Rogue Trooper
Encyclopedia
Rogue Trooper is a science fiction
strip in the British
comic
2000 AD
, created by Gerry Finley-Day
and Dave Gibbons
. It follows the adventures of Rogue, a G.I.
(or Genetic Infantryman, a genetically modified, blue-skinned, manufactured elite soldier) and his three comrade
s' search for the Traitor General. His comrades are in the form of biochip
s (onto which a G.I.'s entire personality is downloaded at the time of death for later retrieval) and are named Gunnar (mounted on Rogue's rifle
), Bagman (on his backpack
) and Helm (on his helmet
). He is genetically engineered to be immune to almost all known toxins. He can submerge in strong acid
unaffected, and is able to withstand a vacuum in his bare skin.
, Cam Kennedy
and Colin Wilson
. This quest continued from 1981 until 1985, when the G.I. had his final confrontation with the traitor general and, after a brief further run set on the Planet Horst, Finley-Day ceased writing the strip. Simon Geller took over, reinventing the character as an intergalactic hitman attempting to end the war by assassinating key figures, but this new direction was dropped in 1989. John Smith
wrote a 'flashback' story, "Cinnabar", set in Rogue's deserter days, before original series artist Dave Gibbons returned to write a much more radical revamp of the character.
In "The War Machine", Gibbons and artist Will Simpson created a different war, set on a different planet, starring a different Genetic Infantryman, this time called Friday
. The bio-chips were dropped, and Gibbons concentrated on the politics and economics of war and the sinister nature of the genetic engineering involved. The story was a success. A new ongoing series featuring Friday followed, written by American writer Michael Fleisher
, but this was less successful. In Fleisher's final story, "Scavenger of Souls", the bio-chips are reintroduced via an alien 'soul collector'.
Fleischer was replaced with Steve White
, who made the military aspect of the strip more up-to-date and tried to reconcile the two versions of the character. He also reintroduced Venus Bluegenes
(Helm's treacherous girlfriend from an earlier story who gained a more prominent role during the Simon Geller run) who had her own short spin-off run. His run on the character was also notable for the 2000 AD debut of artist Henry Flint
. Despite White's valiant efforts, the two continuities
never really gelled: his decision to add a galaxy-wide religious war into the mix may not have helped.
The character was rested after White's last story in 1996. In 1997 a related character, blue-skinned ambulance pilot Tor Cyan
was introduced in the story Mercy Heights
. In a later story it was revealed he was cloned from the original G.I..
In 2002 the original Rogue was reintroduced, again in flashback
to his days hunting the traitor general, written by Gordon Rennie
. Artists have included Staz Johnson, Dylan Teague, Mike Collins, Simon Coleby
and PJ Holden. In 2004 Rennie stated that he had intended to revamp the character yet again, but had been blocked by 2000 AD editorial. He also hints that any return to the Rogue Trooper universe will concentrate on supporting cast and not include the Rogue character. This can be seen in the new series The 86ers
.
, where a perpetual war
between the Norts
and Southers
is being fought. During the war all forms of chemical and biological weapons have been used poisoning the planet and the troops of both sides must live in enclosed cities and only venture into the outside if wearing protective gear
known as "chemsuits". The Southers have, through genetic engineering, developed a race of warriors who are immune to the deadly atmosphere and will therefore be superior troops. The Souther High Command deploy their secret weapon, the Genetic Infantry
, in an airborne assault but a traitor has betrayed the secret of the G.I. to the Norts and they are massacred during the drop. This is known as the Quartz zone massacre.
Rogue, the only surviving G.I.
, goes AWOL in order to track down the Traitor General responsible. Along the way he thwarts numerous Nort schemes, discovers and inadvertently destroys the only portion of Nu-Earth not contaminated by chemical weapons, and is betrayed by every female character he encounters.
