Rocket Riley was the assistant and rocket pilot for Professor Sterling who was the father of Riley's fiancee Griselda Sterling. The Professor was creating experimental rocket ships powered by atomic energy that could not be allowed to fall into enemy hands such as Von Strangle, a spy ring master. Von Strangle attempts with his henchmen Sam Yacco to take the rocket while the professor gave Riley and Griselda a tour of the ship. However during the struggle, the rocket was launched into space and pulled into the gravitational pull of another planet. The crew managed to land the ship safely, but they are attacked by Octopus Men. The aliens kill Yacco and pursue the others latching on to the rocket as it flew away. Riley fought and killed the Octopus Men on the ship using his knife and ice gun.