunately, Tharg brought it back, giving Sam to hawt newcomer Mark Millar in 1991 and the results were unpleasant at best. Millar’s take on Sam was extremely violent and what attempts at humor could be found were forced into the narrative by “wacky” characters. He also made the bizarre choice to reposition Sam as a minor celebrity known by most of the public. To be fair, some of the artists commissioned for this run did a decent job, and one or two of the cliffhangers were amusing, but mostly this is a sham of a series, and worth forgetting. Happily, better things were on the horizon, and Peter Hogan contributed 13 extremely good little gems, mostly illustrated by Rian Hughes. Hogan accurately identified everything that was right about the original series, and ignored all the ultraviolence and stupidity of Millar’s run. Hogan’s Robo-Hunter was tongue-in-cheek, sly, sweet and extremely clever: Millar would never have thought to have robots abduct New York by building two gigantic legs underneath it to walk the town away. Hughes was a perfect choice to succeed Ian Gibson, with a dramatic flair for retro design which perfectly suited legions of bizarre robots. Unfortunately, Hogan was working against considerable public outcry against the retooled series, and Hughes’ art, which has never been as popular as it should, kept many naysayers from looking twice at these far superior stories. Hogan himself stopped working for 2000 AD following disagreements in 1995-96 with editor David Bishop over the direction of Strontium Dogs and Durham Red. Bishop, and the editors who have followed him, have felt strongly about relaunches without the inclusion of the original creator. Thus, Slade remained in retirement until Prog 2004, when Hoagy and Stogie crossed paths with Sam's granddaughter Samantha... Ian Gibson had designed Samantha C. Slade some years before the series returned, but John Wagner declined to return to the world of robo-hunters. Enter Alan Grant, who had written or co-written Sam's adventures in 1982-83. This series sneakily picks up five years after "Farewell, My Billions," quickly dismissing anything that happened since as the adventures of some robot pretending to be Sam. Our old pal Sam's been reduced to a head in a tank, and he initially had to do a little convincing to get his recalcitrant granddaughter to enter the family business, and the results are wonderfully manic and silly. Objectively, one must concede that there remains some question among fandom whether there's a place for the strip's revival, but I'd say 2000 AD is all the better for its return! Ian Gibson stepped down from the series during the sixth of the new stories, which promised Samantha will return in "La Revolution Robotique." Tharg's plate looks a little full for the near future; it will likely be late 2009 before this begins. Top moment: Bound, gagged and wearing concrete boots, Sam slowly sinks in the polluted East River. Hoagy and Stogie arrive to “help,” but think that it is an advanced robo-hunter test and attempt to decipher Sam’s muffled screams for help! Reprinted? Titan reprinted the first 45 episodes in four of their mid-80s collections. That first story also saw print in a 5-part Eagle Comics miniseries with new covers by Ian Gibson. Around 1987, Quality Comics started their Sam Slade, Robo-Hunter ongoing series, which initially featured four episodes (starting with "Beast of Blackheart Manor" and "The Filby Case" before ducking back to "Day of the Droids") backed with one Ro-Busters installment in each issue. This well-intentioned series quickly fell into disrepair, with awful coloring, terrible covers by hack studio artists, and, by its 31st and final issue, less than 10 pages of Sam Slade per comic, the rest of the issue taken up by other strips. The Best of 2000 AD reprint book occasionally featured Robo-Hunter reprints. Part of me recalls that the first one or two Millar adventures were reprinted in some other American comic, possibly called Cyber Crush, but this is uncertain and you don't want to read those anyway. DC/Rebellion's graphic novel line had planned us a series of Robo-Hunter collections. The first, reprinting "Verdus," appeared in December 2004 and the second, reprinting "Day of the Droids," arrived in April 2005. The collapse of the DC deal meant a slight delay in the third volume, but it made it to UK shops in December 2005. A fourth edition, completing the original run, was passed over. The remaining episodes were printed in the last two issues of 2000 AD Extreme Edition in 2008.
