Character Focus: Gloppus – The Bravest Little Gronk in the Galaxy
The Games Workshop 1980s Gronk that I am using as Gloppus
Some characters only appear for a brief moment, yet somehow become unforgettable. Gloppus is one of those characters.
Appearing in the early Starlord days of Strontium Dog, he was a Gronk that Johnny Alpha and Wulf Sternhammer encountered aboard the astro-liner Sondheim during one of their many adventures across the galaxy. At first glance, Gloppus didn't look particularly impressive.
He wasn't a hardened bounty hunter, a fearsome warrior or a powerful mutant. In fact, he was pretty much the exact opposite. Like all Gronks, he was timid, nervous and easily frightened. His species had a reputation for suffering heart attacks from over-excitement and generally preferred avoiding danger altogether. Not exactly the qualities you'd look for in an adventurer.
And yet, when it mattered most, Gloppus showed tremendous courage. When the Sondheim was attacked by the infamous space pirate Papa Por-Ka and his gang, chaos erupted. Passengers were slaughtered and Johnny Alpha and Wulf Sternhammer were captured. Most people would have run and hidden. Gloppus did something extraordinary. He chose to help.
Putting aside every instinct screaming at him to stay safe, he went out of his way to rescue the two Strontium Dogs. For a creature that lived in a constant state of anxiety, this was an incredible act of bravery. Sadly, the excitement proved too much.
After Papa Por-Ka was defeated, poor Gloppus succumbed to over-excitement and died, making one final request of Wulf Sternhammer…Wear his pelt.
It was a touching moment and one that perfectly captured the odd charm that made Strontium Dog so unique. In a universe filled with bizarre alien races and larger-than-life heroes, a tiny, terrified Gronk managed to become one of the most memorable characters of the story.
His death also paved the way for another familiar face, as Gloppus' brother would later join Johnny and Wulf on their adventures and become the beloved medic that many fans remember simply as The Gronk. For me, Gloppus represents something that 2000 AD and Starlord have always done brilliantly. They understood that bravery isn't about being fearless. Sometimes bravery is being absolutely terrified and doing the right thing anyway.
Gloppus never carried a weapon. He wasn't physically imposing and certainly wasn't destined to become a legendary bounty hunter. He was just a frightened little alien who decided his friends were worth risking everything for. And in the end, that's exactly what made him a hero.
Sometimes the smallest characters leave the biggest mark.
Until the next adventure...
Peps
