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Essential Rogue Trooper: Genetic Infantryman
The first of a new series in the Essential line featuring 2000 AD’s legendary war machine, Rogue Trooper!
Rogue Trooper is the last of the G.I.s – genetically-engineered infantrymen designed to withstand the noxious atmosphere of Nu-Earth, a planet ravaged by the conflict between Norts and Southers. The lone survivor of the Quartz Zone Massacre, equipped with the bio-chips of his fallen clone brothers, he crosses the war-torn landscape in search of the Traitor General, the man responsible for their deaths – and he will not rest until he has his revenge!
The first volume in the Essential series features stories by creators Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), with art by Colin Wilson (Judge Dredd), Cam Kennedy (Star Dark Empire), and Brett Ewins (Bad Company, Skreemer).
Rogue Trooper is the last of the G.I.s – genetically-engineered infantrymen designed to withstand the noxious atmosphere of Nu-Earth, a planet ravaged by the conflict between Norts and Southers. The lone survivor of the Quartz Zone Massacre, equipped with the bio-chips of his fallen clone brothers, he crosses the war-torn landscape in search of the Traitor General, the man responsible for their deaths – and he will not rest until he has his revenge!
The first volume in the Essential series features stories by creators Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), with art by Colin Wilson (Judge Dredd), Cam Kennedy (Star Dark Empire), and Brett Ewins (Bad Company, Skreemer).
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 16, 2024
Essential Rogue Trooper contains a selection of Rogue Trooper serials that were published in the 2000AD comic. From what I can tell, the selections skip around from 1981 to 1982, but they are laid out in sequential order. Highlights include the Rogue's origin story, as well as the origin for his talking rifle (Gunnar), helmet (Helm), and backpack (Bagman).
The plot is very basic: Rogue is a Genetic Infantryman (GI) who has been genetically modified to tolerate the toxic environment of Nu Earth. Nu Earth is stuck in a state of perpetual war between the Norts and the Southers.
Rogue and his companion GIs were created by the Southers to break the stalemate between the two sides. A traitor gave the Souther plan to the Norts, resulting in the Quartz Zone Massacre in which every GI but Rogue died. In Essential Rogue Trooper, the Rogue wanders from place to place, looking for the traitor while helping civilians and southers.
Rogue Trooper looks and feels a lot like the war comics I remember from my youth. All of those old comics were given a generic WWII-like setting, and generally presented sanitized, safe-for-kids, war stories for the purpose of entertainment.
Rogue Trooper continues this tradition in a sci-fi setting.
There's a fair amount of violence and death, but there's absolutely no gore, which surprised me. A woman character shows up towards the end of the book, and she's described in really out of date, old-school misogynist terms.
The stories in Essential Rogue Trooper are very basic and repetitive. They were originally serials, so this makes sense. The repetition makes Essential Rogue Trooper hard to read straight through.
The art is magnificent. As I said earlier, there's absolutely no gore. I don't think there was even any blood.
The book's worth looking at for the art. The story? Not so much.
I got my copy through our local library. I recommend doing something similar unless you're really into comic book art.
The plot is very basic: Rogue is a Genetic Infantryman (GI) who has been genetically modified to tolerate the toxic environment of Nu Earth. Nu Earth is stuck in a state of perpetual war between the Norts and the Southers.
Rogue and his companion GIs were created by the Southers to break the stalemate between the two sides. A traitor gave the Souther plan to the Norts, resulting in the Quartz Zone Massacre in which every GI but Rogue died. In Essential Rogue Trooper, the Rogue wanders from place to place, looking for the traitor while helping civilians and southers.
Rogue Trooper looks and feels a lot like the war comics I remember from my youth. All of those old comics were given a generic WWII-like setting, and generally presented sanitized, safe-for-kids, war stories for the purpose of entertainment.
Rogue Trooper continues this tradition in a sci-fi setting.
There's a fair amount of violence and death, but there's absolutely no gore, which surprised me. A woman character shows up towards the end of the book, and she's described in really out of date, old-school misogynist terms.
The stories in Essential Rogue Trooper are very basic and repetitive. They were originally serials, so this makes sense. The repetition makes Essential Rogue Trooper hard to read straight through.
The art is magnificent. As I said earlier, there's absolutely no gore. I don't think there was even any blood.
The book's worth looking at for the art. The story? Not so much.
I got my copy through our local library. I recommend doing something similar unless you're really into comic book art.
October 16, 2025
I really loved this. The 80s 2000AD stories are unparalleled. I know a lot of people are purists about the colour (or lack of) in these early tales but this version looks incredible. I also think when you're dealing with a character whose main attribute is his blue skin, it's pretty handy.
These tales are pretty short, often only one or two Progs, so I suppose there is an element of repetition. But that's not an issue for me - I love these Nu Earth war stories. Looking forward to reading the next volume.
These tales are pretty short, often only one or two Progs, so I suppose there is an element of repetition. But that's not an issue for me - I love these Nu Earth war stories. Looking forward to reading the next volume.
March 1, 2025
Wonderful and Superb!!
This graphic novel is a collection of scintillating sci fi war tales of Rogue Trooper, the sole survivor of the Quartz Zone massacre in the noxious environment of the planet Nu Earth. It was great to see these classic tales in full colour. The tales were original and very exciting. It was typical of war stories such as Rogue Trooper: gripping and dramatic. A marvellous volume!!
This graphic novel is a collection of scintillating sci fi war tales of Rogue Trooper, the sole survivor of the Quartz Zone massacre in the noxious environment of the planet Nu Earth. It was great to see these classic tales in full colour. The tales were original and very exciting. It was typical of war stories such as Rogue Trooper: gripping and dramatic. A marvellous volume!!
April 8, 2026
blue guy
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews