Some further memories of UFO, and TV Action.
Countdown comic which had launched on the back of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s new series, UFO continued for 58 issues, with a last issue dated March 25th, 1972. It was a prestige publication, using expensive glossy paper, and employed some fine artists. Then it’s title changed to TV Action, reflecting more of it’s changing content of contemporary action- oriented TV series, like The Persuaders!, Mission Impossible, Hawaii Five-0 and Cannon.
The glossy look was replaced with less expensive paper.
Countdown’s last complete UFO story, ‘Alien Brainwave, ,was illustrated by Jon Davis, who, coincidently had drawn the UFO complete story in Countdown’s first issue.
Issue 59, dated April 1st, 1972 returned the following week retitled TV Action +Countdown, with a striking Dr Who and The Daleks cover drawn by Gerry Haylock. Inside was a black & white Brian Lewis illustrated strip called, ‘Let the Aliens Land’.
Another black & white Jon Davis strip began in issue 67, dated May 27th, 1972 called, ‘The Final Climb’.
A new colour UFO strip started in issue 71, dated June 24th, 1972, illustrated by John M Burns, entitled, ‘Small World’.
Although Burns also illustrated other strips in the comic during it’s run, he would continue to draw the rest of the UFO strips, including four complete black & white stories. The last one being, ‘Return of the Pharaoh.
Here's the TV Action covers featuring a complete UFO story. The covers were also drawn by John Burns.
'Return of the Pharaoh' ended the weekly comic's UFO run, and was dated August 4th, 1973.
TV Action continued for a further three issues, ending with issue 132, dated August 25th, 1973.
1973 Holiday Special
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