The Mysterons - TV Tornado, 1967-68

The Mysterons: TV Tornado, 1967-68

Solo Issue 36

Had you been buying City Magazines comic Solo, and presuming you were old enough not to have terrified by The Mark Of The Mysterons, you may have rushed out to buy issue 31 in the hope of seeing reporter John Marsh's enemies reveal themselves as tantalisingly promised the week before. Assuming the all-consuming plot had not totally blinkered you into ignoring other comics, you may have been astonished to find another comic with Mysterons on the cover. Not TV Century 21 (still a week away from openly proclaiming its Captain Scarlet tie-ins) as you would have expected... but TV Tornado.

Like Solo, TV Tornado started early in 1967, the first of three new comics to be launched in as many weeks (the other being Candy - see separate feature). Like Solo, it featured The Man from UNCLE (albeit in text story form, with illustrations by Walt Howarth) and reprints of American comics such as Magnus - Robot Fighter, Batman and Tarzan (the latter two supposedly to tie in with the new TV series but were in fact older syndicated strips). Editor Mick Anglo, originally a comic artist himself, tried to keep the television content high with painted cover portraits of stars of various popular series such as Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner), Richard Bradford (Man In A Suitcase), Patrick Troughton (Doctor Who), Richard Basehart (Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea) and Roger Moore (The Saint). There was often no accompanying feature in the same issue but these did occasionally appear. Anglo was also no stranger to handling reprints, nor of comic production, and juggled the comic through nearly two years of formats before eventually merging with TV21 in late 1968, or 2068, depending on which comic you were buying.

'THE MYSTERONS ARE HERE' proclaimed the only photographic cover of the comic, with an image of a strange city against a rocky cliff - in actuality the Mysteron Complex on the Moon from the episode 'Crater 101'. And indeed they were. Like The Mark Of The Mysterons in Solo, The Mysterons seemed out of place in TV Tornado, being a well drawn original strip with some interesting, though regrettably repetitious, ideas. Unlike Mark, the Mysterons strip format was wholly derived from the now imminent Captain Scarlet series, and would parallel events happening on Earth (to a degree) while following the adventures of the Mysterons themselves.

The first page of the strip is a direct adaptation of the opening scenes of 'The Mysterons', featuring the Martian Excursion Vehicle's encounter with, and destruction/reconstruction of, the Mysteron city. The final frame shows a beam of light focussing on the MEV. In direct chronological order of publication, this was a master stroke if you were following the snippets of news stories in TV Century 21 that had, as early as June with issue 125, followed a certain Captain Black on an expedition to Mars. Two weeks previously, in issue 137, the same expedition had been declared lost and if you had noticed the cover (and had enough pocket money to buy both comics) - here was part of the answer! The following week in issue 140 the strip Front Page, which followed the adventures of TV21 reporter Pete Tracker and cameraman Lens, would revolve around the actual return to Earth by the expedition, and the final unveiling of Spectrum before Captain Scarlet itself appeared in his own strip and as the comic's main feature.

The Mysterons Land!

The remaining two pages set up what would, in many ways, become the format of the Mysterons strip. Now fearful of other attacks, the Mysterons develop a transporting ray with which they plan to peacefully conquer and control the rest of the universe. A newly self-destructed complex (part of their city) can be reconstructed in another part of space to become a craft in its own right. A landing ray allows a group of Mysterons, shown as rings of energy (a nice visual tie-in to the TV series - see right) to reach and explore the surface. But the strange atmosphere of the first planet they choose, Andorme in the galaxy of Andromeda, has a strange effect and transforms them back to their ancient physical shape - a hovering block comprised of hexagonal panels, with three eye slits that can emit lethal rays. This pattern of physical reconstruction would continue on other worlds including, in the final story, Mars itself.

Some critics have described The Mysterons as a retread of The Daleks which appeared in the first two years of TV Century 21, and in some ways this is not without foundation. But whereas the Daleks set out to conquer and dominate by any means - usually aggresive and destructive - there is a thread, in early stories at least, of the Mysterons trying to make allies with the races they encounter. When this fails, then they get bolshy, and end up either wiping out a race or causing the planet to be destroyed. Nice people to do business with...

