Wikipedia

Vector 13

Vector 13is acomicstrip published in the British magazine2000 AD.It featured theeponymousagency set up to investigate anomalous phenomena andconspiracy theories.It was influenced by American TV dramaThe X-Files(which was at the height of its popularity at the time) and other events such as the 1995 release of thealien autopsy film;as general interest in the paranormal and parapolitics waned, the series was wound up and replaced byPulp Sci-Fias a venue for single issue self-contained stories. In turn it foreshadowed other comics series dedicated to similar agencies, such asCaballistics, Inc.

The format was created by former2000 ADeditor and long-time contributorAlan McKenzie.

Synopsis

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Each story was presented by theMen in Black,as being a true file from their cases touching on a whole range ofForteanafromMothmanto theChupacabrasand broaderconspiracy theoriessuch as those surroundingProject MKULTRA.

In the middle of the series run (and as the interest in such subjects peaked) the MiB broke out of their own strip and took over the running of the magazine from #1014 (appearing as part of the logo from #1015), as editorThargwas allegedly away dealing with a crisis. This first issue coinciding with a promotion of the X-Files series 2 trading cards.

Continuity

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Cases were not always consistent:

  • Series 1"Case Nine:Spear of Destiny",series 3,"Case Three: The Dream Factory"and"Divine Fury".
    • Case Ninerevealed that the Spear Of Destiny was used as the flagpole in the 1969 Moon landing, whereasCase Threestated that the Moon landing had been faked in order to cover up a much more advanced space programme prevalent throughout the Solar System.Divine Furyintimated that the space programme was accurate, but had been based on alien technology first discovered andreverse-engineeredby the Nazis in the latter stages of World War II.
  • Series 2"Case Four: Operation Mordred","Case Seven: Psi-Wars",series 3"Case Zero: Oath of Office"and series 5"Case Nine: JFKed!"
    • Case Fourstated thatJohn F. Kennedywas killed by a time-traveller to avert a dystopian future where Kennedy had instigated anuclear holocaustafter the American defeat inVietnam.Case Sevenshowed that he was assassinated by a Soviet agent assisted by psychic operatives, andCase Zeroshowed Kennedy as being assassinated by theIlluminatifor not following their leadership. Finally,Case Ninehad Kennedy assassinated by time travelling hitmen hired by a future-cabal from "a post-nuclear shambles" where Kennedy's death was deemed more profound than his life. In the last panel the hitmen were revealed to beSinister and Dexter.

Bibliography

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Instalments include:

