Cosmic Traitor

Perry Rhodan

by Perry Rhodan

Science-Fiction

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 1962

About the author

Perry Rhodan is not a person but rather the overall name (and the name of the main character) of a German franchise of science fiction literature.

If possible, the author credit 'Perry Rhodan' should be replaced with the name of the actual author(s) where known.

Reviews

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where are we? The Springers are threatening to enslave Earth. It (from Wanderer) had provided a new weapon, but is not prepared to offer more help. What to do? Go to Arkon finally and ask for help there?

Along comes Levtan the traitor. A Springer paria who offers his services for a small fee. But Rhodan and his men do not treat him nicely.

The idea Rhodan comes up with is a bit silly and the Arkonide positronic brain assigns a success probability of the plan of 0.4%. Not what I would call favourable odds. He sends Marshall and some other mutants disguised as Springers to some planet where the Springers meet to decide on the faith of Terra. Levtan who is under the influence of Kitai Ishibashi the suggestor is supposed to convince his fellow Springers that Rhodan is too powerful to be attacked (by showing a fake film!).

I am happy to report that the foolish plan does not succeed. Normally mild-mannered Marshall kills off poor Levtan. And in the end our Fifth column is shipwrecked on the distant planet waiting to be rescued.

This is the debut novel of Kurt Brand. Welcome on Board. A stupid story, but competently written.

[Otis Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Cosmic Traitor, author Kurt Brand steps up to the typewriter for book number twenty-six, and he is fixin' to serve up a heapin' plate of deep-space espionage. Those greedy Springer space-merchants are still madder than a wet hen about Perry's tricks. They've called a massive family summit over on the planet Goszul to plot an all-out attack that'll turn Earth into a smoking cinder. Perry is sweating bullets trying to figure out how to stop 'em, when all of a sudden, a rogue Springer fella leaks 'em a message. This self-proclaimed "cosmic traitor" claims he's ready to sell out his own kin and hand Perry the keys to the whole operation. Now, any backwoods hunter knows that when a piece of meat is just sitting out in the open like that, there’s usually a steel trap hidden underneath. But old Perry just can't resist the bait, so he sends a posse of his absolute best mutants over to Goszul to make the swap. Lawd have mercy, the whole thing goes sideways quicker than a runaway pig! The mutants get sniffed out, captured, and thrown into an alien slammer. Kurt Brand turns this volume into a rip-roaring, fast-paced jailbreak thriller, packed to the gills with spaceship shootouts, mutant parlor tricks, and Perry tryin' to play a high-stakes game of cosmic poker with a bunch of cutthroat alien traders. It is prime, grade-A 1970s pulp popcorn that proves you can never truly trust a turncoat, especially when they're from another galaxy.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's time for Perry's mutants to earn their keep! Including a new guy that can apparently brain wash anyone at will..sometimes multiple people at once... pretty handy.

When an outcast Springer turns up wanting to blackmail Terra, Perry and company turn the tables on him and follow him the Springers 'Great Conclave' to try to convince them that Earth has a great Armada and should be left alone.

Seems like this could very easily backfire, and convince them to attack instead, but far be it for me to cast doubt on the plans of the Peacelord of the Universe.

The plan involves the mutants (who seems to all just have mind powers... seemed like there was more variety before), hanging out on the planet in disguise and using their powers to wreck havoc... seems to be going pretty well so far, but to be continued....

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Springer saga continues, with a really over the top sniveling new character, who thankfully doesn't last the book

[The Bauchler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another charity shop gamble from the 80's.

It was seeing the cover that reminded me I'd had it.

I can't remember much about the story, possibly 'cos I started reading the series at book 26 and it was nearly 40 years ago. I probably lost interest because I found out how many more there were still to read. It's pleasing to think I didn't decide to read them all - I would still be reading them today:)

[Joe Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulp sci-fi, but entertaining. Good science fiction concepts and some super powers, aliens, spaceships and lots of different planets. Probably won't hunt down the other several dozen installments, but would get them if I stumbled across at a used book sale.

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

English translation of the German pulp