Rogue is immune to all toxins, diseases, and acids with two exceptions: An entirely new plant is discovered after permafrost is melted in an arctic zone, which renders him unconscious, and in the flashback story "Cinnabar" a retrovirus is engineered specifically to target his immune system, making him susceptible to all other Nu-Earth hazards, ultimately forcing him to wear a chem-suit himself. In a lighter moment during the Fort Neuro
series, Rogue was also shown to have difficulty breathing when in a staff car full of officers from the "Rom" sector, who in anticipation of a good night out with the neighbouring "Scan
" sector, had applied too much aftershave.
The biochips are infected by a latent malady unknowingly contracted whilst passing through the Neverglades area of Nu Earth. The un-named condition renders them susceptible to "Enzyme E disfunction", which causes their newly re-gened bodies to disintegrate, leaving only their bio-chips remaining.
, the American Civil War
and the Cold War
. Norts
(Northerner Unionists) fought against generally less-well equipped Southers
(Southern Confederates), and several battles were referenced, such as the First Battle of Bull Run
, which was retold as the Battle of Mek-Bull Run. The Norts
appear totalitarian in nature. While their uniforms have Nazi connotations their dialect and names are mostly quasi-Slavic, as if they represented a futuristic version of the Soviet Bloc, although there is some usage of Germanic names as well, for example General Vagner, Admiral Torpitz. Their conduct and methods of waging war are also more barbaric than those of the comparatively civilised Southers
. Although as the series develops the Southers
are also shown committing comparably immoral acts as well. The Norts
' protective suits show only the eyes while the Southers generally have see-through face panels which reinforce the Good Guy/Bad Guy delineation. "Genetic Infantryman" is a direct homage to the supposed "Government Issue
" tag that American troops were nicknamed after.
, included:
The characters also appeared in two one-off stories in annuals
, both written by Alan Moore
:
Later annual stories were written by Peter Milligan
and drawn by José Ortiz:
There was a flashback story written by John Smith
before the Friday reboot took place:
In crossovers with Friday (leading up to the death of Bagman and Rogue in #949), all written by Steve White
:
In flashbacks, all written by Gordon Rennie
:
Gerry Finley-Day returned to the character after 25 years away, for the end of year special in 2010:
Once the Rogue Trooper appeared in 2000AD comic in a single big frame telling the comic's readers not to play with fireworks.
The original Rogue Trooper stories chronicling the hunt for the Traitor General are now collected in four publications by Rebellion
Also available in larger collections by the same publisher
Additional stories have been collected into two more publications by Rebellion
.
version out in 2009.
In 2009 Rogue Trooper featured a guest role in the game "LittleBigPlanet
" for PS3
. It came in the form of content which could be bought in the PlayStation Store
.
has said he will be writing a Rogue Trooper screenplay for Sam Worthington
's production company Full Clip Production.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
strip in the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comic
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
2000 AD
2000 AD (comic)
2000 AD is a weekly British science fiction-oriented comic. As a comics anthology it serialises a number of separate stories each issue and was first published by IPC Magazines in 1977, the first issue dated 26 February. IPC then shifted the title to its Fleetway comics subsidiary which was sold...
, created by Gerry Finley-Day
Gerry Finley-Day
Gerry Finley-Day was a prolific British comics writer from the 1960s to the 1980s, best known as the creator of Rogue Trooper.He started out at D. C. Thomson & Co., before becoming the editor of IPC's girls' title Tammy in 1971, for which he wrote strips such as "Ella on Easy Street" and "The Camp...
and Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
. It follows the adventures of Rogue, a G.I.
G.I. (comics)
G.I. is the name given to the Generic Infantry in the Rogue Trooper universe. The name is a play on the original World War II G.I.They were developed by Souther scientists in a bid to create a genetically modified supersoldier. Because of the widespread use of powerful NBC weapons, Nu-Earth had...
