THE RETURN

by

PEL TORRO

1960s BADGER BOOKS PAPERBACK EDITION

"Mackenzie blasted off into the void, carrying sealed orders.  With his exploration vehicle in orbit he watched the sidereal-chron ticking off the seconds.  Mac opened his orders and read the microfilm like a man who reads his own death-warrant.

The X 12 was  an experimental vessel and Mac was growing accustomed to strange, dangerous assignments.  This was the most sinister work he had yet undertaken.  His orders directed him to an enigmatic planet on the galactic rim, a world from which no astrogator had yet returned, a world protected by a screen of barrier-rays which defied all attempts at analysis.  Mac thought he had succeeded and then the true nature of the ray field disclosed itself and he wished that death had been swift and merciful...

Somehow he staggered back to civilisation.  The terrible changes which had destroyed Mac's blemished body were not confined to him alone.  The unknown menace began to spread..."

That's the blurb on the back.  If you have any previous experience with Badger Books, you'll know that what's on the cover rarely gave much of a clue to the contents.  For those who don't know, Badger Books was an ultra cheap British publishing house in the 60s who employed a small group of overworked and underpaid writers to knock out genre books to strict deadlines and page counts.  You can imagine that the result wasn't always the best-quality literature!  If you're looking for well-written stories, I have other, much better books for sale.  But if you're in the mood for some brainless kitsch, look no further!  This particular novel was written by Lionel Fanthorpe, using the house name "Pel Torro". 

The paperback book is in good vintage condition.  Please judge from the pictures.