Verdus, 22 episodes, 2000 AD progs 76-84 and 100-112 (Aug. 1978 to May 1979). Story by "TB Grover" & "Mike Stott" (John Wagner), art by Jose Ferrer (pts 1-2) Ian Gibson (pts 3-23). Day of the Droids, 23 episodes, 2000 AD progs 152-174 (Feb. to Aug. 1980). Story by "TB Grover" (Wagner), art by Ian Gibson. The Beast of Blackheart Manor, 6 episodes plus prologue, 2000 AD progs 259-265 (Apr. to May 1982). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Gibson. The Filby Case, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 266-272 (May to July 1982). Story by (John Wagner and) Alan Grant, art by Gibson. The Killing of Kidd, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 275-281 (July to Sept. 1982). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Football Crazy, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 283-288 (Sept. to Oct. 1982). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Play it Again, Sam, 16 episodes, 2000 AD progs 292-307 (Nov. 1982 to Mar. 1983). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. The Slaying of Slade, 19 episodes, 2000 AD progs 312-330 (Apr. to Aug. 1983). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Hoagy's First Case, 1984 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1983). Story by "Staccato" (Alan Grant) art by Ian Gibson. Sam Slade's Last Case, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 331-334 (Aug. to Sep. 1983). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Farewell, My Billions, 9 episodes, 2000 AD progs 435-443 (Sep. to Nov. 1985). Story by John Wagner & Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Virus, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 723-734 (Mar. to June 1991). Story by Mark Millar, art by Jose Casanovas Jr. Return of the Puppet Master, 1991 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special. (July 1991). Story by Mark Millar, art by Simon Jacob. Killer Grannies, 1992 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1991). Story by Mark Millar, art by Graham Higgins. Escape from Bisleyland, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 750-759 (Sep. to Nov. 1991). Story by Mark Millar, art by Anthony Williams. Something for the Weekend, Sir?, 1992 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (June 1992). Story by John Smith, art by Chris Weston. Return to Verdus, 10 episodes plus prologue, 2000 AD progs 792-802 (July to Sep. 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by J. Casanovas Jr. The Succubus, 1993 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by Simon Jacob. Ace of Slades, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 813-816 (Dec. 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by Anthony Williams. Serial Stunners, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 819-822 (Jan. to Feb. 1993). Story by Mark Millar, art by J. Casanovas Jr. Keith the Killer Robot, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 825-827 (Mar. 1993). Story by Mark Millar, art by Ron Smith. Slade Runner, 1994 2000 AD Yearbook (Sep. 1993). Story by Peter Hogan, art by Rian Hughes. Winnegan's Fake, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 852-854 (Sep. 1993). Story by Peter Hogan, art by Rian Hughes. The Robotic Revenge of Dr. Robotski, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 881-884 (Apr. 1994). Story by Mark Millar, art by Simon Jacob. Fax and Deductions, 1994 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special #17 (May 1994). Story by Peter Hogan, art by Simon Jacob. Robopolis, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 904-911 (Sep. to Oct. 1994). Story by Peter Hogan, art by Rian Hughes. War of the Noses, 2000 AD prog 1023 (Dec. 1996). Story by Peter Hogan, art by Rian Hughes. Like a Virgin, 4 episodes, 2000 AD "Prog 2004" and 1371-1373 (Dec. 2003 to Jan. 2004). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. The Furzt Case, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1406-1411 (Sep. to Oct. 2004). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. The Davinchy Code, double-length episode, 2000 AD "Prog 2005" (Dec. 2004). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Stim!, 7 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1450-1456 (Aug. to Sep. 2005). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. Casino Royal, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1527-1531 (Mar. to Apr. 2007). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson. I, Jailbird, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1545-1549 (July to Aug. 2007). Story by Alan Grant, art by Ian Gibson (pts 1-2) and Anthony Williams (pts 3-5).
DC/REBELLION REPRINTS Volume One: Verdus (12/04). Reprints "Verdus." Volume Two: Day of the Droids (4/05). Reprints "Day of the Droids" and "The Beast of Blackheart Manor." Volume Three: Play it Again, Sam (12/05). Reprints "The Filby Case," "The Killing of Kidd," "Football Crazy" and "Play it Again, Sam."
ROGAN GOSH Creators: Peter Milligan & Brendan McCarthy 6 episodes: 1990 Milligan and McCarthy had collaborated on several series before this one, but Rogan Gosh, the "story" of a karmanaut on a reincarnation odyssey having something to do with Rudyard Kipling, was possibly the ultimate psychedelic experience from the duo, a strip so far out there that most readers discount it as being impenetrable, ponderous garbage. Pretty to look at, though. Reprinted? Following Milligan's Stateside success with DC Comics, Vertigo repackaged the series for a one-off special.
