Mutants Vs. Mutants

Perry Rhodan

by Clark Darlton, Wendayne Ackerman (translator), Gray Morrow (Illustrator)

Science-Fiction

Genres: Science Fiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 1962

About the author

Pen name of German science fiction author Walter Ernsting.

Reviews

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mutant Master as you may recall is trying to become master of the world by means of chaos. Luckily one of his mutants, Tatjana Michalowna, who was supposed to blow up an airplane is stopped by Fellmer Lloyd (I loved this name as a kid). Turns out she is the one mutant who is not mind controlled by the villain. She followed him because she believed in his ideas. Now meeting Rhodan she flips within minutes for no apparent reason and betrays poor old Monterny.

And it is not really mutants vs. mutants after that because the 10 or so other mutants under the master’s control do nothing. Rhodan plans to destroy his base in Utah but Monterny manages to escape. (Can you just kill your enemy? Shouldn’t he get a fair trial first? Well, I guess that is naive. Since nowadays bad guys are routinely executed by drones.)

And now Rhodan orders the leaders of the world to Terrania and openly threatens them. Unless they form a world government within a year he will do anything in his powers to do so himself. Takes your breath away. Monterny, so the argument goes, wanted to rule the world, better make some nice guy like me the leader.

Also, in this issue Julian Tifflor is introduced. He will later on play an important role for reasons totally unclear to me.

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better then the previous volume in the series. Rhodan takes the fight to the Mutant Master. Although Rhodan is able to secure a major victory, as well as some small ones, he is not able to close the book on his opponent. Thus we are being led up to the events of the next book. Although all but one of the Master’s mutants are in this book, and probably switch sides, only two are named. I cannot recall if either ever appear again in the series.
As usual there are a few extras. Of these only the instalment of “Edison’s Pursuit to Mars” is worth reading. The two short stories are inconsequential, although the first one has some interest to it having been a submission in a contest to write a short story based on a cover to an issue of Wonder Stories. Given that Ackerman has no idea if the author is still alive I suspect this was is only appearance in an SF magazine. The movie column was basically a promo for some sci-fi film festival that may or may not have taken place. I skipped over it.
In conclusion then the main novel and the instalment is the serial are worth reading. The first short story has some historical interest. The second short story and the movie column can be skipped over. On to the next one.

[Joe Santoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cover, but has nothing to do with the story... I suspect it goes to a better one than this.

So the big showdown with the 'supermutant' Monterny is here, and it was rather underwhelming... one of Monterny's mutants changes sides, they bomb the crap out of him, and he flees in terror. that's about it. In true comic book (or I guess in this case periodical fiction) fashion, he'll clearly be back.. perhaps the next time it will be more satisfying.

It seems like there will be more terrestrial based stories coming up, which is unfortunate.

I'm definitely done with the War of the Worlds sequel... it's just not very good. the other Shock shorts are nothing to write home about.

[Jonathan Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this in Orpington W H Smiths in 1976 for 50p. Not this copy but this book. It’s still just as mad but has a great title, cover, and plenty of action. One of the better ones so far. Onwards. Clifford Monterny is sooooooo Dr Evil

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big battle on earth and some more poor planning by Perry to allow the villain to get one more book appearance

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perry Rhodan #19