The Mysterons story guide

The Finger Is On The Trigger! Story One
Writer: Unknown.
Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Solo Issue 31 &
TV Tornado Issue 36, dated 16/09/1967
For a thousand years, the Mysterons lived in their city on Mars, at peace with the universe. A Martian Exploration Vehicle from Earth arrives and, mistaking a Mysteron camera for a weapon, destroys the city. The Mysterons reconstruct it but the attack awakens primitive feelings - fear, and revenge...
They avenge to destroy life on Earth but they reason there is no peace except through conquest. Only when the universe is under Mysteron control can they feel safe from further attacks. A computer has built a transporting ray machine and the first planet is targeted for conquest - Andorme, in the galaxy Andromeda. Mysteron Complex 91Z is destroyed and reconstructed to travel at a speed of a thousand times the speed of light across space. A landing ray sends a group of Mysterons to the surface but the strange atmosphere seemingly disintegrates them. As the orbiting complex ship prepares to reconstruct them, strange crystalline shapes formed of hexagonal panels materialise on the surface - the ancient shape of the Mysterons!

Part Two: Issue 37, dated 23/09/1967
The new physical Mysterons realise that conquest is better served by peaceful alliance rather than destruction and slavery. Moving through the petrified forest of Andorme, they encounter a city. The Andormean robots welcome the peaceful Mysteron party but the choice of joining them as allies repulses them - if the Andormeans took sides, Mysteron enemies may attack them. The Mysterons open fire with their terrible eye rays, as do the Andormeans, and a battle breaks out. The Andormeans use electrode guns, which destroy the Mysterons, and Complex 91Z sends down reinforcements. As the Andormeans retreat to the mountains, the Mysterons have a new purpose - destroy everything! Nothing must live to threaten the Mysterons...

Mysterons Conquer and Destroy! Part Three: Issue 38, dated 30/09/1967
The Mysterons reconstruct the Andormean city and its occupants to become servants - much to the astonishment of the surviving Andormeans. In the Andelve Valley, the Andormeans mine electrolite ore to build new electrode weapons but the reconstructed Andormeans trick them, leading the Mysterons to destroy them. However, their eye rays cause a landslide and the Mysterons become trapped underground. Their leader, Cratex, reconstructs his party but as they explore seemingly artificial tunnels, the pressure increases. The reconstructed Andormeans are destroyed but the flattened immobilised Mysterons see large, dark shapes advancing on them...

Part Four: Issue 39, dated 07/10/1967
The two multi-legged, armoured creatures are Carads, intelligent subterrainean lifeforms who can control the pressure in the cave. Unable to use their eye rays, the Mysterons are trapped and defenceless. With contact broken, Complex 91Z sends down more Mysteron reinforcements. In the cave, the Mysteron Cratex persuades the Carads to remove the pressure and talk peace but the aliens, like the Andormeans, have no need of allies. The Mysterons open fire, just as a disturbance from above reveals their rescue party. Overcome, the Carads are mysteronised to lead their new masters to their control centre. Unable to increase the pressure, the Carads remove it completely - resulting in the total destruction of Andorme itself.

Notes:
• An interesting start to the strip, in effect the first of three stories that segue into one fourteen part saga.
• The Mysterons themselves are fairly characterless, though interestingly are occasionally referred to by individual names.

Story Two
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Issue 40, dated 14/10/1967
The Destruction Of Andorme Complex 91Z reports the loss of the Mysterons and Andorme, as even their powers cannot reconstruct an entire planet. A transporter ray takes the Complex to planet Proteus in the Crab Galaxy. The Proteans are amorpheous blobs which can assume any shape, and disguise themselves as Mysterons to welcome the newcomers. Mysteron leader Bitex is suspicious, even when the Proteans try to warn them they are on ground subject to geysers. The Mysterons believe it to be a trap but before they can act, all are engulfed by a geyser of boiling mud...

Part Two: Issue 41, dated 21/10/1967
The Mysteron space complex reconstructs its destroyed comrades and the dead Proteans. Meanwhile, the surviving Proteans have transformed into rings and roll to the nearby city of 'Unitypes' - humanoid inhabitants of 'fixed shape' who live in harmony with them. With the knowledge of the Proteans, the Mysteron party advances but only find a large pyramid. Believing they have been tricked, the Mysterons destroy their Protean slaves before the 'pyramid' moves and engulfs them! Trapped, the Mysterons are questioned by the Unitypes. Learning the Mysterons seek allies, Unitype leader Atlo asks them to prove their power by destroying the moon of Proteus, which causes earthquakes and volcanic activity...