  • Series 1:
  • Series 2:
    • "Case One: Berserkers" (by Brian Williamson and John Ridgway, in2000 AD#965, 1995)
    • "Case Two: Danse Macabre" (with Dan Abnett and Kevin Cullen, in2000 AD#966, 1995)
    • "Case Three: Heatwave" (by Kevin Gill andDave D'Antiquis,in2000 AD#967, 1995)
    • "Case Four: Operation Mordred" (by Peter Hogan and Lee Sullivan, in2000 AD#968, 1995)
    • "Case Five: Shadrach" (by Dan Abnett andNick Percival,in2000 AD#969, 1995)
    • "Case Six: A Salver in the Heavens" (by Dan Abnett and John Ridgway, in2000 AD#970, 1995)
    • "Case Seven: Psi-Wars" (byKek-Wand Kevin Cullen, in2000 AD#971, 1995)
    • "Case Eight: Red in Tooth and Claus" (by John Tomlinson and Lee Sullivan, in2000 AD#972, 1995)
    • "Case Nine: Blackout" (by Dan Abnett andMike Perkins,in2000 AD#973, 1996)
    • "Case Ten: Thrillkill" (by Brian Williamson andJohn Burns,in2000 AD#974, 1995)
    • "Case Eleven: K2" (with Kevin Gill and Mike Hadley, in2000 AD#975, 1995)
  • Series 3:
    • "Case Zero: Oath of Office" (byGordon Rennieand Garry Marshall, in2000 AD#987, 1996)
    • "Case One: Extraction Point" (bySimon JowettandPaul Johnson,in2000 AD#988, 1996)
    • "Case Two: Trinity" (bySimon FurmanandJohn Higgins,in2000 AD#989, 1996)
    • "Case Three: The Dream Factory" (by Kek-W andSteve Yeowell,in2000 AD#990, 1996)
    • "Case Four: Parts and Labour" (by Dan Abnett andMick Austin,in2000 AD#991, 1996)
    • "Case Five: Assassin" (byAlan McKenzieandDave D'Antiquis,in2000 AD#992, 1996)
    • "Case Six: Screaming Friar" (by Brian Williamson andJohn Burns,in2000 AD#993, 1996)
    • "Case Seven: Buzz-Saw" (by Kevin Gill andKevin Cullen,in2000 AD#994, 1996)
    • "Case Eight: Worlds at War" (by Dan Abnett and John Ridgway, in2000 AD#995, 1996)
    • "Case Nine: Down to the Woods" (by Brian Williamson and Kevin Cullen, in2000 AD#996, 1996)
    • "Case Ten: Video Nasty" (byPat Millsand John Ridgway, in2000 AD#997, 1996)
    • "Case Eleven: Imaginary Friend" (byNick Abadzisand Paul Johnson, in2000 AD#998-999, 1996)
  • Series 4:
    • "Case One: Devil in the Deep Blue Sea" (bySteve WhiteandHenry Flint,in2000 AD#1024, 1997)
    • "Case Two: It's Good to Talk" (byNick AbadzisandSean Phillips,in2000 AD#1025, 1997)
    • "Case Three: The Blackwater Incident" (by Shaky Kane andDavid Bircham,in2000 AD#1026, 1997)
    • "Case Four: Bad Moon Rising" (by Steve White and Amanda Fletcher, in2000 AD#1027, 1997)
    • "Case Five: Patent Pending" (by Gordon Rennie andMike Perkins,in2000 AD#1028, 1997)
    • "Case Six: Bodysnatchers" (by Gordon Rennie andAlex Ronald,in2000 AD#1029, 1997)
    • "Case Seven: The Immortality Question" (withPaul Nealand Cyril Julien, in2000 AD#1030, 1997)
    • "Case Eight: Unhallowed Ground" (by Gordon Rennie and Allan Bednar as "Neal Brand", in2000 AD#1031, 1997)
    • "Case Nine:The Sad Child"(by Dan Abnett andPaul Marshall,in2000 AD#1032, 1997)
    • "Case Ten: Case Closed?" (byDavid BishopandSimon Davis,in2000 AD#1032, 1997)
  • Series 5:
    • "Case Zero: Shadows and Light" (by Gordon Rennie andDylan Teague,in2000 AD#1060, 1997)
    • "Case One: Side Step" (by Dan Abnett andChris Weston,in2000 AD# 1062, 1997)
    • "Case Two: Cryptogram" (by Dan Abnett and Alex Ronald, in2000 AD#1063, 1997)
    • "Case Three: Graven Images" (byJohn SmithandCliff Robinson,in2000 AD#1064, 1997)
    • "Case Four: HALO" (byChris Standleyand Robert McCallum, in2000 AD# 1065 (1997))
    • "Case Six:MK-Ultra"(by Gordon Rennie and Alex Ronald, in2000 AD#1067, 1997)
    • "Case Seven: Night of the Jaguar" (by Steve White andMarc Wigmore,in2000 AD#1068, 1997)
    • "Case Eight: Midnight Rambler" (by Gordon Rennie and Paul Johnson, in2000 AD#1069, 1997)
    • "Case Nine: JFKed" (by Dan Abnett and Allan Bednar as "Neal Brand", in2000 AD#1070, 1997)
    • "Case Ten: Angels" (byRobbie Morrisonand Lee Sullivan, in2000 AD#1071, 1997)
    • "Case Eleven: Search & Rescue" (by Gordon Rennie and Cliff Robinson, in2000 AD#1072, 1997)
    • "Case Twelve: Deep Freeze" (by Kek-W andPaul Marshall,in2000 AD#1073, 1997)
    • "Case Thirteen: Sands of Death" (by Robbie Morrison and Alex Ronald, in2000 AD#1074, 1997)
    • "Case Fourteen:Chupacabras"(byChris Standleyand Allan Bednar as "Neal Brand", in2000 AD#1075, 1997)
    • "Case Fifteen: Time's Arrow" (by Gordon Rennie and Patrick Woodrow, in2000 AD#1076, 1998)
  • Series 6:
    • "Case One:Houdini"(by Dan Abnett and Robert McCallum, in2000 AD#1078, 1998)
    • "Case Two: Chill Out" (by D. McDonagh and Charles Gillespie, in2000 AD#1079, 1998)
    • "Case Three: Shades of Grey" (by Dan Abnett and Robert McCallum, in2000 AD#1080, 1998)
    • "Case Four: Einstein's Monsters" (by Gordon Rennie and Cyril Julien, in2000 AD#1081, 1998)
    • "Case Five: Seal of Solomon" (by Gordon Rennie and Alex Ronald, in2000 AD#1082, 1998)
    • "Case Six: Godhead Revisited" (by Dan Abnett and Allan Bednar, in2000 AD#1083, 1998)
  • A stand-alone episode:
  • Specials:
    • "Case 459: Sheep's Clothing" (by Dan Abnett andLee Sullivan,in2000 AD Winter Special 1995)
    • "Case 667: Suburban Hell" (byIgor Goldkind,Dix and Nick Abadzis, in2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1996)
  • Crossover:
    • The Vector 13 Men in Black appeared on several occasions inBlack Light,usually to offer hints or explanations as to Black Light's activities - particularly in the"Pandora's Box"storyline.

See also

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