I’ve been re-reading the Project SWORD strip in the short lived ‘Solo’ comic. A simple linear tale having no connection with the deeper TV21 version. It started in issue 19 before being hastily wrapped up in text form in issue 31.
I know we’ve talked about it on the blog from time to time but for those who haven’t read it the story starts with Project SWORD phase one being initiated. This is a mission to launch an atomic Booster Rocket across the solar system with it’s detachable deep space probe being piloted by a robot called Sibor.
An explosion in the Booster Rocket’s fuel pods means the probe is prematurely launched. Upon it’s return the probe is mysteriously crystallised.
Sword astronaut Rapier who has programmed the robot enters the probe and loses consciousness.
The probe explodes but Rapier and the robot, Sibor miraculously survive having been bombarded with ‘Ultra Zela Radiation’.
This has the effect of creating a mind link between the man and the machine. An intriguing idea and a convenient plot device.
With phase one complete, Project chief Sabre briefs astronauts on phase two, a mission to Mars.
A Booster Rocket and a fleet of Nuclear Ferries begin a journey to the Red Planet.
On the way something in the Asteroid Belt begins to drag the ships off course. Rapier and Sibor launch the Booster Rocket’s probe to investigate.
Landing on the Asteroid they discover an alien installation and are attacked by a mechanical creature.
Malevolent aliens watching this from light years away, are using this installation as a forward base in preparation for invasion. Now it's discovered the aliens decide to destroy it, however Rapier and Sibor manage to escape by the skin of their teeth and warn the fleet.
The fleet continue on to Mars unaware that another group of different aliens on Mars are also watching SWORD’s progress.
Now cautious of opposition, Rapier and Sibor land on the Martian surface and send out a Prospector on a reconnaissance mission. Rapier soon follows in a Scramble Bug. The’ Martians‘, who have had dealings with the alien invaders ,whom they refer to as ’Vargans, assume the SWORD ships are their enemies returning. They attack Rapier by sabotaging and blowing up the Prospector as his Scramble Bug approaches.
They set a trap by surrounding Rapier’s wrecked Scramble Bug with an invisible force screen. When a squadron of Task Force ships fly close to the wreckage they hit the screen and explode.
Meanwhile, Rapier and Sibor are captured by the ‘Martians’ who, in spite of the SWORD astronaut insisting they are wrong in thinking he is a Vargan , plan to destroy the rest of the SWORD fleet.
Then a twist in the tale. Vargan space craft swoop down in a surprise attack, firing on the SWORD surface vehicles.
The ’ Martians’ realise Rapier had been telling the truth. Recognizing the Vargen ships they agree to join forces with SWORD, and the two new found allies eventually rid the solar system of the Vargans.
Great post Scoop. The more we read SOLO the more we'll understand the background of the SWORd fleet. I like the SOLO stories. Are you reading them all?
ReplyDeleteIm not keen on them at all, which may sound odd coming from a sword purist, but for me, Sword begins and ends with the annual. The style is essentially sword for me and the Solo stuff just seems like a watered down Boys Own kind of approach. I mean they cant even draw the vehicles properly! and whats that big condom that goes over the ship? a space sheath ? WTF!
ReplyDeleteThis is where it all began! Do you think that the writers and artists had access to Eric Eden's TV21 Summer Special SWORD vehicles art from a year earlier in 1966? Would magazines like that have been lying around the TV21 offices?
ReplyDeleteThe Solo strip, it has to be said is painfully mundane. The cut-aways are intriguing in that they seem to be based on the prototype mock ups seen in the two photo montages seen in the comic, but the best you can say about it is it's an interesting curiosity.
ReplyDeleteIt might have been where a half hearted attempt at doing a Sword Strip began, Woodsy but considering it was in Solo, which in spite of it being a vehicle for U.N.C.L.E. most of it's early stuff was Disney inspired. The artist might well have been based in Spain, and nothing seems thought out when it comes to the writing.
ReplyDeleteWhen it came to TV21 there was a semi regular artist for the strip which helps with continuity and much better writing.
While in retrospect, I can accept the SOLO material is a bit weak (although a lot of comic stories were!), at the time I liked them, and was disappointed if fizzled out with a last text episode.
ReplyDeletesomehow I missed the Annuals as a youngster, but apart from the illustrations in TV21, didn't like the stories- no strip cartoon, and too "doom and gloom"!