Mon 30 Sep 2024
SF Diary Review: BRETT STERLING – Danger Planet.
Posted by Steve under Old Time Radio , Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[6] Comments
BRETT STERLING – Danger Planet. Captain Future #18, Popular Library 60-2335, paperback; 1st printing thus, 1968. Cover artist: Frank Frazetta. Previously published in Startling Stories, Spring 1945, as “Red Sun of Danger.”
The solar system’s supply of vitron, the chemical giving mankind lengthened life, is being threatened. Captain Future is sent in disguise to the planet Roo to investigate the native uprisings which threaten to bring about the colonists’ open rebellion, And independent government would then control a monopoly on vitron.
With the help of his Futuremen and several scientists, Captain Future discovers what is upsetting the Roons – imminent release of the monstrous Kangas imprisoned on their moon.
On page 7, one scientist’s opinion of Captain Future is that he is nothing but a cheap popular hero. Unfortunately not much happens to change the reader’s mind. Obviously a juvenile tale, and it does seem adequate on that level, though bad science and idiot plotting hurt. Actually a detective story, as enough clues are given to discover the evil Lu Suur’s secret identity before Captain Future does.
Rating: *½
October 1st, 2024 at 2:20 am
There ought to be some sort of law against putting covers that good on books this bad.
That’s my platform, I hope I can count on your Vote in November.
October 1st, 2024 at 2:35 pm
You bet. Every year now since when? I no longer recall.
October 1st, 2024 at 6:27 am
When Joseph Samachson (“William Morrison”) stepped in for Edmond Hamilton to write the 14th Captain Future novel (WORLDS TO COME, Spring, 1943), the pen name “Brett Sterling”‘ was attached to the story. The next three novels in the series also used the Sterling pseudonym — THE STAR OF DREAD (by Hamilton), MAGIC MOON (by Hamilton), and DAYS OF CREATION (in paperback as THE TENTH PLANET, by Samachson/”Morrison”). All other Captain Future stories from the original series were written and signed by Hamilton, except for the final novel, THE SOLAR INVASION (Fall, 1946), written and signed by Manly Wade Wellman.
October 1st, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Thanks, Jerry. I never read a Captain Future story after this one, and I probably never will, but it’s nice to know who was behind them all.
October 1st, 2024 at 11:51 am
There’s a new series of Captain Future novels out written by Alan Steel. The science, the characters and story are are updated for a good super hero ScFi series. The covers are not too great, though.
October 1st, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Oh oh. I’d forgotten about those, and I have indeed read one of them It was OK — much better than the 1940s version — but for me still not good enough to go out of my way to read another.