Posted on June 7, 2025June 9, 2025The Man with a Mission It seemed that all Trigan City was gathered on the great plain outside the walls. The announcer’s voice stilled the multitude to silence. Now for the most thrilling sporting event of the lunar year ! I give you . . . Lukaz Rann ! . . . Champion rocketeer of the Trigan Empire and the planet Elekton ! And today, Lukaz Rann will attempt to break his own height record of thirty-thousand fromms ! Rocketeering was the most dangerous sport known, and Lukaz Rann was its most intrepid hero. Three—two — one—zero—fire ! The living projectile streaked skywards. He’s done it ! He’s broken his own record ! The height indicator gives thirty-one thousand—thirty-two thousand fromms ! Now he’s parting from his rocket ! He . . . he’s in trouble ! Before the horrified gaze of thousands of upturned eyes, the rocketeer’s rescue equipment failed on opening. Lukaz fell thirty-three thousand fromms into the waters of Trigan Bay. By great good fortune, he was picked up by a pleasure boat. Careful with him, wife. When news of the mishap was brought to the Emperor, Trigo summoned Peric, Elekton’s top scientist. The surgeons are operating on Lukaz Rann immediately. I should like you to be present and give them the benefit of your vast knowledge of the healing arts. Gladly, imperial majesty. Throughout the rising and setting of many suns, the rocketeer’s life hung in the balance. The surgeons’ skills seemed to bring success. Before long, Lukaz Rann was able to take a few steps. Do you see me, Peric ? In no time at all, I’ll be riding a rocket again ! Lukaz, I have news for you. Lukaz, you are possibly the bravest person on this planet. But steel yourself ! What I am going to tell you is going to test your courage to the breaking point ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 699 on 7 June 1975.
Posted on May 24, 2025May 31, 2025The Man from the Future (continued . . .) Janno dived his stricken craft towards a broad river. Will I make it ? I’ve blown off the canopy. There’s still a chance. Janno kicked his way out of the wreckage. I’m safe— if only my lungs . . . hold . . . out ! But as he clawed his way to the bank . . . Come out with your hands on your head ! Later, he was interrogated. Why did you start the attack at dawn ? I have nothing to say. Toth Zandu informed us you were coming at midday ! So Toth Zandu is the traitor ! The traitor was already marked for punishment. Later, in another part of the Caton headquarters, grim orders were given. You are the one who first made contact with Toth Zandu ? Yes, sir ! You will accompany this trained killer to Trigan City. You will lead him to the victims residence and point him out. Then you will render any necessary assistance in eliminating Toth Zandu ! All that day, bells rang throughout the Trigan Empire in honour of the victorious attack. Toth Zandu was baffled and frightened. Cato is now in desperate straits for, despite their recent victories on land and sea, they are now without air-cover. It can’t be true ! I read of the Trigans’ defeat in the future. When dusk fell over Trigan City, a high- flying aircraft dropped two avengers. Toth Zandu was alone in his luxury villa when they burst in on him. I think you can guess why we’re here, double-dealer ! As he sped towards the city centre, he heard a sound behind him. The assassins from Cato were instantly surrounded by a sheer-sided projectile-proof wall that rose from the floor. Later, Toth Zandu left his villa and climbed into his hover-auto. Fools ! Though I know that no harm is destined to come to me, I take reasonable precautions against my enemies. This new development makes my position insecure. I must go to the Emperor and give him a number of sensational predictions about the future. Then I am safe, no matter what. Toth Zandu’s hand stabbed a button. You ! What do you want ? Vengeance ! It was Toth Zandu’s sworn enemy—the one he had cheated out of a fortune. This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 697 on 24 May 1975.
Posted on May 3, 2025May 31, 2025The Man from the Future (continued . . .) The watcher waited till all was silent in Toth Zandu’s bedchamber. Then he crept in, stealthily. Vengeance is mine. A keen blade flashed in the moonlight, but never descended. Gone ! But how could he have gone ? And where ? He’s never been out of my sight since he got into bed. Unknown to the would-be assassin, the individual whom the Trigans knew as Toth Zandu was travelling through the trackless wastes of time and space. Aeons passed in instants. Empires rose and fell. Countless generations were born and forgotten. He awoke in a familiar room in a familiar city. Nothing has changed, though countless million lunar years have gone by in the flickering of an eye ! The time-traveller walked through the broad streets of a noble city of the FUTURE. He was hailed by all who met him for was he not a person of substance ? May the stars smile on you this day, Zudd Ra. And upon you. Zudd Ra was keeper of the historical records and, as such, he was accorded great respect. But he craved more than respect. Now to familiarise myself with more details of the Trigan Empire in the far-off year of Zenf. Details which will be of use to me ! Flashed upon a screen, at the touch of a control, were facts recorded by Trigan scribes centuries before. “On the twenty-fifth day of the year of Zenf, Toth Zandu was appointed adviser extraordinary by his Imperial Majesty . . .” Now let us see what happened during the rest of the time that the Trigan Empire and Cato were at war. Night was falling when he left the place of historical records and returned to his apartment. I think I see a way to get what I want. After all, I am not ambitious for power, all I want is bound- less wealth ! And Trigan City in the year of Zenf is the place and the time to get it ! In the privacy of his chamber, he poured for himself some of the same strange liquid that he had swallowed in Trigan City. Let Trigo rule his empire. All I want is to be the richest of his subjects ! It was dawn in Trigan City when the time-traveller opened his eyes again. And the sky outside his window was resounding with gunfire. There’s an air-battle taking place overhead ! As he rushed out into his garden, a silvery shape flashed past over- head—in flames ! And something blossomed forth from the doomed craft. He’s going to land in my garden ! Toth Zandu was left in no doubt about the pilot’s nationality when he rushed forward to his assistance. Do as I order, Trigan . . . or perish ! This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 694 on 3 May 1975.
