Sam Slade Robo-Hunter #23

Sam Slade Robo-Hunter first appeared in 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 hardboiled detective fiction, reimagined in a futuristic world where robots are ubiquitous but often prone to malfunction. The character of Sam Slade, a cigar-chomping, cynical investigator, became a staple of the comic’s golden age, balancing grit with a distinctly British sense of humor.

Issue 23 was published during the early years of the series' run, continuing the tradition of intricate, mechanical detail provided by Ian Gibson’s signature line work. The visual style of the era focused on dense, cluttered urban landscapes populated by clunky, quirky machinery, reflecting the tongue-in-cheek nihilism of the script. At the time of its release, the comic was highly regarded for its subversive tone and visual wit, solidifying its place in the lineage of iconic 2000 AD properties alongside Judge Dredd.