10 TV21 Strips That Would Make Great ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ Episodes

Fred McNamara with 10 TV21 strips that would make great ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ episodes…Amidst rumours that some episodes of the classic Thunderbirds series may be given a modern makeover for the upcoming remake, wouldn’t it be fun to examine which of the TV21 comic strips would suit a modernisation?TV21 was the official comic spin-off for Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and many other of Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi puppet shows. The reason for focusing on comics and not original episodes would be that Thunderbirds Are Go! is set to have a running time of 25 mins per episode, half of the original series’ episodes.The original series had slow-burning feel to it, thanks to the lengthily duration of each episode. This new series promises to be shorter and snappier, which raises similarities between the new series and the TV21 strips. The strips themselves were often far more basic in terms of story-telling than the original series, yet their short length gave them a breakneck pace, which, by all accounts, matches what Thunderbirds Are Go! promises to be.Let’s have a look then at ten TV21 strips that would lend themselves well to the canvas Thunderbirds Are Go! is being painted on. Click below to continue…Revolt on JupiterAliens were always an enemy that felt, odd, in the world of Thunderbirds. Given the series’ focus on human life and its need for rescue, having aliens pop up every now and then gave the series an admittedly odd feel. However, all that is thrown aside in Revolt on Jupiter, a strip that pits an alien enemy against International Rescue, who have to stop an impending and violent uprising on Jupiter.In addition to a galloping space-based plot, the strip also features some nice world-building. It gives a bit of backstory on Jeff Tracy and what he got up to before forming International Rescue as well as showing that I.R are well aware that human beings aren’t the only intelligent lifeforms out there, akin to how Fireball XL5 and Stingray often came across other civilisations.Blazing Danger!The very first adventure for International Rescue in TV21 took Thunderbirds to a whole new level in terms of pacing, adventure and excitement. Centring on a murder plot that accidentally escalates into a raging forest fire, the strip combines a simple enough mission for International Rescue with a deeper element of human menace.“Blazing Danger!” also shows off a darker side to Scott Tracy, who has no qualms with threatening to shoot the strip’s would-be murderer if he doesn’t give himself up. While this would be awesome to see in any future episode of Thunderbirds Are Go!, it looks unlikely, as very early reports on the reboot stressed that any and all aspects of violence, including guns, would not be included in the show whatsoever. Darn it!Talons of the EagleThere’s always a great debate in Thunderbirds fandoms whether stories that focus on International Rescue having to rescue themselves count as actual stories. Such is the case with “Talons of the Eagle”, but that doesn’t prevent the strip being an engaging enough tale that puts International Rescue in some serious trouble.The strip sees a mysterious, and devastatingly massive, U.S.A.F craft managing to track down Thunderbirds 1 and 2 to Tracy Island and I.R having to shoot down the craft in order to wipe any photographs/information obtained relating to the Thunderbirds’ base. The strip sees International Rescue deal with the impending threat of their secrets exposed in an unusually violent way, as Jeff Tracy’s first and primary instinct is to get the craft from the skies to the water, essentially placing its crew in danger.“Talons of the Eagle” doesn’t exactly have it all when it comes to classic Thunderbirds story making (if the original series is anything to go by), but it still has enough character of its own to make for an interesting potential adaptation.Brains Is DeadYep, the title says it all, doesn’t it?“Brains is Dead” is pure 1960’s sci-fi hokum, involving the perceived death of everyone’s favourite International Rescue engineer, when actually that doesn’t prove to be entirely true, and is all a grand plan set up by The Hood in order to conquer International Rescue once and for all!Needless to say, he falls flat on his face.As absurd as this episode is, it still remains devilishly entertaining. The Hood actually succeeds in infiltrating Tracy Island and laying waste to a handful of International Rescue craft. Therefore, it’s all the more satisfying when Jeff confronts the criminal mastermind and socks him one right in the jaw.Unfortunately, this would be another strip that may be highly unlikely in getting adapted due to the lack of violence this new series purports to have. What a shame!The RevolutionOne of the more riveting and tense strips of TV21 was the adventure that saw International Rescue having to save an atomic liner trapped in low waters and crippling rocks caused by a political revolution gone horridly wrong.Things don’t get any easier when the army in charge of silencing the revolution turn their attentions towards the Thunderbirds, believing them to be in cohorts with the revolutionaries. It’s a powerful adventure coupled with some fantastic settings that would look great if turned into model sets.City of DoomAn adventure that saw International Rescue constantly at odds, “City of Doom” would surely provide an episode full of tension and excitement for the viewer. The story centres on an underground city that become endangered from accidental nuclear fallout. Every time International Rescue attempt to help the city’s inhabitant before they venture outside and are struck by radiation poisoning, they’re constantly foiled by the city’s top-notch security, as well as dangerous revolutionaries who happen to be in the area. One that would keep younger audiences on the edge of their seats for sure.The Atlantic TunnelOne for the die-hard model fans to enjoy perhaps, this strip saw The Hood attempting to stop International Rescue in their tracks as Brains and Alan venture forth in search of a unique element in order to enhance the Thunderbird craft. The task leads the pair to a massive tunnel network being constructed underneath the Atlantic Ocean, where deposits of the element are to be found.The strip itself features a breath-taking look at how the tunnels are being built – it would be like seeing a Graham Bleatham cross-section come to life! Given that we saw some huge mechanical Sidewinder-type vehicle in the ‘Introducing the World’ teaser video, it would be great to see the same contemporary model action applied to “The Atlantic Tunnel”.The Antarctic MenaceAn adventure that sees International Rescue having to deal with a criminal mastermind intending to take over all the mineral plants of Antarctica, “The Antarctic Menace” pitted the Thunderbirds with an absurdly dangerous mission against a breath-taking backdrop of futuristic, city-like complexes with the barren wastelands of Antarctica, all of which would look fantastic in pure model form.The Earthquake MakerA strip that ticks all the boxes for all-out, adrenaline charged adventure, The Earthquake Maker saw International Rescue being pitted against another ruthless criminal intent on making a fortune from corrupt governments via triggering off several man-made earthquakes throughout Iran.A plot that coupled International Rescue having to save several Iranian towns and themselves once they scupper the criminal’s plans with some wonderfully barren locations, “The Earthquake Maker” would be a prime contender for an explosive Thunderbirds Are Go! episode.Plus, wouldn’t you give an arm and a leg to see the new CGI Thunderbirds 1 and 2 having to make a crash landing after being attacked by an engulfing whirlwind?Chain ReactionIt’s always been a favourite past-time of fans to examine which episodes of the classic series featured the largest number of Thunderbird craft. Only one has all five, but Chain Reaction includes all five Thunderbirds vehicles in an arguably more exciting way than “The Mighty Atom”.The strip focuses on a space freighter crashing to Earth and causing a chain reaction of volcanoes, tidal waves, and earthquakes – a situation that calls for each Thunderbird machine to be used to full effect in stopping the disasters.It’s one of the most thrilling strips in the TV21 saga, demonstrating how the unpredictable nature of the disasters leave International Rescue at a disadvantage, as well as seeing all five Thunderbirds soaring to the rescue.Fred McNamara