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Legion of Space #2
The Cometeers
In the second book in the Legion of Space series, Jay Kalam, Hal Samdu and Giles Habibula fight The Cometeers, an alien race of energy beings controlling a "comet" which is really a giant force field containing a swarm of planets populated by their slaves. The slave races are of flesh and blood, but none are remotely similar to humans. The Cometeers cannot be destroyed by AKKA, as they are incorporeal from the Universe's point of view and exist for the most part in an alternate reality. The ruling Cometeers feed on their slaves and literally absorb their souls, leaving disgusting, dying hulks in their wake. It is said that they do so, as they were once fleshly entities themselves of various species. Hence, the ruling Cometeers keep other intelligent beings as slaves and "cattle." They fear AKKA, though, as it can erase all their possessions.
157 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1936
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139 people want to read
About the author
Jack Williamson
541 books164 followersJohn Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 18, 2011
The sequel to "The Legion of Space" (one of the most popular serialized sci-fi novels of the 1930s), "The Cometeers," to author Jack Williamson's credit, is not only a better-written book, but does what all good sequels should: enlarge on the themes of the earlier piece and deepen the characterizations. First appearing in the May-August 1936 issues of "Astounding Stories" magazine (two years after "The Legion of Space" made its first appearance therein, and two years before "Astounding Stories" would morph into the renowned "Astounding Science-Fiction"), "The Cometeers" finally appeared in hardcover book form in 1950. Anyone familiar with the earlier novel (in what was to become a tetralogy of Legion books), which featured space battles, jellyfishlike aliens, nebula storms, assorted alien flora and fauna, and nonstop swashbuckling derring-do, will probably wonder if Williamson was capable of topping it in a sequel. After all, when a novel contains everything but the proverbial galactic kitchen sink, what else is left for the continuation? The answer, as it turns out, is plenty.
In "The Cometeers," we make further association with our old friends from the previous volume, only two decades later on. Jay Kalam, forever cool and resourceful, is now commander of the Legion; Hal Samdu, the redheaded giant, is still basically a rumbling nonentity; and Giles Habibula, the Falstaffian picklock, is still eating, guzzling and lovably complaining. John Star and Aladoree Anthar only make brief appearances in this book, but their son Bob, a recent graduate of the Legion Academy, takes a very central part in the action. The story this time concerns a 12,000,000-mile-long comet that has entered our solar system, behaving like no typical celestial body and pulling asteroids and even whole planets into its center. What is at the heart of this comet, and how our boys manage to fight their way to it, are surprises that this reader would never dream of revealing, but I can say that Williamson throws in some truly remarkable aliens, a very nicely executed fray at the south pole of Neptune, a visit to a very unusual asteroid, and a mind-bending conclusion. The character of Stephen Orco--a genius of unknown origin who was responsible for a psychologically damaging hazing of Bob Star back at the Academy, and who later betrays mankind to aid "the Cometeers"-- is a fascinating one, and the final revelation of his background is one that not many will anticipate. As in the first book, the action is relentless, and most readers will likely feel compelled to ingest the entire novel in a sitting or two (an easy-to-accomplish feat, as the book comes in at a compact 150 pages). The difference here is in the quality of the writing. Though still penned in the best pulp style, "The Cometeers" seems more polished than "The Legion of Space"; deeper and more concise. Despite the fantastical situations and way-out scenario, the action this time seems more plausible, more credible. Our returning characters appear wiser and more thoughtful after the 20-year gap between the incidents of the two books, and Bob Star, with his psychological problems and self-doubts, is a well-drawn and fully realized creation.
As in the first book, however, some problems in the writing DO become evident. Thus, Williamson, who had at this point only been a published author for eight years, is still capable of giving us such an unfortunate sentence as "The white floor was hard white metal," and of making a few goofs in his story. For example, Bob Star, at one point late in the tale, hears the noises of an opening hatch in the Cometeers' ship, and reflects that he had heard these same noises before. In truth, though, he never had; Giles had heard those strange noises, some 60 pages earlier, and had told the tale TO Bob Star. Still, these are minor matters. "The Cometeers" really is a smashing sequel, and one that all fans of Golden Age sci-fi should just love. It will surely make them want to seek out book 3 of the series, "One Against the Legion." Personally, I'm about to start it right now....
