++ Action - The Complete Sevenpenny Nightmare ++

Issue 22
Cover Date
10th July 1976
Click the cover to read

Money Man is in Hastings. Also featured, another Action Sports Scoreboard.

 

The fill in artist on Hellman incongruously draws the Major giving the Nazi salute on two separate occasions in this episode alone. Such an act is entirely out of character for a Nazi-hater like Hellman.

 

An editorial omission finally identifies the results of the Soccer Superstars competition and the results of the Hook Jaw competition. The second half of the results are promised 'soon'.

Dredger
At the Hampshire Agricultural Fair, Dredger and Breed disguise themselves as ambulance men to remove a G.E.P.O. agent who is posing as a delegate. With some 'persuasion' from Dredger, who has had past dealings with him, Jurgens reveals the target of his squad. They are raiding the research station at Greenhills. Dredger and Breed arrive as the squad are escaping with a poison called X-20. With no evidence against Jurgens, and the squad gone, the D.I.6. men are forced to release him because of his diplomatic status. That night Dredger breaks in to the East German Embassy, but is discovered as he attempts to switch the vial of X-20 in the diplomatic bag for a substitute. After a beating Dredger is released. The next day, as Breed and Dredger watch Jurgens board a private jet back to East Germany, Dredger explains that he never intended to switch the vials, but has planted an explosive in the diplomatic bag which will be going off about now. The poison is released, killing Jurgens, but Breed wonders if this was just Dredger getting revenge on an old enemy.
Green's Grudge War
Green and Bold are in hot water as usual, as another mission goes pear-shaped for them. Making a quick escape, they miss their boat home again, and have to swim for it. The ship is hit by enemy fire, destroying the wheelhouse. Green takes command and attempts to navigate home. He is on the verge of success when Bold questions his abilities and abandons the wheel. Green knows they were about to enter Portsmouth harbour, but thanks to Bold, they steam straight into a departing battleship. Faced with a Court Martial, Green's actions of saving the ship and its crew are taken into consideration. It is decided to get the men out of the way of the brass, and so they are given seven days home leave. Bold offers Green to stay with his family, but Green prefers to go home. Unfortunately he is not welcome there, and so he sets off to Bold's place in the country.
Hellman of the Afrika Korps
Hellman prepares for a last stand in Tunisia as the British and American forces meet up in the desert. He delivers a last blow to the Allies, but then receives a private communication from Rommel, telling him how the Nazis have destroyed the Afrika Korps from within. Kastner arrives, demands to see the letter, which Hellman burns in front of him, and then commandeers Hellman's plane for himself, leaving the Major to his fate. Hellman offers his men the choice of surrender, or trying to flee Africa by any means available. He will not see his panzers fall to the enemy, and sets about destroying them with his own hands. With only his Tiger remaining, Hellman orders his crew to reverse into the sea, determined that he will not be taken on African soil. At the last moment, a boat arrives to rescue Hellman. On board are the rest of Hammer Force. Hellman destroys the Tiger with an .88 shell. Back in Berlin, Hellman spies Kastner as he is being given his next assignment. To pay Hellman back for the incident with Rommel's letter, Kastner has had Hellman posted to the Russian Front.
Blackjack
Jack rumbles Perelli as the killer, but it is too late. Discovering his identity, Perelli has called the police and framed Jack for the murder. Jack decides to go on the run, but Cassie persuades him to perform in a Greenwich Village bar instead. As Jack takes to the stage, the club owner calls Perelli and tells him to send some men over.
Hook Jaw
An oceanographer named Bergstrom arrives at the island aboard his research ship, Valhalla. He intends to study dolphins, but has heard about Hook Jaw. He takes Mason down in a mini-sub, and shows him how dolphins work together to defend themselves from sharks. Soon enough Hook Jaw arrives and treats the sub like canned food. Bergstrom is amazed at the size of the shark, but one of his team dies in the attack. Bergstrom decides to leave the area, filming marine life is his passion, not feeding it. Gelder demands his help killing Hook Jaw, and Mason goads him, saying he lacks the guts. Bergstrom agrees to betray his values, but insists on hunting the shark his own way.
Look Out For Lefty!
Lefty and Angie take time to gloat at Smythe Senior's gnomes. Smythe calls Gosling to deal with them, threatening to expose Gosling for defrauding school funds. Meanwhile, Lefty performs a dazzling tournament display for the Wigford youth team, impressing Mike Roberts. Mike says he will run Lefty as an apprentice next season if he performs as well in the final the next day. The following morning, Gosling overhears Lefty taunting Sid Smythe at school. Realising that if Lefty misses the final, his football career is as good as over, Gosling begins scheming.
Death Game 1999
Rico is fitted with synthetic skin to hide his bionic parts, and is transported to the game in a separate van. In the team truck, Joe talks to Otto about his mission to kill Rico. At the Ice Drome, the fans are going wild with the news of Rico's return. They want blood and as the game begins, their wishes are soon granted. The attacking Madigan Maniacs single out Rico for attention, realising he has a limited mental capacity. Rico survives their attacks and destroys the opposition, but Mad Otto skates into Rico, smashing him into one of the pins. Amazingly, Rico survives. With his synthetic flesh peeling off, Rico tells Otto he will need to punish him.
Hell's Highway
In the offices of Acme Transcontinental Trucking, Danny and Steve are introduced to Hartwell's partner Mayer in an abrasive fashion. The buddies are issued with Russian Makharov 9mm pistols and told to escort an agent named Heine across the border into Canada. They rendezvous with Heine at a truck stop, but are soon running from rival agents in another truck. They manage to destroy the opposition, but as they approach the border patrol, Heine pulls a gun and orders Danny to drive straight through the roadblock.

++ ACTION is the paper of the 70s ++ ++ ACTION is the paper of the 70s ++ ++ ACTION is the paper of the 70s ++