Tough to read comics about a dystopian future now; it's like got that, got that, that's probably next, got that...

I read the first two issues of this series back in 1988, when I was living in Montana and it would've been probably an 80-mile drive for them. It's probably best remembered for early appearances of Death's Head, yes? But not without its charms. From 1988, Dragon's Claws #7, "The Quality of Mercy!" Written by Simon Furman, art by Geoff Senior. Cover by Dave Gibbons!

Mercy was the girl member of Dragon's team, a former rich girl-turned-vigilante who joined the 'Game' to follow leads on the supposedly accidental death of her father. The Game was squad-versus-squad gladiator-like battles, no holds barred; and apparently occasionally bled over into civilian areas with commonplace bystander deaths. I don't think the Game was necessarily deathmatches, though: it may have involved reaching a goal or capturing a flag. While it had long been a popular spectator sport, once shut down the violent squads were left to get into all kinds of trouble on their own; and Dragon's Claws were brought back in to stop them, although they may have been unaware of the political maneuvering behind-the-scenes, a larger conspiracy. Mercy had eventually got her father's killers, but gave up the vigilantism after killing an innocent. Today's mission, guarding a government official who had been cleared of murder charges, didn't sit well with her even before a new vigilante comes for him: Scourge. Scourge had even been inspired by Mercy, but now sees her as a sellout; while Mercy wonders how much blood is on her hands now.

While Dragon first wants to go looking for Mercy, the computer-brained Digit suggests they have a job to do, and Scourge would certainly come to them, and Mercy would have to live or die with her choices. Dragon reluctantly agrees; but Scavenger finds Digit's decision cold, and sends his dog Scratch to help Mercy. Mercy finally has a final showdown, gunning down Scourge: Steel understands why she did what she did...but also notes Mercy could have shot to wound.

Later, back in England, an ambulance crew is waylaid by Dragon's Claws' former rivals and recurring foes, the Evil Dead!

The Wikipedia article for Dragon's Claws mentions the UK market wasn't big enough to support the book, which was also oddly sized in relation to other British comics. And probably a bit too violent for the Thundercats or Transformers crowd.