2000 AD and Tornado #157

A high-octane space battle erupts across the cover of this March 1980 prog, with armored spacecraft trading fire against a deep-space backdrop dominated by a looming red planet — and a cover caption warns readers to "Look out! It's Earth-Side Eddie and the Anti-Matter Kids!" Kevin O'Neill's cover art brings it all to vivid life, with a heavily detailed foreground pilot in a blue-and-gold craft at the center of the chaos, explosions blazing as vessels streak in every direction. Inside, Ian Gibson illustrates "Day of the Droids! Part 6," written by John Howard — and the playful "Martian Edition — Not For Sale on Earth" badge is a cheeky reminder of why 2000 AD and Tornado was the most fun you could have with 12p on a Monday in 1980.