Zakul, the Great

Origin
When Spurs Jackson, Hank Roper, and Strong Bow return to Mars in a rocketship, they are greeted by Queen Thula, who instructs them to not remove their helmets. The atmosphere of Mars has been diminishing, and it is too thin for them to breath. Through investigation, Spurs Jackson and his Space Vigilantes discover that someone is suctioning off the atmosphere, condensing it into liquid, and storing it.

That someone is Zakul, the Great, and his co-conspirators. Zakul is calling the shots by radio signal from his lair on the Martin moon, Phobos. Zakul's henchmen capture Spurs Jackson and his ranch hands. When Queen Thula's ship leaves find a breathable planet, a hireling of the Chief Scientist, in cahoots with Zakul, spreads deceitful rumors the Queen abandoned the capital. Zakul has ordered missiles to destroy the city, and turn the populous against the queen.

As the Spurs and the Space Vigilantes manage an escape, Zakul sends a flying bomb to destroy Queen Thula's spaceship. The bomb is ineffectual, as Spurs and his men replaced the explosives with liquid air. Spurs and his Space Vigilantes confronts Zakul before leaving in their ship.

Zakul orders their own ship launched to destroy the Earth ship. The smaller ship from Earth proves more maneuverable, and blows up the other spacecraft. Spurs and his men captured the traitors and returned the atmosphere to Mars. Queen Thula thanks Spurs and his Space Vigilantes.

Public Domain Appearances
Space Western #42 (1952-Charlton Comics)