Vector 13 is a
comic strip published in the British magazine 2000 AD. It featured the
eponymous agency set up to investigate anomalous phenomena and
conspiracy theories. It was influenced by American TV drama The X-Files (which was at the height of its popularity at the time) and other events such as the 1995 release of the
alien autopsy film; as general interest in the paranormal and parapolitics waned, the series was wound up and replaced by Pulp Sci-Fi as a venue for single issue self-contained stories. In turn it foreshadowed other comics series dedicated to similar agencies, such as
Caballistics, Inc.
The format was created by former 2000 AD editor and long-time contributor
Alan McKenzie.
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 editor
Tharg was allegedly away dealing with a crisis. This first issue coinciding with a promotion of the X-Files series 2 trading cards.
Continuity
Cases were not always consistent:
Series 1 "Case Nine:
Spear of Destiny", series 3, "Case Three: The Dream Factory" and "Divine Fury".
Case Nine revealed that the Spear Of Destiny was used as the flagpole in the 1969 Moon landing, whereas Case Three stated that the Moon landing had been faked in order to cover up a much more advanced space programme prevalent throughout the Solar System, while "Divine Fury" intimated that the space programme was accurate, but had been based on alien technology first discovered and
reverse-engineered by the Nazis in the latter stages of World War II.
Series 2 "Case Four: Operation Mordred", "Case Seven: Psi-Wars" and series 3 "Case Zero: Oath of Office".
Case Four stated that
John F. Kennedy was killed by a Time-traveller to avert a dystopian future where Kennedy had instigated a
nuclear holocaust after the American defeat in
Vietnam. Case Four showed that he was assassinated by a Soviet agent assisted by psychic operatives, and Case Zero showed Kennedy as being assassinated by the
Illuminati for not following their leadership.
"Case Four: HALO" (by
Chris Standley and Robert McCallum, in 2000 AD # 1065 (1997))
"Case Six:
MK-Ultra" (by Gordon Rennie and Alex Ronald, in 2000 AD #1067, 1997)
"Case Seven: Night of the Jaguar" (by Steve White and
Marc Wigmore, in 2000 AD #1068, 1997)
"Case Eight: Midnight Rambler" (by Gordon Rennie and Paul Johnson, in 2000 AD #1069, 1997)
"Case Nine: JFKed" (by Dan Abnett and Allan Bednar as "Neal Brand", in 2000 AD #1070, 1997)
"Case Ten: Angels" (by
Robbie Morrison and Lee Sullivan, in 2000 AD #1071, 1997)
"Case Eleven: Search & Rescue" (by Gordon Rennie and Cliff Robinson, in 2000 AD #1072, 1997)
"Case Twelve: Deep Freeze" (by Kek-W and
Paul Marshall, in 2000 AD #1073, 1997)
"Case Thirteen: Sands of Death" (by Robbie Morrison and Alex Ronald, in 2000 AD #1074, 1997)
"Case Fourteen:
Chupacabras" (by
Chris Standley and Allan Bednar as "Neal Brand", in 2000 AD #1075, 1997)
"Case Fifteen: Time's Arrow" (by Gordon Rennie and Patrick Woodrow, in 2000 AD #1076, 1998)
Series 6:
"Case One:
Houdini" (by Dan Abnett and Robert McCallum, in 2000 AD #1078, 1998)
"Case Two: Chill Out" (by D. McDonagh and Charles Gillespie, in 2000 AD #1079, 1998)
"Case Three: Shades of Grey" (by Dan Abnett and Robert McCallum, in 2000 AD #1080, 1998)
"Case Four: Einstein's Monsters" (by Gordon Rennie and Cyril Julien, in 2000 AD #1081, 1998)
"Case Five: Seal of Solomon" (by Gordon Rennie and Alex Ronald, in 2000 AD #1082, 1998)
"Case Six: Godhead Revisited" (by Dan Abnett and Allan Bednar, in 2000 AD #1083, 1998)
A stand-alone episode:
"Divine Fury" (with Lee Marks and
Cliff Robinson, in 2000 AD #1117, 1998)
Specials:
"Case 459: Sheep's Clothing" (by Dan Abnett and
Lee Sullivan, in 2000 AD Winter Special 1995)
"Case 667: Suburban Hell" (by
Igor Goldkind, Dix and Nick Abadzis, in 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special 1996)
Crossover:
The Vector 13 Men in Black appeared on several occasions in
Black Light, usually to offer hints or explanations as to Black Light's activities - particularly in the "Pandora's Box" storyline.