Villordsutch reviews the first issue of Star Slammers: Re-mastered #1…
“Once upon a time, there was a race of men who could out-shoot, out-fight, and out-kill anybody. They were paid fabulous sums to act as mercenaries. The practice became so lucrative, they decided to go into business. They became the most successful businessmen in history, and they called themselves…The Star Slammers!“
When I finally emerged past the pages of the Beano as a child (was never a Dandy fan) I immediately fell into the lap of 2000AD. Occasionally I bought a copy the odd politically incorrect (even then) Warlord; but mostly it was 2000AD and it was an odd step from the Beano with Dennis worrying Softy Walter to Dredd executing Perps, but it was a cool step and it made me appreciate the nicer things as I grew older. In the 1980’s our comics were amazingly violent and looked fantastic too, though as I grew up I expected my comics to join me. Star Slammers is a comic that like an obstinate toddler has shrugged off its parents arm and not only yelled, “NO!” to me wanting my comics to grow up, but it’s also flicked the V at me whilst wearing a bright red Samurai Suit.
Honestly this comic is one chunk of my history and I read it like I’d just found it tucked behind an old radiator. Looking over at Wikipedia, low and behold this was written and drawn as Walt Simonson’s thesis back in the early 1970s but then released by Marvel in 1983. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a chunk of my history I’m re-reading. Even Len O’Grady brings a palette that he must have kept on his shelf for the past thirty years. I adore this comic and I read it smiling.
The story is brief and to introduce our heroes we get a Seven Samurai / Magnificent Seven set-up with a citadel being surrounded by those who want to get in. The residents of the citadel call in the aid of the Star Slammers who make short work of the situation; it’s here we get our backstory to our youngest member. I know it all sounds rather glib and a bit empty but this is part of a bigger story which we will be treated to other the coming months. However, it looks brilliant from the opening fly near the eye to the violent ways to die – even the onomatopoeia is drawn in such a way that I found myself mouthing out the citadel doors opening.
I known people could raise the question of the lasting power of this comic and perhaps balk and bleat, “You can never go back!” and that may be the case. I’m hoping here that Star Slammers is just returning with the small but powerful piece of a magic it clearly had back in the 1980s like a comet sharing it’s magnificent tale [sic] with us – once every generation.
Walt Simonson and Len O’Grady have given you something to grab hold of that’s Cool, Retro, Nowtro etc. etc. etc. I’ll let you choose your hip word, but whatever you choose make sure that you choose Star Slammers and this classic 1st issue.
Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children. Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.
Originally published March 26, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