Rogan Gosh, 6 episodes, Revolver 1-6 (July to Dec. 1990). Story by Peter Milligan, art by Brendan McCarthy.
ROGUE TROOPER series one Creators: Gerry Finley-Day & Dave Gibbons 271 episodes: 1981-89, 1992-93, 1999, 2002-present Third after Dredd and Johnny Alpha among 2000 AD’s “big three,” Rogue Trooper is certainly the weakest of this well-known triad. Rogue is a blue-skinned genetically-engineered super-soldier on the war-torn planet of Nu-Earth, whose poisonous atmosphere requires regular humans to wear atmospheric suits. Betrayed by a traitor general, the genetic infantrymen were wiped out during the Quartz Zone Massacre. Intending to avenge his comrades, Rogue, who conveniently had that nickname already, goes AWOL to track the general down. He is accompanied by the disembodied personalities of three of his colleagues: Helm, Gunnar and Bagman, also conventiently named and stored on bio-chips in his helmet, rifle and backpack. Rogue Trooper was never much more than an average series enriched by its artists, who included Dave Gibbons and Cam Kennedy. It managed some occasional highs, such as "All Hell on the DIX-1 Front," "Fort Neuro" and the story that introduced Venus Bluegenes, "From Hell to Eternity." However, the constant grind of endless episodes tracking down the traitor general really ran the series down. The general was finally killed in the 161st episode of the series (it only took Richard Kimble 120 to find the one-armed man!), which should certainly have been the end of the strip. Unfortunately, it continued, first reformatted over 26 parts which saw Rogue battling alien weirdies on the planet Horst to find an antigen needed to restore his bio-chipped buddies into humanoid bodies. Surely that should have been the end, but no, three months later, there was a six-week story showing that a sinister alien force was manipulating the war on Nu-Earth. A year later, the series returned, now reworked to spotlight Rogue acting at the behest of peacenik aliens to assassinate twelve humans responsible for escalating hostilities on the planet. This reworking - "Rogue as Cosmic Assassin" - never worked at all, which is why they burned the storyline off in the second Winter Special. “Cinnabar,” the last of the weekly episodes, is a Nu-Earth flashback, and certainly the best Rogue story presented since those first 5-6 episodes that Dave Gibbons drew. Even while “Cinnabar” was running, plans were afoot to revamp and relaunch Rogue Trooper in a new strip (see series two (Friday) below). Some annual stories visited the character afterwards, but the original Rogue and his bio-chip buddies were otherwise left abandoned until 1995 and that series’ “Blue on Blue.” Soon afterwards, Rogue, Helm and Bagman all died on board a space station, leaving Gunnar alone to fight with Friday and his biochips. Some years later, the series Mercy Heights introduced another genetic infantryman, Tor Cyan. Prog 2000’s Rogue Trooper story revealed that Cyan was a genetic descendant of Rogue, which, again, was a darn fine place to end the series... Unfortunately, Tharg simply cannot leave well enough alone. Tor Cyan’s subsequent solo series was a misbegotten mess, but it sparked a few ideas that there might still be room for a moody blue dude with a gun, albeit one without all the continuity mess created when writers tried to “explain” Friday. A new Rogue Trooper revival was duly launched in prog 1301. Technically, this might be called “series three,” but as it is the same character on the same Nu-Earth as the original, these episodes are included in this listing. The current series is set during the search for the traitor general and has a few subplots of its own. Gordon Rennie’s scripts are certainly better than some of Gerry Finley-Day’s less inspired offerings, but the new run lacks an artist with the flair of Gibbons, Ewins or Kennedy. Trivia: Dave Gibbons recounted in Thrill-Power Overload! part 5 (in Judge Dredd Megazine vol.4 #13) that one of Gerry Finley-Day's earliest proposals had Rogue "built" genetically from various European "parts;" his Italian legs would give him great speed, while his German mind was extremely logical! Top moment: Brett Ewins handled the revelation of Venus Bluegenes’ treachery amazingly well. The script was pure hokum, and the revelation that the poor-helpless-damsel-in-distress was nothing of the sort was a tired cliché, but Ewins laid out that last page of “From Hell to Eternity” part 4 magnificently, the slow pacing and the character’s expression turning a stupid moment into something truly memorable. Apart from that, there's a strong argument to be made that 1989's disturbing "Cinnabar" might well be the very best Rogue adventure. Reprinted? Fortunately, a definitive series of reprints is now available. See the note under the episode listing. Previously, Rogue appeared in a number of formats, ranging from the 1980s Titan collections to one of the US Quality titles, none of which were particularly coherent or complete, although the Titan books did have some nice, specially-commissioned covers. The DC/Rebellion series contains the full run of weekly episodes from Gerry Finley-Day's 1981-1985 run across five volumes, but none of the annual or special stories are included. Five of these made their way into the May 2006 Extreme Edition # 15, along with the 1994 Dredd/Rogue crossover "Casualties of War" and the remarkable "Cinnabar" from 1989, so it serves in its own way as an "apocrypha" for the series.
