Marina, Girl of the Sea: Lady Penelope, 1966


The success of TV Century 21 also highlighted a relative failure, and this was the fact that the title had little to offer girl readers. Since Fireball XL5, and Dr Venus, there had been a trend towards strong female characters - at least in the television series. And now there was Lady Penelope, a character strong enough to stand up in her own right.

As the other main colour Anderson strip in the new Lady Penelope comic, Marina, Girl of the Sea had a couple of unusual distinctions. Firstly, it was the only Anderson strip to have a 'pilot', appearing a few months prior in the TV Century 21 Stingray Special. The four page b/w strip bridges what would later be seen of Marina's earlier life under the sea, and the television/TV Century 21 strips by showing how Marina is captured by Titan after foiling his attack on an underwater city. Marina toils as a slave for months until Troy Tempest is captured, and events from the first episode are neatly encapsulated on the last page.

The second distinction was the first story, running on the back page of Lady Penelope, would be freely adapted from the TV21 mini-album Marina Speaks. Credited as written by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson themselves, this was released in late 1965 and featured Sylvia Anderson as Marina, David Graham as Aphony and Ray Barrett as Titan. With a rather weak framing story of Atlanta (Lois Maxwell) and her father Commander Shore (Barrett again) finding and reading a manuscript written by Marina, this fleshes out what we see of the Pacifican community and history from their one appearance in the episode 'Plant of Doom'.

The strip goes one better, and the brief few minutes of audio are fleshed out even further into an epic opening story spanning 23 parts. It opens with Aphony summoning Marina for the same banquet and treaty signing we hear about, but as she is the star of the strip the focus is shifted more towards her. She sees Titan leave before the attack, and warns Aphony but to little avail. What are a few, almost throwaway, lines about 'being hunted by Titan's Aquaphibians for months', and 'the survivors of Pacifica living in caves', take up the rest of the first story's tale, as Marina and Aphony attempt to survive. While some parts are little more than an undersea runaround, there is some nice epic scope to the strip.

The main difference, even though he is briefly mentioned in the mini-album, is the First Minister - now given the name Barinth. He proves an able and likeable character and is presumably there as a younger 'man of action' (though his depiction would suggest he is middle-aged) to Aphony's wise old man of peace. It is Barinth who goes on the dangerous mission to obtain a cure for a poisoned Marina, and when he is the first victim of Aphony's words, under the spell of Titan's curse, it comes as a great shock as you assume him to be a regular and on-going character, even if you had the mini-album. It is a brave move to introduce a character whose fate is so clearly signposted this early on, albeit in a different medium, and gives the final part of the story an incredible poignancy.

TV Century 21 Stingray Special

Marina - Girl of the Sea
Writer: Alan Fennell (?). Artist: Unknown. 4 pages, b/w.
Mighty Titan king of the underwater city of Titanica has declared war on Equapol, a peaceful neighbouring township. A full shoal of Terror Fish move through the deep water...

In the command fish, Titan sees Marina but dismisses her as harmless. But the girl tells Aphony of the fleet, and swims to warn the Equapols, who have defences but no detector systems. her warning causes heavy losses to Titan's forces, and when she is seen leaving the city she is captured by Aquaphibians. Brought before Titan, he swears she will remain his slave forever for what she has done. The tyrannical master is cruel, and keeps her busy for nine months of drudgery and misery. But fate takes a turn when Stingray is sighted, and a Terror Fish makes a successful attack. Troy Tempest and Phones are captured and tried to be prisoners in Aquatraz, but Marina unties them, allowing them to escape with her.

Reprinted:
The New Thunderbirds issue 71.

Notes:
• Anyone curious as to why Marina is in the Terror Fish that takes Troy and Phones to Aquatraz, the strip indicates she was forced to operate the scanner systems.
• The unidentified artist appears to have some trouble with the likenesses of Marina and Titan, but draws the Aquaphibians in a suitably groteque fashion.

Marina, Girl of the Sea strip guide - part one

The Full Story ... How the Mysterious and Beautiful Marina May Never Speak Again
Writer: Alan Fennell. Artist: Rab Hamilton. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope Issue 01, dated 22 January 1966
Beneath the world's mighty oceans live many races of undersea people. Amongst the most respected is Aphony, ruler of the city known as Pacifica...

