Mind Wars

Last updated

"Mind Wars"
Starlord11MindWars.jpg
"Mind Wars" on the cover of the 22 July 1978 edition of Starlord .
Publisher IPC Magazines
Publication date20 May – 7 October 1978
Genre
Title(s) Starlord
20 May to 7 October 1978
Main character(s)Arlen Lakam
Ardeni Lakam
Creative team
Writer(s)Alan Hebden
Artist(s) Jesus Redondo
Ian Gibson
Editor(s) Kelvin Gosnell

"Mind Wars" is a British comic science fiction adventure story published in the weekly anthology Starlord from 20 May to 7 October 1978 by IPC Magazines.

Contents

The story takes place in the year 3000 during the midst of a galactic war, following 17-year old twins Arlen and Ardeni Lakam. Alien invaders attempt to turn them into living weapons by activating their powerful latent psychic abilities, leading to the siblings becoming caught in the middle of the conflict.

Creation

Starlord was originally planned by IPC and editor Kelvin Gosnell as a high-quality science fiction fortnightly with two ongoing 10-12 page serials in the form of "Strontium Dog" and "Ro-Busters". However, with the launch impending IPC management changed their minds and ordered the comic to be a regular weekly, requiring Gosnell and assistant editor Steve MacManus to find three new strips on short notice to fill the comic. [1]

Alan Hebden had primarily written war comics and was working on Battle Picture Weekly at the time, where he had worked with Carlos Ezquerra on the likes of "Major Eazy" and "El Mestizo" but enjoyed the science fiction genre - being fan of Cordwainer Smith - and pitched "Mind Wars" to Glosnell and MacManus, rapidly getting the nod - and also being assigned to rewrite "Planet of the Damned", an abandoned Pat Mills story originally pitched for the early issues of 2000 AD , which Hedben repurposed as a quasi-sequel to his own "Death Planet". He would later feel Ardeni being a strong female character enabled the script to work well. [2] Art duties were assigned to Jesus Redondo, a Spanish artist who had primarily worked on girls' comics for DC Thomson and had a reputation for a fast work-rate. [3] He was already committed to working on a series for Dutch girls' comic Tina at the time, and would later recall: -

I remember doing Mind Wars at the same time as another story for Netherlands; for five days in a week I sleep only three hours a night... It was terrible. It is curious because the editors tell me, "Well, it's your best work, Congratulations."

Jesus Redondo, quoted by Michael Molcher, "Days of Wine & Warlocks", Judge Dredd Megazine #296 (31 March 2010)

Publishing history

Due to several additional features in the first issue of Starlord, "Mind Wars" didn't debut until the second, dated 20 May 1978. Starlord was a modest sales success, but it soon became clear it was splitting the market with 2000 AD and that the comics would need to be merged. "Mind Wars" was not selected for continuation, and Hebden was forced to rewrite the story by combining two scripts to make a conclusion for the 22nd and final issue of Star Lord, dated 7 October 1978. Hebden was disappointed at Starlord's demise, feeling "it was much better than 2000 AD, as it had better stories and was a better all round comic", though he gained some recompense as he was paid for both the two scripts and for rewriting them into a single episode. He would later rate "Mind Wars" alongside "Meltdown Man" from 2000 AD as his favourites from his own work. [2]

A new story would feature in the 1981 Starlord Annual. [4] In 2019, "Mind Wars" was issued as a series of supplements with Judge Dredd Megazine - with the strips from the weekly available with #408 and #409, and the story from the 1980 annual in #410. [5]

Plot summary

In 3000, war has broken out between the human Stellar Federation and the alien Jugla Empire. While the Federal Interstellar Strike Corps (FISC) are able to fend off the Jugla fleets they are unable to counterattack as they don't know where the Jugla home world is. Both Federal Controller Doctor Varn and his opposite number Cosmol Na-Rutha realise that they are in a state of stalemate, but the Cosmol has a plan to break the deadlock. On the Federation colony of Vulcrugon, twins Ardeni and Arlen are however targeted by the aliens, who destroy their home and kill the pair's parents bathing them with Primary Neural Irradiation. They both find they suddenly have impressive mental powers. The pair are taken in by the colony's authorities after Arlen deflects a falling Federation interceptor and Ardeni brings the pilot back from the dead, with the Federation believing they are Jugla plants, something made worse when the Cosmol is able to trigger their powers during their trial. The pair use their powers to warp out of the trial, but Federal special agent Yosay Tilman finds them and offers them the chance to escape the colony and make for Earth to explain themselves and see if their powers can help the Federation - with secret orders to kill them if that isn't the case. However, they are unaware that Na-Rutha also wants them there so he can use them to devastate the Federation's home-world. The trio evade Vulcrugon security, but an increasingly concerned Varn orders their execution. However, he eventually decides to help the twins gain control of their powers instead and takes them on board the Solar Saint, a Lenarthian cargo ship, joined by the friendly alien Kola Rashnik of the Garduiant Star Chain.

