Fireball XL5 (spacecraft): Difference between revisions
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{{dab page|Fireball XL5 (disambiguation)}} | }}{{dab page|Fireball XL5 (disambiguation)}} | ||
'''''Fireball XL5''''' was a [[spacecraft]] operated by the [[World Space Patrol]]. Its captain was [[Colonel]] [[Steve Zodiac]], with the additional crew comprised of [[Venus (The Batmen)|Doctor Venus]], [[Matthew Matic|Professor Matic]] and [[Robert the Robot]]. | |||
In [[January]] [[2065]], [[Space | == Features and capabilities == | ||
The [[leader of the Batmen]] opined that ''Fireball XL5'' "must" have been "one of the most powerful [ships] in the [[Universe]]". ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Batmen (comic story)|The Batmen]]'') This view was shared elsewhere, with ''[[TV 21|TV Century 21]]'' reporting that [[Steve Zodiac]]'s surrendering of the craft to hostile [[alien]]s spawned "utmost concern for the [[safety]] of all [[space freighter]]s and [[passenger]] [[flight]]s throughout the Universe". Additionally, [[space]] flights were cancelled while "a usually reliable source" indicated that [[Space City]]'s combat ships had been placed on [[Emergency Red]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Fireball Surrenders! (short story)|Fireball Surrenders!]]'') | |||
''Fireball XL5'' had a [[videoscope]] with which it could identify nearby [[spacecraft]]. The ship held at least three [[jetmobile]]s, used by its crew when exploring unfamiliar worlds. | |||
It had a [[sickbay]] containing a [[sonic sounder]], which helped to revive [[Steve Zodiac]] after he had been put into a "frozen [[sleep]]" by the [[Batman (species)|Batmen]]'s weaponary. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Batmen (comic story)|The Batmen]]'') | |||
== History == | |||
[[File:Batmen leader pilots XL5.jpg|thumb|The [[leader of the Batmen]] pilots ''Fireball''. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Batmen (comic story)|The Batmen]]'')]] | |||
In [[January]] [[2065]], ''Fireball XL5'' was ordered to investiate an automatic [[space]] [[mayday]] in [[Sector 4]] of [[Sector 25]]. They found the signal to have originated from [[Space freighter (The Batmen)|a seemingly adrift space freighter]] which was actually occupied by hostile [[Batman (species)|Batmen]]. ''Fireball'' pursued the freighter to [[Asteroid (The Batmen)|an asteroid]] in [[hyperspace]]. [[Steve Zodiac]], [[Venus (The Batmen)|Doctor Venus]] and [[Matthew Matic|Professor Matic]] were later captured by the Batmen, forcing Steve to temporarily surrender ''Fireball'' in order to save Venus's life. However, the situation was defused when Steve and [[Robert the Robot]] exposed the [[leader of the Batmen]] as a [[human]] impostor, though not before he had taken ''Fireball'' for a test-flight. [[Valeen]], who wished to return to his people's [[peace]]ful ways, returned ''Fireball'' to Steve and asked that he take his former leader back to [[Earth]], a proposition which Steve accepted. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[The Batmen (comic story)|The Batmen]]'') The [[news]] that ''Fireball'' had landed on an unknown asteroid in hyperspace made the [[front page]] of ''[[TV Century 21 (in-universe)|TV Century 21]]'' on [[30 January]], with [[Wilbur Zero|Commander Zero]] explaining that ''Fireball'' had made the discovery whilst hunting a [[space freighter]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Stingray Attacked! (short story)|Stingray Attacked!]]'') Steve's decision to surrender ''Fireball'' to the Batmen also graced the front page, on [[13 February]], accompanied by a [[photograph]] of the craft obtained via [[Neutrom Tele-Radar Satellite]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Fireball Surrenders! (short story)|Fireball Surrenders!]]'') | |||
In [[February]] 2065, ''TV21'' published an encoded assignment for all [[Universal Secret Service]] special agents which requested that they tell [[Brent Cleever|Twenty One]] if they wanted a trip in ''Fireball XL5''. | |||
Owing to a technical fault in the [[Neutroni Radar Satellite]], further pictures and reports on ''Fireball XL5'' were relayed to ''TV21'' via [[Laser-Accelerated Spectroview]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Power Play (comic story)|Power Play]]'') | |||
[[File:Zodiac's Rescue Bid!.jpg|left|thumb|[[Steve Zodiac]], [[Venus (The Batmen)|Venus]], and [[Robert the Robot|Robert]] in the cabin of ''Fireball XL5''. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Zodiac's Rescue Bid! (short story)|Zodiac's Rescue Bid]]'')]] | |||
The ''Fireball'' crew subsequently found themselves stranded in space, ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Power Play (comic story)|Power Play]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Superjet Shot Down (short story)|Superjet Shot Down]]'') and [[fear]]s for them grew after [[Space Station K17]] reported the total [[destruction]] of the [[planet]] [[Saharis]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Duel of the Daleks (comic story)|Duel of the Daleks]]'') On [[24 April]], a photograph of Steve, Venus and Robert in the cabin of ''Fireball'' accompanied a ''TV21'' front page article about Steve's attempts to release the dangerous [[Omega-Minus device]] from the [[space liner]] ''[[W.S.W.193]]''. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Zodiac's Rescue Bid! (short story)|Zodiac's Rescue Bid!]]'') | |||
=== Legacy === | |||
[[file:Frobisher equipped.jpg|thumb|[[Frobisher]] sings the theme of ''[[Fireball XL5]]''. ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Gift (comic story)}})]] | |||
''Fireball XL5'' was mentioned in the theme song of ''[[Fireball XL5]]'' in the line "''I'd [[flight|fly]] you round [[the universe]] in Fireball XL5.''". ([[COMIC]]: {{cs|The Gift (comic story)}}) | |||
== Behind the scenes == | == Behind the scenes == | ||
''Fireball XL5'' was the titular vehicle in the television series ''[[Fireball XL5 (series)|Fireball XL5]]''. | |||
[[Category:Individual spacecraft]] | [[Category:Individual spacecraft]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:35, 7 May 2024
- You may wish to consult
Fireball XL5 (disambiguation)for other, similarly-named pages.