Aphony summons his daughter Marina to make preparations for the most lavish banquet Pacifica has ever seen. Four hundred guests from all the races within ten thousand marine miles will gather to sign a pledge of everlasting peace. Marina is concerned about their arch enemy Titan but Barinth replies he has agreed to come, and without his signature the treaty is useless. The next day, guests start to arrive but after a conference agreeing to the signing a strange fish-like vessel approaches. It is the flagship of Titan, and he vows peace will come to Aphony tonight - one way or another...

Part 2: Lady Penelope Issue 02, dated 29 January 1966
Titan arrives at the banquet, and Aphony invites him to sit at his side. Titan's signature is the last, and even though the people of Titanica regard themselves as the master race, he sees no reason why he should not sign. There is applause and cheering, and the celebrations begin. But Marina notices Titan leave. Still not trusting him, she warns Aphony but he believes Titan simply likes to keep to himself. Marina's fears are well-founded, as Titan has rejoined his flagship, and an armada of Terror Fish is closing on Pacifica with orders to destroy the city...

Part 3: Lady Penelope Issue 03, dated 05 February 1966
The Terror Fish open fire and the Pacifica is devestated. Amidst the chaos, the delegates flee as Marina searches for Aphony. Together with Barinth, she takes Aphony to the shelter of a cave. Barinth wishes they had heeded Marina's warnings. Aphony recovers, and after a while the three swim back to Pacifica, to find it in ruins...

Part 4: Lady Penelope Issue 04, dated 12 February 1966
Marina is distraught but Aphony tells her they must join forces with the other races again to defeat Titan. But as they leave they are observed by two Aquaphibians who report to Titan. While Aphony still lives, Titan will never be safe, and the Aquaphibians are despatched to kill them. As Aphony, Marina and Barinth enjoy a basic meal in a cave, they are found by them...

Part 5: Lady Penelope Issue 05, dated 19 February 1966
Marina screams and they flee as the Aquaphibians open fire. The combination starts a rockfall, revealing another cavern which they take cover in. But as the Aquaphibians move to follow, the rockfall continues, crushing them and trapping Marina, Aphony and Barinth in the other cave...

Part 6: Lady Penelope Issue 06, dated 26 February 1966
With Barinth lighting the way with a seaweed match, the three follow a tunnel that slopes upwards then down into a vast cavern. A ledge gives way and a short fall brings them to strange symbols on the wall. Aphony recalls a legend of a race which lived under the sea bed, close to the centre of the Earth. As Marina ponders if such a legend is true, they find themselves surrounded by strange creatures...

Part 7: Lady Penelope Issue 07, dated 05 March 1966
One creature tells them to follow, and they are lead down sloping passages as the heat increases. Marina is overcome with the heat but the creatures carry her until they reach a vast cavern containing a wall of flame. Another creature appears in the fire, stating they have invaded their domain. Opening its mouth wide, it spits flames...

Part 8: Lady Penelope Issue 08, dated 12 March 1966
The creature is the Emperor of the Volcans, and he is demonstrating his control of fire. Aphony knows the legend, and that the Volcans are peaceful, but the Emperor retorts many undersea peoples have become hostile to protect themselves. When Marina reveals her father is Aphony of the Pacificans, the Volcans salute him as even they know of his reputation. They are welcomed as guests, but Titan has heard of the failure of his Aquaphibians in killing Aphony, and orders the entire area to be bombarded...

Part 9: Lady Penelope Issue 09, dated 19 March 1966

As Terror Fish are despatched, Aphony discusses Titan with the Volcan Emperor. But the Volcan is not convinced that Aphony's peace will bring an end to Titan's tyranny, and this is brought to sharp relief when violent explosions mark the start of the attack. Aphony apologies for bringing the danger to the Volcans, and prepares to surrender himself...

Part 10: Lady Penelope Issue 10, dated 26 March 1966
The Volcan Emperor does not want Aphony to blame himself for the evil of others, and demonstatrates their defensive power. As the Aquaphibians in the Terror Fish watch, the sea bed bubbles and puckers as a new volcano is born. The fleet scatters, and Volcan is safe. Now Aphony must find more allies...

Part 11: Lady Penelope Issue 11, dated 02 April 1966
Aphony, Barinth and Marina bid farewell to the Volcans, who give them flamesticks as a gift. Travelling for six marine days, they come across a city of shipwreck - the home of the peacefulCoonadans. But suddenly a weapon opens fire and the Pacificans are thrown apart by the blast. When Aphony and Barinth find Marina, she is dying...

