The Party's Nearly Over But.....

...... still to come today, the final day of our Fifth Birthday Bash:

1. More from Scoop's Comic collection
2. More from Bill
3. Century 21 Mini-Albums by Jim Lewis: Part 5

and to take us into Year 6

4. Project SWORD in Solo Comics: Episode 2 Narrated.

Hope you've enjoyed the celebration! Keep on Swordin'.

IMAI ZERO X MODEL 1971 ISSUE

In 1971 Imai released this Zero-X model kit called Space Science Series No.1 Thunderbird 0X. Serial number B-060-250. Its a beautiful looking model looking at the pictures and one that I don't have. Has anyone got it built up at all?

pictures; noppin

For the Record

Jim Lewis marvellous series of articles this week reminded me of a forgotten gem of C21 material. The 33rpm album, 'World of Tomorrow'. I've had this and Lady Penelope Presents, since I was a kid and hammered it to death. After my interest waned a little in the eighties, I gave them to a mate, who took them to a comic mart and sold them on to a dealer. I was so distraught, I had to buy them back off the guy myself, I just couldn't see them go.Nowadays, I cant play them, as I haven't a turntable, but back in the day, i'd happily put on Journey to the Moon, get out my Spacex MLP and Interplanetary 1 and listen to Steve Zodiac talk me through the journey to our nearest neighbour. What I enjoyed about this album,  was the fact it was (I think) all new material, especially recorded for the LP, using the original voice actors. The calming tones of Troy Tempest walking a visitor around Marineville and the dialogue between Steve, Matt and Venus on Fireball, was one of the happy memories of my childhood. Ive also since found two of the small seven inch eps, but can't put a hand on them at the moment.

 In the eighties, there was a brief resurgance of interest before the main revival of Thunderbirds by Carlton and a 10" EP was released called No Strings Attached. Possibly to bolster the ailing Terrahawks series (and yes, I even bought Kate Kestrels 12" single too) it was some of the main music from Anderson favourites and often got played at my local bar in Liverpool, on request!

Ever since I found the Star Wars soundtrack (on cassette would you believe, so no poster or gatefold sleeve) I have enjoyed film themes and still collect the odd one or two today. But back in the age of vinyl, I bought quite a few. Here are some of the survivors of that forgotten age.

Still a memorable favourite

Execrable orchestral version bought by mistake

No Idea - but cheap and quite good!

David Bowie and Georgio Moroder and Nastassia Kinski...mmmm

Odd, but enjoyable

cheap and cheerful

Annie Lennox glorious vocals

End of Line

Excellent Carpenter music from an excellent Carpenter film

WE'VE GOT 900,000 HITS!

I'm pleased to announce that during our Fifth Birthday we reached the 900,000 hits mark! Thanks everyone for your ongoing support and enthiusiasm and here's to our millionth hit!

 

 

Keep on Swordin'.

 

 

Woodsy

UNKNOWN PLANET

Another nostalgic comic strip, this time from the 1963 Fireball XL5 Annual. 

Artwork is by Eric Eden with a script credits for the annual to Dennis Spooner and John Hynam.

Anyone up for a old Stingray strip story next?

BIRTHDAY 5 FINAL WEEKEND QUIZ

OK SWORDies, if your at a loose end this weekend, the final one of our fifth year bash, have a go at this vintage toy and sci-fi culture quiz. As always, one answer per reader in the comments box. Quiz long and prosper!



1.  What happens to MEGO's action figure heads over time?
2   Where did the word robot first appear?
3.  Who played the horned devil in the film LEGEND?
4.  Which scene in DARK STAR is later copied in the soldiers' mess in ALIENS?
5.  Who painted most of Imai's classic box art?
6.  Which ALIEN spacecraft appeared earlier in Bava's PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES?
7.  What was Major Matt Mason called in Mexico?
8.  Mattel released two Captain Laser toys. What were they?
9.  Which German newspaper issued the original "Barbie" doll, Lilli?
10. Complete the cartoon lyric "Is he strong, listen bud,.................................."

KIROBO, THE NEW BILLY BLASTOFF

 

For some reason I always thought Billy Blastoff should have had Marine Boy's Japanese anime face when I adored them both! Well, it seems that Japan has now launched its own modern Billy. Kiribo is a genuine robot but looks like a toy. He's even on his way to the International Space Station to keep the astronauts company. Alan Tracy could have done wth one in Thunderbird 5 but Kiribo only speaks Japanese!

 

 

Companion robots in space craft though? Gerry Anderson's visions are all coming true! What do you think readers?

TOYS ON COVERS: MYSTERY SPACE CAPSULE

 

This space capsule looks like a toy or model to me. What do you think? It isn't a quiz, I really don't know.

 

 

The Dutch paperback is by Michael Moorcock. It maybe Black Corridor but unsure about that too!