Despite its utterly crazy premise, Gerry Anderson’s science-fiction live action drama Space: 1999 has captivated audiences around the world since its debut in 1975. Now, Signum Books is releasing Space: 1999 – The Vault by Chris Bentley, a fascinating guide to the show.

Created by legendary producer Gerry Anderson, Space: 1999 starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain and ran for two very different seasons, its ambitious premise exceeding the scope (and budget) of many of the era’s disaster movies. Following an accident that blows the Moon out of Earth’s orbit, the stranded crew of Moonbase Alpha embark on an epic interplanetary quest for a new home.

This 200+ page definitive and fully authorised book, its format akin to Thunderbirds – The Vault, released in 2015 and the 2017 Captain Scarlet title, includes a wealth of previously unpublished images, including new shots of original studio models and vintage merchandise.

Chris Bentley is the former chairman of Fanderson, the official Gerry Anderson appreciation society, and is acknowledged as one of the leading authorities on the producer Gerry Anderson’s long and varied career.

Space: 1999 – The Vault is to be published by Signum Books, a company established in 2010 as the publishing imprint of Marcus Hearn’s company Flashpoint Media, publishing books about popular culture, with an emphasis on entertainment nostalgia.

• Space: 1999 – The Vault (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN: 9780995519145

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.

Categories: Books, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Television

Tags: Chris Bentley, Gerry Anderson, Signum Books, Space1999