Chinbeard Books is to publish an unofficial guide to Gerry Anderson’s Captain Scarlet next year, marking the character’s 50th anniversary since his debut on ITV.
Originally shown in September 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was Gerry Anderson’s follow-up to the stunningly successful Thunderbirds and, while it didn’t prove as popular as that show, it was pretty ground-breaking in some ways, with its all-female fighter pilots and multi-cultural (albeit puppet) cast.
The show follows the classic Anderson theme of a group of specialists saving the Earth, pitted against the invisible Mysterons who could take over people and objects, using them for their own ends. Whether or not Captain Scarlet and Spectrum defeated them in the final TV episode is never made clear, but they were beaten in the comic and the concept was revived for Gerry Anderson’s New Captain Scarlet in 2005.
Due to be published in late 2017, the book Spectrum is Indestructible is the work of journalist, critic and writer Fred McNamara and although an unofficial book, it does have the backing of both ITV and Anderson Entertainment.
It will include in-depth reviews of all 32 episodes of the classic series, as well as other essays tackling specific themes/ concepts found in the show.
There will also be a fresh, critical examination of Captain Scarlet’s extended universe found in comics (including the 1960s British weekly TV21, where Captain Scarlet became the cover star, drawn by artists such as Ron Embleton and Mike Noble), novels and audio dramas, and much more.
(Fred has already written several articles on the comic strips, over on Megaventures).
“With Captain Scarlet’s 50th anniversary coming in September 2017, I wanted to take advantage of celebrating this unique television show in a way not done so before,” says Fred, who writes for Starburst magazine, A Place To Hang Your Cape, PopMatters and Andersonic magazine and is a life-long fan of the Supermarionation TV shows and films of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
He’s written extensively on their works for numerous websites and magazines.
Other Chinbeard Books due for release in 2017 include Gullible’s Travels , the autobiography of BAFTA award-winning actor and director Jason Connery, The Life & Times Of Jackie Jenkins, a collection of columns from Doctor Who Magazine, and Who’s Playing Who?, the diary of a decade of tantrums and triumphs in a TARDIS by Barnaby Eaton-Jones.
“I don’t have a confirmed release date as of yet, really because I’m knees deep in writing the book at present,” Fred says.
“However, rest assured this book will be out in time for Captain Scarlet’s 50th anniversary in late September 2017.”
• You can check out Chinbeard Books’ website here for further info, as well as follow them and Fred on Twitter or Chinbeard Books Facebook page
• Fred McNamara’s Official Site
• Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons – The Complete Collection is avail;able here from amazon.co.uk
• Gerry Anderson’s New Captain Scarlet is available here from amazon.co.uk
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons copyright ITV
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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