Happy 60th Birthday, TV Century 21!

Issue No.1 of TV Century 21 arrived in the shops on this day in 1965 (Wednesday 20th January) and was advertised in that day’s edition of the Daily Mirror with a full page advertisement.

A promotional ad for the first issue of TV Century 21, cover dated January 23rd 2065, which appeared in the Daily Mirror, and the cover of the first issue. Thanks to Lew Stringer for the scans

Inspired by the series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the comic ran over two volumes, before eventually merging with Valiant in 1973.

Initially published by City Magazines, and set 100 years into the future, TV Century 21, the first issue cover dated January 23rd 2065, featured amazing artwork by some of the most legendary names in the British comics industry, including Ron Embleton, Frank Bellamy and Mike Noble. Launched by Keith Shackleton and Gerry Anderson TV series scriptwriter Alan Fennell, the format emulated the style of Eagle comic.

The title’s striking tabloid newspaper-style front cover made it stand out from the crowd, while also giving the impression that the shows spotlighted thereon were all inhabiting the same shared universe.

TV Century 21 editor Alan Fennell’s letter of introduction in the first issue of the weekly comic, setting the theme for the title from the get go
TV Century 21 editor Alan Fennell’s letter of introduction in the first issue of the weekly comic, setting the theme for the title from the get go
Were you a TV Century 21 Special Agent? Future comic writer and editor Tim Quinn was!
Were you a TV Century 21 Special Agent? Future comic writer and editor Tim Quinn was!

Although ITV own the Gerry Anderson series featured in TV Century 21, and other properties such as “My Favourite Martian” and “The Munsters” by other companies, the title itself is own by a comics publisher.

In 2019, 2000AD publishers Rebellion confirmed to downthetubes that they own the TV Century 21 title, and, we therefore presume, TV Tornado (which merged with TV21 with Issue 192); and Solo, which was merged with TV Tornado with Issue 37.

Rebellion also own some of the strips created for the title, such as “Forward from the Back Streets”, drawn by Martin Asbury, and “Danny Merlin, Son of the Wise”.

As titles, TV21‘s other companion titles, Joe 90 and Lady Penelope, two of the sister titles to TV21 published by City Editions would have today be licensed for use from ITV, but the later incarnation of Lady Penelope, titled simply Penelope, later merged with Princess Tina, is presumably also owned by Rebellion.

Daily Express and Daily Mirror owners REACH hold some artwork published in comics produced by City Editions in the 1960s, including Lady Penelope and TV Century 21

Many of the strips have been collected down the years, most recently by Anderson Entertainment, the collections quick sell out success, even today. The most recent of these are their Stingray collections, which also includes strips from later titles such as Countdown and the 1990s Stingray comic. Thunderbirds collections are in the works to mark this year’s 60th anniversary of the smash hit series.

The title also spawned a Dutch reprint, TV2000. Copies of the original issues, particularly early editions, still command high prices at auction and in comic shops.

Do you remember reading TV Century 21? Picking up the first issue? Your favourite strips or artists? Why not comment below?

Web Links

TV Century 21 - Contact 21

Sequential 21

Fred McNamara flies the flag for all things TV Century 21 and Gerry Anderson comic-related with his brilliant blog

Fred has written a colossal anniversary retrospective of the comic that tells the definitive story of the comic’s history and legacy. It’ll be published on Sequential 21 today, 20th January – 60 years to the day since the first issue of TV Century 21 was published. Subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss out!

Anderson Entertainment: Gerry Anderson comics are go! The TV21 Story by Chris Dale

TV21 – Reprints in the 21st Century (part 1) – Reynolds and Hearn

TV21 – Reprints in the 21st Century (part 2) – The Gerry Anderson Vintage Comic Collection

Gerry Anderson The Vintage Comic Collection Volume Two - Eaglemoss Collection Mock Up

This feature focuses on the abandoned Gerry Anderson Vintage Comic Collection, road tested by Eaglemoss in 2013, which never went into full release

TV21 – Reprints in the 21st Century (part 3) – Egmont’s Comic Collection

TV Century 21-related items for sale on eBay

Big Finish: TV Century 21 Audio Annual 2022: Anything Can Happen

Join the Tracy brothers of International Rescue, Troy Tempest, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and many more of your favourite heroes as they face perils and threats that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

With thanks to Lew Stringer for some imagery above



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