Aliens vs. Dinosaurs

 

cover art by George Wilson

Usually, the only science fiction element present in a Turok story are the dinosaurs existing in modern times. But occasionally, the stories would deal with dinosaur mutations or other mildly SF elements.

Turok, Son of Stone #58 (July 1967), though, goes full Sci Fi when aliens, riding an honest-to-goodness flying saucer, arrive in Lost Valley. 

With a script by Paul S. Newman and art by Giovanni Ticci, "The Things from the Sky" is a fun, clever and satisfying story.

It all begins with panicking dinosaurs. And panicking cavemen. In fact, it seems that everyone and everything around Turok and Andar has decided to panic.

The reason for the panic is a visit from aliens, who are buzzing the valley and checking out life on Earth.

The alien ship lands and Turok--being Turok--handles the situation with calmness and aplomb. The aliens are able to adapt to the local language just by hearing it, so they are soon communicating. It's interesting that the aliens essentially just say they come in peace without trying to explain their origin in detail. Did they realize Turok and Andar would not have the knowledge necessary to really grasp the concept of other planets?

I also love the design of the aliens. The multi-tentacled body encased in a space suit that keeps us from getting a really good look at them--that's a truly alien look that seperates them from earth people in appearance and thus makes them more interesting.

Well, the aliens may come in peace, but the local fauna isn't peaceful at all. Turok has to save an alien from a plesiosaur. After that, the aliens keep their ray guns handy, but still look to Turok for ideas about scaring off dinosaurs and still panicking cavemen.

But dispite everything, the saucer is damaged, forcing the aliens to perform make-shift repairs that largely consist of banging the hatch back into shape with a hammer. (The damage prevents them from getting into the ship to get better tools.)

When it looks like the ship is repaired, one of the aliens takes Andar up on a test-flight. This is the part that rises the story from good to awesome. The ship flies out of the village and Andar is able to see his home village once again. It's an event that makes the ensuing ending absolutely heart-breaking.

Because, naturally, something goes awry. The ship returns to pick up Turok and the rest of the alien crew. But when they take off again, they fly through a flock of pterodactyls. The ship's intake valves are clogged and the saucer crashes. Turok and Andar are thrown free, but the saucer and its crew are destroyed. No one is going home today.

The story is strong because of great art, imaginative design of the aliens and opportunities to show how Turok always thinks his way out of difficulties. But that heart-breaking glimpse of home--that's what makes it really stand out.

Next week, back over to the DC Universe for a visit with Adam Strange.