From Beyond the Unknown #7

From Beyond the Unknown #7 Cover

As we've learned from Mark Waid (former DC Writer/Editor), the proposed Major Matt Mason comic book was canned rather quickly after Mattel toy sales started to falter. It appears that a writer, artist and initial script were established, probably along with a story bible to define the various characters, baseline events and setting. I'm guessing that Denny O'Neil and Murphy Anderson were both involved from the beginning and continued on to produce this rewrite. The story is titled "Earth Shall Not Die!"

The Two-part story can be broken up into the following:

1. Terrible event happens
2. Introduction of new characters
3. Resolution
   

New Characters

1. Commander Glenn Merritt - (revised Major Matt Mason) - he's an astrophysicist that's given Space Fleet Commander rank to investigate destroyed spaceships and bases
2. Sergeant Kevin Tempest - (revised Sgt. Storm) - Space Fleet non-com who's assigned to the mission
3. Senator Archibald Beauregard - typical Southern skeptic politician and foil to the various Space Fleet programs
4. Senator Woodrow - Space Fleet supporting politician

Earth Shall Not Die! Part 1

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 1

Earth Shall Not Die! Pages 2-3

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 4

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 5

Earth Shall Not Die! Page6

Earth Shall Not Die! Page7

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 8

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 9

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 10

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 11

Earth Shall Not Die! Page 12

John's Notes

I think the primary purpose of this first part is to establish the setting and show how Matt Mason and Storm started to trust one another to form the Space Mission Team. The story was pushed to a later future where bases have already been established rather than keeping things more localized around Earth. I'm a big fan of Murphy Anderson's artwork, the story is a bit weak and rather pulpy - but that was how the title "From Beyond the Unknown" trended as an SF anthology.

On to "Earth Shall Not Die! Part 2"

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