*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: Our Atomic Sci-Fi event continues! 1952’s Crusader From Mars had a bit of an off-beat premise; we first meet our heroes when they’re on trial for murder (and accessory to same) as two sides of a love triangle, Tarka having apparently killed the fiancée of the lovely Zira in a crime of passion! Rather than accept the Martian tribunal’s verdict, Tarka (without consulting Zira, I might add) proposes that he and Zira, as punishment, be exiled to the primitive and vicious planet Earth, to bring reason to it with their super-scientific knowhow. You’ve got to admit, as premises go, it was a good ‘un, and we follow our heroes as they strive to enlighten the primitives of Earth, with somewhat hit & miss success. Only running for two issues, Crusader From Mars sports beautifully painted covers reminiscent of Ziff-Davis’ pulp heritage. Issue one of this pulp SF classic is GD/VG £80, with a slightly faded cover and a detached top staple bringing the grade down of a basically sound copy. Issue #2 is a lovely VG/FN at £135. Buy them both – you’ve collected the set!