(or Genetic Infantryman, a genetically modified, blue-skinned, manufactured elite soldier) and his three comrade
Comrade
Comrade means "friend", "colleague", or "ally". The word comes from French camarade. The term is frequently used by left-wing organizations around the globe. "Comrade" has often become a stock phrase and form of address. This word has its regional equivalents available in many...
s' search for the Traitor General. His comrades are in the form of biochip
Biochip
The development of biochips is a major thrust of the rapidly growing biotechnology industry, which encompasses a very diverse range ofresearch efforts including genomics, proteomics, and pharmaceuticals, among other activities...
s (onto which a G.I.'s entire personality is downloaded at the time of death for later retrieval) and are named Gunnar (mounted on Rogue's rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
), Bagman (on his backpack
Backpack
A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions...
) and Helm (on his helmet
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
). He is genetically engineered to be immune to almost all known toxins. He can submerge in strong acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...
unaffected, and is able to withstand a vacuum in his bare skin.
Publication history
Gibbons left the strip early on, to be replaced by a succession of artists and writers who have taken the strip in several different directions over the years. Notable artists to have drawn the character include Brett EwinsBrett Ewins
Brett Ewins is a British comic book artist best known for his work on Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper in the weekly comic book 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, Cam Kennedy
Cam Kennedy
Campbell Kennedy is a Scottish comics artist. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, especially the flagship titles Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper.-Biography:...
and Colin Wilson
Colin Wilson (comics)
Colin Wilson is a comic book artist, born in Christchurch, New Zealand on 31 October 1949.He is known for his detailed artwork which he uses in 2000 AD stories like Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd. According to Andy Diggle, the 2000 AD editor who got him back to the title in the late nineties and has...
. This quest continued from 1981 until 1985, when the G.I. had his final confrontation with the traitor general and, after a brief further run set on the Planet Horst, Finley-Day ceased writing the strip. Simon Geller took over, reinventing the character as an intergalactic hitman attempting to end the war by assassinating key figures, but this new direction was dropped in 1989. John Smith
John Smith (comics)
John Smith is a British comics writer best known for his work on 2000 AD and Crisis.Smith's work is characterised by intricate, sometimes obscure plots and an interest in taboos and the occult, told in an elliptic, fractured narrative style reminiscent of Iain Sinclair or the cut-up technique of...
wrote a 'flashback' story, "Cinnabar", set in Rogue's deserter days, before original series artist Dave Gibbons returned to write a much more radical revamp of the character.
In "The War Machine", Gibbons and artist Will Simpson created a different war, set on a different planet, starring a different Genetic Infantryman, this time called Friday
Friday (comics)
Friday is a 2000 AD character. Like Rogue he is a Genetic Infantryman fighting on Nu-Earth although his connections with Rogue were initially unclear. At one point he also teamed up with Venus Bluegenes.-Publication history:...
. The bio-chips were dropped, and Gibbons concentrated on the politics and economics of war and the sinister nature of the genetic engineering involved. The story was a success. A new ongoing series featuring Friday followed, written by American writer Michael Fleisher
Michael Fleisher
Michael L. "Mike" Fleisher is an American writer known for his DC Comics of the 1970s and 1980s, particularly for the characters the Spectre and Jonah Hex.-Early life and career:...
, but this was less successful. In Fleisher's final story, "Scavenger of Souls", the bio-chips are reintroduced via an alien 'soul collector'.
Fleischer was replaced with Steve White
Steve White (comics)
Steve White is a British comic book writer who has mainly worked with 2000 AD.-Biography:White's career in comics began in the 1980s at Marvel UK in London, where he worked in various roles on titles like The Real Ghostbusters, Transformers, Knights of Pendragon and The Sleaze Brothers...
, who made the military aspect of the strip more up-to-date and tried to reconcile the two versions of the character. He also reintroduced Venus Bluegenes
Venus Bluegenes
Venus Bluegenes is a 2000 AD character. She is a Genetic Infantrywoman who has fought alongside Rogue and Friday on Nu-Earth. It turns out that she was previously Helm's girlfriend, but that she had a crush on Rogue...