The battle for the twins escalates, with the planet Yu-Jubum and the FISC flagship destroyed in the process, causing the Jugla to attempt a mass attack on Earth in the chaos. The FISC are able to drive off the invasion, and the Solar Saint lands. Kola dies soon afterwards, causing the twins to teleport to Varn and confront him. Na-Rutha attempts to use Ardeni to send a cobalt fission bomb into the Sun and send it supernova. Ardeni is able to free herself from Jugla control and stop the bomb, but only after killing Arlen. She swears to find the alien planet and destroy it in revenge, refusing help from the Federation. She and Tilman take Varn's personal ship Vegan Belle for the search. Na-Rutha attempts to regain control of Ardeni and sends warships to intercept them, without success. However, she eventually realises that destroying the Jugla is not the answer, and neutralises the weapons of both Na-Rutha and Varn's forces before departing with Tilman, leaving the two civilisations with no choice but to work together. [6]

The uneasy peace between Earth and Jugla continues for a year until a vengeful Na-Rutha attempts to recruit the telepathic Brood Mother to gain revenge on Ardeni. She has chosen to stop using her powers and is working as a nurse on the planet Garagagon, but reactivates them when the Federation's population become irrationally aggressive under alien influence. She is able to stop the attacks and takes over Na-Rutha's ship, sealing it and sending it hurtling through space. Ardeni resolves to continue using her powers to help the needy. [7]

Reception

BEM columnist Ruan Lanihorne felt the discontinuation of "Mind Wars" was one of the saddest features of Starlord's demise, noting it "was a strip I wasn't too keen on at first - but it's grown, expanded, matured" [8] and would later again express sadness at it not being able to find a place in the merged 2000 AD and Starlord. [9]

John Freeman has described "Mind Wars" as "one of my all-time British comic favourites", praising it as a "cracking space opera". [5] Michael Molcher complemented Redondo's "mind-bending" art and the "harder edge" to the story. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Mills</span> English comics writer and editor (born 1949)

Patrick Eamon Mills is an English 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. He has been called "the godfather of British comics".

<i>2000 AD</i> (comics) British comic magazine

2000 AD is a weekly British science fiction-oriented comic magazine. As a comics anthology it serialises stories in each issue and was first published by IPC Magazines in 1977, the first issue dated 26 February. Since 2000 it has been published by Rebellion Developments.

Tharg the Mighty or The Mighty One is the fictional editor of the British science fiction comic 2000 AD. The character was introduced on the cover of the first issue in 1977 and is one of only two characters to appear in almost every issue of the comic, the other being Judge Dredd. Tharg rarely appears in stories but strips involving him have been written by such notable writers as Alan Grant, Alan Moore and John Wagner, albeit usually credited to "TMO" – "The Mighty One".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wagner</span> American-born British comics writer (born 1949)

John Wagner is an American-born British comics writer. Alongside Pat Mills, he helped revitalise British comics in the 1970s, and continues to be active in the British comics industry, occasionally also working in American comics. He is the co-creator, with artist Carlos Ezquerra, of the character Judge Dredd.

<i>Strontium Dog</i> Comics character

Strontium Dog is a long-running British comics series starring Johnny Alpha, a mutant bounty hunter who lives in Earth's future. The series was created in 1978 by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra for Starlord, a short-lived weekly science fiction comic. When Starlord was cancelled, the series transferred to the British science fiction weekly 2000 AD. In 1980, Wagner was joined by co-writer Alan Grant, although scripts were normally credited to Grant alone. Grant wrote the series by himself from 1988 to 1990. Wagner revived the series after a ten-year hiatus in 2000. After Ezquerra's death in October 2018, the series was put in indefinite hiatus with no current plans for its continuation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Ezquerra</span> Spanish comics artist (1947–2018)

Carlos Sanchez Ezquerra was a Spanish comics artist who worked mainly in British comics. He is best known as the co-creator of Judge Dredd.

Ronald George Smith was an English comic artist whose career spanned almost fifty years. Primarily producing strips for the two main publishers, DC Thomson and IPC Magazines, Smith was best known for drawing Judge Dredd for 2000 AD and the Daily Star.

<i>Battle Picture Weekly</i> British weekly comic

Battle Picture Weekly was a British weekly boys' war comic published by IPC Magazines from 8 March 1975 to 23 January 1988, when it merged with the new incarnation of Eagle after 644 issues. Most stories were set in World War II, with some based on other conflicts, while factual features also focused on warfare.

<i>Starlord</i> (comics) British weekly comic

Starlord was a British weekly boys' science fiction comic published by IPC Magazines from 13 May to 7 October 1978, when it merged with 2000 AD after 22 issues. The comic was created by Kelvin Gosnell, and was originally intended as a fortnightly sister title for 2000 AD with higher production values and an older audience, but late changes in production saw it converted into a weekly.

