Before Star Trek, Space 1999, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, there was Fireball XL5. Even if the show involved puppets (and well directed !), it remains a gem of space adventure...
Steve Zodiac is indeed the hero to this series, a brave astronaut always ready to help or to go where there is trouble.
Colonel Steve Zodiac has a crew which consists of Professor Matt Matic, Doctor Venus (one of the first women on TV which has a real profession at the time, instead of doing household chores), and Robert the Robot which I would more describe as a first generation droid. There is Commander Zero, a strict but very understanding ruler of the World Space Patrol, based in Space City, and Lieutenant Ninety, who always gets the sometimes rude comments of his commander, and of course the clumsy but lovable Zoonie the Lazoon, who is Venus alien pet...
The majority of episodes sees Steve and the crew discover strange worlds as well as threats by alien world to take over earth, or just some foes trying to get rid of Steve Zodiac for revenge, especially the Space Spys Boris and Griselda...
Got to admit some perilous situations or scenes can frighten children (especially the use of fire, or very ugly aliens or robots), but for the rest, it is an agreeable joyride, whether you re a toothy (a recurrent name heard often in the series...) or not...
By the way, despite minor flaws, special effects for this series were innovative at the time. Just wondering if this was turned digital, if it would be better, but it would destroy the magic of what Supermarionation used to be for Gerry Anderson and his then wife Sylvia (who voiced Venus).
A must see for all Space Adventure fans !
Steve Zodiac is indeed the hero to this series, a brave astronaut always ready to help or to go where there is trouble.
Colonel Steve Zodiac has a crew which consists of Professor Matt Matic, Doctor Venus (one of the first women on TV which has a real profession at the time, instead of doing household chores), and Robert the Robot which I would more describe as a first generation droid. There is Commander Zero, a strict but very understanding ruler of the World Space Patrol, based in Space City, and Lieutenant Ninety, who always gets the sometimes rude comments of his commander, and of course the clumsy but lovable Zoonie the Lazoon, who is Venus alien pet...
The majority of episodes sees Steve and the crew discover strange worlds as well as threats by alien world to take over earth, or just some foes trying to get rid of Steve Zodiac for revenge, especially the Space Spys Boris and Griselda...
Got to admit some perilous situations or scenes can frighten children (especially the use of fire, or very ugly aliens or robots), but for the rest, it is an agreeable joyride, whether you re a toothy (a recurrent name heard often in the series...) or not...
By the way, despite minor flaws, special effects for this series were innovative at the time. Just wondering if this was turned digital, if it would be better, but it would destroy the magic of what Supermarionation used to be for Gerry Anderson and his then wife Sylvia (who voiced Venus).
A must see for all Space Adventure fans !