[MOC] - 25 Years of Adventure Cat. A - Al'Houetta, 1918

[Sir E Fullner]

Before Johnny Thunder became the bold adventurer we all know and love today, he found himself serving in the French Foreign Legion in North Africa. By the end of the First World War, Captain Jean Tonnerre (really imaginative, I know) was called on to investigate the theft of the Sultan Ibrahim bin Kalmadhi's treasure. Joining his friend and pilot Harry Cane, their search brings them to the fort of Al'Houetta, commanded by Colonel von Barron and Sergeant Sleuboothen.

After being welcomed warmly by the Commandant, Johnny and Harry watch the fort for any suspicious activity.

"Soon..." says the Commandant, "soon all this wealth shall be mine! The sergeant and I will sneak it out tonight!"

Just when the two renegades thought they were in the clear, Johnny comes in. "Hold it right there, mate!" A sword fight worthy of a truly smashing adventure serial breaks out. The sergeant tries sneaking away, but didn't expect Harry waiting around the corner. "Hold it, Slyboots!"

Johnny eventually gained the upper hand (every pun intended). "Blast you, Thunder! I'll get you for this one day!"

"Tell it to your court martial, mate!"

And so, the treasure was recovered, the bad guys escorted to a comfy cell in Legouat Prison, and Johnny's new adventures just about to begin.

This build measures 24 x 32 studs, build using as many bricks as possible from my own collection due to...budgetary constraints. The fort itself is 11 bricks high, with an interior including a rifle rack, drinking water barrel, handcart and storage room. Minifigures included are Johnny Thunder and Harry Cane, Colonel von Barron, Sergeant Sleuboothen (or Slyboots, if you will), and two Legionnaires.

I often wondered what an early adventure for Johnny would be like, specifically during WWI. Considering his knowledge of the desert in the Egypt theme, it made sense to put him in North Africa with the oft-Romanticized French Foreign Legion. Having Baron von Barron as a corrupt commandant just made things all the better. Feel free to comment below on what you think Johnny's early adventures would have been like.

Always entertaining, always inspiring, always:

[The Reader]

That's great! I really like the story and the fort is a cool built.