Super Thriller Annual [1959]

[1958] Annual. Original price 6/.
130 pages. Full colour & B&W contents.
World Distributors (Manchester) Limited.

Painted cover by Edgar Hodges (signed).

Contents:

  2 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

  4 Indicia

  6 "Danger in the Deep colour plate; illustrated by Ronald W. Smethurst (signed).

  7 Super Thriller Annual title page; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

  8 Contents; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

  9 The Mystery of the Mary Celeste text feature by A.W. Dalby-Phillips; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 17 Menace from Space text story by Derek Somers; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 29 Midget Submarine Adventure text story by David Reynolds; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 43 Atomic Pile-Up w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 49 Black Frost text story by Capt. H.H. Swift; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 63 The Time Jumpers text story by Joseph Morrissey; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 75 Ace Hart Earth at Bay text story by Bryn Cullen; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 89 Highwayman's Hideout w: UNKNOWN (uncredited); a: UNKNOWN (uncredited).

 95 The Tulip Mystery text story by Guy Deakin; illustrated by Edgar Hodges (signed).

109 Thunder Flash text story by Edwin Dale; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

119 The Legendary Lawrence text feature by Arthur Winsford; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

128 UNTITLED endpaper; illustrated by UNKNOWN (uncredited).

Opening with a colour plate of a diver surrounded by sharks isn't the best start. A far better use of the sole full-colour page would have been to include an Ace Hart image, though underplaying the role of the character does have the (likely unintended) consequence of making his later appearance more special - it was almost a hidden treat within the pages, for readers to stumble upon unexpectedly.

It is a shame, therefore, that Ace's appearance on the title page is so poor - looking substantially older than his regular depictions, it is an image which calls out for explanation - has he, one wonders, been hit with an ageing ray by some diabolical mastermind? Is he really much older than he has let on, utilising rejuvenation creams to appear more vital? Or is this, as I suspect, some crafty imposter, using the costume to go about his nefarious business?

Although there is little to add after so many years of rumination and speculation, The Mystery of the Mary Celeste covers the (altogether far too familiar) events with skill and clarity, laying out the facts as known, and ensuring that the separation between historical fact and lurid fiction is kept suitable clear. I do so enjoy seeing A.W. Dalby-Phillips here, as he never seems to give in to easy options, turning anything he touches into gripping and interesting prose, filled with detail.

The space-ship came at dawn on a bright summer day in 1992, and at that moment Earth's isolation in the Universe was ended. Mankind did not yet know, of course, that the ship was from the stars, but in a very short space of time he was to know that no longer was he alone in space.
   It chose a most unfortunate time to pass over Binstead, for on the previous night there had taken place the annual party in which both the Experimental Station and its attached R.A.F depot pooled resources in making whoopee for all personnel of both establishments in the officers' mess. Harry Morse and Tom Berry, being invited to stay the night, were asleep in two bunks in the sergeants' mess when they were awakened at 5 a.m. by the most awful concert of sirens, klaxons, bells, and whistles, and, scrambling from their bunks, they rushed to the window and stared out.

Displaying how dangerous it is to date events in stories, the first piece of fiction could hardly be more anachronistic now, though looking thirty years into the future was probably far enough for most readers to grasp when this was published. Somers provides a very engaging style here, and the realisation that there is other life in the galaxy is treated intelligently, with enough consideration to keep it from becoming juvenile. It is always appreciated when there is scientific thinking incorporated into such tales, no matter how small the inclusion is.

It is a real shame that Atomic Pile-Up is so dated in appearance. The strip has a strange - though not entirely unappreciated - forties feel to it, and the conceit of a resourceful child outsmarting kidnappers isn't so over-played that it becomes annoying. That the police are involved is a great boon to the story's credibility, as similar narratives in which the child comes to the rescue unaided are always too optimistic regarding the outcome. Can't have readers getting upset when a sprog takes a .45 in the chest, can we...

The Time Jumpers explicitly references H.G. Wells in its introduction, although Morrissey is no Wells, as can be deduced from the story itself. Lance Everett and Bob Wells make in the direction of an abandoned house when they are caught in a thunderstorm, lightning striking the ground all around. Soaked through, they take shelter, and are astonished to hear the sound of a gunshot from within the building. They investigate where the sound came from, tackling two armed men.

What was I just saying about the possibilities of children getting shot in stories...

They are soon transported through time thanks to Professor Wilde's time machine, launched in to all manner of fun and games. It is really difficult to get excited about such stories, with the ever-present "get out of jail free card" hanging over the plot - if something goes wrong, a time machine can deposit the characters back in time just long enough to correct what once went wrong. Or not, for dramatic purposes. Either way, the possibilities have been thoroughly explored in both long and short-form, leaving little room to strike out in an vaguely original manner.

Ace Hart picked his way along the dark gallery formed by fallen masonry. Behind him echoed the footsteps and voices of the other members of the Department of Space Defence - what remained of them. The tortuous passage widened out into a sort of high-roofed chamber.

A disappointing tale, albeit with many interesting moments, regarding an attack by Sylvanus on Earth - which likely makes much more sense with the rest of Ace Hart's adventures to hand.

The closing feature on Lawrence of Arabia is not, as to be expected, a warts and all account, with the usual press-friendly statements repeated. His life has been pored over so relentlessly that what we are presented with is quite slight in comparison. With a few informative books already available in the late fifties, this stands out as a needless excursion. The mix of elements in the annual is appreciated, no matter how often the non-fiction portions have been recounted, and it would likely have been the first time some readers had cause to consider the life of the explorer.

Although extremely dated in places, this retains an appeal. There are, of course, aspects which do not immediately smack of real inspiration, though enough is done to set the work apart from similar publications. Even Ace Hart is provided with a story most unlike the regular superhero fare, which is remarkably brave given the period in which the annual was published.

An absolute gem, although not as finely polished as one might hope.

[1958]

Super Thriller Annual

[1960]