Cult Caerphilly sci-fi comedy Kangazang! to be reissued

South Wales Argus

3 days ago

Kangazang! by Caerphilly illustrator and writer Terry Cooper, is being reissued by indie publisher Candy Jar Books to mark its 15th anniversary.
The re-release includes the full trilogy, refreshed and re-edited for a new generation of readers.
Mr Cooper said of his inspiration Douglas Adams: "Douglas saw the universe as 'mind-bogglingly big', but it's the tiniest, weirdest things that cause the biggest chaos.
"That, and growing up in the '80s with space hoppers and Rick Astley, all worked its way into the story."
The series began as a university writing project and follows Jeff Spooner and his barber-turned-alien best friend Ray Scump on a misadventure across the galaxy.
Their journey takes them to the holiday planet Kangazang, encountering cannibalistic Amazons, diva warlords, and malfunctioning androids along the way.
The book's title came from a friend's offhand remark, but its success grew through a key professional connection.
Mr Cooper passed the manuscript to his co-worker Shaun Russell. Mr Russell said: "It wasn't just the humour. It was the heart. The characters. The weird unpredictability.
"I wanted to be part of it."
He suggested creating an audiobook and approached Doctor Who actor Colin Baker to narrate.
Mr Baker was immediately taken with the project. He said: "Firstly, it was science fiction, which, as you know, is something I have, let's say, a fair bit of experience with.
"But it was well-written. And funny, too."
The Kangazang! trilogy is available now from Candy Jar Books.