Ferran Sostres and TV 21

[philcom55]

Looking up the Spanish artist Ferran Sostres in connection with his work for the DC Thomson comic Diana during the 1960s I just came across this interesting reference on the Lambiek Comiclopedia:

Catalan artist Ferran Sostres opened his own studio in Barcelona in 1957, after graduating in graphic arts and further training with painter Josep Maria Baixas. Although his comics mainly appeared in foreign markets he published Bible adaptations in the Spanish collection Héroes Bíblicos circa 1960. Ferran Sostres was one of the Spanish agency artists who contributed their work to the British market in the 1960s. His British works were frequently war stories for magazines Commando and Combat Picture Library, but he also participated in detective series 'John Steel', which he drew for Thriller Picture Library and in SF series 'Zero-X', which he drew for T.V. 21.

The thing that really caught my eye was the suggestion that he drew Zero X for TV 21 at one point - something that doesn't seem to be mentioned at all in the exhaustively researched Gerry Anderson Complete Comic History. It'd be interesting to know if Shaqui or anybody else connected with that excellent website can shed some light on this intriguing quote. (When I get the chance I'll post a couple of Sostres' pages from Diana on the 'Girls' Comics' section)

- Phil Rushton

[stevezodiac]

Perhaps they mean he drew Zero X in the annuals. Zero X appeared in the TV21 annuals and also had its own annual for at least one year. I seem to remember John Cooper drawing some of the strips but the annuals art was usually by different artists to the ones who drew for the weekly comic. I'd like to see an example of his art to see if it rings any bells.

[philcom55]

I think you're probably right Steve! Presumably the Annuals will be included in a future section of the Gerry Anderson Comic History. For now you can see an example of Sostres' artwork here:

http://comicsuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=5264

- Phil Rushton

[Shaqui]

Ferran Sostres drew the Zero X strip in TV21 for issues 192 to 196. At the time the feature was written, the only (obscure) reference was to an 'F. Belsia':

http://www.technodelic.pwp.blueyonder.c ... roXPt3.htm

I was aware of Sostres other work, having compared the style and identified him a few years back, but while I have updated the details on my computer, I haven't uploaded it to the site.

[Shaqui]

I think you're probably right Steve! Presumably the Annuals will be included in a future section of the Gerry Anderson Comic History. For now you can see an example of Sostres' artwork here:

http://comicsuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=140&t=5264

- Phil Rushton

Annuals have been indexed on these pages:

http://www.technodelic.pwp.blueyonder.c ... als01a.htm

http://www.technodelic.pwp.blueyonder.c ... als01b.htm

http://www.technodelic.pwp.blueyonder.c ... uals02.htm

[stevezodiac]

Sorry I was confusing Captain Scarlet with Zero X as far as having their own annual. The Fireball and Stingray covers were much better than the Thunderbirds. I still have the TV21 annual my parents got me for Christmas 1965.