One of my earliest introductions to American comic book art was in the syndicated cartoon series Space Angel that appeared on TV screens in Scotland (I think before the rest of the UK) around 1966\67. The link to comic book art was that the series was designed by the great Alex Toth, in addition to this the style of animation was mostly static (like a comic book) and featured the "syncho-vox" lip technique which superimposed human lips onto the face of the illustrated character. Toth also produced a 6 page promotional Space Angel comic strip that appeared in the U.S. childrens comic magazine Jack and Jill.
The
series follows the adventures of 3 astronauts who work for the Earth Bureau of Investigation's Interplanetary Space Force on board their spacecraft the Starduster. The characters, Scott McCloud (Space Angel) the Captain is accompanied by Communications expert Crystal Mace and Gunner/Engineer Taurus as they patrol space to keep it safe. Below and above some early Toth sketches for Space Angel taken from the excellent book " The Cartoon Art of Alex Toth .
So who is Glen Michael? Well to Scottish kids of a certain age Glen was a legendary TV presenter who introduced the highly popular cartoon TV show "Cartoon Cavalcade" from 1966 until 1992. At a time when cartoons were limited on TV, Glen managed to obtain some wonderful features including the early 1960s Marvel charaters, the Justice League of America, Batfink, Harvey cartoons, Birdman, Fearless Fly, Milton the Monster, Galaxy trio and of course Space Angel. When I think of many of these cartoons I always feel Glen should get some credit for introducing them to me.
Above, an early promotional photo of Glen Michael and Rusty and Rudi. Sadly Glen passed away in 2025 at the age of 99.I fear Rusty and Rudi are also no longer with us.
As mentioned in my previous post I have been on a bit of a back-issue comic buying spree recently picking up some of the comics I eithe...
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Glen Michael, a true legend of Scottish TV for sure, McS. I don't think I've ever heard of Space Angel before - haven't seen him in either a comicbook or a cartoon, oddly enough. I DO remember Space Ghost, though don't recall whether I saw the cartoons on Cartoon Cavalcade or in a separate show of its own.
ReplyDeleteMcS, I've just remembered I have a spare issue of the Superman facsimile, so if you send me your address (won't publish it), I'll pop the mag in the post to you.
DeleteGlen Michael was indeed a true legend and by all accounts a lovely man. I was hooked on the Space Angel cartoon as a child although by today's standards it is pretty basic. Very kind offer for the facsimile Kid as long as I can compensate you ifinanciallt n some way
ReplyDeleteFinancially!
ReplyDeleteNah, don't worry about that - as long as it's going to a good home.
DeleteDon't forget to send your address to my comments section, McS. Don't worry, it won't be published.
DeleteMcS, left a message for you over on my blog in response to your (unpublished) one.
DeletePosted sometime between 10:30 a.m. -10:40 a.m., McS, should arrive by Tuesday/Wednesday next week at the latest. Hope that's not too long a wait for you.
DeleteNever encountered this cartoon a tyke. I had to wait for the internet to introduce me, though I had read about the cartoon. Toth is such a sleek artist, always impressive in any medium.
ReplyDeleteWe were really lucky in Scotland in the 1960s through the Cartoon Cavalcade TV show as they showed so many different cartoons each week. I remember my pals back then talking about Space Angel and incorporating him in our games. I'm a very big Alex Toth fan as you say he excelled at all genres from horror, romance, war and for me especially science fiction
ReplyDelete