Robot Wars Magazine/Issue 4

"Never let it be said that RWM doesn't deliver the goods. From the beginning we promised to get you closer to the action. Take a look at your exclusive Sir Killalot 3D poster: is that close enough for you?! Want some more? Well look no further! A word of warning though... our reporter went into the woods on a mission to get the story on contestant bot The Witch and its roboteers, and it was no picnic. You've been warned."

- Message from The Editors, Page 3

Issue 4 of Robot Wars Magazine was released 28th June 2000 It contained interviews with The Witch team and a look at Shunt.

Features

 * Robot Report - The latest Robot Wars news, along with other stories about robots. This month’s top stories; the plans for the filming of Series 4, Sir Killalot getting an upgraded claw, and Robot Wars losing the "Best Light Entertainment Programme" BAFTA to Robbie the Reindeer.
 * Team Profile: Are You Scared Yet? – An interview with The Witch team. The interview was done for comedy, claiming the robot was "powered by mystical forces" and that it "disappears in a puff of smoke".
 * Birth of the Beast: Sudden Impact – The fourth of the Birth of the Beast features, looking at Shunt, with an interview with designer/operator Malcolm James. Also features the winner of the Sergeant Bash competition.
 * Tell Us About RWM - A survey for Robot Wars Magazine readers, asking them about the magazine; how much they like it, how they heard about it and whether or not they will keep buying it.
 * Robot Wars Club - News for club members, including information on how much the club had grown since Series 3, and the announcement that the Bodmin Community College had decided not to enter Series 4. Also included A to Z of Contestant Robots, Lucky Numbers, Caption Competition and information on how to join with form.
 * Exclusive Interview - Judgement Day! - An interview with judges Martin Smith, Noel Sharkey and Adam Harper. Contains summaries of some of their hardest decisions.
 * Special Investigation - Is Craig A Robot - A comedic article, looking at the "evidence" that Craig Charles is a robot.
 * Classic Clash - Chrome Alone - A summary of the controversial battle between Sir Chromalot and Shell Shock, with photo highlights.
 * Creepers - An article about antweights
 * Brain Scan: Mat Irvine – An interview with technical consultant Mat Irvine. Also contains contact details readers could send their questions for Derek Foxwell to, who would be interviewed in the next interviewed in the next issue.
 * Static - Letters and online messages from fans, puzzles, another rant from Hugh Manoid - The Man Who Loves To Hate Robot Wars, and a preview of "Next Month".

Comic
The Origin of Sgt Bash – The comic begins in the Amazon rainforest, where General McCarthy is terrorising the natives with his SGTB (Second Generation Tactical Battle) robot, nicknamed Sgt Bash. At TARPA HQ, the scientists investigate the robot, and discover who is funding his operation. They agree McCarthy is putting the world in danger and must be stopped. Having proved that he can breach his security, Adam is sent to stop him.

In part 2, McCarthy's sponsor Steve Stevenson arrives to see the results of his investment. Meanwhile, Adam has stowed away in an army truck to enter the camp. Breaking in, he decides to take control of SGTB. When McCarthy tries to demonstrate his new robot to Steve Stevenson, Adam uses a remote control to take control of it, causing it to attack McCarthy and Stevenson. A furious Stevenson threatens McCarthy "By the time I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to be a private!", and Adam escapes riding Sergeant Bash.

Competitions

 * Don't Panic - A competition to join the Panic Attack team during the filming of Series 4, and a PlayStation with a copy of Tron Bonne, with 10 runners-up receiving copies of the Tron Bonne game. The question was "Where do the Panic Attack team come from?", to which the answer is Wales.
 * A Craig Charles PC Game As part of the Star Interview, readers were offered the chance to win copies of the game Dogs of War, which Craig Charles provided voice-over for. The question was Who does Craig play in Red Dwarf, to which the answer is Dave Lister.

Subscription Offer
A special deal was offered to readers who subscribed - 12 issues for the price of 11.

Posters

 * Matilda (2 pages)
 * Diotoir - Pride of Ireland (1 page)

Free Gift
A large double-sided poster, with a 3D image of Sir Killalot.

Adverts

 * Walking With Dinosaurs (Page 13)
 * Hot Wheels and Matchbox video games (Page 18)
 * Maplin Electronics Catalogue (Page 22)
 * FBX Magazine (Page 23)

Credits

 * Editor: Mike Collier
 * Art: Peter Fickling
 * Sub-Editor/Writer - David Hayles
 * Designer: Simon Oliver
 * Picture Researcher: Emma Peel
 * Editorial Assistant: Kelly Austin
 * Advertising: David Gibson
 * Marketing Executive: Marion Slaughter
 * Marketing Manager: Helen Northard
 * Marketing Assistant: Tessa Gemmel
 * Production: Morag Gillet, Jo Beattie, Sarah Howell
 * Circulation Manager: Simon Young
 * Associate Publisher: Alfie Lewis
 * Publisher: Lindsaye Vox
 * Editor, Boys' Magazines: Jason Loborik
 * Editorial Director, Family Group: Nicky Smith
 * Director, Family Group [UK Region]: Gillian Lasker
 * Managing Director, BBC Worldwide [UK Region]: Peter Teague
 * Contributors: Sam Bailey, Rosie Balyuzi, Nathan Cockerill, Pete Collier, Jacques Gunther, Bill Hobbins, Ben Lewis, John Ross, Bernadette Russell
 * Photography: Chris Capstick, Sharron Price, Richard Open, Mike Collier, David Hayles
 * Thanks: Chris Reynolds, Malcolm James, Ozzy Boulter, Cliff Nowlan

Errors and Ommisions

 * Dreadnaught is incorrectly spelt "Dreadnought" on page 17.
 * On the same page, the fight between Dreadnaught and Trident is said to have gone to a judges' decision, when Trident actually won the battle when Dreadnaught broke down.
 * In the Classic Clash section, Steve Merrill of The Hub Nuts is incorrectly spelt "Steve Merrick".