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.
Posted on June 29, 2024July 1, 2024The Elixir of Youth (continued . . .) That morning, Mallo went to the Trigan City amphitheatre to watch two exponents of the ancient Vorg art of sword-fighting. Defend yourself, Luccus ! Strike at him, Kella ! Coaching them was Crillus, the greatest living professional sword-fighter. Enough ! You have lost the bout, Luccus ! In the bad old days, you would now be despatched ! Turning, the old warrior saw the newcomer. Its young Mallo, winner of the wrestling crown. Come to see me teaching what I can no longer practise, eh, lad ? You could still do it, Crillus ! You could still defeat every swordsman who came before you . . . . . . But it would cost you money ! . . . Big money ! Just what are you driving at ? You heard that Narrod broke the all-time air race-craft record yesterday ? Yes ! A man my own age ! I could scarcely believe my ears ! What of it ? Mallo explained . . . Are you trying to tell me that all I have to do is drink this green liquid and—like Narrod—I shall be young again ? Yes ! Don’t take my word for it. Take it home and try it ! The going price is a million thullars—the same as I charged Narrod ! This installment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 650 on 29 June 1974.