Rogue Trooper, 2000 AD prog 228 (Sep. 1981). Story by Gerry Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Nu Paree, 2000 AD prog 229 (Sep. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Glass Zone, 2000 AD prog 230 (Sep. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Clash in Doomsday Valley, 2000 AD prog 231 (Sep. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Terror of the Decapitators, 2000 AD prog 232 (Oct. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Raiders, 2000 AD prog 234 (Oct. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Scum Sea, 2000 AD prog 235 (Oct. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Ascent to Buzzard-Three (aka Hoffa), 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 236-238 (Oct. to Nov. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson. The Rookies, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 239-240 (Nov. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. Blue Moon, 2000 AD prog 241 (Nov. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson. Poison, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 242-243 (Nov. to Dec. 1981). Story by Finley-Day, art by Mike Dorey. Fear of the Machine (aka Death City), 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 246-248 (Jan. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson. The Dreamweavers, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 249-250 (Jan. to Feb. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Dave Gibbons. The Buzzard (aka Coward of War), 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 251-253 (Feb. to Mar. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson. The Petrified Forest, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 254-257 (Mar. to Apr. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Mike Dorey. War of Nerves, 2000 AD prog 258 (Apr. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson. Bagman Blues, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 260-262 (Apr. to May 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins. The Body Looters, 2000 AD prog 265 (May 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Milli-Way Sixty-Six, 1982 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (June 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Eric Bradbury. All Hell on the DIX-1 Front, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 266-277 (June to Aug. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson (pts 1-5 & 10-12), Cam Kennedy (pts 6-7) and Brett Ewins (pts 8-9). Pray for War, 1983 2000 AD Annual (Aug. 1982). Story by Alan Moore, art by Brett Ewins, The Assassination Run, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 278-279 (Aug. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Hats Off to Helm, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 280-281 (Sep. to Oct. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Marauders, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 282-289 (Oct. to Nov. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Colin Wilson (pts 1, 4 & 8) and Cam Kennedy (pts 2-3 & 5-7). Fort Neuro: Prologue, 2000 AD prog 290 (Nov. 1982). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins. Fort Neuro, 19 episodes, 2000 AD progs 291-301 and 303-310 (Nov. 1982 to Apr. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins (pts 1-2 & 9-12) and Cam Kennedy (pts 3-8 & 13-19). Major Magnam, 4 episodes and prologue, 2000 AD progs 311-315 (Apr. to May 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins. Second Chance (aka Big Foot), 2000 AD prog 316 (May 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Bio-Wire, 2000 AD prog 317 (May 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Milli-Com Memories, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 318-322 (June 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Warheads (aka The Droidinators), 1983 Sci-Fi Special (June 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by "Boluda." Vid-Vultures, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 323-326 (July 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins. Eye of the Traitor, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 327-332 (July to Aug. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. First of the Few, 1984 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1983). Story by Alan Moore, art by Jesus Redondo. The Frisco Phog, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 333-334 (Sep. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by "Boluda." From Hell to Eternity, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 335-340 (Sep. to Nov. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Brett Ewins. Mega-Minefield, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 341-342 (Nov. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by "Boluda". The Gaspah, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 343-347 (Nov. to Dec. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Timeslip, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 348-349 (Dec. 1983). Story by Finley-Day, art by Boluda. Colonel Kovert, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 350-355 (Jan. to Feb. