I suppose in theory it could go for a long time, but the current story arc is supposed to end the story once and for all.
I’m thinking that the delay in the publication of this latest instalment is due to script changes made at a late date so it reflects current events. I could be wrong but…
WARNING: The content of this comic strip contains very strong language not permitted in the ongoing threads of this site. It also contains themes that some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised for those who may be easily offended. The content has been cleared for posting by the moderators.
Good to see you’re enjoying this…unfortunately the final instalment is below. The first two chapters were published in 2001 and 2002 and this final chapter not until 2004, which means that there was probably sales problems and a swift conclusion to the story was hammered out, as I feel this is somewhat rushed…
WARNING: Contains language and scenes that may cause offence - proceed at your own caution.
MINISTRY OF SPACE (2001-2004) Chapter 3 The Final Chapter Part 2/2
So, as with most alternate history stories, we find that the alternative is not so rosy after all. We can all moan about how bad the world is in reality, but it could also be a darn sight worse.
My conclusion is that it’s a very good story and the artwork is terrific. I feel there was a lot more to be told and that is the only negative to MinistryofSpace.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Back in the good old days UK comics were full of advertisements for sugary foods and drinks. Nowadays the Health Police ban anything fun aimed at kids, no wonder society is breaking down 😂
Advertisements provided comics with well needed revenue, and in a historical context they present us with a peek at the culture of the times. Here are some examples from the 50’s to the 70’s when advertising confectionery and the like wasn't looked upon with stern looks, wagging fingers and pretentious lectures.
Ice cream makes you heroic. This was the moral of the Tommy Walls strips in the early years of Eagle. Paid for by Walls Ice Creams, these strips originally featured artwork by DanDare’s Frank Hampson. This example is from 1950. There’s a brilliant unintentionally funny line: "He was carrying a handbag. He's got away with it."
Mars feeds you goodness. Mars always had the slogan for "work, rest and play" in those days. Mick Jagger certainly agreed with the latter.
Fry's Fun Page promoted Fry's range of chocolate. Fry's Five Boys bar had its pieces embossed with the facial expressions of five schoolboys (psychoanalyst’s would have a field day if they were still on sale), Tiffin were lovely, and I do love a Crunchie.
Suck it and see, it's magic!" well, that’s what we said to the girls at school anyway 😁 but Crackerjack’s Leslie Crowther was talking about Wiz, a tasty banana flavoured lolly with soft toffee inside (I wonder if TP is reading this?). But look, someone's bitten into the lolly when Leslie clearly said they should suck! Ouch!
Sugar Smacks (the rival to Sugar Puffs) were always running free gift promotions like this one which tied in with contemporary tv shows. Those free Captain Scarlet badges are highly collectible today.
Kinky! Yes, it's the age of flower power and Walls launched their newest lolly covered in hundreds and thousands with a brand name that wouldn’t be allowed nowadays.
Super Mousse (the new Cadbury rival to Mar’s Milky Way) was heavily promoted in comics and television during the early 1970s. One promotion was for Apollo badges. I actually liked it better than Milky Way, but no amount of advertising could shake Milky Way from it’s perch and it fell by the wayside after a few years.
Golly's Fun Book. Yes, when Robertson's golly was just a fun toy, they gave the chance of winning a chopper bike. These were a big craze in the early seventies and if you had one the girls would flock round you. Happy days.
“It's frothy man!" said Cresta Bear, and that turned into a popular 70’s catch phrase. Just fizzy pop, but advertising was the name of the game and it seemed that almost everyone was saying it. The sexual connotations didn’t go unnoticed by schoolboys and adults alike.
Count Dracula's Deadly Secret. A 1973 lolly that turns you into a vampire, going by the advert. I’m not sure if this was ever actually proven, perhaps someone else knows?
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Lots of fun there, and here's a strange memory trick: all these years later and I can still remember the taste of most of those sweets etc except Tiffin. I must have eaten them, but I can't bring it to mind as instantly as the others.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,948Chief of Staff
I wonder if George Lazenby carted a box of any of those around? Can’t stand Crunchie - gets stuck behind your teeth 😣
Dick Grayson looks very like Burt Ward in the penultimate panel.
I don't remember Silly Putty being available in the UK (or Scotland, anyway) when I was a kid. We had Plasticine which I believe is similar but not identical. Holy sidetrack, Batman!
