Science Fiction Rarities and comic artist Ron Turner in the spotlight, in new videocasts from Philip Harbottle

By John Freeman on October 23, 2022

SF books and magazines expert, author, publisher Philip Harbottle has recently released three more enjoyable 1950s British Science Fiction videocasts, two focusing on “Science Fiction Rarities“, working with his grandson, Arthur King.

The most recent focuses on the work of comic artist Ron Turner, well known for his comics work on characters such as “Space Ace” and, of course, “The Daleks”, for TV Century 21.

As ever, Phillip’s extensive knowledge of the genre, publishers and creators makes for fascinating viewing.

John Russell Fearn’s Across the Ages, adapted into comics by Philip Harbottle

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.

• Subscribe to 1950s British Science Fiction YouTube Channel here

• Rayguns and Rocketships by Rian Hughes, featuring many of the covers in Philip’s videocasts, is available to pre-order now direct from Korero Press | Order it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 978-1912740048

• Books edited or published by Phil Harbottle on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

• Buy Across the Ages by John Russell Fearn, adapted into comics by Philip Harbottle here from Lulu

A vintage comic strip by Philip Harbottle, adapting John Russell Fearn’s much admired SF novel Across the Ages, has finally been published – some sixty years after the now renowned author and publisher drew it (Read our news item about this here)

• Rayguns and Rocketships is available to pre-order now direct from Korero Press. | Order it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 978-1912740048

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.