Sam Slade Robo-Hunter #2

Sam Slade Robo-Hunter debuted in the pages of the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD in 1978, created by writer John Wagner and artist Ian Gibson. The series was designed as a satirical take on hard-boiled detective fiction, transplanted into a futuristic setting populated by dysfunctional robots. It provided a lighter, more comedic counterpoint to the grit of other contemporary strips like Judge Dredd, utilizing Gibson’s distinctively detailed and expressive line work to define the visual identity of the title character.

The second issue of the Robo-Hunter run solidified the series' formula, establishing Sam Slade as a grumpy, cigar-chomping private investigator tasked with 'retiring' rogue mechanical units. The strip was an immediate hit with the 2000 AD readership, lauded for its sharp wit and the dynamic, frantic energy of Gibson’s art. It has since remained a cornerstone of British comic culture, frequently cited for its role in shaping the irreverent tone that came to characterize the broader 2000 AD publication.