2000 AD #312

A tombstone bearing the name "Samuel C. Slade – Robo-Hunter" dominates this striking April 1983 cover from 2000 AD Prog 312, with the carved likeness of the rugged bounty hunter staring grimly from the stone while two of his robot companions — a frog-like figure sniffling nearby and a smaller robot exclaiming "Ay-yi-yi! Señor Slade, he ees no more!" — mourn beside it. The tagline "Robo-Hunter – The Final Case?" sets up a deliciously ominous tone as we head into "The Slaying of Slade, Part 1." Ian Gibson's cover linework is expressive and full of character, blending dark atmosphere with the comic warmth of Slade's grieving mechanical pals — a fine showcase for one of 2000 AD's most entertaining strips.