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. You Only Die Twice, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 358-364 and 366-368 (Feb. to Apr. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Message from Milli-Com, 9 episodes, 2000 AD progs 369-377 (June to Aug. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Portrait of a Rebel, 1984 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special. Story by "SIM-1" (Simon Geller), art by Brett Ewins Just Routine, 2000 AD prog 378 (Aug. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Trev Goring. Blind Terror, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 379-380 (Sep. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Steve Dillon. The War of Words, 1985 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1984). Story by "Ian Rogan" (Steve MacManus), art by Robin Smith. Death Valley, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 381-383 (Sep. to Oct. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. M for Murder, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 384-386 (Oct. 1984). Story by Steve MacManus, art by Cam Kennedy. To the Ends of Nu Earth, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 387-392 (Oct. to Nov. 1984). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Re-Gene, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 401-406 (Jan. to Feb. 1985). Story by Finley-Day, art by Cam Kennedy. Antigen of Horst, 20 episodes, 2000 AD progs 410-419, 422-426 and 428-432 (March to Aug. 1985). Story by Finley-Day, art by Jose Ortiz. Nortville, 1986 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1985). Story by "SIM-1" (Simon Geller), art by Cam Kennedy. Return to Milli-Com, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 444-449 (Nov. to Dec. 1985). Story by Finley-Day, art by Jose Ortiz. The Fanatics, 1986 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (July 1986). Story by Peter Milligan, art by Jose Ortiz. Nort by Nortwest, 1987 2000 AD Annual (Sep. 1986). Story by Peter Milligan, art by Jose Ortiz. The Hit Man, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 495-499 (Nov. to Dec. 1986). Story by Simon Geller and Steve MacManus, art by Steve Dillon. Hit One, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 520-531 (May to July 1987). Story by Geller, art by Steve Dillon. Hit Two, 5 episodes and prologue, 2000 AD progs 567-572 (April 1988). Story by Simon Geller, art by Steve Dillon. Hit Three: The Violent Majority, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 574-575 (May 1988). Story by Simon Geller, art by Steve Dillon. Through the Eyes of a Gun, 2000 AD prog 589 (Aug. 1988). Story and art by Steve Dillon. Hit Four: The New Moral Army, 5 episodes, 2000 AD progs 598-600 and 602-603 (Oct. to Dec. 1988). Story by Simon Geller, art by Steve Dillon. Cinnabar, 10 episodes, 2000 AD progs 624-630 and 633-635 (April to July 1989). Story by John Smith, art by Steve Dillon & Kevin Walker. The Final Hit, 2000 AD Winter Special 2 (Dec. 1989). credits unknown. untitled, 1992 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (June 1992). Story by Mark Millar, art by Brett Ewins & Jim McCarthy. Give War a Chance, 1994 2000 AD Yearbook (Sep. 1993). Story by Mark Millar, art by David Hill. Remembrance Day, 2000 AD "Prog 2000" (Dec. 1999). Story by John Tomlinson, art by Dave Gibbons. What Lies Beneath, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1301-1304 (July to Aug. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Staz Johnson & David Roach. Weapons of War, 2000 AD prog 1305 (Aug. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Dylan Teague. Overkill, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1306-1307 (Aug. to Sep. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Simon Coleby. Lions, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1308-1309 (Sep. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Staz Johnson & David Roach. A Visit to the Boneyard, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1310-1311 (Sep. to Oct. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Mike Collins & David Roach. Requiem, 2000 AD prog 1312 (Oct. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Simon Coleby. Angels, 2000 AD "Prog 2003" (Dec. 2002). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Simon Coleby. Ghouls, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1344-1349 (June-July 2003). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Staz Johnson, Mike Collins & David Roach. Realpolitik, 6 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1380-1385 (Mar. to Apr. 2004). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by P.J. Holden. Condor Six Down, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1462-1464 (Oct. to Nov. 2005). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Simon Coleby. Survival Lesson, 2000 AD Winter Special # 8 (Nov. 2005). Story by Gordon Rennie, art by Richard Elson. New Model Army, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1477-1479 (Mar. 2006). Story by Ian Edginton, art by Steve Pugh.
