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Vector 13

Started by lwhitehead, 17 February, 2017, 09:42:05 AM

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lwhitehead

Hi I was wondering about Vector 13, what sources were used in writing the strip?, Books and sources I need to know.


LW

Rara Avis

On a similar note .. I see that from Prog 1021 at least Vector 13 took over editorial duties from our dearly beloved Tharg. What was that about and how long did it go on for?

Steve Green

I think it was an attempt by then editor David Bishop to see if Tharg could be ditched since he'd been around since the launch, and maybe felt a bit juvenile.

Also the X-files would have been running at that point.

(I'm not sure swapping one ludicrous figurehead for another was ever going to fly)

I guess enough complained about the new regime.

I'm not sure how long it ran for, but Tharg returned and unmasked the perpetrators, and everything returned to normal.

Link Prime

Quote from: lwhitehead on 17 February, 2017, 09:42:05 AM
Hi I was wondering about Vector 13, what sources were used in writing the strip?, Books and sources I need to know.


LW

A hard question to answer as there were about two dozen writers involved.
Some were based on known myth / folklore (The Spear of Destiny, The Mothman etc), some were likely inventions by the writers.

As Steve mentioned- it was all very much influenced by the X-Files phenomena at the time.

As with any series of this nature it was hit & miss, although there are a few gems.


Rara Avis

It seems clear that Mr. Bishop was temporarily invaded by thrill suckers, it's the only logical conclusion.

Ludicrous figurehead?  Surely you mean benevolent cicerone?  :)

I quite enjoyed Vector 13, I must check if there's a collected edition in the shop.

Quote from: Steve Green on 17 February, 2017, 12:14:17 PM
I think it was an attempt by then editor David Bishop to see if Tharg could be ditched since he'd been around since the launch, and maybe felt a bit juvenile.

Also the X-files would have been running at that point.

(I'm not sure swapping one ludicrous figurehead for another was ever going to fly)

I guess enough complained about the new regime.

I'm not sure how long it ran for, but Tharg returned and unmasked the perpetrators, and everything returned to normal.

james newell


Arkwright99

Quote from: Steve Green on 17 February, 2017, 12:14:17 PMI'm not sure how long it ran for, but Tharg returned and unmasked the perpetrators, and everything returned to normal.
Vector 13's rule of the Nerve Centre lasted from Prog 1014 to 1032 although it felt like much longer both at the time and afterwards.
'Life isn't divided into genres. It's a horrifying, romantic, tragic, comical, science-fiction cowboy detective novel ... with a bit of pornography if you're lucky.' - Alan Moore


lwhitehead

I know it's Fringe and Super Science, Crytozoology and Ufology, I just want to know the sources.


As a Fellow Writer I need these books and sources for my John Doe Setting.


LW

Woolly

Quote from: lwhitehead on 17 February, 2017, 02:23:14 PM
I know it's Fringe and Super Science, Crytozoology and Ufology, I just want to know the sources.


Unless one of the Vector 13 scribes posts, I'm afraid we can't answer.
Maybe best to just look into Fringe and Super Science, Crytozoology and Ufology in general? It's bound to be where the writers looked for inspiration  :thumbsup:

Also, I think we've had some Vector 13 reprinted in the floppies already, but not all of it. Even though it's little more than a re-title of Future Shocks, I hope we get more.

lwhitehead

Floppies?,

Sigh I would really like some help on those mention subjects,

LW

The Adventurer

#11
Quote from: lwhitehead on 18 February, 2017, 04:28:27 AM
Floppies?,

Sigh I would really like some help on those mention subjects,

LW

'Floppies' = Bound reprints packaged with the Judge Dredd Megazine. Called such because unlike regular collected editions they are not square bound and have paper covers, making them 'floppie'.

Woolly is correct, however while some Vector 13 has been reprinted, it's been used sparingly as page filler in Megazine reprints who's main feature runs short. Individual Vector 13 stories can be found with Megazines 311, 312, 336, & 337. Info courtosy of the Barney 2000AD database
http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=thrill&page=profiles&Comic=2000AD&choice=vector13

THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

sheridan

Quote from: Arkwright99 on 17 February, 2017, 01:13:15 PM
Quote from: Steve Green on 17 February, 2017, 12:14:17 PMI'm not sure how long it ran for, but Tharg returned and unmasked the perpetrators, and everything returned to normal.
Vector 13's rule of the Nerve Centre lasted from Prog 1014 to 1032 although it felt like much longer both at the time and afterwards.

18 weeks?  I thought it was more like a year!

Rara Avis

I read a Vector 13 story recently about an RAF tornado that encountered a UFO and the crew went missing ..

The story may have been inspired by this event but there are others ..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_incident

And mysteriously .. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12613690

If you could be more specific about what you're looking for there might be enough communal knowledge of these stories to indicate likely sources without having to consult the oracle.

lwhitehead

Well since my John Doe setting is inspired by Hellboy and BPRD comics setting but instead of fighting Magick and evil Gods, John Doe and the group he is there Top Agent fight Aliens, Super Science and Fringe Science threats to Earth based in Area 51.


John Doe is a Human size Grey, due to some Human DNA getting into his system, he was one of the bodies fetched from the Roswell Crash

LW