Prime Directive? That's for squares! Here, have some guns.

Even though it seems like it would've been right up my alley when it originally aired in 1975-77, I didn't watch Space: 1999 until a year or two ago, on Pluto TV. I have vague memories of maybe seeing part of one episode as a kid and having not much idea what was going on; but that didn't stop me from ordering these from Mike Sterling over at Sterling Silver Comics! From 1976, Space: 1999 #5, featuring "The Strange Ones," written by Joe Gill, art by Pat Boyette; "An Alien Charm," written by Joe Gill, art by Dick Ayers; and "Undisturbed" written by Nicola Cuti, art by Gray Morrow. Cover by Morrow.

The 311 or so astronauts trapped on Moonbase Alpha as it careened through space encounter more alien life forms this month; and as usual they're all dicks. In "The Strange Ones" they find an alien world that would be perfect for them to settle, if the atmosphere hadn't been poisoned somehow, killing the human-like race that had lived there. They find the poisoners on another planet, which has a population of cavemen-types, as well as more advanced aliens that want to use the Alphans to interbreed with their cavemen and make better slaves. Commander Koenig manages to escape, but also arms the cavemen...for "defense." Yeah, they were gonna murder the advanced ones ten minutes after Koenig leaves, but that's their problem.

"An Alien Charm" features a fetching shape-changing lass all the guys are taken with--no, not Maya, she would be added to the cast in the second season premiere September 1976, and this issue was cover-dated July 1976. Coincidence; but interesting. Dr. Russell sees through the shape-changer's charms; and kills it before it can enslave them all. Still, they lose at least one guy...then two more in "Undisturbed," where an alien mountain is found on the moon...really feel like you should've noticed that before, guys. Two astronauts are placed into suspended animation and abducted when the mountain takes off. Space: 1999 stories pretty traditionally have somebody get red-shirted ala Star Trek: horribly killed to show the stakes were high. But the Enterprise could re-stock; Moonbase Alpha couldn't! By the way, I'm probably in the minority on this one; but I kinda like the second season theme. Portishead appreciates the original, in the BBC Essential Mix! A video I've run far too many times.