Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #4 - Marvel

A fun and weird cover by Frank Brunner kicks off the fourth issue of Marvel's excellent Unknown World of Science Fiction series, and like the previous issues we start off with another chapter in the "Slow Glass" story, adapted by Tony Isabella with art this time by Don Heck and Frank Chiaramonte, where the story starts getting really crazy.

The first story proper is "The Enchanted Village" by Don and Maggie Thompson and Dick Giordano, adapting the A.E. Van Vogt story. It's about the only man on Mars and his attempts to survive; featuring a typically beautiful art job by Giordano.

Afterwards there's an interview with Van Vogt, and then is "A Vision of Venus" by Tim Conrad, adapting the story by Otis Kline, a John Carter-esque tale of danger and adventure on Venus.

Next is "Good News From the Vatican" by Gerry Conway and Ading Gonzales, from the story by Robert Silverberg. A robot is elected Pope. Discuss.

"Encounter at War" is by Jan Strnad and Rich Corben, a grim tale of an alien invasion. You didn't see much Corben at Marvel(at least until fairly recently), so his whole approach to telling a story really makes it stand out.

Next is "Kick the Can" by Bruce Jones, channeling the best of the EC sci-fi comics, about two hunters facing off on a barren planet.

Then we wrap up returning to the "Slow Glass" story, which ends with a nice, sorta-twist ending. I wish the original artist on the earlier "Slow Glass" stories, Gene Colan, could've done this one, too. This installment is the most comic book-y and Marvelish, and while Don Heck is a fine artist, his alien designs don't exactly fit the more spacey, reserved tone of the "Slow Glass" stories.

Still, not a bad issue. There isn't one out-of-the-park home run like "War Toy" or "A View From Without" from previous issues, but a solid collection of sci-fi tales.