<i>The Thirteenth Floor</i> (comics) British comic book story

"The Thirteenth Floor" is a British science fiction strip character, appearing in titles published by IPC Magazines. The strip debuted in the weekly anthology Scream! on 24 March 1984, before continuing in Eagle until 28 February 1987. The stories were written by John Wagner and Alan Grant; art was provided by José Ortiz. Since 2016 the property has been owned by Rebellion Developments, who have revived the strip in several specials. The plot was set in a tower block called Maxwell Tower, controlled by an experimental sentient computer called Max located on the 13th floor of the flats. Max himself narrated the strip, and as befitting a computerised custodian of hundreds of people, was quite chatty and light-hearted. However, he was also portrayed as having a programming flaw; programmed to love and protect his tenants, he could remorselessly kill anyone who threatened or even just annoyed them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The House of Daemon</span> British comic book story

"The House of Daemon" is a British comic strip, appearing in titles published by IPC Magazines. The story was published in the anthology Eagle from 11 September 1982 to 12 February 1983, written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, with art by José Ortiz. The story followed couple Elliot and Cassandra Aldrich, who moved into a new home - only to find it is haunted by a demonic being.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tower King</span> British comic book story

"The Tower King" is a British comic strip, appearing in titles published by IPC Magazines. The story was published in the anthology Eagle from 27 March to 4 September 1982, written by Alan Hebden, with art by José Ortiz. The story was set in a dystopian London, where society has broken down.

<i>Tornado</i> (comics) British weekly comic

Tornado was a British weekly boys' adventure comic published by IPC Magazines from 24 March to 18 August 1979. The comic was partly created as a way to use up stories already commissioned for the other titles, and was marred by a difficult production. Tornado sold poorly and was merged with 2000 AD after 22 issues.

Michael Molcher is a British journalist and magazine editor, who is originally from Leeds. He also produced the small press magazine The End Is Nigh.

John Ridgway is an English comic book artist. He is best known as the first artist of the comic book series Hellblazer, featuring John Constantine.

John Wagner has worked on a wide range of British comics most notably working on Judge Dredd and the various spin-offs.

Jesús Redondo Román is a Spanish comic artist who has been published in many countries, including Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major Eazy</span> British comic book character

Major Eazy is a British comic character, appearing in strips published by IPC Magazines. Eazy featured British comic war stories published in the weekly anthology Battle Picture Weekly from 10 January 1976 to 10 June 1978, written by Alan Hebden and drawn by Carlos Ezquerra. Set during World War II, the strips follow Eazy, an unconventional British Army officer with a laidback attitude.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Mestizo</span> British comic book story

"El Mestizo" is a British comic war story published in the weekly anthology Battle Picture Weekly from 4 June to 17 September 1977 by IPC Magazines. Set during the American Civil War, the story follows a mestizo slave turned mercenary returning from Mexico to America in 1862. The story was written by Alan Hebden and drawn by Carlos Ezquerra.

<i>Monster</i> (comics) British comic book story

"Monster" is a British horror comic strip character, appearing in titles published by IPC Magazines. The strip debuted in the weekly anthology Scream! on 24 March 1984, before continuing in Eagle until 30 May 1985. The opening episode was written by Alan Moore, with the remainder by John Wagner and Alan Grant; art was provided by Alberto Giolitti, and later Jesus Redondo. The story concerned a young boy called Kenny's attempts to get his deformed, abused uncle Terry help.

References

  1. Bishop, David (14 February 2017). Thrill-Power Overload: 2000 AD - the First Forty Years: Revised and Expanded. ISBN   9781781085226.
  2. 1 2 Jewell, Stephen (18 September 2018). "Alan Hebden Interrogation - Running with the Pack". Judge Dredd Megazine . No. 400. Rebellion Developments.
  3. 1 2 Molcher, Michael (31 March 2010). "Interrogation - Days of Wine & Warlocks". Judge Dredd Megazine . No. 296. Rebellion Developments.
  4. Holland, Steve (2002). The Fleetway Companion. Rotherham: CJ & Publication.
  5. 1 2 "Starlord's Classic space epic "Mind Wars" gets Judge Dredd Megazine reprint". 11 May 2019.
  6. Alan Hebden ( w ), Jesus Redondo , Ian Gibson  ( a )."Mind Wars" Starlord (20 May to 7 October 1978). IPC Magazines .
  7. "Mind Wars" Starlord Annual (1981). IPC Magazines .
  8. Lanihorne, Ruan (November 1978). "Unamerican Activities". BEM . No. 21. Martin Lock.
  9. Lanihorne, Ruan (January 1979). "Unamerican Activities". BEM . No. 22. Martin Lock.