Harlem Heroes

"Harlem Heroes" is a British comic strip that formed part of the original line-up ('Thrill 5') of "2000 AD". Inspired by the popularity during the 1970s of kung fu films and the Harlem Globetrotters, "Harlem Heroes" was devised by Pat Mills, employing elements from his "Hellball" comic strip, and scripted by Tom Tully. Initially, the series was to have been drawn by Carlos Trigo but the Spanish artist was replaced by Dave Gibbons prior to the first issue's publication. From Prog 25, Massimo Belardinelli drew the concluding episodes of the first series and would be retained as its regular artist for the strip's reinvention as "Inferno".

Harlem Heroes

"By the year 2050," [It's unclear when exactly the first series of "Harlem Heroes" takes place. 2078, the year that "Inferno" is set, contradicts the generally accepted view that its predecessor takes place in 2050.] "the game of Aeroball has swept the world! It's Football, Boxing, Kung Fu and Basketball all rolled into one! Players roar through the air wearing jet packs (controlled by buttons on their belts) and score "air strikes" by getting the ball in the "score tank". One of the top teams is the all-black Harlem Heroes!" [Quoted from "Harlem Heroes" "The Sport of Tomorrow", "2000 AD" Prog 1.]

ummary [first series]

Having made it through the preliminary round of the World Aeroball Championship, the Harlem Heroes' team bus crashes, killing all but four players. Louis Mayer, his brain alone surviving the tragedy, convinces his three fellow survivors, 'Slim', 'Hairy', and team captain John 'Giant' Clay, that they can still win the championship title.

Episodes

"2000 AD" Progs 1 — 27, "2000 AD Annual" 1978, "2000 AD Annual" 1979 (29 episodes)

"Timeline:" 21st Century:"The Sport of Tomorrow" -- Prog 1 (1 episode):"The Berlin Blitzkreigs" -- "2000 AD Annual" 1978 (1 episode):" [title required] " -- "2000 AD Annual" 1979 (1 episode):"The Baltimore Bulls" -- Progs 2 — 5 (4 episodes):"The Siberian Wolves" -- Progs 6 — 8 (3 episodes):"The Montezuma Mashers" -- Progs 9 — 11 (3 episodes):"The Flying Scotsmen" -- Progs 12 — 15 (4 episodes):"Gorgon's Gargoyles" -- Progs 16 — 21 (5 episodes):"The Bushido Blades" -- Progs 22 — 24 (3 episodes):"The Teutonic Titans" -- 25 — 27 (3 episodes)

;Script: Pat Mills, Tom Tully (Prog 1):Tom Tully (Progs 2 — 27);Art: Dave Gibbons (Prog 1, "Harlem Heroes" pages 1 — 4), Carlos Trigo (Prog 1, "Harlem Heroes" page 5):Dave Gibbons (Prog 2 — 24):Massimo Belardinelli (Progs 25 — 27)

Inferno

"Inferno" is the violent sequel to "Harlem Heroes".

ummary

"2000 AD" Progs 36 — 75 (40 episodes)

"Timeline:" 2078

;Script: Tom Tully;Art: Massimo Belardinelli

Judge Dredd

"Never mind, Citizen Giant. Look at it this way -- you've lost a son but Mega-City One has gained a darned fine Judge." [Quoted from "Judge Dredd" "The Academy of Law", "2000 AD" Prog 28.]

The Academy of Law

Judge Giant senior graduates from Mega-City One's Academy of Law, much to the delight of his proud father, John 'Giant' Clay.

Episodes

"2000 AD" Progs 27 — 28 (2 episodes)

"Timeline:" 2099

;Script: John Wagner;Art: Ian Gibson (part 1), Mike McMahon (part 2)

Harlem Heroes

A revival of the first series in name only.

ummary [second series]

"2000 AD" Progs 671 — 676, 683 — 699, 701 — 705/745 — 749/776 — 779/928 — 939 (49 episodes)

"Timeline:" 2109

"Harlem Heroes"

"2000 AD" Progs 671 — 676, 683 — 699, 701 — 705 (28 episodes);Script: Michael Fleisher;Art: Steve Dillon and Kev Walker (parts 1 — 16, 18 — 21, 23 — 26):Steve Dillon and Simon Jacob (part 17):Steve Dillon (part 22):Simon Jacob (part 27):Kev Hopgood (part 28)

Death Sport

"2000 AD" Progs 745 — 749 (5 episodes);Script: Michael Fleisher;Art: Geoff Senior

Grey Ghost Overflight

"2000 AD" Progs 776 — 779 (4 episodes);Script: Michael Fleisher;Art: Ron Smith

Cyborg Death Trip

"2000 AD" Progs 928 — 939 (12 episodes);Script: Michael Fleisher;Art: Kev Hopgood and Siku

Whatever Happened to John "Giant" Clay?

"Judge Dredd Megazine" #216 (1 episode)

"Timeline:" 2126

;Script: Gordon Rennie;Art: Rufus Dayglo

Trivia

*"Harlem Heroes" episodes 8 and 9 ["Harlem Heroes" "2000 AD" Prog 8, page 4.5 and Prog 9, page 1.1] make reference to Mega-City One, the vast megalopolis patrolled by Judge Dredd.
*Aeroball Rule 16::Either squad leader can call for a two-minute time out if two or more of his players have withdrawn from the Thrill Bowl because of injury. ["Harlem Heroes" "2000 AD" Prog 4, page 2.3]
*Aeroball Rule 28::The score-holes of the 'tank' are surrounded by electrified prods. If a player hits them, he must go to the penalty pen. ["Harlem Heroes" "2000 AD" Prog 3, page 3.5]
*Aeroball Rule 59::Computronic players must reduce their energy output to human levels during the game. ["Harlem Heroes" "2000 AD" Prog 16, page 2.1]
*Judge Dredd is the graduating officer of Judge Giant senior. ["Judge Dredd" "The Academy of Law", "2000 AD" Prog 28]
*Although her identity has not been disclosed, there is some fan speculation that the mother of Judge Giant senior is Cindy Lamont, former Harlem Hellcat and partner of John 'Giant' Clay. ["Inferno" "2000 AD" Progs 36 — 75 " [exact citation required] "]

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=thrill&page=profiles&choice=HARLEM 2000 AD profile]