Design work by Lee Sullivan of “Ocean Storm” for the Gerry Anderson Firestorm project.
The final days of the crowd funding campaign to fund a new Gerry Anderson project, Firestorm, are drawing in – and downthetubes can exclusively reveal a new comic-themed incentive has been added to the project.
Lee Sullivan – perhaps best known for his amazing comics strip work on Doctor Who – has very kindly offered his talents to the Firestorm project alongside the project’s fantastic design and illustration team to produce a very special comic strip of the pilot minisode story.
Design work by Lee Sullivan of “Ocean Storm” for the Gerry Anderson Firestorm project.
If backers pledge £125 or more to the campaign, they will receive a signed, limited edition (100 copies only) comic strip print of Lee’s comic strip interpretation of the Firestorm minisode on glossy high quality paper (slightly larger than A4).
Backers choosing this option will also receive a signed copy of the minisode storyboard, a printed minisode script, a signed film-style Firestorm poster by Eric Chu, a copy of the minisode storyboard, a Firestorm backer’s t-shirt, and your name on the credits of the minisode, as well as a Kickstarter backers exclusive collectible Firestorm patch, enamel pin badge, and a set of three vehicle postcards and three character postcards, a DVD of the minisode filled with extra features and special content, a digital download of the completed minisode and a PDF version of the script, together with ongoing access to the backers-only production blog.
Unsigned copies of the comic strip are also available to backers at other levels as an “add on”.
“Although I’ve only had the pleasure of knowing Lee for a couple of years, I’ve always been aware, and been a fan, of his stunning work. In fact, his Dalek and Cybermen space battle scene (originally painted for Doctor Who Magazine) graced my bedroom wall when I was a kid,” explains Jamie Anderson, Gerry Anderson’s younger son.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Lee has offered to lend his talents to Firestorm, and I’m certain that there are lots of comic fans out there who will be equally excited to see what he comes up with!”
The villains base explodes in a concept image for the new Firestorm project.
Having successfully launched Firestorm on the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter, the project has now raised enough money to exceed the project’s second ‘stretch goal’, providing enough extra money to build – and then destroy in a tremendous explosion – evil Black Orchid’s technology centre on their island base.
Having raised the minimum needed in less than 96 hours, the project is now focusing on reaching a further ‘stretch goal’ of £135,000 over the next nine days left of the campaign to make a 22 minute pilot episode.
Fans of iconic Gerry Anderson shows like Space: 1999, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, UFO and Thunderbirds can now back the project to help fund the pilot episode in return for special limited edition rewards from props and collector edition DVDs, to set visits and film credits.
Firestorm is a Gerry Anderson concept that was originally produced and released by a Japanese company as an anime series across Japan and South East Asia in 2003. This new version of the Gerry Anderson concept has been redeveloped from Gerry’s original synopsis and story outline documents.
The funding already raised from the Kickstarter campaign now ensures that a mini pilot episode will be made with a new filming technique called ‘Ultramarionation’, the next stage in evolution from the famous ‘Supermarionation’ technique of Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, using a combination of puppetry, practical effects, physical props and sets, and model miniatures.
“Over 1000 fans from all over the world have rallied round to help get my dad’s project off the ground,” says Jamie Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Entertainment and son of Gerry Anderson, MBE. “Now that we’ve raised the extra money needed, I’m looking forward to destroying my father’s Black Orchid legacy in an almighty and thunderous explosion!”
The campaign has already raised enough to produce a 5-8 minute minisode introducing some of the characters and storyline elements of the series. The next ‘stretch goals’ will allow for further development of characters, storyline, scenes and explosions up to a 22 minute pilot episode if £135,000 is raised and a full 45 minute feature episode if £342,000 is raised.
“The worldwide support for Firestorm from Gerry Anderson fans has been fantastic,” Jamie enthuses, “and we’re now hoping to raise enough money for a full-length feature episode. With a fair wind and a bit more luck, Firestorm will be on your TV screen in the very near future!”
- Back the Gerry Anderson Firestorm project on Kickstarter here
- For further information, visit www.GerryAnderson.co.uk/Firestorm
- Firestorm on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4088802/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
- Lee Sullivan’s Official Site: www.leesullivanart.co.uk
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.
Categories: Animation, British Comics, Comic Art, Crowd Funding Projects, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, Featured News, Other Worlds, Television