Autona... Planet Of Lies! is an amusing Vila-centric jaunt. And by Vila-centric, I mean it makes fun of his alcoholism and fondness for women, not any of his interesting aspects.
WRITTEN BY
No specific credit.
PLOT
After becoming damaged to the point of leaking vital supplies, the Scorpio is landed on the former Federation penal world Autona for repairs. There, Avon and the crew run into the genial scientist Wogan, and his girls, who welcome them into his underground base. But are they all that they seem?
ANALYSIS
Honestly, the entire story was probably constructed to get to the amazing moment where Avon shoots the Vila android's head off for not drinking wine. That bit overshadows everything else. Otherwise, it's a fairly run-of-the-mill mystery without a very satisfying resolution(Wogan was basically a really clever prisoner who's trying to escape).
But damn, Avon has no chill.
CHARACTERS
Not a very strong outing in this regard. Wogan is forgettable. His sexbot girlfriends are kind of amusing, but don't do anything memorable beyond tempting Vila(in fact, we probably shouldn't question why Wogan built sexbots instead of something to help him escape).
Vila himself is a stereotype of his TV characterisation at the time. Avon is brilliant. And the rest completely blend into the background.
NOTES
*This comic was published in the Blake's 7 Marvel Monthly issue 2.
*Apparently, the writer got Orac and Slave a bit mixed up, as they clearly have Orac analysing Autona and explaining its backstory, but he also refers to Avon as "master" and his analysis is later described as the crew's "survey", as if performed on the ship.
*As great as Avon is in most of this, I can't really picture Darrow saying "I'm game if you're not."
*Why would Avon tell Wogan not to mind Vila when they're in obvious agreement? Both agree to accept Wogan's hospitality. I guess Avon just recognises Vila is inherently irritating.
*Nothing worse than hearing an old mad scientist declare: "It is ME who wants your body!" after seducing you with sexbots.
*Bizarrely, Tarrant appears completely unaware of Wogan's existence until the repairs are complete, suggesting that nobody bothered to inform him of the contact they'd made.
*Apparently, Autona is also a God or Goddess on the planet, as Wogan declares "by Autona!" when he realises the Vila android is damaged.
*In an eyebrow-raising display of sexism, Avon orders Vila to fight the sexbots alongside him, rather than Dayna or Soolin, who are just left standing there as the men do all the work.
*Why would Wogan's drug affect any of the androids? Especially the sexbots, who never ingest it, but merely get splashed?
INFORMATION!
*Wogan lies to Avon and the crew that he's been retired to the planet since the last War, suggesting that he was exiled sometime around Aftermath.
BEST QUOTE AVON QUOTE
"I'll never drink with you again, Vila! Just keep away from me. You're double trouble!"
CONCLUSION
Daft.
*As great as Avon is in most of this, I can't really picture Darrow saying "I'm game if you're not."
*Why would Avon tell Wogan not to mind Vila when they're in obvious agreement? Both agree to accept Wogan's hospitality. I guess Avon just recognises Vila is inherently irritating.
*Nothing worse than hearing an old mad scientist declare: "It is ME who wants your body!" after seducing you with sexbots.
*Bizarrely, Tarrant appears completely unaware of Wogan's existence until the repairs are complete, suggesting that nobody bothered to inform him of the contact they'd made.
*Apparently, Autona is also a God or Goddess on the planet, as Wogan declares "by Autona!" when he realises the Vila android is damaged.
*In an eyebrow-raising display of sexism, Avon orders Vila to fight the sexbots alongside him, rather than Dayna or Soolin, who are just left standing there as the men do all the work.
*Why would Wogan's drug affect any of the androids? Especially the sexbots, who never ingest it, but merely get splashed?
INFORMATION!
*Wogan lies to Avon and the crew that he's been retired to the planet since the last War, suggesting that he was exiled sometime around Aftermath.
"I'll never drink with you again, Vila! Just keep away from me. You're double trouble!"
Daft.
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