Sam Slade Robo-Hunter #9

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 the hard-boiled detective genre, reimagined within a world populated by unruly robots. The character of Sam Slade, a grizzled, cigar-chomping bounty hunter, served as a comedic foil to the chaotic and often absurd technological landscape of the future.

Issue 9, released during the series' initial run, continues the characteristic blend of slapstick humor and detailed, intricate line work that defined Ian Gibson's artistic contribution. By this point in the series, the aesthetic of the strip was firmly established, featuring cramped, detail-heavy panels that emphasized the cluttered, industrial nature of the Robo-Hunter's universe. It was well-received by readers of 2000 AD, who favored the witty dialogue and the visual inventiveness that helped solidify the series as a staple of British comics.