Science Fiction is my lifesblood, pure and simple. A nice futuristic setting where anything goes is right where I'll be, and 2000AD has never disappointed. For the last thirty-five years, they have provided thrills and more. Rogue Trooper was my personal favourite.
Set in the fictional death-world of Nu-Earth, an entire planet lain waste by nuclear and chemical weapons, two political factions known across the stars as the Norts (reminiscent of Nazis) and the Southers (the alleged good guys) wage and endless war for supremacy. Nu-Earth is located just outside a black-hole, which is able to transport ships from one part of the galaxy to another, and because of this, the world is strategically essential to both sides. Unfortunately, due to the incessant warfare, the air is a poisonous fume, the waters are now corrosive chemicals and save for a few dome-cities, the landscape rendered desert stretching as far as the eye can see. Under these conditions the forces of both sides are forced to fight wearing environment suits to survive. Air and replacement filters can safely be added to the tally of things on supply lists.
However, the Southers have developed a way to turn the tide of the war in their favour. Their scientists have created the Genetic Infantrymen, or G.I.s. These genetically engineered super-soldiers were developed to survive the hellish conditions brought about by the war. These shirtless, blue-skinned men and women were supposed to win the war, but this was not to be.
One of the Souther generals had other plans and sought personal gain by selling crucial information to the Norts. Aptly named the Traitor General, he grants the Norts knowledge of the G.I. regimental deployment. This allows the Norts to set up an ambush.
In the ensuing massacre every G.I. is killed except for one, the eponymous Rogue, who has managed to escape the fight and collect the data chips from three of his comrades and installed these chips into the various items he carries. One is interred within his helmet, dubbed "Helm." Another in his rifle, named "Gunnar." And the last in his multipurpose backpack, called "Bagman." Together, this four-in-one squad must seek out revenge against the Traitor General who sold them out. To accomplish this goal, however, they must undertake their own way, thus earning Rogue his name. Along the way they thwart many Nort schemes and learn how to deal with the hellish world that the must call home.
Rogue Trooper is without question my favourite comic to date. It's simplicity and flavour is gritty and dirty, but not so much so that it loses all semblance of reality. The comic takes many turns toward humour and revels in it. New characters are introduced. Some live, and some die. Rogue and the gang are there for all of it, and they must cope with the reality from which the cannot escape, no matter how much they want to.
Something that makes me laugh a little is that Rogue earns his name before the massacre that nets him his soloist reputation. Nonetheless the comic is a lot of fun to read and if you can hunt down the trade paperbacks, I recommend it if your into science fiction. Though this comic is certainly not for everyone, as it can drone a little. Sometimes the buildup can take a long time, and even for me that is a lot to buy. No pun intended.
No comments:
Post a Comment