Posted on February 10, 2023February 10, 2023The Lost Years (continued . . .) This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 578 on 10 February 1973.
Posted on December 30, 2022November 8, 2023The Lost Years (continued . . .) In the worst part of Trigan City was a low haunt given over to the illegal sport of colli-baiting. One night, a stranger entered . . . Who are you, and what do you want ? All strangers were suspect in that evil den. Er—I’m looking for a fellow named Rocco. He’s big and bearded. Perhaps you know him ? Rocco ? Never heard the name ! Be off with you ! Narri walked away down the ill-lit alleyway. I’ve searched everywhere for him, and that was my last hope. It’s no use ! And then . . . it happened ! Aaaaaeeeeghhhh . . . Who are you, eh ? A police spy ? Why are you searching for me, hey ? I . . . I heard that you were looking for somewhere to live and . . . and I might be able to help you ! The big man released Narri. I’m thinking of leaving my place, see ? And I might let you have it cheaply. It’s true my place burnt down the other day. Let me know when you leave, eh ? You can always find me at the colli-baiting. Narri went on his way, a great dread in his heart. It really wasn’t a dream. It will all happen ! Rocco will take over my house, just as I saw him. You can’t change the future ! Back home, he looked down at the tiny sapling by his door. That will grow up into a tall tree, just as I saw it in the future. The Trigan Empire will fall, and the tyrant will take over ! It’s all inevitable ! And then . . . with a sudden flash of inspiration . . . It’s not inevitable ! This sapling won’t grow into a tree, for a start ! My fore-knowledge has enabled me to destroy the sapling and change the future, so I can change the course of other future events ! With my fore-knowledge, I can save the Trigan Empire ! Early next morning, the Emperor Trigo and his young nephew Janno were at swordplay exercise in a courtyard of the Imperial Palace. Hah ! Well done, lad ! You improve daily ! Suddenly, a figure leapt from the top of the high wall ! Cut him down ! Imperial Majesty ! Narri struggled forward and threw himself at the feet of his Emperor. Who is this fellow ? He’s obviously mad ! You are in danger, Imperial Majesty. Only I can save you ! You must listen to me . . . This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 572 on 30 December 1972.
Posted on April 15, 2022January 23, 2024The Zota Club The first of the tragic and inexplicable disasters took place on a day like any other day. A pilot of the Trigan Air Fleet took off on a routine training flight. His instructor and flight commander watched him go. Garran is a promising young fighter pilot. Yes, and careful, too. Not like some of the young hot-heads we’ve been getting recently. Suddenly, the craft flipped over—and streaked back towards the air base at zero height. Look out ! What does he think— ? The blast of disintegrator shells rose above the scream of the craft’s racing engines ! Flashing low over the scene of destruction, the craft headed towards a high pylon. Too late, the pilot saw his peril . . . By the time they reached the scene of the crash, it was too late to do anything. Why did he do it—why ? We’ll never know—now ! The second mystery disaster was brought about by a scientist named Ricco. He worked in the Imperial Science Laboratories. One morning, he brought two highly unstable chemicals into close proximity. . . . Then swiftly walked out of the building. His face was blank. It remained blank and he never so much as looked back— when the Imperial Science Laboratories were riven by a shattering explosion ! Three days later, with the disasters still unexplained, the Emperor Trigo was addressing his council on another matter of great gravity. Gentlemen ! I do not have to warn you that the misunderstanding between ourselves and Cato could lead to war. I warn you to treat the Caton Ambassadors with great tact and courtesy, so that we can settle our differences ! The doors of the council chamber swung open. Imperial Majesty ! Excellencies ! . . . The noble Ambassadors from Cato ! Remember ! One unguarded word could lead to war ! Escorted by the Emperor’s nephew, Janno, the haughty Caton Ambassadors entered—eager and ready for trouble. They found trouble soon enough ! The guardsman on the door brought down his weapon . . . and . . . This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 535 on 15 April 1972.
