Four Color #400

In "Space Pirates of Mercury," the Space Cadets—Tom, Astro, and Roger—find themselves stranded on the abandoned "Prince of Centurus" after a daring raid by space pirates who've seized the ship's cargo and taken everyone to slave labor on Mercury. With the ship crippled and their crewmates missing, the trio secretly reboard the derelict vessel to send a desperate distress call, setting off a rescue mission that leads to a clever trap orchestrated by the Solar Guard. Written by Paul S. Newman and illustrated by Al McWilliams, this 1952 adventure blends classic sci-fi tension with the resourcefulness of young cadets, all wrapped in a cover by McWilliams that captures the drama in bold, retro style.