Panel Borders: Apollo and other other Space Adventures

By John Freeman on June 3, 2019

In an episode of the radio show Panel Borders looking depictions of astronauts and close encounters on the comic book page, Alex Fitch talks to writers Matt Fitch and Chris Baker about their graphic novel adaptation of the first American Moon Landing – Apollo – and to graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw about his books Tim Ginger and Cloud Hotel, about alien encounters in remote locations.

In 1969, humankind set foot on the moon. Neil Armstrong, Edwin ”Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins carried the fire for all the world. Backed by the brightest minds in engineering and science, the three boarded a rocket and flew through the void – just to know that we could. In the brilliant Apollo, Matt Fitch, Chris Baker and Mike Collins unpack the urban legends, the gossip, and the speculation to reveal a remarkable true story about life, death, dreams, and the reality of humanity’s greatest exploratory achievement.

Tim Ginger was once a government test pilot, now a widow, who enjoys a quiet retirement in New Mexico… until a conspiracy theorist starts asking uncomfortable questions, and the haunting reappearance of an old friend provokes some hard choices about when to let go and when to hold on.

Cloud Hotel is a haunting, mind-bending graphic novel from LA Times Book Prize finalist Julian Hanshaw, a book that will “haunt readers’ dreams long after the book is closed”.

Remco knows he is special. He was chosen. God took a shine to him, after a bright light in a clear northern sky brought Remco to the incredible Cloud Hotel, a wondrous place that he never wants to leave. But Remco has outstayed his welcome… and it’s time to check out.

The interviews were recorded at Portsmouth Comic Con and Cartoon County in front of a live audience.

• Panel Borders: Apollo and other other Space Adventures airs at 5.30pm Wednesday 5th June 2019, repeated 2.30am Friday 7th June, Resonance 104.4 FM and DAB (London) / broadcast streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com

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John Freeman

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.