Hip's salvation sprang from the pages of a weekly comic magazine published by TBC in London, England. Fleetway's 2000AD featuring JUDGE DREDD and STRONTIUM DOG had jumped on the STAR WARS bandwagon and proved to be a huge hit. TBC, which had been acquired by Furst Features in 1975, were also eager to catch the sci-fi/fantasy wave. TBC's deep pockets allowed editor J. Kevin Goshell to poach talent from 2000AD and, furthermore, gave him access to Furst's vast library of characters and properties, including, of course, Hip Flask. The first issue of TIMELORD was published in 1978, and, as Brian Talbot told the fanzine BUG EYED MONSTER later that year, he and many other 2000AD alumni were very happy to be involved.
