Space: 1999 #'s 2,3,4 - Charlton

Welcome to our first guest review!

Frequent commenter to my blogs(and blogger himself) Neal Patterson volunteered to write up some reviews for the second, third, and fourth issues for Charlton's Space: 1999 series.

I was initially unsure about letting someone do a review, since I don't pretend these reviews are anything other than my idiosyncratic opinions, but I don't personally own these issues, and as Neal put it, "Can't expect you to buy up every B&W mag ever printed just for the blog." Great point, so here we go:

Space: 1999 #2 January 1976

This second issue of the black-and-white magazine continues the adventures of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha. Although none of the individual pieces are credited, the contents page lists the writers as Joe Gill and Nicola Cuti. Only the first story is drawn by one artist, that being the terrific Gray Morrow who also provided the striking cover. The rest appear to be drawn by committee (most likely Vicente Alcazar, Adolfo Buylla, and others), with a different artist drawing each page or even separate artists drawing individual panels on the same page.

"Life on Moonbase Alpha" is an article which describes the moon city in a way not shown in the TV show, with shops and what not. We are assured that the base can support a population increase, but that is contrary to the TV show as well.

"The Possessed" is the first comic story. A derelict ship drifts near Alpha. Alan Carter is sent to investigate and, while on board, is possessed by an alien soul still lurking on the ship. Returning to Alpha, "Carter" attempts to sabotage the atmosphere controls so he can poison the Alphans and take over the base.

"The Carrier" is a prose story that curiously uses none of the main characters in key roles. A gaseous mass is following Moonbase Alpha. A team is sent in Eagle 7, and they discover that the cloud hides a spaceship. Dr. Haislip enters the ship only to find that the inhabitants are dying from a deadly disease and he is now infected along with them.

The next comic story, "E Pluribus Unum", has Koenig, Russell, and Bergman stumble into a civil war between the sterile, orderly rule of Unum City and the rebels seeking freedom and individuality. It turns out, even the rulers of Unum realize the dangers of machine-like subservience.

Another prose/think piece: "The Hope of Mankind?"--As the Alphans speculate that Earth without a moon will likely perish, they resolve to build a Utopian society when they finally find a new home planet. Good luck with that!

"The Mind of the Snark" is the last comic story about a space station, sent from Earth years earlier, that has become a sentient being as well as a mass murderer. Koenig and the gang must provide it with a conscience to stop its evil ways. Pretty spacey stuff.

Most likely produced without a great deal of source material, this issue is filled with references inconsistent with the show, both in story and art. Also, the stories tend to fall into the dull formula also evident in early Space: 1999 episodes: Find a planet/space ship, encounter a threat, fight your way out of the threat, and retreat to Alpha.
Space: 1999 #3 March 1976

More adventures with the residents of Moonbase Alpha and a great cover by Gray Morrow.

"The Moon", by Nicola Cuti, is an article providing fun facts about the moon. Reminds me of a Weekly Reader article.

"The Gods Are Not Eternal"--Story by Mike Pellowski, Art by a bunch of unnamed artists. The Alphans land on a planet with a race exactly like our ancient Mayans, only their version of the serpent god Kulkulkan is an alien. His temple is built atop his spaceship, which has been swallowed up by the jungle, and he feeds on human sacrifices. Will the Alphans be next on the menu?

"Fly Me to the Moon", by Nicola Cuti provides more fun facts about the moon.

"Spores"--Story by Mike Pellowski, art by Adolfo Buylla. A shower of alien spores falls on Moonbase Alpha and one makes it inside. The spores feed on water and can reproduce asexually. The spores start by draining water directly from the bodies of Alphans, and then head for the base's water supply. Professor Bergman saves the day with an improbable solution using heavy water.

"The Lone Satellite" by Nicola Cuti. Still more fun facts about the moon.

"Dawn of Extinction"--Story by Nicola Cuti, pencils by Ed Davis, inks by Gray Morrow. Clearly the stand out piece of the issue, both in story and art. Koenig, Russell, and Bergman land on a planet with a highly civilized society.All they lack are strong animal preservation laws because their animals are being hunted to extinction.

The Alphans offer their help to a zoologist who is fighting a powerful man who is also a rabid hunter. The battle escalates as the hunter resorts to terrorist acts against the zoologist and the rare animals. A highly emotional story with a powerful political message. Nicola Cuti was definitely stretching beyond the bounds of the traditional Space: 1999 formula with this one.
Space: 1999 #4 May 1976

The adventures roll on for Commander Koenig and the gang. This issue looks like another rush
job with an inaccurate table of contents and no artwork credits. The Gray Morrow cover, mimicking publicity stills from the TV show, is still
quite nice.

"Science Fiction Films" by Nicola Cuti. A brief history of space operas in cinema and TV. Written before Star Wars, Cuti sounds a bit defensive about the bad wrap SF had back then.

"A Lonely Emperor"--Story by Joe Gill, art is uncredited (Carlos Pino?). While investigating a new planet, two scientists differ on its viability as a new home. When Dr. Mastambi learns that the planet has no ozone layer, his rival Dr.Edwards goes mad and uses hypnosis on the local natives to attack the landing party.

"The Universe: Early Theories", by Nicola Cuti. An essay about early scientific theories of how the Earth, Sun, and universe worked.

"Class Determination: Alien Insecti!"--Story by Mike Pellowski, art is uncredited. Moonbase Alpha is attacked by killer bees! On the planet below, a dominant race of insects has developed centuries after a nuclear holocaust.

"Space Suits" by Nicola Cuti--A history of environmental suits from diving bells to modern spacesuits.

"Another Name for Hell"--Story by Nicola Cuti, Art by Vicente Alcazar and ?. On a desolate planet, Koenig, Russell, and Bergman unwittingly release a family of witches from a special dimensional doorway. Now they must prevent the witches from killing them and stealing their Eagle.


While I enjoyed reading the first issue of Space: 1999, I really appreciate Neal taking the time to catch all of us up on the next three issues. Having not read any of them, I can't make any editorial comments re: their contents, other than, man, that cover to #2 by Morrow is awesome.

Like to see more guest reviews? Let us know!
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Shameless Promotion Dept.: Can't get enough Space: 1999(and who can)? Head on over to my Power Records blog, where I've just posted some of the Space: 1999 book and record adventures!