In "The Cometeers," we make further association with our old friends from the previous volume, only two decades later on. Jay Kalam, forever cool and resourceful, is now commander of the Legion; Hal Samdu, the redheaded giant, is still basically a rumbling nonentity; and Giles Habibula, the Falstaffian picklock, is still eating, guzzling and lovably complaining. John Star and Aladoree Anthar only make brief appearances in this book, but their son Bob, a recent graduate of the Legion Academy, takes a very central part in the action. The story this time concerns a 12,000,000-mile-long comet that has entered our solar system, behaving like no typical celestial body and pulling asteroids and even whole planets into its center. What is at the heart of this comet, and how our boys manage to fight their way to it, are surprises that this reader would never dream of revealing, but I can say that Williamson throws in some truly remarkable aliens, a very nicely executed fray at the south pole of Neptune, a visit to a very unusual asteroid, and a mind-bending conclusion. The character of Stephen Orco--a genius of unknown origin who was responsible for a psychologically damaging hazing of Bob Star back at the Academy, and who later betrays mankind to aid "the Cometeers"-- is a fascinating one, and the final revelation of his background is one that not many will anticipate. As in the first book, the action is relentless, and most readers will likely feel compelled to ingest the entire novel in a sitting or two (an easy-to-accomplish feat, as the book comes in at a compact 150 pages). The difference here is in the quality of the writing. Though still penned in the best pulp style, "The Cometeers" seems more polished than "The Legion of Space"; deeper and more concise. Despite the fantastical situations and way-out scenario, the action this time seems more plausible, more credible. Our returning characters appear wiser and more thoughtful after the 20-year gap between the incidents of the two books, and Bob Star, with his psychological problems and self-doubts, is a well-drawn and fully realized creation.
As in the first book, however, some problems in the writing DO become evident. Thus, Williamson, who had at this point only been a published author for eight years, is still capable of giving us such an unfortunate sentence as "The white floor was hard white metal," and of making a few goofs in his story. For example, Bob Star, at one point late in the tale, hears the noises of an opening hatch in the Cometeers' ship, and reflects that he had heard these same noises before. In truth, though, he never had; Giles had heard those strange noises, some 60 pages earlier, and had told the tale TO Bob Star. Still, these are minor matters. "The Cometeers" really is a smashing sequel, and one that all fans of Golden Age sci-fi should just love. It will surely make them want to seek out book 3 of the series, "One Against the Legion." Personally, I'm about to start it right now....
November 14, 2019
This is set a generation after Legion of Space, #1. It is no better, just much of the same; straight up pre-golden age space opera a-la Doc Smith done by a young Jack Williamson who is just getting started in a long career that would go on beyond the end of the century and into a new millenium...
His last novel, "The Gate of Stonehenge" was published in 2005 when he was merely 97 years old (check out "Sandy's" review on that one).
His last novel, "The Gate of Stonehenge" was published in 2005 when he was merely 97 years old (check out "Sandy's" review on that one).
October 2, 2016
When I first started reading in the 1960s, there was "new" science fiction written after WW2, and "old" science fiction written before. I much preferred the "new", and still do, although even that 1960s science fiction also seems quaint now. But while this is recognizably from the pulp era of the 1930s, I have to admit that I enjoyed the simple adventure of it. I think Williamson's Legion stories must be among the best of their era. But still, it is a very limited style of writing with stereotyped characters, simple good versus evil plots, and pretty flimsy concepts.
February 27, 2023
What can you say about The Cometeers by Jack Williamson. Well, it was originally published in 1936 and it is the 2nd book in Williamson's Legion of Space trilogy. It's a fantastical space adventure. I'm sure the technology described is not based on anything factual. It's kind of like the movie serials you used to see before the main feature at the matinee show. It's kind of silly, but ultimately entertaining. And for the time, since I wasn't around then, it probably sat in the pulp Sci-Fi bookshelves, maybe was featured in Sci-Fi magazines.. Well, that's enough of that.
What's the story. A huge comet has entered the Solar System and seems to have stopped. There are reports of invisible aliens breaking into secure areas and stealing items, especially those belonging to the Legion of Space, the protectors of the galaxy. John Star has tried to persuade the Earth council to destroy the comet as he believes it's basically 'evil'. The Commander of the Legion, Jay Kalam, believes an effort should be made to approach the Comet and try peaceful negotiation first. He wins out.