(Helm's treacherous girlfriend from an earlier story who gained a more prominent role during the Simon Geller run) who had her own short spin-off run. His run on the character was also notable for the 2000 AD debut of artist Henry Flint
Henry Flint
Henry Flint is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000AD.-Biography:Flint has established a cult following for his hyper-detailed and wildly inventive work on series such as Judge Dredd, Zombo,,ABC Warriors, Shakara, Low Life and Aliens.A recent project was...
. Despite White's valiant efforts, the two continuities
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
never really gelled: his decision to add a galaxy-wide religious war into the mix may not have helped.
The character was rested after White's last story in 1996. In 1997 a related character, blue-skinned ambulance pilot Tor Cyan
Tor Cyan
Tor Cyan is a 2000 AD comic-book title written by John Tomlinson. It is a continuation of Mercy Heights, which introduced the titular character Tor Cyan as a futuristic 'ambulance driver'...
was introduced in the story Mercy Heights
Mercy Heights
Mercy Heights was a 2000 AD strip written by John Tomlinson. It was a major spin-off from the Rogue Trooper stories. However, although it was clearly set in the same universe, it had uncertain links with the main story...
. In a later story it was revealed he was cloned from the original G.I..
In 2002 the original Rogue was reintroduced, again in flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
to his days hunting the traitor general, written by Gordon Rennie
Gordon Rennie
Gordon Rennie is a comics writer, responsible for White Trash: Moronic Inferno, as well as several comic strips for 2000 AD and novels for Warhammer Fantasy....
. Artists have included Staz Johnson, Dylan Teague, Mike Collins, Simon Coleby
Simon Coleby
Simon Coleby is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000 AD and Marvel Comics.-Biography:...
and PJ Holden. In 2004 Rennie stated that he had intended to revamp the character yet again, but had been blocked by 2000 AD editorial. He also hints that any return to the Rogue Trooper universe will concentrate on supporting cast and not include the Rogue character. This can be seen in the new series The 86ers
The 86ers
The 86ers is a 2000 AD comic story set in the Rogue Trooper universe and created by writer Gordon Rennie and artist Karl Richardson, now being drawn by PJ Holden.The story stars G.I. pilot Rafella "Rafe" Blue and her robot Gabe...
.
Plot synopsis
The story is set on a planet, Nu-EarthNu-Earth
Nu-Earth is the name of a fictional planet near 2 suns and a wormhole that is the main setting for the Rogue Trooper fictional universe.-History:...
, where a perpetual war
Perpetual war
Perpetual war refers to a lasting state of war with no clear ending conditions. It also describes a situation of ongoing tension that seems likely to escalate at any moment, similar to the Cold War.-In past history:...
between the Norts
Norts
Norts are a fictional fascist enemy with Slavic and Germanic overtones from Rogue Trooper, a science fiction strip in the British comic 2000 AD, who are fighting the Southers. They were mainly responsible for the Quartz Massacre...
and Southers
Southers
Southers are the "good guys" fighting the Norts in Rogue Trooper. Their country is called the Souther Confederacy. They receive orders from Milli-com, their military command complex...
is being fought. During the war all forms of chemical and biological weapons have been used poisoning the planet and the troops of both sides must live in enclosed cities and only venture into the outside if wearing protective gear
Hazmat suit
A hazmat suit is a garment worn as protection from hazardous materials or substances. A hazmat suit is generally combined with breathing apparatus for protection and may be used by firefighters, emergency personnel responding to toxic spills, researchers, specialists cleaning up contaminated...
known as "chemsuits". The Southers have, through genetic engineering, developed a race of warriors who are immune to the deadly atmosphere and will therefore be superior troops. The Souther High Command deploy their secret weapon, the Genetic Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, in an airborne assault but a traitor has betrayed the secret of the G.I. to the Norts and they are massacred during the drop. This is known as the Quartz zone massacre.
Rogue, the only surviving G.I.
