Stand by for Mars

Dive into the thrilling universe of Tom Corbett - Space Cadet, a groundbreaking multimedia phenomenon of the 1950s. This captivating series featured a radio show, a TV series, comic books, a breakfast cereal, and a collection of young-adult novels. Combining the spirit of Tom Browns School Days with the adventurous essence of Horatio Hornblower, the books chronicle the escapades of Tom, along with his friends Roger Manning and Astro, as they navigate the challenges of Space Academy on their quest to become officers of the Solar Guard. Their journey is filled with encounters with space pirates, smugglers, and the ever-looming threat of demerits for rule-breaking. While the true authorship of the novels remains shrouded in mystery under the pseudonym Carey Rockwell, the likely candidates include Joseph Greene, the characters creator, and Richard Jessup, a contributor to the TV and radio adaptations. (Summary by Sean OHara)