What with the broadcast of a new series of Red Dwarf, this week seems a good time to delve into an old box at the back of a cupboard, and pull out some Red Dwarf based ephemera and esoterica. Let’s start with the first edition of the Red Dwarf Smegazine (or as it was at the beginning Magazine).
First launched in 1992, it ran for 23 editions until January 1994, and had a readership of about 40,000 people. As you can see, the first issue was not for sale to Smegheads.
On first opening of it since I was 14, I’m struck by how good the artwork is for the comic strip re-telling of the first part of the first TV episode The End.
Based on the script by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor, the artist is Alan Burrows. I’m not entirely sure, but I don’t think the first series was available on VHS at this time (I seem to remember it was released after the second and third series, but I might be wrong), so this comic strip may have been the first time I had ‘seen’ this story since its first broadcast or repeat.
Then, for some reason, there’s a beginners guide to Red Dwarf.
No idea why a magazine dedicated to the show might think someone was buying it who had never seen the show, but there you are. Then comes a preview of the new series V.
Before we come across a quiz asking us if we could pilot Red Dwarf, which has the conceit that it’s been filled in by the main characters.
And then a report from the studio as it recorded the episode Terrorform, which is probably just an excuse to see Rimmer having his nipple rubbed.
Before finishing up with a real quiz, with real questions like: Who was Kylie Gwenlyn?; What was the name of Lister’s father’s dog?; Which ship has a computer called Gordon?.
(Answers: Producer and director of the soap opera Androids; Hannah; Scott Fitzgerald)
