The Haunting of Moonbase

A gruesome twosome of pics

taken in our kitchen today.

Halloween snaps welcomed all week!

Ministry Of Space

While I enjoyed reading comics as a kid I must admit I don’t bother much with the modern stuff which to my mind is too graphic and takes itself far too seriously. With the odd exception, I was never into the American costumed superhero, preferring British comic characters like Dan Dare and The Steel Claw.

However, once in a while a modern comic attracts my interest.

Although it came out a few years ago now, The Ministry of Space was an irregular three part comic mini series beginning in April 2001 and finally ending in April 2004.

 

It was written by Warren Ellis, illustrated by Chris Weston and coloured by Laura Martin

Warren Ellis had the idea for the comic while cleaning out his loft. He found a reprinted copy of a Dan Dare story, The Man from Nowhere. Although, in the fifties it was science fiction now in 2000 it could be seen as an alternative history - a time where Britain had led and won the space race!

The Dan Dare story was written at a time when Britain was recovering following the Second World War. It carried a strong sense of patriotism and an open optimism for the future.

The Ministry of Space carried a darker message and replaced that patriotism with jingoism, and the optimism with good old fashioned British cynicism.

So what’s it all about?

 

At the end of WW2, British troops capture German rocket technology ahead of the Americans at Peenemunde. With a technological advantage over the rest of the world, The Ministry of Space is brought into being led by ex Battle of Britain pilot, John Dashwood who convinces Prime Minister Winston Churchill to fund it as a secret project.

Soon British pilots have broken the sound barrier, manned space stations and landed on the Moon and Mars.

The twist in the tale is the source of the funding and the price paid for progress!

 

If you haven’t come across Ministry of Space before,  check it out - it’s a bit like Dan Dare meets Project Sword!
 

Keith Watson II

Woodsy, A follow up to Scoop's mention of Keith Watson. Here is the beginning of a strip he did for the New Thunderbirds Comic. Apparently he was given stills from the film to work from and adapt to strip cartoon. Best wishes, Andy B.

Happy Halloween

Horror Europa Tonight

For UK readers there's a pre-Halloween TV treat in store tonight: HORROR EUROPA, a tour of European Horror films with Mark Gatiss. 9pm BBC4. Grrrrrr!

Mischief Night

Tonight is Mischief Night in some parts of the world when adolescent pranksters take to the streets the night before Halloween. In the UK we have to wait till November 4th, the night before Bonfire Night, for these unwelcome high jinx. Lets hope the pranksters forget! Have you come across Mischief Night [also known as Cabbage Night or Hell Night in the movie The Crow] in your neck of the woods?

Japanese Booster Rocket Candy - New to the Blog

Reader Ed Tarboosh has sent me these excellent scans of magazine ads from Japan. They show a Booster Rocket pictured on the front of a Japanese box of candy. I'm unsure which make this is: Morinaga? Glico? Whether the Booster Rocket is actually a toy or model that came with the candy is unknown too. It's still a super image and completely new to the blog. Here it is in close up and the Project SWORD version appears below for comparison. The original painting was of course by the late Ed Valigursky.

 

Hurricane Sandy

Our thoughts are with our American friends who are struggling with Hurricane Sandy. Stay safe and hope to get you back fighting fit real soon.