Sam Slade Robo-Hunter #26

Sam Slade: Robo-Hunter originated in the pages of the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD, first appearing 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 future where robots were ubiquitous but prone to malfunction. The series quickly became a staple of the comic for its dark humor and Gibson’s distinctively cluttered, expressive line work.

Issue number 26 belongs to the earlier, formative period of the strip’s run. During this time, the narrative focused on the cynical, pipe-smoking bounty hunter Sam Slade as he navigated the absurdities of robot-human relations. The design of the comic reflected the punk-influenced, anarchic aesthetic of 2000 AD, prioritizing kinetic storytelling and a gritty, industrial visual style that resonated with British youth culture of the late 1970s and early 1980s.