Mr. Steelman is a Lady Penelope comic story, first published in TV Century 21 issues 1-11. It was originally published without a title.
It introduced the characters of Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and Parker in their first adventure together, who unknown at the time, would be part of the then-upcoming AP Films television series Thunderbirds. Also introduced were the semi-recurring characters Roger Lyon and Mr. Steelman, as well as the familiar FAB 1.
From a real-world perspective, it was the first outing in the Thunderbirds franchise - the premier episode Trapped in the Sky would not be shown on television for another 8 months.
Synopsis[]
Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward recruits Parker, a skilled safe cracker, in order to break into a safe at the Luthvian Embassy, so they can destroy plans for a hydromic device capable of destroying the world. After Roger Lyon - one of Penelope's agents - goes missing after destroying said plans, the newly paired duo rush to his rescue.
Characters[]
Lady Penelope meets Parker
(in order of appearance)
- Parker
- Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward
- Crooks in limo
- Mr. Steelman's army
- Roger Lyon
- Gardoni
- Luigi
- Mr. Steelman
Equipment Used[]
- FAB 1
- Seabird I
- Mr. Steelman's Cruiser
Reprint History[]
The story first appeared in reprint magazine Action 21 across all of its ten issues, with issue ten printing two parts of the story at once in order to finish in time - the magazine would not receive an eleventh issue. It would not be titled, but was often referred to as "Lady Penelope's biography".
It would next appear in Thunderbirds: The Comic between issues 24 and 34. The first part would be christened Lady Penelope Meets Parker, with the rest of the story going by the simpler title of Mr. Steelman.
As for comic collections, it would appear as Mr Steelman - Robot Master in 2002's Thunderbirds Classic Comic Strips. It would also make its way into the first volume of Thunderbirds: The Comic Collection in 2013, again under the title of Mr. Steelman.
Cover Tie-Ins[]
Trivia[]
- By the end of the story, the historic city of Pompeii is once again buried under lava. Lady Penelope wonders how much fun the archaeologists will have digging it up again.
- The story would later be adapted for audio in Danger and Deception.