We’re delighted to report that author Philip Harbottle has resumed his videos for his marvellous 1950s British Science Fiction YouTube Channel, where he’s revealed some “Hidden Gems” of vintage SF publishing in Episode 25 of a much-appreciated series of mini-documentaries.
The series has been on a bit of a hiatus, but this time round, enthused by feedback from one of his American publishers, Philip focuses on the fantastically rare five Comyns/Paladin books: Alien Life, Venusian Adventure by E.C. Tubb, and Peril From Space, Zhorani and The Plant From Infinity by “Karl Maras”, a house name used by Kenneth Bulmer for the first two books mentioned here, and once by Peter Hawkins, on the latter (“Plant”).
Philip Harbottle 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.
Back in the 1950s, 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.
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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.
Categories: Books, Digital Media, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Science Fiction