Review by Frank Plowright

Gerry Finley-Day’s preferred story form for Rogue Trooper is the short sharp shock, episodes generally no longer than two parts leading to a wistful comment about the circumstances at the end. Book Two featured the first expansion to three parts, but ‘All Hell on the Dix-I Front’ as serialised here is a veritable epic at a dozen chapters.

Before it kicks off, though, there’s the matter of looters. Previous Rogue Trooper collections have been low on highlights, yet Book Three’s opener definitely hits that mark. The focus isn’t on Rogue, but two comically archaic types earning their living via the reprehensible trade of looting equipment from dead soldiers, using state of the art location and concealment technology. It’s a very satisfying interlude varying the viewpoint, and good enough to make one consider why Finley-Day couldn’t more consistently write to this level. It’s further elevated by Cam Kennedy’s first series art (sample page). While although not obviously his signature style, the storytelling is impeccable, the designs are thoughtful and he sells the mood.

Dix-I is a Souther facility that’s seen no trace of Nort activity for so long they’re confident enough to declare a celebration, but Rogue discovers all is not as it seems to be. Despite being a connected series of events, Finley-Day’s story is episodic, touring around different locations, meaning that to all intents and purposes it’s a progression of single episodes. What is different is the introduction of a human companion for Rogue, although Finley-Day might have stretched himself a little more than calling her Sister Sledge. She’s well used, with a recognition that her permanent presence would upset the strip’s balance, and therefore she isn’t going to be around for the long term, yet Finley-Day avoids the obvious resolution. Also notable is a subplot of Bagman’s chip deteriorating due to damage, leaving Rogue not trusting his comments.

Five solid chapters of precise detail from the always reliable Colin Wilson open the epic, and he also draws the three final chapters. Kennedy’s contribution sees him modifying his style to closer resemble Wilson’s pages, leaving a pair of chapters by Brett Ewins indelicate and unimaginative in comparison.

Finley-Day oversells where things are heading and ‘All Hell on the Dix-I Front’ has to combat his heavy-handed dialogue, but there are some new ideas here and the plot twists work. There’s a pleasing symmetry in the closing two-parter returning both Kennedy and looters Brand and Brass in another quality outing.

You’ll be missing out on Dave Gibbons art, but if you only need to sample one of the 1980s album-sized Rogue Trooper collections, this is the one. Alternatively everything is found along with Gibbons’ earlier material as either Tales of Nu-Earth 01 or The Complete Collection 1. Book Four again features longer episodes.