DC/REBELLION REPRINTS Volume One: The Future of War (2/05). Reprints "Rogue Trooper," "Nu Paree," "Glass Zone," "Clash in Doomsday Valley," "Terror of the Decapitators," "Raiders," "Scum Sea," "Ascent to Buzzard-Three," "The Rookies," "Blue Moon," "Poison," "Fear of the Machine," "The Dreamweavers," "The Buzzard," "The Petrified Forest," "War of Nerves," "Bagman Blues" and "The Body Looters." Volume Two: Fort Neuro (6/05). Reprints "All Hell on the DIX-1 Front," "The Assassination Run," "Hats Off to Helm," "Marauders" and "Fort Neuro." Volume Three: Eye of the Traitor (10/05). Reprints "Major Magnam," "Big Foot," "Bio-Wire," "Milli-Com Memories," "Vid-Vultures," "Eye of the Traitor," "The Frisco Phog," "From Hell to Eternity," "Mega-Minefield," "The Gaspah" and "Timeslip." Volume Four: To the Ends of Nu Earth (1/06). Reprints "Colonel Kovert," "You Only Die Twice," "Message from Milli-Com," "Just Routine," "Blind Terror," "Death Valley," "M for Murder" and "To the Ends of Nu Earth." Volume Five: Re-Gene (3/06). Reprints "Re-Gene," "Antigen of Horst" (split into two 10-part stories, the first of which is entitled "Return of Rogue Trooper") and "Return to Milli-Com." Volume Six: Realpolitik (3/07). Reprints "What Lies Beneath," "Weapons of War," "Overkill," "Lions," "A Visit to the Boneyard," "Requiem," "Angels," "Ghouls," "Realpolitik," "Condor Six Down" and "New Model Army."
ROGUE TROOPER series two (FRIDAY) Creators: Dave Gibbons & Will Simpson 128 episodes: 1990-96 Oh boy, where to start? If you hated Rogue Trooper in his first incarnation, don't bother with the 90s remake. The "origin" story, which was told in 3 month-long chunks over 37 weeks, is beautiful but tedious. The Fleisher stories are simply horrible. With a reliance on cliche that 2000 AD had never before shown, and the worst dialogue ever written in the book, they're painful. Ron Smith's artwork doesn't help. John Smith's fill-ins from the period are far better, but seem to take place in a more violent and bizarre universe than Fleisher's. There was a considerable amount of editorial rewriting on the “Scavenger of Souls” story which reintroduced the Bio-chips, breaking Fleisher’s original 12-part story into an 8-parter with a 2-part prologue. After this, Steve White took over the series, and it became more consistently readable than any time since 1984, but with an over-reliance on continuity and military tech-talk. The earliest of the White stories feature the first 2000 AD art from future star Henry Flint; Flint was succeeded by Steve Tappin, whose artwork is extremely good. Unfortunately, the small strides made by White were undermined by the baffling decision to tie in the Friday continuity with that of the original series. This just became a confusing mess of a “clone saga” like a bad mid-90s Marvel comic. Friday was mercifully retired in 1996. Shortly afterwards, another tough blue dude named Tor Cyan showed up in the series Mercy Heights before later getting his own strip. That, too, got linked back to the original Rogue Trooper, making some readers question why Tharg and the boys were so damn obsessed with a strip which wasn’t that great in the first place. For now, all this tomfoolery has been sidelined and Gordon Rennie has been scripting new “flashback” episodes set in the continuity of the original series. Top moment: Steve White pulled off a minor miracle in prog 949’s final episode of “Ascent.” The boarding party has taken casualties and interceptor ships have scrambled. It was looking like Midge was going to be a regular recurring character, but as she sadly and slowly tells Friday that all her ship’s systems are down, we realized the fatalities were going to get a lot worse... Reprinted? Some of the early Fleischer stories made it into an American Quality Comic called Rogue Trooper War Machine. You'll need the original progs for the later stories.
