Annotations for “Leatherjack” written by Nick Margerrison with contributions gratefully accepted.

– Part 3 –
First published in 2000AD Prog 1452 Aug 17th 2005
Script by John Smith
Art by Paul Marshall
Colours by Chris Blythe

Page #1

Observe the way John Smith plays with the metric pace and sound of the words in this sequence. The pounding "B" sound echoing the footsteps of the protagonist. The repitition of words "Down [...] Down" and then finally as a herald of the action shot which lies at the bottom of the page "Up".

Page #2

Again the rhythmic structure of this page is like a song. The last two lines of course explicitly rhyming as we are prepared for the spectacle of the next page.

"Lodestone" - an early form of magnet which was used as a compass.

Page #3

Panel #2
"Hnn. Step into my parlour..." - it's strangely appropriate that the first words we see the illiterate Leatherjack speak are an innacurate quote from "The Spider and The Fly" by Mary Howitt. The actual quote is "Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly". The poem itself details the downfall of a fly who is too vain to resist the flattery of a deceptive spider. This theme has of course already been raised by Lord Qwish's concluding speech in the previous episode. It's also interesting to note how it neatly ties in with the images of insects which are already being used here.

Page #4

Panel #6
"The Vulture God" - this could be a tacit reference to the Egyptian Vulture Goddess "NEKHEBET - NECHBET" who was the direct protector of The Pharoah in ancient Egypt. If so it feminises Leatherjack's aspect in this scene but also manages to point out that he is a servant of the rich. NEKHEBET was not initially popular with the mainstream in Egypt because she was so closely allied to those at the very top of the political spectrum. This runs in parrallel to the fact that Leatherjack is protecting the interests of the rich and pampered Lord Qwish.

Further to this we have the fact that Leatherjack is now picking the flesh from the doomed planet like a vulture.

Page #5

Panel #1
"Microseisms" - A faint earth tremor caused by natural phenomena, such as winds and strong ocean waves. (Dictionary.reference.com)

Panel #3
"Holocaust weaponry" - Notice how the Spinster's persuit of morality is compared to the worst evils of facism.

Panel #5
"Neuropeptides" - A neuropeptide can be any of the various short-chain peptides found in brain tissue. The most common example used in most definitions is an endorphin.

Page #6

Panel #1
"The Ur-Book" - I can't locate the origin of this expression but a quick scan around the internet reveals it as a common expression used to describe a book which has undesputed authority.

"The living index" - This could be a reference to the fact that the book itself does appear to be alive later in the story.

"Book of whispers" - Another clue as to the inspiration behind this illusive tome. This monika ties up with the earlier name it was given, The Book Of Sighs. Notice that so far each time it has been referred to it has changed its name. This predicates the cover of the book which, once it is unwrapped, changes its appearence each time it is depicted.

Panel #4
Notice the spine of one of the books: "2000AD Annual 198-". This reference to 1980's Britain serves as an interesting nod towards a time when moral absolutism dominated our political landscape. Arrogant faith in ideology and an unwillingness to compromise created an oppressive atmosphere inside Thatcher's Britain; something which is also present under the reign of The Spinsters. Notice also the visual simmilarity between Lady Thatcher and The Spinsters. Far from being a knowing wink this subtle reference is in my opinion loaded with meaning.

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These notes are written to be used as a companion to the story. They’ve been written entirely for fun and are published here to encourage you to either contribute to them or start your own annotations to one of your own favourite 2000AD texts. I’ve gone for the ‘explain everything’ approach. Additional comments are welcome.