Can this really be the first time Captain Scarlet has appeared in comics form? Let me amend that: the New Captain Scarlet. The difference between series is somewhat in the sophistication of the scripts and how the characters are portrayed. Quite simply, the original 1960s Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons from Gerry Anderson was done in Supermarionation — and if you’re not familiar, I’ve embedded a helpful documentary near the bottom of this article. The New Captain Scarlet was in CGI, and I can’t tell you if I liked the story better, because I only caught one episode here in the US.
The concept was the same — after a bad first encounter, an alien race declares a secret war on Earth. In the process of trying to create sleeper agents among us, they accidentally give us our best weapon: Captain Scarlet, an immortal (but not invulnerable) soldier already working for the peacekeeping organization Spectrum. Watching the original series on Channel 2’s Captain Cosmicwas delirious fun. Not as popular as some of Anderson’s other series, it’s exciting to see a graphic novel coming, and I will do my best to set aside a moment of quiet reflection for Captain Scarlet Day on July 10.
From Anderson Entertainment:
Anderson Entertainment is set to release the first original graphic novel based on 2005’s New Captain Scarlet series created by Gerry Anderson – a CGI reimagining of his classic 1967 series, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.
Timed to coincide with the annual celebration of Captain Scarlet Day on 10 July, New Captain Scarlet: Operation Sabre marks the first major new story from the series since its original run of 26 episodes from 2005–2006. The graphic novel pits Spectrum against a new threat. Desperate for a swift resolution to the war against the Mysterons, the World Government has turned to the shadowy organisation ‘Sabre’ to take the lead in fighting the alien menace. With Captain Scarlet forcibly detained for scientific experimentation, Colonel White must choose between his best agent and the future of Spectrum.
The graphic novel also includes a bonus story, Skyfire, a new adventure for New Captain Scarlet’s crack team of fighter pilots, The Angels.
To celebrate the 102-page graphic novel’s release, writers Chris Thompson and Andrew Clements (Space 1999: Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual) and new rising star comic artist Connor Flanagan (Space Precinct Reloaded) will join Gerry Anderson’s son and managing director of Anderson Entertainment, Jamie Anderson, for a special pre-release signing event at Forbidden Planet Belfast on Saturday 9 July.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of classic Captain Scarlet, but it was following the development of the new series that set me, and my career, on the path to where I am now” explains writer Chris Thompson. “I hope Operation Sabre gives fans the continuation of the story that they have been craving, while also appealing to fans of the original who may have missed the new show when it came out.”
Jamie Anderson adds: “Dad was incredibly proud of what he and his team achieved with New Captain Scarlet, and the characters and storytelling still hold up beautifully today. I’m so pleased we’ve been able to build on the world of New Captain Scarlet in this graphic novel, and I’m sure there’ll be even more from the Spectrum team in coming years.”
Gerry Anderson’s New Captain Scarlet: Operation Sabre is a 102-page original graphic novel will be available from Forbidden Planet International, Amazon or direct from GerryAnderson.com with pre-orders going live on 27 June.
You can get yourself up to speed at GerryAnderson.com and follow the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as checking out The Gerry Anderson Podcast which recently enjoyed its 200th weekly episode. Those looking to refresh their love of all things Anderson are also encouraged to watch the Gerry Anderson Primers series on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/s1NlKOdHLp8
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In addition to running Fanboy Planet, Derek has written for ActionAce, Daily Radar, Once Upon A Dime, and The Wave. He has contributed stories to Arcana Comics (The Greatest American Hero) and Monsterverse Comics (Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave). He has performed with ComedySportz and Silicon Valley Shakespeare, though relocated to Hollywood to... work in an office? If you ever played Eric's Ultimate Solitaire on the Macintosh, it was Derek's voice as The Weasel that urged you to play longer. You can buy his book "I Was Flesh Gordon" on the Amazon link at the right. Email him at [email protected].
