WebFind: Discovering 1950s British Science Fiction – Dan Dare and more

By John Freeman on November 19, 2020

Not content with an incredible career in print, author, editor, literary agent and publisher Philip Harbottle has launched his own YouTube Channel, 1950s British Science Fiction, which promises to offer a wonderful look at both British comics and novels.

The opening videocast – “Discovering Science Fiction Novels” – is live now, and if you’re a Dan Dare fan, then you may well want to watch this as Philip offers some background to his lifelong love of SF, explaining his introduction to the medium beginning in the 1950s, and showing off some rare vintage books from his incredible collection.

Philip Harbottle - Discovering British Science Fiction

Philip is a life-long science fiction fan, regarded as a world authority on the works of John Russell Fearn, whose credits encompass writing “Garth” for the Daily Mirror, and the “Golden Amazon” for Spaceship Away (adapting Fearn’s stories). He’s also very kindly contributed a number of synopses of early “Garth” stories to downthetubes, which we are adding as time permits.

You may also recall he adapted some of the Radio Luxembourg Dan Dare radio shows into comics at a young age – the only record of some of these tales known to exist, since very few recordings survive.

Modestly describing his videocast to me as a “a bit Acorn Antiques”, Philip offers a smashing look at some 1950s comics and the very first SF gems that inspired him at a young age. Definitely one to bookmark!

• Subscribe to 1950s British Science Fiction YouTube Channel here

• Check out books written or edited by Philip Harbottle on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

• Spaceship Away: spaceshipaway.org

DOWNTHETUBES NEWS ITEMS

• John Russell Fearn’s SF, including Golden Amazon stories, back in print

• Dan Dare Fan Fiction – from the 1950s! | Revealed – The Dan Dare Radio Luxembourg Comic Strips by Philip Harbottle

• Garth: Character Profile and Story Synopses

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.