G.I. (comics)
G.I. is the name given to the Generic Infantry in the Rogue Trooper universe. The name is a play on the original World War II G.I.They were developed by Souther scientists in a bid to create a genetically modified supersoldier. Because of the widespread use of powerful NBC weapons, Nu-Earth had...
, goes AWOL in order to track down the Traitor General responsible. Along the way he thwarts numerous Nort schemes, discovers and inadvertently destroys the only portion of Nu-Earth not contaminated by chemical weapons, and is betrayed by every female character he encounters.
Rogue is immune to all toxins, diseases, and acids with two exceptions: An entirely new plant is discovered after permafrost is melted in an arctic zone, which renders him unconscious, and in the flashback story "Cinnabar" a retrovirus is engineered specifically to target his immune system, making him susceptible to all other Nu-Earth hazards, ultimately forcing him to wear a chem-suit himself. In a lighter moment during the Fort Neuro
Neurosis
Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving distress but neither delusions nor hallucinations, whereby behavior is not outside socially acceptable norms. It is also known as psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder, and thus those suffering from it are said to be neurotic...
series, Rogue was also shown to have difficulty breathing when in a staff car full of officers from the "Rom" sector, who in anticipation of a good night out with the neighbouring "Scan
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
" sector, had applied too much aftershave.
The biochips are infected by a latent malady unknowingly contracted whilst passing through the Neverglades area of Nu Earth. The un-named condition renders them susceptible to "Enzyme E disfunction", which causes their newly re-gened bodies to disintegrate, leaving only their bio-chips remaining.
Historical influences
Many elements of the Rogue back-story were inspired by World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Norts
Norts
Norts are a fictional fascist enemy with Slavic and Germanic overtones from Rogue Trooper, a science fiction strip in the British comic 2000 AD, who are fighting the Southers. They were mainly responsible for the Quartz Massacre...
(Northerner Unionists) fought against generally less-well equipped Southers
Southers
Southers are the "good guys" fighting the Norts in Rogue Trooper. Their country is called the Souther Confederacy. They receive orders from Milli-com, their military command complex...
(Southern Confederates), and several battles were referenced, such as the First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
, which was retold as the Battle of Mek-Bull Run. The Norts
Norts
Norts are a fictional fascist enemy with Slavic and Germanic overtones from Rogue Trooper, a science fiction strip in the British comic 2000 AD, who are fighting the Southers. They were mainly responsible for the Quartz Massacre...
appear totalitarian in nature. While their uniforms have Nazi connotations their dialect and names are mostly quasi-Slavic, as if they represented a futuristic version of the Soviet Bloc, although there is some usage of Germanic names as well, for example General Vagner, Admiral Torpitz. Their conduct and methods of waging war are also more barbaric than those of the comparatively civilised Southers
Southers
Southers are the "good guys" fighting the Norts in Rogue Trooper. Their country is called the Souther Confederacy. They receive orders from Milli-com, their military command complex...
. Although as the series develops the Southers
Southers
Southers are the "good guys" fighting the Norts in Rogue Trooper. Their country is called the Souther Confederacy. They receive orders from Milli-com, their military command complex...
are also shown committing comparably immoral acts as well. The Norts
Norts
Norts are a fictional fascist enemy with Slavic and Germanic overtones from Rogue Trooper, a science fiction strip in the British comic 2000 AD, who are fighting the Southers. They were mainly responsible for the Quartz Massacre...
' protective suits show only the eyes while the Southers generally have see-through face panels which reinforce the Good Guy/Bad Guy delineation. "Genetic Infantryman" is a direct homage to the supposed "Government Issue
GI (term)
G.I. is a noun used to describe members of the United States armed forces or items of their equipment. The term is now used as an initialism of "Government Issue" , but originally referred to galvanized iron....
" tag that American troops were nicknamed after.
List of stories
The original run, all written by Gerry Finley-DayGerry Finley-Day
Gerry Finley-Day was a prolific British comics writer from the 1960s to the 1980s, best known as the creator of Rogue Trooper.He started out at D. C. Thomson & Co., before becoming the editor of IPC's girls' title Tammy in 1971, for which he wrote strips such as "Ella on Easy Street" and "The Camp...
