MARTIAN PARASITE(s)MARTIAN PARASITE(s)
Classification: Parasitic
extraterrestrial race (or perhaps a unique being)
Location/Base of Operations: Presumably Mars (see comments);
one was based on Earth within an unidentified prison (presumably in the USA) circa 1952 A.D.;
Known Members: "The Parasite" (unidentified, referred to itself as "a parasite from Mars";
it is unrevealed if the Parasite is a unique being or one of many such creatures (and, if so, how many)
Affiliations: Harry Harris (host)
formerly Monk Gibson (host)
Enemies: Monk Gibson; Harry Harris' subsequent cell mate
at least formerly Harry Harris
Aliases: Parasite;
"that spooky <or blasted> head" (description from Harris)
First Appearance: Adventure into Terror#8/3 (February, 1952)
Powers/Abilities:
The Parasite lived on the blood of the living, attaching themselves to
human bodies (and perhaps other organic beings) and living with those
bodies until their host died.
Upon the death of a host, the Martians could then transfer into another body. It is unrevealed over what distance and duration a Martian could transfer, but the Parasite made a transfer over a very short time period and over a distance of perhaps 20'.
The Parasite, at least, could
control its host's mind, forcing it to batter a person to comply with
the parasite's wishes even when that person told the host that the
parasite wish for for him to murder the host. It could also apparently
read the thoughts of its host.
The Parasite, at least, could
cause its host to appear to be completely normal when in the presence
of other beings. At will, it could project its head and neck from the
chest of the host, and it could speak to others.
It is unrevealed whether the
Parasite or any other such creatures had more than a head and neck, as
that was all that was ever seen to project out of the body of its host.
Traits: The Parasite, at least, enjoyed manipulating others and thought little of human life.
If it did not enjoy a host, it
would manipulate a more desirable target to slay its current host,
after which it would bond to that target. Or, perhaps it just enjoyed
manipulating others into killing its host and then possessing that
being.
Type: Parasitic being
Eyes: Two (on head; skull-like pupils seen)
Fingers: Unrevealed (if any)
Toes: Unrevealed (if any)
Skin color: Green
Average height: Only about 1' of head and neck was ever shown
Other Distinguishing Features:
Raised ellipsoid structures atop head, elongated & pointed ear
tips, enlarged and pointed maxillary canine teeth, as well as pointed
mandibular and maxillary incisors.
History:
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 (fb) - BTS) - Under
unrevealed circumstances, the Parasite bonded to Monk Gibson, who was
imprisoned within an unidentified prison.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 (fb) - BTS) - The
first day in a cell with Gibson, newly imprisoned convict Harry Harris
apparently saw the Parasite's head projecting from Gibson's chest.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 - BTS) - Harris
complained to the guard, but after the guard had Monk get up and show
that he did not have a second head, Harris quieted down and went to his
bunk. 
(Adventure into Terror#8/3) - That night, at
midnight, the Parasite called out to Harry, who heard the voice coming
from Monk's bed but realized it was not Monk's voice.
Following the voice, Harry's eyes acclimated to
see alien head projecting from the sleeping Monk's chest. The Parasite
told Harry that he did not like being part of a "stupid gorilla" like
Monk and that he wanted Harry to help him by kill Monk.
Harry refused to take part in murder, and so the Parasite told Monk to beat up Harry for refusing to do it a small favor. Even when Harry told Monk that the favor was to kill him, Monk complied, battering Harry while the Parasite urged him on.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 - BTS) - Every other day for a month, Monk delivered a beating to Harris.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3) - Finally, when
the Parasite told Harry that the next day Monk would also cut him up a
little, Harry was frightened enough of this additional level of injury
that he agreed to kill Monk. Bidding Harry good night, the Parasite
told him that he was doing the smart thing.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 - BTS) - As he fell asleep, Harry considered that he would at least also be killing the "spooky head," too.
The next day, Harry shoved Monk into what appeared to be boiling water, killing him. The prison records indicated Monk's death to be an accident.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 (fb) - BTS) - With Monk's death, the Parasite bonded to Harry's body.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3) - That night, as
Harry went to bed, the Parasite emerged from his chest, revealing its
origins and mockingly telling Harry that it could never die.
(Adventure into Terror#8/3 - BTS) - The next
night, a new prisoner transferred to Harry's cell cried out to the
guard to get him out of there, and the guard, mockingly asked if he was
going to tell him that Harry had two heads.
Comments: Created by Hank Chapman and Bill Walton.
What did the Parasite(s) do on Mars?
Did it/they bond to other Martian race(s) and/or beings there?
How did the Parasite get to Earth?
Maybe it bonded to one of the astronauts who traveled to Mars in this time period in Reality-616.
There is only one confirmed Martian parasite on Earth, but even if there were more, I don't see any reason why this story could not have occurred on Earth-616 at the time of publication, circa 1951-1952.
It is certainly possible that the Parasite was
some sort of unique and/or demonic being and that it perhaps lied about
being from Mars to enhance Harris' fear. Perhaps it fed on fear?
However, there is nothing in-story to suggest that what the Parasite said was untrue.
Regardless, it remains to be explained how so many different races/beings allegedly originated from Mars.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Martian Parasite(s) should be distinguished from:
images: (without ads)
Adventure into Terror#8/3, pg. 3, panel 5 (face above Monk's chest);
pg. 4, panel 1 (with Monk);
pg. 5, panel 4 (with Harris)
Appearances:
Adventure into Terror#8/3 "The Parasite" (February, 1952) - Hank Chapman (writer), Bill Walton (artist), unidentified editor
First posted: 06/13/2025
Last updated: 06/13/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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