Meanwhile, on Phobos, John Star's wife, Aladoree, the Keeper of the Peace and Protector of the AKKA (no, not to be confused with ABBA) and their son, newly minted Legion officer, Bob Star, are guarded by two old Legion retainers, Giles Habibula and Hal Samdu. (Remember them from the 1st Legion of Space novel? No? Hmm!). So father John returns, Commander Jay, aboard the Invincible, the newest space battleship, also shows up. All H*ll breaks lose. John Star takes his wife to safety, we hope, to prevent the Cometeers from capturing her and her power over the AKKA. Commander Jay, accompanied by Bob and his partners in crime, go to Neptune, first, to guard Space Enemy #1, The Man Called Merrin, AKA Orco. After he drops them off, Commander Jay heads off for an encounter with the Cometeers. Can you guess the results? (I'll let you read the rest to see how it all turns out.)
So a fantastical space adventure, over - the - top, somewhat heroes, but a fun, rollicking story to entertain you as you relax in the evenings. Don't expect the Sci-Fi of today, it's just a big adventure. (2.0 stars). Enjoy!
What's the story. A huge comet has entered the Solar System and seems to have stopped. There are reports of invisible aliens breaking into secure areas and stealing items, especially those belonging to the Legion of Space, the protectors of the galaxy. John Star has tried to persuade the Earth council to destroy the comet as he believes it's basically 'evil'. The Commander of the Legion, Jay Kalam, believes an effort should be made to approach the Comet and try peaceful negotiation first. He wins out.
Meanwhile, on Phobos, John Star's wife, Aladoree, the Keeper of the Peace and Protector of the AKKA (no, not to be confused with ABBA) and their son, newly minted Legion officer, Bob Star, are guarded by two old Legion retainers, Giles Habibula and Hal Samdu. (Remember them from the 1st Legion of Space novel? No? Hmm!). So father John returns, Commander Jay, aboard the Invincible, the newest space battleship, also shows up. All H*ll breaks lose. John Star takes his wife to safety, we hope, to prevent the Cometeers from capturing her and her power over the AKKA. Commander Jay, accompanied by Bob and his partners in crime, go to Neptune, first, to guard Space Enemy #1, The Man Called Merrin, AKA Orco. After he drops them off, Commander Jay heads off for an encounter with the Cometeers. Can you guess the results? (I'll let you read the rest to see how it all turns out.)
So a fantastical space adventure, over - the - top, somewhat heroes, but a fun, rollicking story to entertain you as you relax in the evenings. Don't expect the Sci-Fi of today, it's just a big adventure. (2.0 stars). Enjoy!
September 14, 2020
good old school space opera. some odd inconsistencies (like a trained Legionnaire having vertigo problems in a weightless environment). very enjoyable read overall.
August 2, 2021
4 out of 5
October 21, 2024
Un classico della fantascienza prima maniere delle riviste pulp: avventura e damigelle in pericolo sono la chiave. Condite da uno stile che pur avendo quasi 100 anni è ancora godibile
March 12, 2018
I read the first book in the series, Legion of Space, and really enjoyed it. So I was very happy to find The Cometeers in a used bookshop. It was a huge let down.
While Legion of Space had a very pulp over the top action, this book was quite boring. There was more time taken to explain what was going on and talking about what they were going to do than actually doing anything.
While Legion of Space had a very pulp over the top action, this book was quite boring. There was more time taken to explain what was going on and talking about what they were going to do than actually doing anything.
December 22, 2014
Libro abbastanza noioso e scritto sulla falsariga del precedente "I Tre Della Legione". Qualche momento di interesse è sicuramente presente, ma per il resto tutto procede nelle stesse identiche modalità dell'altro libro ed il personaggio di Bob Star è francamente irritante...
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February 1, 20164 stars from Sandy: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
November 22, 2015
Legion of Space series #2
February 9, 2016
Fantastic SiFi from one of the early masters. Follow the adventures of 3 members of the legion. Highly recommended!
July 21, 2018
A trilogy. 2.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews