Tuesday, 26 August 2014

CLASSIC COMICS: TV CENTURY 21 #52...


Characters copyright relevant and respective owners

Everybody just loves a birthday - don't they?  (Unless you're aware that you haven't got very many left.)  So here's the first birthday issue of TV CENTURY 21 from 100 years in the future, 2066.  Normally, I'd present it in two instalments, but as the second part usually gets only around half the hits of the first, I decided just to give you the complete issue in one go.

For around two or three years, TV21 was probably the best-selling weekly periodical in Britain, and it's doubtful that there's ever been a comic for boys since that's matched its popularity or circulation.  The artwork was by some of the finest illustrators of the day, though, curiously, the Annuals were never quite up to the same standard as the weekly.  Perhaps different departments were responsible for each publication, and no doubt cost was also a factor as the Annuals would've been prohibitively expensive if the quality of reproduction was the same in each case.

Anyway, Crivvies, let's now take a loving look into the past and try and catch a glimpse of the future.  Welcome to Adventure in the 21st Century!

******

However, before we do, allow me a little personal reminiscence if you'd be so kind.  I remember having this comic (the one I own now is a replacement) back in 1965, a couple of months after moving to a new house.  When I'd finished reading it, I committed an act of vandalism by cutting up the cover and putting the pictures on my bedside wall.  The 'TV21 Time Machine' didn't only return readers from 100 years in the future to read My FAVOURITE MARTIAN, The MUNSTERS, and GET SMART, it also returns me to my bedroom in the house I lived for 5 months short of 7 years every time I look at it. 
       

















at

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous26 August 2014 at 14:51

    2065 ? It says 2066 on the cover, Kid. The only problem with the Thunderbirds was the acting - it was rather wooden, boom boom.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kid26 August 2014 at 15:14

    Ah, but it was produced in 1965 and went on sale a hair into 1966, so anyway you look at it, the date's wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  3. John Pitt26 August 2014 at 16:30

    Absolutely brilliant! Now I have another comic I used to have back in its entirety! - which is ANOTHER of the reasons I love this blog - you give me back SO MANY things I used to have - which in turn leads to old memories.
    What can I add about TV 21? The best British comic for boys ever? I am still torn between it and 2000 AD ( first 400 progs). Slightly older readers might argue the ( original ) Eagle.
    Right, now I'm going to download and read this and go back in time to a better place where the newsagents was a haven of delights!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kid26 August 2014 at 17:50

    Good as the 2000 A.D. artists were, JP, I think Noble, Embleton, Bellamy, etc., had the edge. TV21 had something that later comics just seemed to lack.

    ReplyDelete
  5. John Pitt26 August 2014 at 18:21

    These artists you mention, along with Jennings, Turner,etc. were PAINTERS, as opposed to the drawing artists and, as such, are in a league of their own.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kid26 August 2014 at 18:45

    Ah, but, JP, I was taking their black and white work into consideration in the comparison. Mike Noble, for example, was a brilliant action artist and storyteller regardless of whether his work was in b&w or colour. And some, id not all, of the 2000 A.D. artists were no doubt also capable of painting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. John Pitt26 August 2014 at 22:49

    I've seen some of Carlos's Dredds painted, but I assumed this was done on computer. Which would be the last British comic to feature hand - painted art?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kid27 August 2014 at 00:39

    Ooh, that's a toughie. Maybe a nursery comic of some kind, JP. Or perhaps Countdown/TV Action. Dunno for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  9. John Pitt27 August 2014 at 13:47

    Kid, would you mind if I used the centre - spread as my Google + cover photo? It is so much a part of me!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kid27 August 2014 at 14:45

    Go for it, JP.

    ReplyDelete
  11. John Pitt4 September 2014 at 13:35

    Kid, have you ever seen our beloved Daleks strips brought to life by CGI?
    If you search Youtube for the Daleks Chronicles or Altered Vistas there are quite a few to choose from.
    ( I love 'em !! )

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kid25 April 2016 at 14:50

    Yup, I've seen them, JP - very nice. (Look at the date - but better late than never.)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kid25 April 2016 at 23:04

    Worse, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete

ALL ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED UNREAD unless accompanied by a regularly-used and recognized
name. For those without a Google account, use the 'Name/URL' option. All comments are subject to moderation and will
appear only if approved. Remember - no guts, no glory.

I reserve the right to edit comments to remove swearing or blasphemy, and in instances where I consider certain words or
phraseology may cause offence or upset to other commenters.