Writer:- The Hornet editorial team. Artist:- Felix Carrion? (but this needs to be confirmed).

Main cast:- Tom Gann, pilot; Dr. Cope; Bosak; "Frenchy" Carradine.

Time period:- late 1960's, survival adventure.

Can two strangers thrust accidentally into a deadly game of cat and mouse with natives on a remote Far East island survive a race of life or death? This story starts with pilot Tom Gann flying a passenger, Dr. Cope on a routine flight to Port Moresby. En route, Gann's plane is blown off course by a storm. Spotting a small, deserted airstrip on a remote part of the island of New Guinea, he prepares to land. As they touch down they notice what they think at first is a plane, but turns out to have been constructed of wood and reeds. They have been the victim of the practice of Cargo Cult.

‘A cargo cult is a religious practice that has appeared in many traditional pre-industrial tribal societies in the wake of interaction with technologically advanced cultures. The cults focus on obtaining the material wealth (the "cargo") of the advanced culture through magic and religious rituals and practices. Cult members believe that the wealth was intended for them by their deities and ancestors. Cargo cults developed primarily in remote parts of New Guinea and other Melanesian and Micronesian societies in the southwest Pacific Ocean, beginning with the first significant arrivals of Westerners in the 19th century. Similar behaviors have, however, also appeared elsewhere in the world.’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult)

Once they have been captured the natives are annoyed to find that Gann's plane is carrying no cargo. Encouraged by "Frenchy" Carradine, a trading merchant (who is using the natives to dig up gold), the angry natives release the two men and after giving them a head start set out after them. The race of death has begun. Fortunately, our heroes are well equipped to survive the hunt. Dr. Cope is an expert in native races, their way of life and languages. Gann is the brawn of the team, who uses his strength to good use. Can they stay alive and escape from the island? Follow their adventures in the selected episodes below.

The following adventures of are from issues 293, 294, 296, 298 and 304.

© Adrian Banfield, 2011.