Fireball XL5 (spacecraft): Difference between revisions

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
No edit summary
Tag: 2017 source edit
No edit summary
Tag: 2017 source edit
Line 6: Line 6:
|origin        = [[Earth]]
|origin        = [[Earth]]
|first        = The Batmen (comic story)
|first        = The Batmen (comic story)
|appearances  = [[PROSE]]: ''[[Fireball Surrenders! (short story)|Fireball Surrenders!]]''
}}
}}
{{dab page|Fireball XL5 (disambiguation)}}
{{dab page|Fireball XL5 (disambiguation)}}
The '''''Fireball XL5''''' was a [[spacecraft]]. Its captain was [[Colonel]] [[Steve Zodiac]].
'''''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 City Headquarters]] were abuzz with excitement at the news that ''XL5'' had landed on an unknown [[asteroid]] in [[hyperspace]] whilst hunting a mysterious [[space freighter]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Stingray Attacked! (short story)|Stingray Attacked!]]'') After news of the possible death of Colonel Zodiac reached [[Space City]], no further messages had been received from ''XL5''. It later transpired that the crew had been captured. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Genesis of Evil (comic  story)|Genesis of Evil]]'')
== 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 [[sonic blanket]]s which were able 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 21|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!]]'')


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
The ''Fireball XL5'' was the titular vehicle of the television series ''[[Fireball XL5 (series)|Fireball XL5]]''.
''Fireball XL5'' was the titular vehicle in the television series ''[[Fireball XL5 (series)|Fireball XL5]]''.


[[Category:Individual spacecraft]]
[[Category:Individual spacecraft]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]

Revision as of 23:04, 28 February 2023

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

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 sonic blankets which were able to revive Steve Zodiac after he had been put into a "frozen sleep" by the Batmen's weaponary. (COMIC: The Batmen)

History

The leader of the Batmen pilots Fireball. (COMIC: 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 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!)

Behind the scenes

Fireball XL5 was the titular vehicle in the television series Fireball XL5.