, included:
- "Rogue Trooper" (with art by Dave GibbonsDave GibbonsDave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
, in 2000 AD #228, 1981) - "Nu Paree" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #229, 1981)
- "Glass Zone" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #230, 1981)
- "Clash in Doomsday Valley" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #231, 1981)
- "Terror of the Decapitators" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #232, 1981)
- "Raiders" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #234, 1981)
- "Scum Sea" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #235, 1981)
- "Ascent To Buzzard-Three" (with art by Colin WilsonColin Wilson (comics)Colin Wilson is a comic book artist, born in Christchurch, New Zealand on 31 October 1949.He is known for his detailed artwork which he uses in 2000 AD stories like Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd. According to Andy Diggle, the 2000 AD editor who got him back to the title in the late nineties and has...
, in 2000 AD #236-238, 1981) - "The Rookies" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #239-240, 1981)
- "Blue Moon" (with art by Colin Wilson, in 2000 AD #241, 1981)
- "Poison" (with art by Mike Dorey, in 2000 AD #242-243)
- "Fear of the Machine" (with art by Colin Wilson, in 2000 AD #246-248, 1982)
- "The Dreamweavers" (with art by Dave Gibbons, in 2000 AD #249-250, 1982)
- "The Buzzard" (with art by Colin Wilson, in 2000 AD #251-253, 1982)
- "The Petrified Forest" (with art by Mike Dorey, in 2000 AD ##254-257, 1982)
- "War of Nerves" (with art by Colin Wilson, in 2000 AD #258, 1982)
- "Bagman Blues" (with art by Colin Wilson and Eric BradburyEric BradburyEric Bradbury was a British comic artist who primarily worked for Amalgamated Press/IPC from the late 1940s to the 1990s....
, in 2000 AD #260-262, 1982) - "The Body Looters" (with art by Cam KennedyCam KennedyCampbell Kennedy is a Scottish comics artist. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, especially the flagship titles Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper.-Biography:...
, in 2000 AD #265, 1982) - "All Hell on the Dix-I Front" (with art by Colin Wilson, Cam Kennedy and Brett EwinsBrett EwinsBrett Ewins is a British comic book artist best known for his work on Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper in the weekly comic book 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, in 2000 AD #266-277, 1982) - "Assassination Run" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #278-279)
- "Hats Off to Helm" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #280-281)
- "Marauders" (with art by Colin Wilson and Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #282-289)
- "Fort Neuro" (with art by Brett Ewins and Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #290-310, 1982-1983)
- "Major Magnum" (with art by Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD #311-315, 1983)
- "Bigfoot" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #316, 1983)
- "Bio-Wire" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #317, 1983)
- "Mill-Com Memories" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #318-322, 1983)
- "Vid-Vultures" (with art by Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD #323-326, 1983)
- "Eye of the Traitor" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #327-332, 1983)
- "Frisco Phog" (with art by Boluda, in 2000 AD #333-334, 1983)
- "From Hell to Eternity" (with art by Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD #335-340, 1983)
- "Mega-Minefield" (with art by Boluda, in 2000 AD #341-342, 1983)
- "Gasbah" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #343-347, 1983)
- "Timeslip" (with art by Boluda, in 2000 AD #349-349, 1983)
- "Colonel Kovert" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #350-355, 1984)
- "To the Ends of Nu Earth" (with art by Cam Kennedy, in 2000 AD #387-392, 1984)
- "Return of Rogue Trooper" (with art by José OrtizJosé Ortiz (comics)José Ortiz Moya is a Spanish comics artist, best known for several collaborations with Antonio Segura, such as the series Hombre.-Biography:...
