Notes: This one-page text feature is an attempt to place the Trods into some perspective for modern readers. Written as a communique from an adult "Professor John Who of Zebadee University", it is fascinating for the number of strands of Doctor Who continuity it braids together.
The Trods were, after all, "Dalek substitutes" created and exclusively used by TV Comic because they had not initially secured the rights to the Daleks. Once the Dalek license in TV Century 21 expired, however, the Daleks were integrated into Doctor Who comics, initially through a massive space battle in which they defeated the Trods.
This letter ties those events in with the televised story, "The Daleks' Master Plan", by suggesting that Sara Kingdom had encountered an unusual space craft in an uncharted region of space, and had broadcast a report on "Galactic Dimensional TV" about her discovery. The adult John, immediately recognizing the craft as belonging to the Trods, was thus prompted to write Sara Kingdom's superior at the Special Space Security (SSS), Colonel Marc Forest, to explain what Kingdom had found.
This story can also be read as a sequel to "Invasion of the Quarks" by giving details about what happened to John after he was enrolled at Zebadee University by the Second Doctor.
Although "John and Gillian" are listed as both appearing, above, in fact Gillian isn't even mentioned. It is the only known example of one of the two grandchildren being used without the other.
Synopsis: The TARDIS lands on Trodos in the year 2066 where the Doctor and his companions are immediately taken prisoner by the robot Trods. The Trods have subjugated the human population and now use them as a slave work force. The travellers manage to escape from their prison and together they confront the ruler of the Trods - Super Trods.
Synopsis: The TARDIS is drawn off course and materialises in a futuristic space city. The Doctor and his grandchildren are horrified to discover that they are up against their old enemies, the Trods. The Trods have been reactivated by another space traveller who is controlling their actions. The Doctor, John and Gillian are forced to enter the buildings of the city which are full of traps.
Synopsis: The Doctor pilots the TARDIS to the planet Trodos where he intends to make peace with his old enemies, the Trods. However, on arrival the Doctor finds that his intentions have been anticipated by the Daleks who have massacred the Trods. The Doctor, John and Gillian soon make contact with the surviving Trods whom they join forces with to defeat the Daleks.
Notes: Cassell's credit here is for "additional coloring".