"The Great Silver Robbery!" is a Lady Penelope comic story, first published as an untitled twelve-part story in the Lady Penelope magazine between issues 17 and 28.
Returning for the first time in the Lady Penelope era of the series is Mr. Steelman, putting into place a new plan in order to achieve his goal of ruling the world.
Synopsis[]
Two million pounds worth of silver is stolen from London's silver vaults. Suspicion initially falls on Parker, who is the region's best safe-cracker, but with rumours of a robot army having conducted the robbery, blame begins to fall on one person: Mr Steelman, who is putting into play his latest and greatest plan for world domination.
Characters[]
(in order of appearance)
- Robot girls
- Salesman
- Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward
- Lil ("voice" only)
- Sergeant
- Inspector
- Parker
- Mr. Steelman
- Law Stationers manager
- Hotel Majestica receptionist
- Charles Legrane
- Governess
- Prince of Monaco
- Sports shop assistant
Reprint History[]
The story was translated into Dutch and published in TV2000 between its issues numbered 52/1966 and 10/1967.
It found its way into Thunderbirds: The Comic between issue 66 and 76, during the middle of which the comic transitioned to The New Thunderbirds Comic. Due to an editorial mistake, part eight of the story was omitted (the Fireball XL5 and Zero X stories running in that particular issue also had parts skipped).
In 2009, the story would be published under the title of The Androids of London Affair for Invasion in the 21st Century, the second volume of Reynolds & Hearn's Century 21 comic collection.
Trivia[]
- This story is notable for containing many elements which incorporate on-set photographs from the production of Thunderbirds, the most notable of which being several elements from The Duchess Assignment - the French Casino being the model for the one in Monte Carlo, and the Duchess of Royston lending her likeness to the Prince's Governess.
- Penelope is once again equipped with gadgets developed by Brains, this time using a special anti-fire liquid disguised as perfume.
- The story is dated to 2066 by two references - the sheet of paper used by Steelman to leave his "calling card" has a year on it, and the bank cheque Lady Penelope used to pay the casino owner had a date of June 2066 on it.