, in 2000 AD #410-419, 1985) - "Antigen of Horst" (with art by José Ortiz, in 2000 AD #422-426, 428-432, 1985)
The characters also appeared in two one-off stories in annuals
Annual publication
An annual publication, more often called simply an annual, is a book or a magazine, comic book or comic strip published yearly. For example, a weekly or monthly publication may produce an Annual featuring similar materials to the regular publication....
, both written by Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
:
- "Pray for War" (with art by Brett Ewins, in 2000 AD Annual 1983)
- "First of the Few" (with art by Jesus RedondoJesus RedondoJesús Redondo Román is a Spanish comic artist who has been published in many countries, including Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA....
, in 2000 AD Annual 1984)
Later annual stories were written by Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
and drawn by José Ortiz:
- "The Fanatics" (in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1986)
- "Nort by Nortwest" (in 2000AD Annual 1987, 1987)
There was a flashback story written by John Smith
John Smith (comics)
John Smith is a British comics writer best known for his work on 2000 AD and Crisis.Smith's work is characterised by intricate, sometimes obscure plots and an interest in taboos and the occult, told in an elliptic, fractured narrative style reminiscent of Iain Sinclair or the cut-up technique of...
before the Friday reboot took place:
- "Cinnabar" (with pencils by Steve DillonSteve DillonSteve Dillon is a British comic book artist, from Luton, Bedfordshire, best known for his work with writer Garth Ennis on Hellblazer, Preacher and The Punisher.-Biography:...
and inks by Kev WalkerKev WalkerKevin "Kev" Walker is a British comics artist and illustrator, based in Leeds, who worked mainly on 2000 AD and Warhammer comics and the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering...
, in 2000 AD #624-630 & 633-635, 1989)
In crossovers with Friday (leading up to the death of Bagman and Rogue in #949), all written by Steve White
Steve White (comics)
Steve White is a British comic book writer who has mainly worked with 2000 AD.-Biography:White's career in comics began in the 1980s at Marvel UK in London, where he worked in various roles on titles like The Real Ghostbusters, Transformers, Knights of Pendragon and The Sleaze Brothers...
:
- "Blue on Blue" (with art by Henry FlintHenry FlintHenry Flint is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000AD.-Biography:Flint has established a cult following for his hyper-detailed and wildly inventive work on series such as Judge Dredd, Zombo,,ABC Warriors, Shakara, Low Life and Aliens.A recent project was...
, in 2000 AD #928-931, 1995) - "Mind Bombs" (with art by Edmund Perryman/Nick AbadzisNick AbadzisNick Abadzis is a British cartoonist, comic book writer, and graphic novelist. He currently lives in New York, having moved from his previous home in London in 2010.-Early life:...
, in 2000 AD #937-939, 1995) - "Ascent" (with art by Steve Tappin, in 2000 AD #946-949, 1995)
In flashbacks, all written by Gordon Rennie
Gordon Rennie
Gordon Rennie is a comics writer, responsible for White Trash: Moronic Inferno, as well as several comic strips for 2000 AD and novels for Warhammer Fantasy....
:
- "What lies beneath" (with pencils by Staz Johnson and inks by David RoachDavid Roach (comics)David Roach is a British comic book artist and writer based in Wales, United Kingdom. Roach actively illustrates for many companies, including 2000AD, Panini Comics, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Topps, and the gaming company Wizards of the Coast....
, in 2000 AD #1301-1304, 2002) - "Weapons of War" (with Dylan Teague, in 2000 AD #1305, 2002)
- "Overkill" (with Simon ColebySimon ColebySimon Coleby is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000 AD and Marvel Comics.-Biography:...