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 30,948Chief of Staff
@Barbel nope, we had silly putty here too. The main difference was Silly Putty had elasticity whereas Plasticine didn’t…neither did Play Doh…but I loved the smell of Play Doh 🤗
@CoolHandBond They were both made by Raleigh of Nottingham, England. Raleigh had the kids' bike market pretty much sewn up in the 70s and early eighties and there was model for every age group - girls and boys. The Grifter and Chopper were available at the same time but the Grifter (which came on the scene in 1976) started to outsell the Chopper (which had been around since 1968) and the Chopper was eventually dropped from the range, it was just too late sixties/seventies in design to cut in in the eighties. It was also quite impractical compared to the Grifter. The Grifter fell in turn to the BMX, which fell in turn to Mountain Bikes. I loved my Grifter. Best bike I ever had and wish I still had it.
@Sir Miles I completely agree😍 There was something about the ladies of that era...
Comments
Can't wait, this is ingenious. The sort of story you never want to end.
You wonder how they can keep it going whilst wondering how they can end it 🤯
I suppose in theory it could go for a long time, but the current story arc is supposed to end the story once and for all.
I’m thinking that the delay in the publication of this latest instalment is due to script changes made at a late date so it reflects current events. I could be wrong but…
WARNING: The content of this comic strip contains very strong language not permitted in the ongoing threads of this site. It also contains themes that some readers may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised for those who may be easily offended. The content has been cleared for posting by the moderators.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH - Chapter Twenty One - He’s Finished When He Quits - Part 2/2
And a bonus…
The Department of Truth will return soon…
That last panel was a gem, and scarier than the whole rest of the story put together. Yes, please, more!
I’ll be sad when this ends…in theory it could continue indefinitely.
WARNING: Contains language and scenes that may cause offence - proceed at your own caution.
MINISTRY OF SPACE (2001-2004) Chapter 3 The Final Chapter Part 1/2
Concludes tomorrow…
This would make a good film. Roll on tomorrow!
This is excellent…loving all the old British brands…still going strong…and still being British 🤗
Good to see you’re enjoying this…unfortunately the final instalment is below. The first two chapters were published in 2001 and 2002 and this final chapter not until 2004, which means that there was probably sales problems and a swift conclusion to the story was hammered out, as I feel this is somewhat rushed…
WARNING: Contains language and scenes that may cause offence - proceed at your own caution.
MINISTRY OF SPACE (2001-2004) Chapter 3 The Final Chapter Part 2/2
So, as with most alternate history stories, we find that the alternative is not so rosy after all. We can all moan about how bad the world is in reality, but it could also be a darn sight worse.
My conclusion is that it’s a very good story and the artwork is terrific. I feel there was a lot more to be told and that is the only negative to Ministry of Space.
Yes, a good story (again!) but as you say it does feel as if there should be more to it. Still, well worth reading.
I’m disappointed that story was wrapped up so quickly…there was SO much more that could have been told…but thanks for reproducing here 🍸
Back in the good old days UK comics were full of advertisements for sugary foods and drinks. Nowadays the Health Police ban anything fun aimed at kids, no wonder society is breaking down 😂
Advertisements provided comics with well needed revenue, and in a historical context they present us with a peek at the culture of the times. Here are some examples from the 50’s to the 70’s when advertising confectionery and the like wasn't looked upon with stern looks, wagging fingers and pretentious lectures.
Ice cream makes you heroic. This was the moral of the Tommy Walls strips in the early years of Eagle. Paid for by Walls Ice Creams, these strips originally featured artwork by Dan Dare’s Frank Hampson. This example is from 1950. There’s a brilliant unintentionally funny line: "He was carrying a handbag. He's got away with it."
Mars feeds you goodness. Mars always had the slogan for "work, rest and play" in those days. Mick Jagger certainly agreed with the latter.
Fry's Fun Page promoted Fry's range of chocolate. Fry's Five Boys bar had its pieces embossed with the facial expressions of five schoolboys (psychoanalyst’s would have a field day if they were still on sale), Tiffin were lovely, and I do love a Crunchie.