Part 12: Lady Penelope Issue 12, dated 09 April 1966
She has been thrown against Galat rock, which contains a deadly poison. The Coonadans are undersea allies of the Pacificans, and had been testing a defensive weapon. Swimming from the wreck and recognising Aphony, they realise their mistake. But unfortunately the poison is beyond the medical knowledge of the Coonadans, and Marina's only hope is for Barinth to lead a party of three warriors to one of Titan's Sedac laboratory, where a cure was perfected by his scientists. But the Aquaphibians there are heavily armed, and time is running out...

Part 13: Lady Penelope Issue 13, dated 16 April 1966
Barinth realises the only way to enter is by guile, and a rockfall diversion and strong light in different directions lead the guards away to investigate. Inside, Barinth finds the cure with his Coonadan warriors, but now Aquaphibians are approaching...

Part 14: Lady Penelope Issue 14, dated 23 April 1966

The Coonadans seal the door, which now buckles under Aquaphibian weapon fire. Barinth remembers the firesticks, and when the Aquaphibians destroy the dorr, these are lit and used to blind the creatures. In the confusion Barinth and the Coonadans head outside but in response to the alarm, Terror Fish are now approaching...

Part 15: Lady Penelope Issue 15, dated 30 April 1966
Barinth and the Coonadans take cover, and watch as more Aquaphibians enter the laboratory. Seizing their chance, they swim back to Coonadas with the cure, where Marina is failing fast. The cure is administered, and a fter a long marine hour she opens her eyes and begins to recover.

Part 16: Lady Penelope Issue 16, dated 07 May 1966
As Marina gains strength, a Coonadan brings news that Pacificans have been seen living in caves. With the joy that he, Marina and Barinth are not the only survivors, Aphony makes the journey with some Coonadans to a beautiful valley. Marina is convinced this where Pacifica must stand again, but the Pacificans they find in the caves nearby cower from Aphony's presense...

Part 17: Lady Penelope Issue 17, dated 14 May 1966

Marina realises they are blind, and as Marina's eyes are suddenly filled with pain, Barinth recognises the marine chemical Strytaren in the caves. Rushing out, the sea water cleanses Marina's eyes but Aphony cannot leave his people to suffer. If they return they risk blindness, when suddenly Marina swims off with an idea...

Part 18: Lady Penelope Issue 18, dated 21 May 1966
Searching in the sea bed sand, Marina at last finds what she is looking for - a large clear shell that can protect her eyes. Aphony still thinks it too dangerous but Marina, one by one, leads the Pacificans from the cave. In time, the water clears their blindness, and they see Aphony. But Barinth hears a strange noise, and they see hundreds of strange machines rolling towards them...

Part 19: Lady Penelope Issue 19, dated 28 May 1966
Aphony tells his people not to be afraid, and a strange creature swims from the leading machine. Other undersea races have joined, and are here to help Aphony rebuild Pacifica. Marina says the beautiful valley they saw previously is perfect, and the Pacificans and other races journey there to start...

Part 20: Lady Penelope Issue 20, dated 04 June 1966
Time passes, and a new Pacifica stands in the valley. After a celebration banquet, the other races depart, and the word goes out for other lost Pacificans to return to their new home. Within a marine month, the city is full but as Marina relaxes out in the sea, the shadow of a Terror Fish passes her. It seems Titan is searching for them, and it can only be a matter of time before he attacks again...

Part 21: Lady Penelope Issue 21, dated 11 June 1966
In a control room, Aphony and Marina watch on a video screen as the Terror Fish approaches... but then heads off again. Marina is sure Titan will destroy them, and she is almost right. The Aquaphibians report to Titan that a new Pacifica has been built. Consulting Teufel, the mighty fish god of Titanica, Titan now has a plan...

Part 22: Lady Penelope Issue 22, dated 18 June 1966
Before long, Marina sees a sight she never hoped to see - a Terror Fish approaching. Hurrying to Aphony, she finds Titan has arrived in person. Barinth brings him before Aphony. and the tyrant still believes his power can overcome the peaceful treaties. 'Never underestimate the power of words!' Aphony warns, but that is exactly Titan's plan...

Part 23: Lady Penelope Issue 23, dated 25 June 1966
A great noise fills the city, and Aphony and Marina feel strange. Aphony demands to know what is happening but Titan tells him to be silent. When Aphony speaks again, Barinth buckles and dies before them! The tyrant tells a silent Aphony his words killed Barinth, and if either he or Marina utter one word, another Pacifican will die - and that person could be either of them!

