In Remembrance of Comic Strips: Tom Corbett, Space Cadet

It has a claim to fame that will never be matched. It premiered first-run episodes on the primetime line-ups of the ABC, CBS, NBC, and DuMont networks. Fans of vintage TV know almost none of DuMont’s programming survived. Unfortunately, the other three networks were not much better archiving the series, despite its obvious popularity. Four national networks would not have picked-up Tom Corbett, Space Cadet if nobody was watching. Indeed, the series spawned books, merchandising, and a newspaper comic strip. That strip only lasted two years, more or less, largely due to competition from other long-running science fiction continuity franchises, but in some ways, it was superior to the TV show it tied into. This week, give a salute to Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, which ended its run on this day in 1953, almost exactly anniversarying its September 9^th premiere date.

Although Bailey had a scientific advisor, much of the science is dated, in a rather charming way. For instance, Corbett’s fellow Cadet, Astro (predating George Jetson’s dog), hails from Venus. Corbett is adventurous, but responsible, as a good cadet should be. Astro is hard-working, but a bit of meathead. Much to their frequent frustration, their assigned duty-mate, Roger Manning, is an arrogant troublemaker, who is often more trouble than he is worth.

In this idealized future, Space Academy often assigns its cadets supporting roles on active-duty Solar Guard missions. Consequently, Corbett, Astro, and Manning face danger foiling a Mercurian invasion of Venus, investigating corruption on Jupiter’s Titan Moon, and battling Martian separatists (referred to as Marsian Divisionists”), under the Command of either Captain Steve Strong or Commander Arkwright.

In fact, “Revolt of the Marsian Divisionists” is one of the best adventures written by Paul S.  Newman, who also penned Dell’s Prince Valiant comic books. While it nicely combines political intrigue with space opera, some stories, like “The Mercurian Invasion” are somewhat hampered by its kid-friendly mandate. Regardless, many fans bitterly disappointed by Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will find Newman’s Space Academy much more disciplined—and considerably more entertaining, while exploring similar themes.