Invasion!

by Pat Mills, Pat Wright (Illustrator), Juan Sarompas (Illustrator)

Giving it Both Barrels!

Britain 1999 AD -- a nation under the heel of the brutal Volgan republic! But one man ain't beaten: London lorry driver Bill Savage. Armed only with his trusty 'shooter' Savage fights on—a one-man army versus the might of the Volgan war machine!

Invasion!

Collects:

- The Resistance (Progs #1-#5)
- Wembley (Prog #6)
- Train Story (Prog #7)
- Concorde (Prog #8)
- Ships (Prog #9)
- Dartmoor (Progs #10-#11)
- Death Line (Prog #12)
- The Doomsdale Scenario (Progs #13-#15)
- Bounty Hunter (Prog #16)
- Slaves (Prog #17)
- Breakout (Prog #18)
- The Road to Hell (Prog #19)
- Hell's Angels (Prog #20)
- Sandringham (Prog #21)
- Cheddar Gorge (Prog #22)
- Tyne Tunnel (Prog #23)
- Hadrian's Wall (Prog #24)
- Bathtub (Prog #25)
- Bluebird (Prog #26)
- Dirty Jocks (Progs #27-#31)
- Volgess (Progs #32-#33)
- Collaborator (Prog #34)
- New Recruits (Prog #35)
- Jump Jet (Prog #36)
- The Prince (Progs #37-#44)
- The Return of Rosa (Prog #45)
- Deadlier Than The Male! (Prog #46)
- Escape from Liverpool (Progs #47-#51)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2007

About the author

Pat Mills, born in 1949 and nicknamed 'the godfather of British comics', is a comics writer and editor who, along with John Wagner, revitalised British boys comics in the 1970s, and has remained a leading light in British comics ever since.

His comics are notable for their violence and anti-authoritarianism. He is best known for creating 2000 AD and playing a major part in the development of Judge Dredd.

Reviews

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit out-dated one, but still I found some fun from this one. And I have never seen a hero of a comic look so psycho as Bill Savage looked every now and the while killing Volgs and shooting one-liners.

[Philip Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story featured in the first edition of "the galaxy's greatest comic", 2000AD, way back in 1977. It tells of the invasion of Britain by the Volgans (hastily changed from the Soviets prior to publication). It consists wholly of the aptly named Bill Savage touring occupied Britain shooting/stabbing/blowing up "filthy Volgs". In true 1970s' style, his killing spree is triggered by the tragic murder of his family by the invaders. Rather than wrestle with grief, he just reaches for his trusty double-barelled shotgun and gets to work.

This is not a nuanced portrayal of the perils of Communism. It's repetitive, violent, "of its time" and ludicrously far fetched: it's not just the variable art that's black and white. It is also terrific, full throttle, action-packed fun. Boys across the land lapped up Bill's inventive ways to dispatch the Volgs. Personal favourites include Bill spearing attackers with ski sticks, plus using mud to disguise himself as a statue at Sandringham (!?) before letting blast with his shotgun. Each death is followed by a trademark pun that would shame even Roger Moore.

Considering it's set in an alternative future 1999, it is resolutely 1970s in terms of fashion, language and references throughout...apart from the odd jump jet or hovercraft. Oh yeah, Concorde 3 has cold fusion engines. National stereotypes are embraced passionately and given a big sloppy kiss. The French resistance fighter wears a berry and has a pencil thin moustache. The Scots (kilted, natch) toss burning cans of North Sea oil at Volgan 'copters. There is some prescience: a Channel Tunnel features in an episode drawn by the great Ian Kennedy and King Charles 3rd makes an appearance.

All in all, a total blast...as Bill would say.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

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