Sneak Peek: Ron Turner’s “Space Ace” Volume 6

By John Freeman on June 3, 2016

Space Ace Volume 6 – re-presenting stories created by Ron Turner (best known, perhaps, for his work on TV Century 21‘s “The Daleks” strip but whose body of work encompasses much, much more) is now available from publisher John Lawrence – and it looks terrific!

While he wasn’t the first artist to work on Space Ace, a character first appearing in the 1950s British title Lone Star but who later gained his own title in the 1950s, published by Atlas, Ron Turner definitely made the character his own during his time on the strip.

Space Ace Volume 6 - Collectors from Space Page 2

Space Ace Volume 6 - Collectors from Space Page 5

This issue contains another great serial, “The Collectors from Space”, re-formatted as the previous two stories into one long 24-page story.

The smashing issue, which features re-mastered art beautifully restored and coloured by John Ridgway, also include a back-up eight-page story, “The Lens”.

There’s also another chat with Ron about the lead story, plus an article on his uncompleted serial – of which, sadly, only four pages were ever published.

(The strip was taken over by the Selecciones Ilustradas agency on his departure – Turner was to go on to drawing many covers for magazines such as Practical Mechanics, drawing The Daleks for TV Century 21 and more, right up until his death in 1998).

• Ron Turner’s Space Ace Volume 6 costs £8.95 (UK) or £12 (Europe) and £14.00 (other overseas) including postage and is available via PayPal at spaceace.54@virginmedia or by cheque made payable to John Lawrence at 39 Carterweys, Dunstable Bedfordshire LU5 4RB

More pages from “The Collectors from Space”

Space Ace Volume 6 - Collectors from Space Page 8

Space Ace Volume 6 - Collectors from Space Page 15

Space Ace Volume 6 - Collectors from Space Page 23

Pages from “The Lens”

Imagery courtesy John Lawrence

Web Links

• If you’re a fan of Ron Turner’s work then you may be interested in a collection of all six of Ron’s Tit-Bits SF Library comics, which have recently been re-published in one 400-page volume. Issue One was first published way back in 1953. Copies can be obtained for £16.50 plus £3.50 P+P from Bryon Whitworth, 2 Glen Cottages, Glen Farm, Red Lion Street, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire BB18 6RH. Payment accepted by cheque (payable to Bryon) or PapPal to user218763ATaol.com (replace AT with @). Non UK orders, please contact Bryon for costs

• Wikipedia: Ron Turner

• Lambiek: Ron Turner

• Ron Turner Cover Collection

• “Horipet” has posted two videos of his restoration work on a copy of Ron Turner’s Into Space with Ace Brave! on YouTube here and here

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.