Last update 15th July 2010
TV21 COMICS GALLERY


1st Series: #1 January 1965 ~ #242 September 1969
nb. 'CENTURY' dropped from the title #154 onwards.
'TV TORNADO' comic merges #190

STINGRAY (ends #189) * LADY PENELOPE, FIREBALL XL5, THUNDERBIRDS # 52 on.
MY FAVOURITE MARTIAN, THE DALEKS, AGENT 21, BURKE'S LAW, CAPTAIN SCARLET #141 on
 SAINT #190 ~ 230, DEPARTMENT S #218 on, THE MUNSTERS, ETC

Straight to:
current stock list

TV CENTURY 21 Comic... a futuristic history in the making!

Although stories based on television series' that were associated with Gerry Anderson (FOUR FEATHER FALLS, SUPERCAR, FIREBALL XL5) appeared in 'TV COMIC', it was the launch of 'TV CENTURY 21' that gave children a broader perception into the world of SUPERMARIONATION!  Apart from the odd still appearing in television guides, etc, this was the first time that we were treated to photographs of characters, crafts, and the sets. Early annuals and story books pertaining to the Gerry Anderson series' consisted of drawings. In fact, apart from the AVENGERS annuals, the only 1960's British annuals based on television programmes that included photographs were THUNDERBIRDS, LADY PENELOPE, CAPTAIN SCARLET, JOE 90.  Being of broadsheet format, TV Century 21 comic created an impact from the start. As the comic became established, large advertisements appeared for Century 21 toys. These were certainly prolific during the heyday of Thunderbirds! Many of the stories of Fireball, Thunderbirds, etc, were reprinted in later comics and annuals. But these were in smaller form, with most proofs taken from other publications, and therefore of inferior quality. Therefore, the Gerry Anderson related strip stories drawn by the likes of Ron Embleton, Eric Eden, Mike Noble, and the legendary Frank Bellamy, will most probably never be available to enjoy in superior form other than in the original TV Century 21 and Lady Penelope comics. With changes in trends and the emergence of  the next generation of children, owning a set of the 242 issues provides an interesting insight into the rise and decline of this publication.

***************

No 6 first Fireball XL5 story.  No 51 final LADY PENELOPE (see below) as she is now to appear own her 'own' comic, and final SUPERCAR (no acknowledgement). No 52, dated January 15 2066 (1966), was the first issue featuring a THUNDERBIRDS strip story in the form of 2-page colour center, as well as a photograph (TB3) on the front page, while the back cover advertised the new LADY PENELOPE comic, depicting issue no 1 However, the first issue of TV21 to include Thunderbirds was no 41, depicting a large photograph of Thunderbird 1 within a full page advertisement for the launch of the first six EP's on PYE's new Century 21 label, with a similar half page ad in no 43. Then, in issues  44 and 45 was the comic's introduction into Thunderbirds, with a full page feature titled "Lady Penelope Investigates THUNDERBIRDS" . This was followed by the next five consecutive issues each having a colour photograph of a Thunderbird craft as a countdown . Strangely? no 46 had a double page "SPACE RACE" game that included TB1 as a 'Space Ship', and TB5 as 'Space Station X2'. To 'milk' the Thunderbirds launch campaign, issue 51 had a full page "THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! IN NEXT WEEK'S TV21", with the 2-page Lady Penelope strip story introducing Jeff Tracy. Issue 101 dated December 24 1966 has the commencement of a 4-part photo story of the feature film 'THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!'. Strangely, there was no advertisement in this or the preceding issues for this cinema presentation. The LADY PENELOPE comic was also used as exploitation for this film, with three of their consecutive issues leading up to Christmas each having the front cover featuring a photograph pertaining to the movie . Again, no cinema advertisement within. Also included in TV21 #101 was a page of 'THE MUNSTER'S CHRISTMAS GAME'. Issue 140 first Spectrum appearance (front cover), with 141 having the first Captain Scarlet appearance (front cover) and 2-page  story.  Back covers 207 & 208 1st Joe, 90 appearance in a comic, with back cover of no 209 advertising No 1 of the new JOE 90 comic; 210 no. 2; 211 no. 3 Although set out predominantly as a Gerry Anderson series' contents comic, "THE DALEKS" grace the full back covers in strip form of issues 1 to 104 inclusive. Three different headers (logo titles) were employed. All original stories, with art by Richard Jennings 1-49; Ron Turner 50/ 51 & 59-104; and Eric Eden 52-58. Note that due to copyright, Doctor Who or any named characters from the television series did not appear in any of the stories! The Daleks also featured in large photographic form on the front covers of issues 23, 28 -with Peter Cushing & Roberta Tovey, 36, 47, 50 & 87. Furthermore, small insets as a bulletin, Dalek photo included, appeared on the front cover of issues 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 14, 18, 40 & 46. Page 13 of no  88 has a large photograph of a Dalek scene from the film 2150 AD. This was in conjunction with a Quaker Sugar Puffs competition on the same page. No 28 has to be THE issue for Doctor Who collectors - for as well as the front cover, there is a 1/2 page ad for the movie, 1/4 page ad for the Dalek Plastoid badge, 1/2 page colour ad (art) for the 2 Bagatelles and Clockwork & friction Daleks, 1/2 page ad for Herts Dalek, 1 page review on the film with Jenny Linden and Roy Castle  reading TV21, 1 page competition form etc with Dalek photos, and last but definitely not least -a full page spread, including details, of Dalek Merchandise that was to be given to winners of the competition. Note that the 12 x boxes of Cadbury's Contrast Chocolates (r.p. 8/3d) are given priority over the 72 x Anti-Dalek Fluid Neutraliser Guns (r.p. 3/11d) being offered as part of the prize cache?!

A "Free Gift" originally came with issues:
#1 Identicode  *   #2 Century 21 Special Agent Badge  *  #3  press-out card Fireball XL5  
 #90 Thunderbirds Hat *  #105 Target Trainer  *  #106 Agent I.Q. Card  *  #141 Video Specs
#155 ~ 157 Scarlet Album & Stickers ; ref 'Spectrum File' (ad on back cover of #154 )
 #192 Soccer Stars Colour Pics x 5  *  #218 Jet Glider (red & white).. 
 
 None of the comics listed on this page include any Free Gifts unless otherwise stated.
- - - - -

Part 1: Individual issues

Part 2:

***********

Part 3: Second series titled TV21/ JOE 90
along with the later issues, are still listed on the Comics page.

***********

Part 4:
-

TV CENTURY 21 INTERNATIONAL EXTRA © 1965
'With GERRY ANDERSON'S
STINGRAY 
ALSO FIREBALL XL5
SUPERCAR and LADY PENELOPE'

Front cover has Stingray being chased by Terror Fish * 48 pgs
Small 'faults' being the lower staple bent into the comic with spine split at this location
(on this example, the two staples are positioned on the front of the border); 1" split to of spine;
cover light handling creasing. No faults within contents apart from some slight yellowing on
the very edge of some of  leaves. There are no puzzles, etc included within the issue @ £95

----------

THUNDERBIRDS EXTRA  © 1966

Front cover is TB1, with TB3, TB2, TB2 at foot ~ 48 pgs.
One tear through all at closed left white border, right border tear through 6 last pages, border 45/46 damaged,
back page torn and pieces missing (see photo). Remainder clean, complete, with no defacing.
There is only two leaves within that have dexterity; 'Build Your Own THUNDERBIRD 1' - this is untouched. @ £40

-------------

Recommended site: 
Comic Specials the contain Gerry Anderson strips
no affiliation

Zoom to top      

  Sales Policy  *  Ordering  *  Site Contents