Suck it and see, it's magic!" well, that’s what we said to the girls at school anyway 😁 but Crackerjack’s Leslie Crowther was talking about Wiz, a tasty banana flavoured lolly with soft toffee inside (I wonder if TP is reading this?). But look, someone's bitten into the lolly when Leslie clearly said they should suck! Ouch!
Sugar Smacks (the rival to Sugar Puffs) were always running free gift promotions like this one which tied in with contemporary tv shows. Those free Captain Scarlet badges are highly collectible today.
Kinky! Yes, it's the age of flower power and Walls launched their newest lolly covered in hundreds and thousands with a brand name that wouldn’t be allowed nowadays.
Super Mousse (the new Cadbury rival to Mar’s Milky Way) was heavily promoted in comics and television during the early 1970s. One promotion was for Apollo badges. I actually liked it better than Milky Way, but no amount of advertising could shake Milky Way from it’s perch and it fell by the wayside after a few years.
Golly's Fun Book. Yes, when Robertson's golly was just a fun toy, they gave the chance of winning a chopper bike. These were a big craze in the early seventies and if you had one the girls would flock round you. Happy days.
“It's frothy man!" said Cresta Bear, and that turned into a popular 70’s catch phrase. Just fizzy pop, but advertising was the name of the game and it seemed that almost everyone was saying it. The sexual connotations didn’t go unnoticed by schoolboys and adults alike.
Count Dracula's Deadly Secret. A 1973 lolly that turns you into a vampire, going by the advert. I’m not sure if this was ever actually proven, perhaps someone else knows?
This weeks birthday comic covers 2-8 June…
Lots of fun there, and here's a strange memory trick: all these years later and I can still remember the taste of most of those sweets etc except Tiffin. I must have eaten them, but I can't bring it to mind as instantly as the others.
I wonder if George Lazenby carted a box of any of those around? Can’t stand Crunchie - gets stuck behind your teeth 😣
I had a big red chopper - honest 🤗
Sir Miles: I had a big red chopper - honest 🤗
I had a purple one - honest!
😂
I was a Grifter man. Best bike ever.
Boys with toys 😁
Nah, mate - even Arnie knew the best bike….
DETECTIVE COMICS #340 - June 1965 - The Outsider Strikes Again - Part 1/2 - In which The Outsider appears for the third time…
Concludes tomorrow…
Damn, that cut off too soon!
They both have good points..
@The Red Kind said…
They both have good points..
They certainly do…and that is the lovely Anne Aston of The Golden Shot fame…sat astride a chopper, be still my beating heart 🤗
The Golden Shot had two hostesses in 1974…the second being Wei Wei Wong who was the Bottoms Up girl in The Man With The Golden Gun 😁
Brilliant information, Sir Miles, it’s the sort of trivia that I love 😁😁😁
For a moment I thought you wrote “the lovely Anne Aston of The Golden Shot fame…sat astride my chopper, be still my beating heart 😂🤣
@The Red Kind was the Grifter made as a rival to the Chopper, or did it precede it? Both bikes are great, but I have to say the Chopper is better!
DETECTIVE COMICS #340 - June 1965 - The Outsider Strikes Again - Part 2/2 - In which The Outsider appears for the third time…
Another Batman adventure next week…
Dick Grayson looks very like Burt Ward in the penultimate panel.
I don't remember Silly Putty being available in the UK (or Scotland, anyway) when I was a kid. We had Plasticine which I believe is similar but not identical. Holy sidetrack, Batman!
If only the lovely Anne had been 🫨😁
@Barbel nope, we had silly putty here too. The main difference was Silly Putty had elasticity whereas Plasticine didn’t…neither did Play Doh…but I loved the smell of Play Doh 🤗
@CoolHandBond They were both made by Raleigh of Nottingham, England. Raleigh had the kids' bike market pretty much sewn up in the 70s and early eighties and there was model for every age group - girls and boys. The Grifter and Chopper were available at the same time but the Grifter (which came on the scene in 1976) started to outsell the Chopper (which had been around since 1968) and the Chopper was eventually dropped from the range, it was just too late sixties/seventies in design to cut in in the eighties. It was also quite impractical compared to the Grifter. The Grifter fell in turn to the BMX, which fell in turn to Mountain Bikes. I loved my Grifter. Best bike I ever had and wish I still had it.
@Sir Miles I completely agree😍 There was something about the ladies of that era...