Marina and Aphony can never really know if Barinth's death was caused by shock or if he died from Titan's curse. But the though tthat one spoken word could mean the death of either of them is more than they can think...

That is how Marina became a prisoner in her silent world. So long as Titan lives, she will remain his slave, with the luxury of words denied her!

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 36/1966 to 05/1967 (as Marina - Het Meisje van de Zee)
Stingray The Comic - issues 1 to 23

Notes:
• The Titanican fish sea god Teufel makes an appearance in part 21, but is shown to be much bigger than his appearances on television. In fact, he is larger than a man (or Titanican).
• Some special publicity photos do appear to have been taken to promote the strip, notably Marina looking at strange symbols on a wall which could be the Volcan markings in part 6. But for one of only two of Marina's appearances on the cover, for issue 9, uses one photo tightly cropped to just a portrait, and reversed. A photo from the same shoot would be used to promote the final part, on the cover of issue 23.

• The reprints in Stingray The Comic split this first opening story into three parts: issues 1 to 10, issues 11 to 15 as Marina Injured, and issues 16 to 23.


Story Two (aka The Silent World of Pacifica!)
Writer: Alan Fennell (?). Artist: Rab Hamilton. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope Issue 24, dated 02 July 1966
Many months pass, until shortly before Aphony's birthday, Marina's concern over what to give as a present highlights a new telepathic bond between them. To test the thought transference, Marina asks Aphony what he wants, to which the response is a piece of stone from the sunken temple five marine miles away. But as Marina swims there and searchs among the columns, tentacles reach towards her...


Part 2: Lady Penelope Issue 25, dated 09 July 1966
It is a giant squid edging towards Marina and, seeing it, her impulse is to cry out. But then she remembers the curse and tries to escape alone. She hides behind a column but the squid has no intention of abandoning its prey. Back at Pacifica, Aphony's mind is suddenly filled with worry, and he senses Marina's danger. But the squid has already seized her...

Part 3: Lady Penelope Issue 26, dated 16 July 1966
Aphony needs help from his people, but how can he communicate with them? He tries his telepathy on the Council of Ministers, and is relieved to find it works. Using ancient weapons from the Pacifican Museum, Aphony leads six of the strongest men in a rescue bid, but by now the squid is already taking Marina back to its lair...

Part 4: Lady Penelope Issue 27, dated 23 July 1966
Marina recovers in the cave of the squid but she cannot contact Aphony. In the temple, Aphony and his men find a broken colum and traces of a struggle - something large and powerful has been there. Moving to the narrow back of the cave, Marina finally gets through to Aphony, but then the squid lashes out and knocks her unconscious...

Part 5: Lady Penelope Issue 28, dated 30 July 1966
Aphony loses contact but not before sensing the squid and cave. But there are many caves in the area, and little time to search them all. So he sends a soldier and communicates telepathically, to determine how far away Marina must be. This turns out to be two marine miles - the same distance as 'The Devil's Cave'. But is too late now... ?

Part 6: Lady Penelope Issue 29, dated 06 August 1966
Aphony leads the soldiers and marine tanks to the cave and decides, against the plea of a younger soldier, to venture in himself. The squid is crushing the life out of Marina but des not see Aphony until he hurls a rock at it. Releasing her, the creature turns and grabs him...

Part 7: Lady Penelope Issue 30, dated 13 August 1966
The soldiers see Aphony in the grasp of the squid but cannot fire for fear of hitting him. But Marina is still in danger and Aphony orders them to attack. The marine tanks fire, and the squid releases him, releasing poisonous ink in defense. But the creature continues to stay in the cave mouth, blocking any escape as the poison chokes Aphony and Marina...

Part 8: Lady Penelope Issue 31, dated 20 August 1966

The tanks are out of ammunition too but the officer has an idea. Using seaweed vines, the Pacifican soldiers lasso one of the squid's tentacles, and pull it away using one of the tanks. The soldiers swim in and rescue Aphony and Marina, but then they see the squid has turned its attention on the tank...