The War Machine, 14 episodes, 2000 AD progs 650-653, 667-671 and 683-687 (Oct. 1989 to July 1990). Story by Dave Gibbons, art by Will Simpson. Decoys, 1991 Rogue Trooper Annual (Nov. 1990). Story by Michael Fleisher, art by Chris Weston. The Undeath Project, 1991 Rogue Trooper Annual (Nov. 1990). Story by Michael Fleisher, art by Cam Smith, Tim Perkins. Bio-Death, 1991 Rogue Trooper Annual (Nov. 1990). Story by Michael Fleisher, art by Steve Dillon. Circus Daze, 1991 Rogue Trooper Annual (Nov. 1990). Story by Michael Fleisher, art by John Hicklenton. The Golden Fox Rebellion, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 712-723 (Jan. to Mar. 1991). Story by Michael Fleisher, art by Ron Smith. The Saharan Ice-Belt War, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 730-741 (May to July 1991). Story by Fleisher, art by Simon Coleby. Hollow Town, 1991 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (July 1991). Story by John Smith, art by Simon Coleby. The Arena of Long Knives, 1992 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1991). Story by Fleisher, art by Kevin Walker. Apocalypse Dreadnought, 12 episodes, 2000 AD progs 780-791 (Apr. to July 1992). Story by Fleisher, art by Ron Smith. Enfleshings, 1993 2000 AD Yearbook (Aug. 1992). Story by John Smith, art by Chris Weston. Shock Tactics, 1993 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (June 1993). Story by John Smith, art by Chris Weston. Scavenger of Souls prologue, 2 episodes, 2000 AD progs 850-851 (Aug. 1993). Story by Fleisher & "Sydney Falco" (Alan McKenzie), art by Simon Coleby. Scavenger of Souls, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 873-880 (Feb. to Mar. 1994). Story by Fleisher & "Falco" (McKenzie), art by Chris Weston & Mike Hadley. Some Mother's Son, 1994 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special (May 1994). Story by Steve White, art by Henry Flint. Mercy Killing, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 889-891 (May to June 1994). Story by Steve White, art by Henry Flint. Mercenary Attitudes, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 896-899 (July 1994). Story by Steve White, art by Henry Flint. GI Blues, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 901-903 (Aug. to Sept. 1994). Story by Steve White, art by Chris Weston & Gina Hart. Danger Drop, 1995 2000 AD Yearbook (Sept. 1994). Story by Steve White, art by Adrian Lutton. Blue on Blue, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 928-931 (Feb. to Mar. 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Henry Flint (pts 1-3) and Perryman/Abadzis/White (pt 4). Mindbombs, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 937-939 (Apr. to May 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Ed Perryman (pts 1-2) and Steve Tappin (pt 3). A Night Out with the Boys, 1995 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special #18 (June 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin. Ascent, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 946-949 (June to July 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin. Angels, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 950-952 (July to Aug. 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Charlie Adlard & Simon Jacob. Descent, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 964-966 (Oct. to Nov. 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin. Combat Rocks, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 967-970 (Nov. to Dec. 1995). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin. Hot Metal, 4 episodes, 2000 AD progs 983-986 (Mar. 1996). Story by Steve White, art by Henry Flint, Steve Tappin. Street Fighting Man, 3 episodes, 2000 AD progs 987-989 (Apr. 1996). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin. Gaia, 1996 Rogue Trooper Action Special (June 1996). Story by Steve White, art by Dougie Braithwaite & Alan Craddock. Shakedown, 1996 Rogue Trooper Action Special (June 1996). Story by Steve White, art by Steve Tappin & Alan Craddock. Collateral, 3 episodes, progs 1007-1009 (Sep. 1996). Story by White, art by Steve Tappin. Rogue Alone, 4 episodes, progs 1010-1013 (Sep. to Oct. 1996). Story by White, art by Calum Alexander Watt. Rogue Troopers, 9 episodes, progs 1014-1022 (Oct. to Dec. 1996). Story by White & Dan Abnett, art by Alex Ronald & Dondie Cox (pts 1, 3-5, 8-9) and Greg Staples (pts 2, 6-7).
ROSE O'RION Creators: Nigel Long & Dylan Teague 10 episodes: 1998-99 O'Rion, a redhaired galactic thief, appeared in two excellent Pulp Sci-Fi stories, and was the only character from that series popular enough to warrant a series commission, and, apparently, a dye job. The series was a huge misfire, losing all the simple, over-the-top fun of the first two stories in favor of melodrama and a galactic threat. Reprinted? This series has never been reprinted. You'll need the original progs.
False Profits, 2000 AD prog 1099 (June 1998). Story by "Kek-W" (Nigel Long), art by Dylan Teague & Alan Craddock. Hot Rocks, 2000 AD prog 1122 (Dec. 1998). Story by "Kek-W" (Long), art by Andy Clarke & Alan Craddock. Rose O'Rion, 8 episodes, 2000 AD progs 1151-1158 (July to Aug. 1999). Story by "Kek-W" (Long), art by Andy Clarke, Dylan Teague & Chris Blythe.