The comic book permeates all levels of popular culture. This sporadic feature reviews some recent examples from the world of digital video discs and also includes a recommended sequential-art reading list to extend the multimedia adventures.

Thunderbirds: 40th Anniversary Megaset (A&E Home Video, NOT RATED, $129.95). British TV Producers Sylvia and Gerry Anderson's 1960s puppet-fueled television series arrives in its entirety in a 12-disc DVD set to introduce a new generation of fans to the wonders of the slightly bizarre world of Supermarionation.

Set in the 21st century, the live-action sci-fi adventure presented the story of the affluent ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy and his creation of the secretive International Rescue Squad. With help from his five sons, Tracy directs them to use an incredible variety of vehicles and gadgets to assist in any crisis around the world.

The antics of the marionettes are just a hoot. Sure you could see the wires and the dolls couldn't really walk, but the Andersons' meticulous staff made them sweat, smoke, dance and even answer the telephone (with help from human hands) during the 50-minute-long shows.

Without a doubt, the highlight of every episode was the pyrotechnics and fantastic vehicles that came to life from a dedicated effects and technical staff.

Easily one of the best examples of the intense work done on the series can be seen in the episode "Trapped in the Sky." A climactic ending featuring the landing of a sabotaged superjet on the backs of elevator cars is just mind-boggling to watch. I can't imagine how difficult this was to pull off with the use of miniatures back in the 1965.

Owners of the set get the entire 32-episode run of the show, which looks and sounds smashing.

Best extra: The previously released fact-filled episode "Pit of Peril" sheds some humorous light on the series. Also, a 40-minute interview with Gerry Anderson touches on his career, the various Supermarionated shows he developed and his meeting with astronaut Jim Lovell.

However, the best of the bunch is the hour-long pseudodocumentary "The Brains Behind Thunderbirds," hosted by the character Brains, the tech egghead of the International Rescue Squad. Viewers get an overview of the Tracy adventures with breakdowns on the individual Thunderbirds' vehicles.

Read all about it: Those in the mood for a scavenger hunt can scour online stores and specialty shops for a copy of "Thunderbirds Classic Comics" ($27.50) to read comic-strip-style adventures about the Tracy clan, mainly illustrated by the legendary Frank Bellamy.

— Joseph Szadkowski