12 September 2022
UFO: S.H.A.D.O Technical Operations Manual On the Way from Anderson Entertainment
By Anderson Entertainment
Oversize, Lavishly Illustrated New Book Immerses Readers Deep in the World of Gerry Anderson’s Cult-Favorite Alien Invasion Series, UFO
The vivid and imaginative world of Gerry Anderson’s 1970 British cult sci-fi series UFO will explode to life again with the October 2022 release of the UFO: S.H.A.D.O. Technical Operations Manual. Written by Chris Thompson and Andrew Clements, and published by Anderson Entertainment, the UFO: S.H.A.D.O. Technical Operations Manual immerses readers in the classic show, which followed the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization as it sought to defend Earth in the face of a significantly advanced alien menace – all while maintaining absolute secrecy of its efforts and methods from the general population. UFO preceded the hit Anderson science-fiction series Space: 1999 and shares much of its design aesthetic.
Across the oversized (300 x 230 x 22mm) and lavishly illustrated (180+ brand-new illustrations) hardcover book’s 208 pages, Thompson and Clements explore S.H.A.D.O.’s history, introduce readers to the show’s inventive vehicles and equipment via illustrations and blueprints, and share an overview of everything known about the dangerous unidentified aliens, a dying race that – in 1980 — abducts humans and harvests their organs. The series ran for one 26-episode season, from 1970 to 1971, with the pilot directed by Gerry Anderson based on a teleplay he wrote with Sylvia Anderson and Tony Barwick.
Thompson and Clements previously collaborated on the Anderson Entertainment book, Space: 1999 – Moonbase Alpha Technical Operations Manual, which received critical acclaim upon its publication in 2021. “I had to go into UFO with a slightly different mindset than I did with Space 1999,” Thompson said. “Firstly, the Moonbase Alpha Technical Operations Manual was an optimistic overview of an alternate history space program and required a lot of retrospective world building to tie everything together. It was also written like an informative travel document, so a big part of it delved into an everyday view of the base from a lifestyle point of view. In contrast, the S.H.A.D.O Technical Operations Manual is very much a piece of literature that is designed never to see the light of day and gives a wider overview of a future that is barely a decade from the time it was conceived. Tonally, it is a darker book but shows the occasional moral quandary in S.H.A.D.O.’s operations.”
“Dad would have absolutely loved this book, and I’m sure UFO fans will, too!” said Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry Anderson and managing director of Anderson Entertainment. “Chris and Andrew have done a stunning job, and the illustrations are absolutely out of this world. They’ve done UFO and the Anderson name proud.”
Anderson Entertainment will publish UFO: S.H.A.D.O. Technical Operations Manual, by Chris Thompson and Andrew Clements, in October 2022. It will be priced at UK £34.99, with preorders starting in late September 2022. Anderson Entertainment will also offer a Special Edition, limited to 500 units worldwide, which will include an individually numbered S.H.A.D.O. ID badge, replica S.H.A.D.O. document wallet, and selected S.H.A.D.O. paraphernalia showcased in a custom presentation. It will cost UK £99.99, with an online pre-order launching in late September.
ABOUT CHRIS THOMPSON: A freelance creative of multiple disciplines based in Belfast, Chris has contributed to many Anderson Entertainment projects as an artist, writer and animator. Probably most well-known for writing and illustrating the Space 1999: Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual and writing Captain Scarlet and Space Precinct graphic novels. Outside of Anderson Entertainment, he has contributed to multiple short films, music videos and several animated shorts for Big Finish’s Doctor Who range.
ABOUT ANDERSON ENTERTAINMENT: Originally founded by legendary creator Gerry Anderson (1929-2012), Anderson Entertainment continues today to build on his incredible more than 60-year-long legacy of globally successful, nostalgic, and family-friendly TV and film IP. The company’s wide-ranging competencies span from licensing to merchandising, content creation to fanbase nurturing, and from consulting on Anderson and cult IP-related projects to Anderson’s own direct-to-consumer and licensing operations.