Part 9: Lady Penelope Issue 32, dated 27 August 1966
The soldier within manages to swim free as the squid grapples the tank. To end this peril for good, Aphony orders the soldiers to dislodge boulders from the top of the cliff, and the terrible monster is crushed. Marina returns to the temple, and gives Aphony the stone he wanted for his birthday gift. But the greatest gift is sharing each others thoughts over large distances, meaning they will never be lonely.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 06/1967 to 14/1967
Penelope Annual 1972
Stingray The Comic - issue 24
Stingray Monthly - issues 1 to 8

Notes:
• With the start of this story, the masthead changes to a photographic one showing a portrait of Marina.
• The map the Pacifican officer uses in part 5 (right) gives an idea of some of the geography local to the area. The temple appears to lie between Pacifica, Titanica, and another city called Asdratz. There is a mountainous area called Neptune's Range to the west of the temple, cliffs called Serpent Heights to the south, and the Crescent Hills and the Forest of Mar to the east. The Devil's Cave is two marine miles to the south.
• The reprint in the 1972 reprint, as with most reprints of the time, fill the area where the masthead would be for each part. In this case, the uncredited artist redraws elements from the strip to either create a new frame, or expand the first one.


Story Three
Writer: Angus Allan (?). Artist: Rab Hamilton. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope Issue 33, dated 03 September 1966
Marina sees a Vinctan, an inhabitant of a small city 30 marine miles from Pacifica, collapse nearby. Brought before Aphony, the Vinctan tells them their city is being attacked by three Terror Fish, and returns there with Marina and her father as a whole fleet of Titan's craft arrives...

Part 2: Lady Penelope Issue 34, dated 10 September 1966
The Vinctans are peaceful, and have no weapons with which to defend themselves. But the Vinctan with them ponders if it is possible to get aboard one of the Terror Fish and use it against the others. Keeping to the rear of a Terror Fish to avoid detection, Aphony, Marina and the Vinctan steal aboard what appears to be an unmanned vessel. But the armed Aquaphibians are behind them...

Part 3: Lady Penelope Issue 35, dated 17 September 1966
Aphony, using telepathy, tells the Aquaphibians to put their guns down and end the senseless warfare, and is amazed when they do! Aphony's advanced intellect has overpowered the primitive Aquaphibian's minds and turned them into unwilling slaves. With them under control, the Terror Fish turns against the fleet and destroys it. But Titan learns of this, and realising what has happened, plots an answer...

Part 4: Lady Penelope Issue 36, dated 24 September 1966
As the Vinctans have Aphony and Marina as guests at a victory feast, Titan learns more from the Aquaphibian who was controlled. Ordering his Terror Fish, Titan journeys for two marine hours to a strange building on the sea-bed...

Part 5: Lady Penelope Issue 37, dated 01 October 1966
This is the laboratory of Dr. Nereis, the finest scientist in the marine underworld but who, owing to an experiment which went wrong, cannot exist without oxygen and has to live within a glass chamber. Nereis anticipates Titan's problems and, knowing of Marina's love of all lesser marine animals, reveals a robot porpoise...

Part 6: Lady Penelope Issue 38, dated 08 October 1966
As a demonstration, an Aquaphibian is ordered into the aquarium and the porpoise swims and romps playfully. But its eyes have a compelling hypnotic effect, and the Aquaphibian is mesmerised. Titan is impressed, and two days later the porpoise is released to home in on Marina near Pacifica...

Part 7: Lady Penelope Issue 39, dated 15 October 1966
The porpoise plays with Marina for half a marine hour, and then uses its hypnosis on her. At first Marina is frightened by the staring creature but then succumbs to the effect. Mesmerised, she follows the porpoise back to Titanica, and the waiting Titan...

Part 8: Lady Penelope Issue 40, dated 22 October 1966
Helpless, Marina is brought before Titan, who gloats he now has a way of insuring himself against Aphony using his power again. But Aphony has missed Marina, and wonders where she could be...

Part 9: Lady Penelope Issue 41, dated 29 October 1966
With Marina as slave, Titan sets her working around his palace. But Aphony has not rested and, suspecting Titan, sends warriors to find out the truth. Learning this, Titan despatches an Aquaphibian to surrender and warn Aphony if he interferes, Marina will die...

Part 10: Lady Penelope Issue 42, dated 05 November 1966

The Aquaphibian is captured, as Titan and Marina watch on a screen. Marina believes Titan to be afraid but the warlord cannot read her thoughts. The Aquaphibian is brought before Aphony, who learns for certain Marina has been captured. But he has a plan to use the creature against Titan, and asks it how Marina was captured...

Part 11: Lady Penelope Issue 43, dated 12 November 1966
Compelled by Aphony, the Aquaphibian swims off to be followed by the Pacifican leader and two warriors. Marina refuses to work for Titan any more but the cruel tyrant uses the robot porpoise to force her to continue...