Part Three: Issue 42, dated 28/10/1967
Approaching the moon, Complex 91Z comes under attack from laser beams and is destroyed. The whole moon is artificial, and a powerful Unitype base to destroy invaders from space. Not realising the Proteans and Unitypes are telepathic, the Mysterons remaining on Proteus give their weakness away. Threatened with destruction by electrode guns, the Mysterons are saved by the reconstructed Complex 91Z. With the whole planet under threat, two waves of Unitype space craft launch from the moon to give battle...

Part Four: Issue 43, dated 04/11/1967
Armed with electrode guns, the Unitype space fleet easily vanquishes the Mysterons. But they are not easily deterred and a second Complex - 68B - is destroyed to be retrometabolised and transported across space. The tide is turned and the victorious Mysterons confront the sole surviving Unitype. When he is killed and reconstructed, he warns of the sun rising. The Mysterons do not understand, even when the amorphous Proteans smother and shield the Unitype. With the heat increasing, Complex 68B issues a warning of Solar Grade 10 temperatures, and rising...

Notes:
• The second story shows little variation from the first, with neither side particularly trustworthy. The plot does keep you guessing though, with many twists and turns.

Story Three
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley (issues 44-47), Tom Kerr (issues 48-49). 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Issue 44, dated 11/11/1967
As the heat approaches Solar Grade 14, the order is given to the Mysterons to abandon Proteus. Too late, the landing party are reduced to charred shells. A colony of Mysteron reconstructions remain but what use is that on a planet on which the Mysterons themselves cannot survive?
Meanwhile, on the planet Antares, an Earth expedition has run into trouble. The medical adviser Doctor Schwarz tells expedition leader Kelly that half the men have died of disease or, as Major Santy continues, have been killed by beasts. Kelly will not hear any of it, as the planet is fertile and habitable. The discussion is interrupted by the arrival of the Mysteron Complex in the sky. Santy is jumpy and warns his men to arm themselves but Kelly stops himand welcomes the newly arrived Mysterons in peace. As no human has ever seen a Mysteron, the leader is able to pass themselves off as 'Martians', who were driven from their planet. As both human and 'Martian' face a common enemy in the Mysterons, an alliance is reached. The 'Martians' believe Antares is ideal as a new home but Kelly warns of the dangers. To confirm this, a tentacle rises from the nearby lake and grabs Schwarz...

Santee and the Antareans Part Two: Issue 45, dated 18/11/1967
With a chance to prove their goodwill, the 'Martians' submerge into the water and save Schwarz. But with the doctor having seen them use their eye rays on the creature, they have to kill and reconstruct him as their servant. The rest of the expedition are unaware of the switch, and Schwarz and the Mysterons are taken to the camp. However, believing the Mysterons to be evil, Santy has escaped into the jungle where he is captured by the ape-like native Antareans. They possess a basic language and intelligence and before long, Santy is able to communicate with them. He persuades them to help but as they approach the camp they see the Mysterons giving orders to Schwarz to destroy the expedition space craft.

Part Three: Issue 46, dated 25/11/1967
Santy overhears Schwarz refer to the aliens as Mysterons, confirming his belief. He tells the Antarean leader Aron to jump the guards on duty and follows Schwarz into the Zero X, shooting him. But Schwarz is able to warn the Mysterons and they drive off Santy and the Antareans. The Mysterons are able to persuade Kelly he neds their protection, leading him to decide Santy is too dangerous and must be killed. The Antareans have harnessed huge horned beasts and are ready to fight of the group of allied Mysterons and humans but the orbiting Complex has laid a trap and opens fire...

Part Four: Issue 47, dated 02/12/1967
The Antarean beasts stampede in fear, and Santy and Aron barely escape. A guard, Bannon, tries to open fire on the Mysterons and is killed by an eye ray. With no further pretence necessary, the Mysterons reveal their true identity, killing and reconstructing Kelly and the others to hunt Santy down. Meanwhile, Santy and Aron have reached a lake and faced with certain death pursuing them, risk crossing it in a douch. The Mysteronised humans led by Kelly give chase but Santy fires into the lake, stirring the creature which destroys the hunters. However, the Mysterons are briefing the remaining humans to take them to Earth in the Zero X...

