SPECTRUM is Green was a short story printed in TV Century 21 that contained elements from the Doctor Who universe. Framed as the front page of an in-universe periodical, the titular article made reference to the Front Page crossover comic SPECTRUM as well as heralding the imminent premiere broadcast of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.
Summary[]
In his article for TV Century 21, Pete Tracker writes "SPECTRUM is Green!", words which signal the start of a new World Security Organisation headed by Colonel White. He goes on to explain that it is the codenames of Spectrum's personnel which gives the organisation its title, listing several Captains and Lieutenant Green besides White who are referred to solely by colours of the spectrum. In an exclusive interview with TV21, Colonel White tells Tracker Spectrum will be taking over all U.S.S. commitments on Earth, with Tracker opining in his write-up that the organisation "should well be able to handle" the job.
Earlier that day, Captain Black's mission to the Rock Snake Hills ends with a crash-landing as his massive craft collides with a a small passenger jet carrying Pete Tracker and Lens while on the approach to the runway. Black disappears from the base in the confusion, furthering the ever-present mystery of the Mars Expedition.
Characters[]
- Colonel White
- Captain Black
- Pete Tracker
- Lens Sharpe
Worldbuilding[]
- Colonel White is the former second-in-command of the Universal Secret Service.
- The Spectrum captains listed by Pete Tracker are Blue, Fawn, Magenta and Scarlet.
- A photo depicting Cloudbase is taken by Lens to be printed on the front page.
Story notes[]
- This story's headline of "SPECTRUM IS GREEN" was an out-of-universe statement as much as an in-universe one; the premiere broadcast of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons would follow later in the week with a comic strip to begin days after in TV Century 21's next issue. From the in-universe side, this issue saw Colonel White give the readers of TV21 his first mission, following USS agent Agent Twenty One's announcement in the previous issue that SPECTRUM would henceforth be given space on his letters page in light of their new responsibilities, with Colonel White meanwhile encouraging readers to transfer from the USS to his organisation.
- SPECTRUM is Green marked the first reference to Captain Scarlet in an in-universe source, but despite being the eponymous character of the impending television series it amounted only to a brief mention.
- Though reference sources style the name of the eponymous organisation in full capitals for the title,[1] once Captain Scarlet was fully underway it was almost-universally referred to as "Spectrum". Indeed, two instances of the word later in the story is styled in the latter way.
Continuity[]
- The front page of the newly-pressed edition of TV Century 21 which featured these two articles was seen, being read by Mike Leyton at the TV21 offices, at the end of COMIC: SPECTRUM.
- Pete Tracker's interview with Colonel White was also depicted in COMIC: SPECTRUM.
- The fact that Captain Black was leading a mission to the Rock Snake Hills of Mars was previously established in PROSE: Capt. Black Mars Expedition Lost!.
- The crash between Zero X and Pete and Lens's passenger jet, as well as Black's departure from Glenn Field, were also events from COMIC: SPECTRUM.
