Episode 67 of The Trigan Empire
The Stolen Plans
aka De superjet (Dutch title)
The superjet (Dutch title, translated)
Written by Mike Butterworth
Illustrated by Oliver Frey
The Stolen Plans was originally published in 4 instalments in issues 816 (3 September 1977) to 819 (24 September 1977) of Look and Learn magazine.
It is reprinted in Volume 6 of The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire (Rebellion).
Plot summary
At the annual air force show in Trigan, the newest, secret fighter jet is on display. Also present are Marshal Zootho from Cato with his adjutant Yerru. Trigan and Cato are once again on tense terms, and Trigo wants to impress the two from Cato. That’s why they showcase the jet and all the other fighters. During the tour, as the commander-in-chief offers the guests a drink, the lights go out. Once the guests have left, it turns out that the design for the new superjet has been stolen from the vault.
After a thorough investigation, they discover that Yerru’s real name is actually Boraff and that he is a well-known safecracker. Zootho and Yerru are still in Trigan, enjoying a short vacation. They still have the plans, and Trigo wants to steal them back. Peric comes up with the idea to enlist a top Trigan criminal. In the prison on the island of Zanff, a man named Nommo is incarcerated. He is the most cunning villain around. They ask him to steal back the designs in exchange for a pardon, but if Nommo fails or if war breaks out because he’s discovered, he will be thrown back in prison.
While Zootho and his adjutant are sunbathing, Nommo walks past and drops an expensive diamond. Zootho, who is interested in valuable items, picks up the gem. Nommo invites him to come view his diamond collection at his villa on Lake Lugo. The three of them fly to the fantastic island where the villa is located. In the house, Nommo shows off his jewels. That night, Zootho’s adjutant tries to steal the jewels and opens the safe, but Nommo had anticipated this and catches him. He threatens to turn him in unless he does what Nommo asks.
The next day, Zootho and the adjutant return to Cato. In Cato, they examine the plans and immediately begin mass production of the superjet. Three months later, the first test flight takes place—but the plane crashes. When Trigo and Peric hear this, they are very pleased. They congratulate Nommo on a job well done: he had swapped the real design for a fake one. Cato now has a whole fleet of planes that will explode shortly after takeoff.
Links
Plot summary (Dutch)
Downloads
British Comics Compilations [PDF]