The Mysteron Plan Part Five: Issue 48, dated 09/12/1967
The Mysteron leader Motix outlines his plan to land on Earth and kill the world leaders as they welcome the successful returning Antarean expedition. But preparing the Zero X for launch will take 36 hours. Aron has taken Santy to his elders camp and with the help of native flying creatures plans a counter-attack. Carrying crude woven flying machines, the birds allow Santy and the Antareans to mount an aerial offensive...

Part Six: Issue 49, dated 16/12/1967
The battle is joined - Mysteron rays versus brute Antarean force. But somehow Santy and Aron are victorious. Santy must return to Earth to warn of the Mysteron threat and lifts off in the Zero X. But the Complex sees the craft and belevingit to be under Mysteron control tries to contact it. Santy has one course of action and rams the Complex -sacrificing himself and ending the Mysteron threat to Antares.

Notes:
• This story shows promise and some interesting ties to TV Century 21, not least being the appearance of a Zero X craft, Glenn Field and the World President - recognisably the same one seen in that comic.
• The first victim of the Mysterons could also be seen as something of a post-modern joke to Captain Scarlet itself, Schwarz being German for Black.
• The art of Tom Kerr, taking over for the last two parts, is an improvement on his work for The Mark Of The Mysterons, and his depiction of the Mysteron plan to infiltrate Earth is nicely done.

Story Four
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Issue 50, dated 23/12/1967
The Mysterons need allies with intelligence equal yet different from theirs. They destroy Complex 49X and transport it to a position near Jupiter where the 'Star Trader' finds it. Captain Craig and his crew, realising the ship is alien, prepare to board it but then the Complex traps them and their craft and returns to Mars. The three men are compelled to enter the main complex and face the vast Mysteron master computer. But once they realise who their captors are, Jansen pulls out his weapon...

The MAster Computer

Part One: Issue 51, dated 30/12/1967
Jansen is blasted out of existence by the computer, which tells the remaining Craig and Marsh they could reconstruct him but they need living allies, not puppets. In return for their help, the Mysterons offer the men 'power such as no Earthman has ever known'. Craig agrees but March, believing the captain is a traitor, turns on him. Craig knocks him out, unable to tell him it is all a ruse, and is given Complex 49X to command. It will carry an electrode cannon in the 'Star Trader' to their new objective. In space, Craig begins his plan to destroy the Complex ship but March tries to overpower him. Craig is forced to kill him, and destroys the Complex 49X. But they are light years out and unable to warn mankind - when a ship does find them, Craig has already died from oxygen starvation. On Mars, the master computer senses the destruction but it is only a temporary setback - the conquest of the universe will continue!

Notes:
• The Mysteron Master Computer, often seen in the strip (above - and occasionally in Captain Scarlet in TV21), is now given a sense of scale when the men from Earth encounter it - it's huge!

Story Five
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Issue 52, dated 06/01/1968
A Mysteron Complex has been sent to conquer planet Boreus. On the planet the primitive people, led by the priest Mara, ask the great spirit for rain. Mara demands a sacrifice and chooses a young boy, Tafera, when Chief Balowa intervenes and drives the priest from the village. Alone in the wild, Mara sees the Mysteron Complex in the sky and a landing ray transport a party to the surface. Mara believes they are 'the Great Ones' returned from the heavens. Realising the savage nature of the people, the Mysteron leader Calow believe the Boreans would make good servants. Mara returns to the village with the Mysterons and claims leadership. The Mysterons are surprised to see an effigy in the same ancient shape as themselves. Mara demands Balowa and Tafera be sacrificed but suddenly the effigy speaks, declaring itself to be the God of Boreus, and the newly arrived Mysterons as false gods!

Part Two: Issue 53, dated 13/01/1968
Confused and terrified, the Boreans flee. The Borean 'God' destroys one of the Mysterons, to be killed itself. The Boreans are confused that 'gods' can be destroyed, allowing Balowa and Tafera to escape. The Mysterons need willing allies and tell Mara they will track down Balowa and Tafera to prove their powers. Meanwhile, the Chief and boy have made their way to the 'Place Of The Gods' - a spaceship. Inside they meet one of the original Mysterons, who left Mars thousands of years ago. They feared their race would one day return to evil. The new Mysterons find the ship and call upon their orbiting Complex to destroy it. But the originals built the Mysteron Computers and have greater powers, shielding themselves. The new Mysterons and their Complex are destroyed, and the Originals vow to protect one planet in the universe - Boreus - from their continuing threat.

