Although one of the most common and often seen pieces relating to the movie, the Armada paperback is still a fabulous memento of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO. The book was part of an ongoing series aimed at children based on the creations of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their AP/Century 21 team and releases stretched back to STINGRAY and all the way on to 1969 with the rarely seen THE SECRET SERVICE. Usually the work of John Theydon this movie adaptation is credited on the front cover to Gerry and Sylvia. However the adaptation of the original script was actually written by TV21/LOOK-IN writer Angus Allan whose connections to the printed worlds of Gerry Anderson would last for close to two decades.
The book is also part-illustrated by Century 21 Creative Design Manager Jim Watson. Watson contributed frequently to the Christmas mainstay annuals all 1960s Anderson fans looked forward to. He also was responsible for the ZERO X strip in TV21 when Mike Noble had moved across to CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS and although perhaps to some not as appealing as other artists his work is instantly recognisable and unique.
The very readable adaptation includes a number of sequences cut from the final print of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO itself including Jeff Tracy's transmission to the world media networks and also The Hood's continued attempts to control Kyrano for his own despicable ends. As has been noted the book is meant for children and is a small volume so an adult will finish it in a couple of sittings but any fan of the movie needs to take it in at least once and certainly needs a copy on the book shelf if only for the two lovely shots of ZERO X. Jim lewis
Have read most of those Anderverse novels. While the quality does vary considerably, they are fun! And one of the Joe 90 stories is very dark!
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