Grimbledon Down is a satirical comic strip created by British cartoonist Bill Tidy. It was a staple of New Scientist magazine, running from 26 March 1970 to 26 March 1994.
Setting and Concept
The strip is set in a fictitious UK government research laboratory, which served as a parody of the real-life Porton Down chemical and biological warfare facility. New Scientist commissioned the comic to provide "some straight talking about the scope and purpose of research on Porton Down."
The satirical narrative revolved around the morally ambiguous and often absurd experiments conducted by the laboratory's scientists. Their work ranged from bizarre to grotesque, offering a biting critique of scientific research ethics.
Notable Research Projects
Antipornography
One of the lab's most infamous projects was the production of "antipornography." These were disgustingly grotesque pornographic films designed to suppress the viewer's sexual drive. The ultimate goal? To prevent catastrophic overpopulation.
Nu-Food
Another recurring feature in the strip was Nu-Food, an artificial foodstuff created from processed human waste. This dystopian innovation was a satirical jab at humanity's reliance on industrial and artificial solutions to global crises.
Characters and Organization
Internal Structure
The internal workings of Grimbledon Down were rarely detailed. However, divisions like "BioWar" and "ChemWar" occasionally surfaced in the scientists' conversations, hinting at the lab's focus on biological and chemical research.
Director Treem
The enigmatic leader of Grimbledon Down was Director Treem. A recurring character, he was portrayed as a dark-haired man with a moustache, always dressed in a chalk pinstripe business suit. Treem, while not a scientist in appearance, claimed to be a former potential Nobel Prize candidate and displayed scientific literacy. He often engaged in detailed technical discussions with his staff, despite being differentiated from the lab-coated scientists.
Legacy
Over its 24-year run, Grimbledon Down offered a humorous yet sharp critique of scientific research, government secrecy, and ethical dilemmas. Its unique blend of wit and satire made it a memorable feature of New Scientist magazine.