Some cool books crossed my radar again today that Spy Vibers might want to check out: Volumes I and II of the Thunderbirds comic collection, based on Gerry Anderson's 1960s cult classic series. Volume One: "2015 is the 50th anniversary of Thunderbirds, which debuted in 1965 and has had a cult following ever since. Devised by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the show became famous for its marionette puppetry, which Gerry Anderson dubbed "Supermarionation". However, THIS beautifully presented collection presents the 1960s and 1970s Thunderbirds comic book stories. Whether you are a Thunderbirds fan or just interested in fine science fiction adventures, this is the book for you. It's like a mix of James Bond, alien creatures, evil villains, and lots of space-age jets, rockets and flyers. The storytelling is dramatic and powerful. Beautifully drawn in full color, Frank Bellamy's art is the stand-out here, and at least half of the full episodes are by him. Additional illustrators include Graham Bleathman, and to a lesser extent, John Cooper, Eric Eden, and even one story by the legendary Frank Hampson. This includes several special sections of cutaway images of Thunderbirds vehicles and buildings, facts about the illustrators, and a tribute to Gerry Anderson." Volume Two: "Fifty years after Thunderbirds first blasted off onto British TV, discover the comic strips that captured the thrill and excitement of the cult TV series in spectacular style. This features the first 12 complete storylines illustrated by the legendary Frank Bellamy, and they are gorgeous sci-fi by a master, first published WEEKLY, three pages at a time! Gerry Anderson(1929-2012) was a television and film producer, director, and writer known for his futuristic television shows, the most successful of which was Thunderbirds. Illustrator Frank Bellamy has drawn Dan Dare, Fraser of Africa, Heros of Spartan and other features for the legendary weekly Eagle, then Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons for TV21. His big feature was Garth from 1971 to 1976, and he even did work on Doctor Who and an Avengers TV episode. He died suddenly in 1976, at the height of his powers." And if you really want to dive into a great Thunderbirds celebration, pick up Thunderbirds: The Vaultby Marcus Hearn. "On September 30th, 1965, International Rescue successfully completed their first assignment, and the Tracy brothers imprinted themselves on a generation of captivated children. Thirty-two episodes, many repeats, 60 territories, two feature films, three albums, numerous comics, books, toys, videos and DVDs and five decades later, Thunderbirds are still saving the world from the brink of peril. Thunderbirds: The Vault is the first ever lavishly illustrated, definitive, beautifully packaged, presentation hardback telling the story of this enduring cult phenomenon. Packed with previously unpublished material, including prop photos, design sketches, production memos and other collectible memorabilia, plus specially commissioned photography of original 1960s merchandise and new interviews with cast and crew, it’s going to be a collectors’ dream and a fantastic piece of cult TV history." This one really is a treasure!! Spy Vibers, have you heard my new radio show with Cocktail Nation? Episode #3 is coming up this weekend and I'll be talking about On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Here are info links forEpisode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim). Enjoy!