, in 2000 AD #1306-1307, 2002) - "Lions" (with Staz Johnson (1308) and Mike Collins (1309), in 2000 AD #1308-1309, 2002)
- "A Visit to the Boneyard" (with pencils by Mike Collins and inks by David Roach, in 2000 AD #1310-1311, 2002)
- "Requiem" (with Simon Coleby, in 2000 AD #1312, 2002)
- "Angels" (with Simon Coleby, in 2000 AD Prog 2003, 2002)
- "Ghouls" (with Staz Johnson (1345-1347) and Mike Collins (1346-1347), in 2000 AD #1345-1347, 2003)
- "Realpolitik" (with PJ Holden, in 2000 AD #1380-1385, 2004)
- "Condor Six Down" (with Simon Coleby, in 2000 AD #1462-1464, 2005)
Gerry Finley-Day returned to the character after 25 years away, for the end of year special in 2010:
- "Dead Ringer" (with Staz Johnson, in 2000 ADProg 2011, 2010)
Once the Rogue Trooper appeared in 2000AD comic in a single big frame telling the comic's readers not to play with fireworks.
Collected editions
The initial reprints of the 2000AD stories were printed by Titan Books. The most recent books are printed by Rebellion.The original Rogue Trooper stories chronicling the hunt for the Traitor General are now collected in four publications by Rebellion
- The Future of War (collects 2000 AD #228-265, 160 pages, June 2007, ISBN 1905437390)
- Fort Neuro (collects 2000 AD #266-310, 192 pages, January 2007, ISBN 1905437161
- The Eye of the Traitor (collects 2000 AD #312-349, 192 pages, October 2005, ISBN 1904265529)
- To the Ends of Nu-Earth (collects 2000 AD #350-392, 160 pages, January 2006, ISBN 1904265804)
Also available in larger collections by the same publisher
- Tales of Nu-Earth 01 (collects 2000 AD #228-317, 400 pages, February 2010, ISBN 9781906735340)
- Tales of Nu-Earth 02 (collects 2000 AD #318-406, 400 pages, May 2010, ISBN 9781906735463)
Additional stories have been collected into two more publications by Rebellion
- Re-Gene (collects 2000 AD #401-406, 410-419, 422-432, 444-449, 160 pages, March 2006, ISBN 1904265847)
- Realpolitik (collects 2000 AD Prog 2003, #1301-1312, 1344-1349, 1380-1385, 1462-1464, 1477-1479, 144 pages, February 2007, ISBN 1904265944)
Novels
There are three novels based on Rogue Trooper:- Crucible (Gordon RennieGordon RennieGordon Rennie is a comics writer, responsible for White Trash: Moronic Inferno, as well as several comic strips for 2000 AD and novels for Warhammer Fantasy....
, October 2004 ISBN 1-84416-061-0) - Blood Relative (James SwallowJames SwallowJames Swallow is a British author and scriptwriter. He is the author of several original books and tie-in novels, as well as numerous audio dramas and videogames....
, March 2005 ISBN 1-84416-061-0) - The Quartz Massacre (Rebecca LeveneRebecca LeveneRebecca Levene is a British author and editor, best known for editing Virgin's New Adventures series of original fiction Doctor Who novels.-Biography:...
, March 2006 ISBN 1-84416-110-2)
Boardgames
The Rogue Trooper Boardgame was released in 1987 by Games WorkshopGames Workshop
Games Workshop Group plc is a British game production and retailing company. Games Workshop has published the tabletop wargames Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000...
.
Video games
A number of Rogue Trooper computer games have been released in 1986 and 1990. After Rebellion bought 2000 AD they released a Rogue Trooper video game in 2006, with a WiiWii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
version out in 2009.
In 2009 Rogue Trooper featured a guest role in the game "LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet, commonly abbreviated LBP, is a puzzle platformer video game, based on user-generated content, for the PlayStation 3 first announced on 7 March 2007, by Phil Harrison at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California...
" for PS3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. It came in the form of content which could be bought in the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
.
Film
Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
has said he will be writing a Rogue Trooper screenplay for Sam Worthington
Sam Worthington
Samuel Henry J. "Sam" Worthington is an English born, Australian actor. After almost a decade of roles in Australian TV shows and films, Worthington gained Hollywood's attention by playing Marcus Wright in Terminator Salvation and the lead role, Jake Sully, in James Cameron's science...
's production company Full Clip Production.