Space Squadron

First Appearance: Space Squadron #1 (June 1951).
Appearances: Space Squadron #1-5, Space Worlds #6.
Years Active: 2000 C.E.-?

The Space Squadron is an law enforcement organization in the not-too-distant-future of 2000 C.E. Their purpose is to keep the peace in "The Galaxy," which is our solar system and its neighbors--"all the planets of the inner universe." (That's not "The Galaxy," but never mind. Accuracy in astronomical terms is not to be expected.) These planets are part of an alliance, of which Bennett "Blast" Revere, the legendary hero, is the head ("chief of the Orbit of Galaxy").

"During the year 2000, the civilized world of galaxy (sic) was (sic) still engaged in aero-warfare with the outlaw planets! The brunt of this most devastating of all wars was born by the valiant crew of the Space Squadron, valiant guardians of the peace of the universe!"

It has been revealed that all of the planets of our system are inhabited:

• Mars is inhabited by a number of warlike tribes. Mxxptrm, aka "Max," is a member of a large, bulky, pink-skinned race of Martian ravagers, and is the only member capable of the higher emotions; the rest are "beasts of hatred and war, killing and destroying everything in their path...." (Mxxptrm is a member of the Space Squadron, so he's okay. But the rest of the Martians...feh.)
• Mercury is inhabited by two-headed split-personality "Brain-Men," who react based on the mercury which runs in their veins (as opposed to blood).
• The Moon is home to a race of insectoids.
• Saturn is inhabited by dome-headed telepaths, of whom LLA 38, a member of the Space Squadron, is a member; Saturn's rings are full of "fire-beings" who were banished to the rings by the alliance for unspecified crimes.
• "Uranous" by a race of humanoids not too dissimilar to humans.
• Neptune is inhabited by a race of fish-people.
• Pluto is inhabited by a race of ice-people.
• Jupiter is "the mystery planet of the universe," revealed (once Jet Dixon and the Space Squadron get involved) to be a volcanic hell, full of "explosions pouring out hydrogen flames and lava from cliffs of lava and ice," and inhabited by a flaming temptress who kills all those who "dared to conquer the flaming planet."
• Venus is presumably also inhabited, but is not mentioned.

The Space Squadron consists of:

• Jet Dixon, the Squadron's Head and a two-fisted adventurous type.
• Mxxptrm, the token Martian and a strong brawler-type.
• Bennett "Blast" Revere, who in his youth was like Dixon but who now functions as the elder statesman of the Squadron.
• Dawn Revere, Blast's daughter and Jet Dixon's love interest.
• Rusty Blake, the teen-sidekick.
• Edgar Revere, Blast's son and the enemy within; he's got black hair, though, so he must be evil, yes? Edgar feels he was unfairly passed over for Jet's position, and so is a frequent saboteur of the Squadron's efforts. They are all unaware of this, however, until Space Worlds #6, in which Edgar attempts to take over the Space Squadron and knock the Earth from its orbit. Edgar's plot is finally foiled by Jet, who says "you deserve to face the firing squad for this...but I can't turn in the brother of the girl I love! I'm not giving you away...this time!".
•  LLA 38, the Saturnian, who has the power of "brain suggestion." (LLA 38 is only a consultant and is not seen with every issue).

Note: The Space Squadron is very much like Star Trek's Federation, only a decade earlier. As Ronald Byrd points out, more than the average amount of thought went into Space Squadron.