KOOL TV REVIEW: 'SPACE:1999 - AFTERSHOCK AND AWE' GRAPHIC NOVEL

Shattered dreams for the soon stranded interstellar heroes of SPACE: 1999 in the AFTERSHOCK AND AWE graphic novel. Images: ARCHAIA BLACK LABEL.

SPACE: 1999 - AFTERSHOCK AND AWE

A GRAPHIC NOVEL 

Written by Andrew E. C. Graska

Illustrated by Gray Morrow, David Huseo and Mika

Published by ARCHAIA BLACK LABEL


Reviewed by Scott Weller


You couldn't get a more exciting and dramatic opening to a series than having our beloved shiny moon in the heavens experiencing a catastrophic nuclear explosion that swiftly sends it breaking out of Earth's orbit and into the furthest depths of outer space- its 311 residents on the enclosed Moonbase Alpha well and truly becoming the first outer space pioneers for humanity. Such was the genius of the format to the now classic and throughly innovative series SPACE: 1999, conceived by the late, great Gerry Anderson and his then wife Sylvia, as seen with its iconic pilot episode, Breakway, now a firm part of science fiction and classic television, and renowned as the most expensive show of its kind then produced. One that certainly couldn't be made now, in our fractured, cash-strapped world of film and TV making, to the exciting degree of behind the scenes realisation it had then.

That SPACE: 1999, nearly forty years on, still continues to be celebrated beyond its original two-year life span is no surprise to me at all, what with its often memorable and scary stories (especially those atmospheric ones in it's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY-esque first season grandeur), strong but flawed characters-Martin Landau and Barbara Bain being much underrated I've always felt, and sterling model and effects work from the UK's Brian Johnson. Fans always wanted that third season that never was back in 1978, and many of those youngsters who loved it back then have grown up to create brand new, officially licensed tales for our Moonbase Alpha heroes in all manner of exciting novel fiction. Beyond those, however, there hadn't been a comic series of the show in quite a while, not since the actual seventies, so to see our SPACE: 1999 heroes and environments in sophisticated graphic novel form brought surprise and genuine excitement to me last month, what with the arrival of a publication living up to its title of AFTERSHOCK AND AWE.

Going back to the shows roots, writer Andrew E. C. Gaska brings us a fresh new spin on the series in his extended adaptation of the shows original pilot episode-AWE, whilst also carving out a second exciting all-new story around it, AFTERSHOCK, which acts as an intriguing What If? scenario for fans-showing an alternate future where John F. Kennedy was never assassinated, where our world experiences a third world war it only just survives, and where mankind's dream of reaching the stars gain their deserved momentum (charting the brave men and women soon to make their name on Moonbase Alpha), sadly leading us into the after-effects of what happened to the people and countries of Earth after losing the Moon from close orbit, and the devastating atmospheric and environmental consequences for our world that the cataclysmic event brings...

An example of the impressive artwork for the book.

Clearly a fan of the series since childhood, Gaska's AWE cleverly weaves an intricate tapestry with the Breakaway script, originally written by George Bellak (and Christopher Penfold), incorporating previously unseen material filmed for the original pilot that had been culled from it when it was reduced from its original ninety minute length to a tighter, fifty minute duration back in 1973, whilst also adding some important new material of his own, which not only leads to his second all-new tale, but also fills in the continuity blanks linked to other episodes that followed the pilot in the first and second seasons, marvellously explaining how certain supporting characters came to be stranded on Alpha in the first place and creating all-new ones with strong emotional ties to our main leads. Gaska also bravely, and logically, addresses some of the series many perceived plot holes over the years (i.e. how come Commander Koenig and co. always had so many Eagle craft available to get blown up!), and there's some fun in-jokes to enjoy, with name dropping of certain members of the series production team- most notably controversial love-him-or hate-him second season producer Fred Freiberger.

AFTERSHOCK AND AWE have differing but nonetheless superb sets of artwork, firstly from Gray Morrow and Miki, then David Huseo and Miki. AWE's revisit to Breakaway has the kind of graphics representing the series that you've always wanted to see put down on the comic book page, truly building on some of the epic and exciting sequences of that first story with spectacular style, whilst the illustrating of our lead heroes are spot on. AFTERSHOCK shows a completely different visualisation, but the palette is just as beautiful and iconic, of which its main heroes finely are drawn, of all places, from specially shot linking material attached to a 1979 SPACE: 1999 European theatrical release! It's sounds bonkers incorporating these not so well-known characters, but the idea quickly proves an irresistable and inspirational one from Gaska that works extremely well. Such is the love for the series in all its forms from this creative team that they've truly created a special and exciting new legacy for the classic series which I hope continues for years to come.

AFTERSHOCK AND AWE is an essential purchase which I know will be greatly appreciated and admired by the shows loyal fan base...

KOOL TV RATING: A galactic adventure of the human spirit reborn. 5 out of 5

Check out the FACEBOOK site here: SPACE:1999 Relaunch