Part 12: Lady Penelope Issue 44, dated 19 November 1966
Meanwhile the Aquaphibian has led Aphony for 15 marine hours to the laboratory of Dr. Nereis, near the city of Dracuta. The concealed building will not appear unless a special signal is given, which the cative Aquaphibian gives. But as they near the laboratory, Nereis' voice tells them he cannot help, and they are to go away...

Part 13: Lady Penelope Issue 45, dated 26 November 1966
Nereis' mental powers are stronger, so Aphony cannot compel him but the Aquaphibian knows a way inside. Nereis contacts Titan but is assured he can use the hover vehicle's implode valve to kill the intruders. As Marina watches, Aphony, his warriors and the Aquaphibian get onto the platform to find Nereis, but as it moves off, barriers and bars rise to trap them on board...

Part 14: Lady Penelope Issue 46, dated 03 December 1966
Aphony lunges at the controls and forces the vehicle into a wall, smashing a power plant and cutting the radio link to Titan. As explosions tear through Nereis' complex, the robot porpoise also explodes, setting fire to Titan's palace...

Part 15: Lady Penelope Issue 47, dated 10 December 1966
Titan flees, leaving Marina trapped by the fire. but she is able to escape when the glass roof shatters. With the Aquaphibian killed in the crash, Aphony and his warriors clamber from the wreckage and also escape as Nereis perishes in the destruction of the complex. Back at Pacifica, Aphony and Marina are reunited once more.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 15/1967 to 29/1967

Notes:
• This story determines there is a limited range to Aphony and Marina's telepathy.
• It also implies strongly in part 10 that Titan cannot read Marina's telepathy.
• This Time Screen Telefantasy Comic Extra lists this story as a three-parter and a twelve-parter but there is nothing to suggest this split in the stories themselves.

The second story continues to expand on what we know, and the 'thought transference' also implied in the episode Plant Of Doom comes to the fore. While tightly scripted, this is little more than a romp to give the telepathy a means of being introduced. The theme continues in the follow-up, and as well as being a more adventure driven tale gives the telepathy an interesting twist. Deprived of Barinth, Aphony becomes a more active figure, driven by love for his daughter, and it is almost scary when he starts to use his power more forcefully throughout the tale. It is a pity that this is not developed more. Dr Nereis also has the potential to be an interesting villain but he too is underdeveloped.

The initial writer on the strip was TV Century 21 editor Alan Fennell, and it may have been his close ties with Gerry and Sylvia Anderson that brought about the mini-album adaptation idea as a starting point. When he grew tired of Marina, he passed the writing chores over to friend and in-coming script editor Angus Allan, who recalls, 'I can't remember exactly when I took over. I do, however, remember what Alan told me at the time, and this is a factual quote from him: I'm bleedin' sick of this underwater crap. You do it.' And so Angus Allan did, until equally sea-sick himself.

The artist chosen for the strip was Rab Hamilton, no stranger to Stingray having illustrated almost all of the ©1965 annual and contributing to the Television Story Book. As well as drawing Marina, Hamilton was also working on the long-running Agent 21 for TV Century 21, and had produced a couple of full page Stingray colour strip adverts for the Morlaine Arm Fins the previous year. He gave the strip an aquatic fairy tale appearance, and embellished the space between the frames with little undersea motifs like starfish, crabs, anchors and, on a few occasions, aquaphibians and terror fish!

Unlike Stingray, which had received the lion's share of publicity as the series of the moment in TV Century 21, Marina had no fanfare, eclipsed by Lady Penelope and the popularity of Thunderbirds. Only two covers featured her with any prominence in the first year, and the first - for issue 9 - was possibly for promotional purposes as it was used in the annuals. The only 'feature' was a fashion competition in issue 21, with Rab Hamilton providing five designs for Marina to wear (right), and for girls to decide which was the most fitting for different occasions. This was a pity, as the strip showed great promise and ingenuity, fleshing out the unseen marine world in a way the Stingray series never could.

On to Part Two of this series.

The Gerry Anderson Complete Comic History would like to thank:
Angus Allan
and Gillian Allan
- for their help with this feature.

Version 1.2 - 01.09.05


Any comments or notes about any of the strips, please contact technodelic@blueyonder.co.uk.

All text © The Gerry Anderson Complete Comic History, and its respective writers, and may not be reproduced without permission.
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