Notes:
• Another interesting revelation, with the appearance of the original ancient Mysterons, which deserves to be expanded on more.

Story Six
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Time Travel Part One: Issue 54, dated 20/01/1968
The Mysteron computer destroys Complex Theta and transports it back in time 50,000 years to Earth. Outside Hyperborea, capital of Atlantis, two farmers see the Mysteron craft and ride their Moas to warn the Emperor. The dinosaur-riding cavalry are dispatched to investigate the now landed Mysterons, led by Donex, who has briefed his group that if they can conquer Earth now, in the future all Earthmen will be their subjects. But the Mysterons are unable to convice the Captain of the Atlantean cavalry that they come 'from a land far to the east', and are forced to open fire...

Part Two: Issue 55, dated 27/01/1968
Only the Captain manages to escape to warn the Emperor. But the Mysterons retrometabolise the dead cavalry, who march on Hyperborea. Seeing them, the Emperor declares the Captain a liar and has him taken away to the flame pits. The Mysterons declare themselves to be peaceful, and offer friendship. The Emperor takes them to the flame pits and traps them behind a wall of fire until their gods decide their fate. The Mysterons call upon their Complex ship for help as the Captain of the cavalry is brought forward to be thrown into the flame pits...

Part Three: Issue 56, dated 03/02/1968
The sacrifice is interrrupted by a guard bringing news - more Mysterons have landed and are advancing on the city destroying all in their path. The Emperor's is easily defeated - trapped by the Mysterons and the already retrometabolised cavalry. The Emperor is killed as the Priest realises the Captain was telling the truth all along. Only one course of action is left - the First Priest of Atlantis harnessed the fire gods and built a sundial to contain them. If the lever is turned, the fire gods will be released! Earthquakes and fire sweep throug the city, destroying the Complex craft, the Mysterons and Atlantis too. Back on Mars, the Master Computer realises they cannot change the past.

Notes:
• No prizes for guessing the finale of this story!

Story Seven
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Don Harley. 3 pages, b/w.

Part One: Issue 57, dated 10/02/1968
An Uneasy Alliance The Mysterons plan to conquer the Earth base on Mars and destroy Complex 41B. Rising to 20,000 feet the reconstructed Complex activates its landing ray and the Mysterons take on their ancient shape. Destroying the redundant complex the Mysteron force, led by Contar, see an alien ship which attacks them. it lands, despatching reptilian aliens from Alpha Centauri sent to conquer Mars. Earthmen outside their Martian capital Kahra are also under attack and only one escapes to warn the colony. The Mysterons have destroyed and reconstructed the aliens and pretend to be prisoners to gain access to the Centaurian ship. A fight ensues and more Earthmen arriving on the scene observe the battle. Seemingly being overwhelmed, one of the Mysterons calls on them to help to drive out the invaders...

Part Two: Issue 58, dated 17/02/1968
Some of the Earthmen move to help, not realising the battle is a trap. They are killed and mysteronised. Two remaining Earthmen escape in the MEV but swerve and crash to avoid a Centaurian ship. The Centaurians help them and explain they are a security force and the first ones to arrive were pursued outlaws. A force of Mysterons, with retrometabolised Centaurians and humans, are advancing on Kahra. The Centaurian security force destroys them and pledge their alligiance to Earth.

Notes:
• Another blatant crossover with TV21, with events taking place at Kahra - the human capital city on Mars. This would have left those readers of TV Tornado familiar with the television series, but not TV21's long intertwining future history. somewhat baffled.
• Even TV21 had its wires crossed by the inclusion of an unexplored Mars, as seen in the film Thunderbirds Are Go! and now in Captain Scarlet, which went against their own well explored Solar System as presumably implied by Fireball XL5!
• The introduction of alien allies against the Mysterons is a nice idea, and one which makes a kind of conclusion - but not one that could be carried any further back at TV21, where Captain Scarlet was still going strong. However, more aliens from Alpha Centauri would appear in that strip later in the year.