Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

B7 Media in association with Andrews UK is to dramatize Robin Evans’ science fiction graphic novel Venna’s Planet as a podcast audio drama.

Venna’s Planet, written and illustrated by Robin Evans, was inspired by the pre-war film serials, lurid pulp SF of the 1950s, and classic newspaper strips. The podcast drama series will present Venna’s adventures in bite-sized, 15-minute instalments, made with the distinctive blockbuster sci-fi cinematic approach B7 Media is renowned for with their award-winning productions of productions such as Blake’s 7, The Martian Chronicles, I Robot and Dan Dare.

Combining the episodic thrills of classic Saturday morning film serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, with the spirit of the free-wheeling 60s seen in classic movies such as Barbarella and Modesty Blaise, Venna’s Planet is a fresh and original aural adventure with an action-heroine like no other. Funny and sexy; intelligent and dangerous, Venna is part Betty Page, part Ellen Ripley – a young woman whose escapades will always end in exciting cliff-hangers, leaving the listener desperate for the next thrilling instalment to drop onto their favourite podcast portal.

“Venna has been with me in one form or another for more than thirty years – Her friends and enemies have lived in my head, occasionally escaping onto the printed page, while I frantically try to chronicle their goings on. Although I always thought they may one day migrate to another medium, the news of this audio serialisation is extremely exciting!” says original creator and illustrator, Robin Evans.

“For the past 20 years AUK has been one of the UK’s leading independent global digital publishers and distributors. Over the last decade we have successfully worked with the award-winning B7 Media team and had no hesitation in asking them to create this amazing audio drama adaption for us. As we expand our own funded original content across multiple formats; from books, to audio, to games and film, this will hopefully be the first of many such collaborations,” says executive producer and managing director AUK, Paul Andrews.

“In these dark days Venna’s Planet is just what we all need – a funny, escapist sci-fi adventure with a bold, sexy heroine at the heart of the story. From the first moment I started reading Robin’s fantastic first graphic novel I knew I’d found a new fictional world to love,” says series writer Colin Brake. “There’s a hint of Robert Sheckley’s unique science fiction novels, a touch of Douglas Adams’ Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, and maybe even a splash of the late Kenny Everett’s Captain Kremmen – but Venna’s Planet is far more than just a homage or a pastiche: it’s a modern, self-aware, original creation. And more importantly – it’s pure unadulterated fun.”

Best known for his work on reimagining genre favourites like Blake’s 7 and Dan Dare, series director, Andrew Mark Sewell, says of the original Venna books; “When I was first approached about the project, I loved the playful, irreverent nature of Robin Evans’ creation. I’ve always been a big fan of Mike Hodges film version of ‘Flash Gordon’ and in many regards Venna is the female equivalent, but definitely cheekier. In these complicated times who doesn’t want a bit of camp sci-fi to cheer them up!?

“As a lifelong fan of scifi, comedy and general all-round daftness, I’m very excited about bringing all that to life in an audio package for Venna’s Planet,” says Producer, Helen Quigley. “At first glance, those not familiar with the books might make some presumptions about Venna and her world. She – and we – would like to think you’re in for a surprise!”

Series Script Editor, Barnaby Eaton-Jones, is no stranger to the graphic novel and believes Venna’s appeal will be strong; “Having been aware of the Venna’s Planet series of graphic novels because of my friendship with the author and writer, Robin Evans, it was a delight to be contacted by B7 Media and ask if I wouldn’t mind script editing Colin Brake’s brilliant audio adaptation. Would I mind? I certainly wouldn’t. Don’t tell them, but I’ve paid them to allow me to do it.

“Venna’s Planet is the perfect combination of the thrills and spills contained in old-school space operas, cheekily bolted together with modern-day sensibilities. With a tongue planted so firmly in its cheek that it’s taken root and flowered, Venna’s Planet has more flash than Gordon, gives you more for your buck than Rogers, and has less modesty than Blaise. Venna is exactly the sort of female heroine that will lead us out into the stars and not worry if she isn’t wearing matching underwear.”

The cast will be announced later this year, but Sewell says there’s an abundance of weird and wonderful characters, not least our lead protagonist; “Venna’s a character any actress will relish bringing to life,” continues Sewell. “She’s happily, and uncomplicatedly bi-sexual, intelligent, strong and an optimistic, glass-half full kind of person, but she won’t shy away from a fight and stands up against evil wrong doers. You certainly don’t won’t to get on the wrong side of this woman in a fight.”