The Trigan Empire

The Air Fleet base near Trigan City was a scene of colourful activity. An inspection by no less than Marshal Rossu, chief of the mighty Trigan Air Arm.

It was the occasion of the Emperor’s birthday. The Marshal paused for a word with the Emperor’s nephew, Janno.

Ah, Lieutenant Janno. You will, of course, be attending the reception at the palace after the fly-past. Join me after we land, and accompany me in my automobile.

Yes, Excellency. Thank you.

Later, led by Marshal Rossu’s all-red fighting craft, Janno and his companions flew in tight formation over the Imperial Palace . . .

. . . where the Emperor Trigo took the salute.

After the fly-past, the Marshal’s craft was first to land.























And then, as it came to a halt . . .

Hey! Where’s the pilot?

The Marshal! He—he’s disappeared!

Nothing here but his flying kit!

News was brought to the Emperor.

He can’t have disappeared!

It’s true, Uncle! One instant his Excellency was at the controls, the next there was nothing left but his helmet and gravity-suit.

The Air Fleet High Command held an enquiry some days later. Ten mechanics gave evidence and all told the same tale.

You were the first to point out that there was no pilot in the craft as it taxied to a halt?

Yes, sir. And when we looked inside, he’d vanished!

Other enquiries—of a more confidential nature—were made at the Emperor’s orders. But to no avail.

The Marshal has a happy family life. His financial affairs are in good order, his health excellent. There is no reason, in the opinion of the secret police, why he should choose to disappear.

Then he must have been taken by force, unwillingly. But . . . how?

That morning, at the other side of the city, the owner of a weapons shop made a casual remark to his assistant.

I shall be in my office if you require me.

Yes, sir.

Some time later . . .

‘Scuse me, sir. A gentleman here wants to buy a . . .

By all the stars!

What’s the matter?

My boss has vanished, that’s what! And left his clothes behind!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 753 on 19 June 1976.

With an animal-like howl of fury, Roffa threw himself at his friend.

Gnnnnnnghh!

Janno ducked and fired his rifle from the hip.

The drugged dart contained in the harmless projectile swiftly did its work. But as Janno stooped to gather up his unconscious comrade, he heard a sudden series of frenzied screams.

The party of old people, maddened by the fall-out, came bounding towards their intended victim.

Gaaaaaah!

Ngaaaaaah!

At the last moment, the pilot from the heli-jet descended.

Grab hold of your friend and let’s go!

Kill! Kill!

Yaaaaagh!























Later in Trigan City, Peric, Elekton’s most famous scientist, carried out a series of tests on Roffa.

He’s coming round. Stand well back. With that uncanny strength, he may burst his bonds!

Janno, old friend. What . . . what happened?

This is astounding!

Master Peric, all the old people have been rendered unconscious and harmless with the drugged darts. Where do you want them?

Bring them into the laboratory, Lieutenant. Somehow, somewhere, I must find the answer to this strange phenomenon!

All that night, Peric laboured. Testing—theorising—testing again. And when dawn came . . .

I have it. The only hypothesis that fits the facts!

And, however improbable, it has to be—the truth!

That morning, Elekton’s greatest scientist explained how by a curious freak of fate, the scourge had been defeated by a simple chemical compound.

The drug that quietened the victims also reversed the process of mutation that caused the affliction. We have an antidote!

I also discovered that potential victims are all of the same blood group. This simplifies matters, for people of this blood group, only, need to be careful about not eating freshly-grown vegetation.

So was the plague overcome. People were free to partake of the zamberries without any of the dreaded after-effects . . .

 . . . Thanks to Peric’s infallible remedy, the dreadful scourge of Elekton was gone forever. Now, the fearful, red-eyed monsters who had terrorised the planet were nothing more than an unpleasant memory.

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 752 on 12 June 1976.

To a patrolling trio of fighting-craft high above Trigan City, there came a message.

Calling green leader. Lieutenants Janno, Roffa and Keren to return to base immediately! This is a special emergency.

In the lead craft, Janno’s nerves tautened. He communicated with his wingers.

I bet there’s been another victim—or victims—of the fall-out!

Let’s go, Janno!

The three pilots reported to the top secret headquarters where the great scientist Peric was awaiting them.

We’ve got about twelve of them on our hands now! It’s like having a dozen prehistoric monsters on the rampage.

Who are they, Peric?

A party of old people on a day’s outing to the sea!

“Something happened to them this morning, and now they’re terrorising a small holiday resort down on the coast.”

Gaaaaaaah!

Naaaaaagh!

 “A police patrol tried to deal with them,” continued Peric. “And came off badly.”

Eeeeeeeh!























News of this happening must not leak out, or we shall be faced with a world-wide panic!

Those victims must be captured and brought in for examination.

This is the weapon you will use—the gun that fires a drugged dart!

Shortly after midday, the three volunteers were dropped into the holiday resort.

Not a sign of anyone!

They landed, took cover and had a brief council-of-war.

Roffa and I will circle the town and come back this way down the main street. You keep us covered, Keren.

Right, Janno!

Slowly, carefully, the two crept forward.

See anything, Roffa?

Roffa, I said can you . . . Aaah!

Roffa’s eyes were as red as fire and gleaming with animal frenzy.

Gnaaaaaggh!

Naaaaagh!

The scourge from space had struck again!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 751 on 5 June 1976.