Space Angel

Space Angel, a groundbreaking series from 1962 and currently residing in the vaults of CONtv, exemplifies the best of early animated science fiction. The show incorporates imaginative storytelling, compelling character development, and innovative tech wizardry, which mark it as a significant steppingstone in the evolution of modern animation.

Delving into the golden age of sci-fi, Space Angel tells the thrilling interstellar tales of Scott McCloud, better known by his code-name "Space Angel". Animated by the talent behind Clutch Cargo, its unique visual style stands out, featuring a then-revolutionary technique known as Synchro-Vox. The process superimposes real human mouths over the drawings during speech scenes, giving a vivid distinctiveness to the animated characters, who otherwise remain static during dialogue delivery.

In Space Angel, the universe is a gleaming frontier, presenting a tableau of alien planets, cosmic phenomena, and high-tech civilizations. Space Angel, part of the Earth Space Control (ESC), must deal with a myriad of unusual challenges. Alongside him are the trusty members of his crew – Crystal Mace, a communications expert, and Taurus, a strong and hearty engineer hailing from Mar, a high-gravity planet.

The series has a classic episodic adventure storyline, in which each arc is neatly divided into five 5-minute parts that aired from Monday through Friday. The crew embarks on daring missions, involving encounters with strange alien races, foiling sinister plots, and saving entire planets from impending doom. The viewers watched these adventures unfold and reached their gripping conclusion just in time for the weekend.

What stands out about Space Angel are not only the thrilling adventures and cosmic backdrops but also the nuanced interpersonal dynamics and character growth. The series strikes a balance between action and drama, with Scott often having to think his way out of situations, relying on his intelligence and moral code. Over the series, Scott, Crystal, and Taurus evolve from mere colleagues to a pseudo-family, adding emotional depth to the show.

Much of the series' flavor comes from the influence of the larger-than-life sci-fi literature of the era. Steeped in the grand tradition of '60s space fantasy, Space Angel brings to mind images of pulp magazines and paperbacks, portraying a universe teeming with rogue asteroids, galactic criminals, and collapsing stars. Themes of exploration, science, and creativity, common to works of this period, resonate deeply within Space Angel, embodying both the excitement and fear of the space race era.

The characters themselves are crafted with wonderful attention to detail, realistically reflecting the nature of their professions. Space Angel's raspy authoritative voice, Crystal's calm and collected demeanor, and Taurus's robust bellowing display an engaging blend of thoughtfulness and courage, who serve as steadfast allies in the face of danger.

Also noteworthy is the distinctive blend of sharp detailed graphics and atmospheric sounds of Space Angel. The designers have gone to great lengths to capture the essence of images, only described in writing before - from the detailed chrome knobs of the Starduster spaceship to the flickering monitors on the ESC computers. Along with this, subtle ambient noises, ostensibly ordinary, together build the far-removed, almost alien world that is as alluring as it is exciting.

Conceptually ahead of its time, Space Angel stirred the imagination of its audiences. It's an authentic time capsule of its era when people looked toward the heavens with hope and trepidation alike. Much of the technology, fantastical back in 1962, is today's everyday reality. It's fascinating to look back and see how those days' state-of-the-art concepts have aged and still keep their charm.

Over 50 years since its debut, Space Angel continues to hold a collective place in the hearts of sci-fi buffs for its futuristic vision. The series' compelling storylines, and uniqueness of being part animation and part live-action, set the benchmark for later science-fiction-based animation work. Today, as part of the CONtv offerings, those intrigued by the history of animated television series or anyone who wishes to experience vintage animated storytelling's unique charm will find Space Angel a delightful journey into the cosmic unknown.