Rick Random, Space Detective, was a comic book character who appeared in Super Detective Library, published by Amalgamated Press, from 1954 until 1961. He reappeared briefly in 1978 in a 2000 AD 'sci-fi special,' which reprinted the Harry Harrison-authored story "The SOS from Space," and in a new story "The Riddle of the Astral Assassin," written by Steve Moore, which appeared in May 1979 in the weekly comic. His first appearance was in the Super Detective Library #37 in a tale titled 'Crime Rides the Spaceways.' Random worked for the Interplanetary Bureau of Investigation, and among his arch-enemies was a futuristic bank robber, John Jolson, who used a matter transmitter in one story to steal gold from London's Interplanetary Bank. Random's female companion was Detective Superintendent Andi Andrews.

The comics appeared in 64-page 'pocket books', and artwork was usually by Ron Turner. Turner's distinctive artwork often graced the back cover of the British comic TV 21 from 1965 to 1967, when he illustrated the regular strip featuring Terry Nation's Doctor Who villains, The Daleks. Later Turner went on to work for 2000 AD and Doctor Who Magazine.

Harry Harrison wrote the following Rick Random stories:

"Rick Random and the S.O.S. from Space," November 1957, Super Detective Library (Amalgamated Press). Script: Harry Harrison. Pencils and Inks: James McConnell and Ron Turner. Reprinted in a 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special, 1978. Responding to an SOS message, Rick travels to the planet Gyzma where he encounters a form of alien apartheid, and solves a 10,000 year old mystery and revives an alien race long thought to be extinct.

"Rick Random and the Space Pirates," May 1958, Super Detective Library #127 (Amalgamated Press). Script: Harry Harrison. Pencils and Inks: James McConnell and Ron Turner.

"Rick Random's Perilous Mission," June 1958, Super Detective Library #129 (Amalgamated Press). Script: Harry Harrison. Pencils and Inks: James McConnell and Ron Turner.

"Rick Random and the Mystery of the Robot World," Super Detective Library #137 (Amalgamated Press), October 1958. On the planet Arcadia, robots outnumber the human population by a thousand to one - but they are forbidden to kill! The evil Gehra, leader of the planet's War Party wants a war between Earth and Arcadia and creates an army of Omicroms - robots designed to attack Earth's machines - Only Rick can save the world from Gehra's mechanical invaders!*

"Rick Random and the Terror from Space," January 1959, Super Detective Library #143 (Amalgamated Press). Script: Harry Harrison. Pencils and Inks: James McConnell and Ron Turner. This story has Rick almost single-handedly thwarting an invasion of the body snatchers-style alien invasion.

Thanks to Arthur Lortie for details of Harry Harrison's stories.

Plot details (except * which is from Arthur Lortie), background information and images taken from the Heroes of the Spaceways website.