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It's a funny thing, but when I look at these covers of TV CENTURY 21, I tend to think of the house I lived in when the comic first came out in 1965. However, I moved from that house to another after only 42 or 43 issues, so you'd think I'd associate them with my new abode rather than my old one.
There are a few covers (not pictured here) that I associate with my new home (#53 being one of them), but they tend to be the exception rather than the rule. However, fascinating as that is to me, I'm sure that you don't give a rat's @rse, so let's talk about the actual comic itself.
The DALEKS appeared on the back page (on any page in fact) for the last time with ish #104, and I have to say I think it was a mistake to let them go. I thought the comic was never quite the same again in their absence. I assume that perhaps it was a cost-cutting exercise, as the BBC must've charged a fair bit for the use of the scions of Skaro.
Anyway, that's enough padding from me - time to unleash you upon the covers themselves. As usual, if you have any personal memories you'd care to share with the rest of us, the comments section awaits.
I must say I loved TV Century 21. It was part of my growing up. These days, the internet makes it very easy to find connections and unlimited information on your favourite G.A. TV series, but in the sixties it was the imaginary world of TV Century 21 that provided that.
ReplyDeleteThose were the days - when the future meant spaceships, robots, bases on the Moon and colonies on Mars. Now the future means massive overpopulation, ever-dwindling natural resources, bird-flu pandemics and climate change to name but four - where did all go wrong ?
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Scoop. We're sort of spoiled now with the internet, but I have to say that it has its advantages. However, sometimes I still yearn for simpler times. When you think about it, TV21 was all we really needed back then, eh?
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Personally, CJ, I blame it all on L** S*******. (Little joke there.)
As you know, I shared your sadness when The Daleks were dropped and longingly looked for their return every week. I can remember vividly going into the village post office, where our comics were saved for us, to pick up my TV21 TV Comic and my brother's Sparky and the excitement when I saw that, not only had the Daleks at long last appeared in TV Ciomic's Dr. Who, but that they were cover stars in colour!
ReplyDelete"GREAT!", I thought, " DOUBLE Daleks this week!"
And then I turned to the back page of TV21 and the disappointment that they weren't there!
It wasn't to do with cost-cutting.
If was down to who owned the copyrights.
Yes, but why did TV21 relinquish the copyright? Did TV Comic outbid them, or get a special deal because they already ran Dr. Who? I'd imagine that even with declining sales (if such was the case), TV21 must've outsold TV Comic by quite a margin. And let's be honest, JP - TV Comic's Daleks strips were nowhere near as good as TV21's. I wish Doctor Who Magazine would revive the Daleks strip in the same style as TV21's (as they did for a few episodes a number of years back), but in the style of Richard Jennings, rather than Ron Turner's.
ReplyDeleteI've got to aidmit, the Jennings strips remain stronger in my memory too, than do RT's. Do you know, did John Lawrence also write those strips ( and those in the first 3 annuals )?
DeleteI'd have to check, JP, but I suspect that it was perhaps a combination of David Whitaker and Alan Fennell. The '60s Dalek Book is credited as 'By David Whitaker & Terry Nation', but TN's mention could be an honorary one.
ReplyDeleteTrivia time, Lady Penelope appeared in the comic before Thunderbirds appeared in the comics.
ReplyDeleteI have the one reprint collection and enjoy it immensely, as I can see the characters move around like real people in the comics.
What's more, Lady Penelope appeared in the comic before Thunderbirds (and herself) appeared on television. Keep a look out for the Signum reprint books, Phil - they reprint same of the pages from the original art.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, Kid - L** has a post today which is also about TV21. You must be telepathic or great minds think alike maybe :)
ReplyDeleteOr idiots seldom differ perhaps? Actually, I started to prepare this post a couple of weeks ago, but I had to clean up the cover images first. And remember, this is part 11, so it's part of a semi-regular series.
ReplyDeleteBtw I swear to God the Hood looks like a real life actor. Yknow how most of the puppets were based on real people. who does the Hood remind you of? I'm thinking Nehemiah Persoff but bald. ( look him up)
ReplyDeleteWhat?! You mean they're puppets? Sh*t, that's another illusion shattered.
ReplyDeleteLove that shot of Zero-X on the first cover - you didn't often see any aircraft shot against anything other than a blue, slightly cloudy sky.
ReplyDeleteIt's a belter sure enough, BS. TV21 featured some nice cover photos in its time.
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