Fireball XL5 was a spacecraft operated by the World Space Patrol. Its captain was Colonel Steve Zodiac, with the additional crew comprised of Doctor Venus, Professor Matic and Robert the Robot.
Features and capabilities[[edit] | [edit source]]
The leader of the Batmen opined that Fireball XL5 "must" have been "one of the most powerful [ships] in the Universe". (COMIC: The Batmen) This view was shared elsewhere, with TV Century 21 reporting that Steve Zodiac's surrendering of the craft to hostile aliens spawned "utmost concern for the safety of all space freighters and passenger flights throughout the Universe". Additionally, space flights were cancelled while "a usually reliable source" indicated that Space City's combat ships had been placed on Emergency Red. (PROSE: Fireball Surrenders!)
Fireball XL5 had a videoscope with which it could identify nearby spacecraft. The ship held at least three jetmobiles, used by its crew when exploring unfamiliar worlds.
It had a sickbay containing a sonic sounder, which helped to revive Steve Zodiac after he had been put into a "frozen sleep" by the Batmen's weaponary. (COMIC: The Batmen)
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
In January 2065, Fireball XL5 was ordered to investiate an automatic space mayday in Sector 4 of Sector 25. They found the signal to have originated from a seemingly adrift space freighter which was actually occupied by hostile Batmen. Fireball pursued the freighter to an asteroid in hyperspace. Steve Zodiac, Doctor Venus and Professor Matic were later captured by the Batmen, forcing Steve to temporarily surrender Fireball in order to save Venus's life. However, the situation was defused when Steve and Robert the Robot exposed the leader of the Batmen as a human impostor, though not before he had taken Fireball for a test-flight. Valeen, who wished to return to his people's peaceful ways, returned Fireball to Steve and asked that he take his former leader back to Earth, a proposition which Steve accepted. (COMIC: The Batmen) The news that Fireball had landed on an unknown asteroid in hyperspace made the front page of TV Century 21 on 30 January, with Commander Zero explaining that Fireball had made the discovery whilst hunting a space freighter. (PROSE: Stingray Attacked!) Steve's decision to surrender Fireball to the Batmen also graced the front page, on 13 February, accompanied by a photograph of the craft obtained via Neutrom Tele-Radar Satellite. (PROSE: Fireball Surrenders!)
In February 2065, TV21 published an encoded assignment for all Universal Secret Service special agents which requested that they tell Twenty One if they wanted a trip in Fireball XL5.
Owing to a technical fault in the Neutroni Radar Satellite, further pictures and reports on Fireball XL5 were relayed to TV21 via Laser-Accelerated Spectroview. (COMIC: Power Play)
The Fireball crew subsequently found themselves stranded in space, (COMIC: Power Play, PROSE: Superjet Shot Down) and fears for them grew after Space Station K17 reported the total destruction of the planet Saharis. (COMIC: Duel of the Daleks) On 24 April, a photograph of Steve, Venus and Robert in the cabin of Fireball accompanied a TV21 front page article about Steve's attempts to release the dangerous Omega-Minus device from the space liner W.S.W.193. (PROSE: Zodiac's Rescue Bid!)
Legacy[[edit] | [edit source]]
Fireball XL5 was mentioned in the theme song of Fireball XL5 in the line "I'd fly you round the universe in Fireball XL5.". (COMIC: The Gift [+]Loading...["The Gift (comic story)"])
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
Fireball XL5 was the titular vehicle in the television series Fireball XL5.
