Challenge of the Unknown

Perry Rhodan

by Clark Darlton

Science-Fiction

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Pen name of German science fiction author Walter Ernsting.

Reviews

[Will Dockery · Rating 4 out of 5]

In #32 of these Ace translations of Perry Rhodan, you'll see an excerpt from a letter I wrote to the Ackermans, back when I was still known as "William Dockery", mostly saying that after a certain issue I was "Hooked for life!", and with various long gaps apparently I am, as I still get really interested at times in the hopeless task of getting the entire epic story. I had another couple of blurbs from my letters published in later issues, before becoming... unhooked... for a while. Becoming a teenager in the early 1970s was, after all kind of a full-time task and some things had to be put aside. Anyway, thanks for bringing back some very vivid memories of some really interesting characters and concepts. A shame it could not have continued, it was some sound science fiction with a retro flavor that was enjoyable.

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

After they encountered the computer ruler of the Arkonide Empire and stole a ship Rhodan decides to stay in the vicinity. Only three light years away they meet the people of Zart. A loyal planet of Arkonide descendants. And not degenerated. But also not very bright. And not quite as loyal. Turns out the ruler wants to become the new Emperor of the Empire. Then Rhodan’s mutants find out that in reality some alien race capable of telepathy that is held as sort of pets are the masterminds behind the ruler’s ambition. And then it is found out (by Pucky) that they, the Poofs, are not really the masterminds. There is yet another layer of uproar.

Funny, that Rhodan thinks that the wannabe Zart usurper is too provincial. He, Rhodan, is the chosen inheritor of the universe, as everyone knows and not provincial.

What really shocked me in this issue is that the solution to the problem is that they kill of each and every Moof. Just because they are Methan breathers makes them sub-humans or monsters?

At least, at long last, there is development in the Rhodan-Thora story. High time after thirteen years. Especially when you take into account that Rhodan is immortal and Thora is not.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another group of Arkonide descendants, this time in red, with a plot to overthrow the robot mind that comes from an unexpected source

[Joe Santoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when it looked like it was going to be easy for Perry and co. to swipe yet another amazing space ship and run home to make another giant techonolgical leap, it turns out it's not quite so easy.

I'm definitely intrigued at the overall plot direction... it seems Perry has his sights on taking over the whole empire.. or at least installing a friendly ruler somehow. That seems too easy, but we'll see.

This book was a bit of a shift in tone as well... more comic relief (the ongoing silliness with Pucky and Bell has been a continuing them, but it seems to have kicked up to 11 in this one) and more character beats (It seems we're getting closer to the inevitable moment where Perry and Thora get together, and Dr. Haggard seems to be back)

Then we have the Mooffs... I wonder if the name is less silly in German? It is pretty interesting how Perry responds to other telepaths, not sure it goes with the whole 'Peacelord of the Universe' idea, but I guess the Mooffs aren't people, so...

A new serial started in this one as well, 'Cosmos'. Which the book proclaims as from a 30s fanzine that has chapters from a veritable who's who of the active authors of the time, though this first chapter didn't live up to that, we'll see.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The biggest SF series of all time - these early ones are a bit old style