Mystery in Space, #50

Published: March 1959

Cover

Mystery in Space #50

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Issue Contents:
The Runaway Space-Train!
1 page science fiction
Credits
Story 1 1 page
Story Notes

Inside front cover.

The Runaway Space-Train!
Story 2 10 pages science fiction

"Our train is going to land on this planet--outside our solar system!"

Storyline

A group of humans on a train are transported across the universe to Almoran. At the same time a group of Almoran aliens are sent to Earth disguised as Earthlings. The humans and Almorans are flashed by a ray from an enemy spaceship causing the Almorans to fall asleep. The humans pretend to be asleep and then defeat the attackers. The Almorans reward the Earth people by allowing them to keep their memories of the adventure but place a mental block on them to prevent them from talking about it.

Characters
  • Bobby
  • Nell (Bobby's mother)
  • Bobby's father
  • Mrs Alson (old lady passenger)
  • Vectus (friendly alien)
Credits
Story 3 0 pages
Story 4 1 page
Story Notes

Sold by Wilson Chemical Co.

Story 5 1 page
The Family Favorite!
Story 6 1 page advocacy
Story Notes

This PSA ran in several DC Comics cover dated March, 1959.

Earth...Condemned World!
Story 7 8 pages science fiction

"Why that Earth-city shows no color on your television screen! It receives only in black and white!"

Storyline

Daryl Halbert records the albedo (reflectivity) of planets. He receives a message to return to Earth quickly. His spaceship is damaged on his way back and he is rescued by aliens. He is told that they are on their way to Earth to destroy it! Earth's albedo is falling and when it reaches zero it will break free from the Sun and become an undetectable space menace. Halbert asks for time to find a cure and is given 7 hours. He discovers that Earth has a covering of glassy space dust. A test bomb clears a small hole and proves that the Earth, and other planets in the future, can be saved.

Characters
  • Daryl Halbert
Credits
Story 8 0 pages
Story 9 1 page non-fiction; biography; math & science

"Giovanni Donati (1826 - 1873)"

Storyline

One page potted biography of the Italian born astronomer Giovanni Donati, one of the foremost comet-hunters.

Story Notes

Information for this sequence from Arthur Lortie. Location in this issue from Ed Boner.

Story 10 1 page non-fiction; math & science

"Dear Science Editor, I'm puzzled why interplanetary space should..."

Credits
Story Notes

Letters from T.R., asking about interplanetary space being cold, C.W., asking about weight changing across the face of the Earth and W.S., asking about how the speed of a meteor is measured. Sequence added by Ed Boner.

Riddle of Asteroid 8794!
Story 11 8 pages science fiction

"Out among the nine solar system planets, in the 22nd century, goes the interplanetary broadcast of the space-disc-jockey, playing requests..."

Storyline

Bruce Carlton has arranged for Clark Hale to play a song for Gloria on the radio. Hale plays a song that insults Gloria. Carlton goes to Hale's studio but it is empty. Carlton deduces that the catalog number for the record relates to an asteroid. There he finds Hale trapped in a crater. Hale tells him that Cyrus Crane loved his music and left him treasure buried on the asteroid. "Orion" Batson overheard everything except where the burial spot was and took him to the asteroid. Carlton and Hale burrow underneath and take the treasure before Batson can. Later Hale plays a proper song for Gloria.

Characters
  • Bruce Carlton
  • Gloria (Bruce's girlfriend)
  • Clark Hale (space-disc-jockey)
  • Cyrus Crane
  • "Orion" Batson (interplanetary outlaw)
Credits
Story 12 0 pages
Story 13 1 page
Story 14 1 page
Story 15 1 page
Story 16 1 page
Story Notes

Inside back cover.

Story 17 1 page
Story Notes

Back cover.