MARTIANSMARTIANS
Classification: Humanoid extraterrestrial race
Location/Base of Operations: Apparently Mars (see comments), third planet from the sun in the Sol system, Milky Way Galaxy
Known Members: None identified
Affiliations: Eric Lamont
Enemies: They correctly suspected that humanity was not ready for them and would be unwelcoming to aliens circa 1956 A.D.
First Appearance: Adventure into Mystery#3/3 (September, 1956)
Powers/Abilities: The Martians had advanced technology including ships capable of interplanetary travel (and possibly interstellar travel, see comments).
The Martians on Earth had a skin tissue machine able to temporarily transform a being's appearance on the molecular level to mimic the appearance and structure of another being.
They possessed advanced
surveillance equipment, enabling them to monitor Earth and human
activities from Mars, at least,
They also used equipment to survey a planet upon which they had landed.
Traits:
The Martians are peaceful and cautious, preferring to observe and wait
for centuries if need be than risk contact with a race that was not yet
ready for them.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric humanoid bipeds
Fingers: Four (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Unrevealed
Skin color: Pale yellow
Average height: Approximately 5'10"
History:
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - For many centuries, the Martians studied humanity and their language(s?).
As of the middle of Earth's 20th Century A.D., they concluded that humanity was not yet prepared to receive their alien bodies and minds and that there would be a panic if the arrived on they revealed their presence to humanity.
Circa 1956, a group of at least five of the
Martians traveled via a spaceship to Earth on a scientific expedition
to survey the planet. They landed in the wilds of South America and
used their advanced technology to survey the land.
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3) - Exploring a
remote region of South America, Eric Lamont observed the Martians.
Excited at the prospect of meeting aliens, Lamont rushed to greet them.
Speaking in clipped, staccato words, their leader noted that it was
unfortunate that he had discovered them, but Lamont, ecstatic that they
spoke his language, insisted that it was not unfortunate but rather a
scientific miracle.
As Lamont fired a barrage of questions, the
leader advised him that they had not come to make contact with
Earthlings but were merely on a scientific expedition to survey the
planet. Lamont insisted that they could exchange a fantastic wealth of
knowledge, but the leader informed him that it could not be. His people
had studied humanity, and they were certain that a panic would ensue if
they revealed their presence.
After the leader revealed that in a century or
two, they might use their skin tissue machines to make a landing party
have more human faces in order to make contact.
Certain that humanity was ready to meet with them now, Lamont convinced the leader to subject him to the skin tissue machine, certain that when he -- posing as a Martian -- made contact with his people and was accepted that it would prove that there was nothing to fear. The leader agreed to let him test his theory, noting that he would had the skin of a Martian for 30 days.
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - The Martians gave Lamont a pellet of ore from Mars.
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 - BTS) - Two weeks later, Lamont appeared in a "great eastern city," claiming to be from Mars and meeting with Dr. Henry Melton of space research. Both the ore and examination of Lamont seemingly proved his claims to be true, and the information spread rapidly, with scientific and military groups insisting that they be the one to control further contact; additionally, foreign nations vied to control interaction with the alien.
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - At
some point, the Martians departed Earth (or, at least, departed from
their South American base).
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - After Melton put Lamont into hiding, he eventually reverted to his human form and claimed/revealed that his claims of being a Martian were part of a hoax. Accepting this, the various parties seeking to control the interaction with Martian relaxed.
(Adventure into Mystery#3/3 - BTS) - Returning to the Martians' former base in South America, Lamont appreciated that they had left and that they had been right: It would be many years before humanity could accept and welcome aliens.
Comments: Created by Paul Reinman and unidentified writer.
I don't see anything in this story
that would exclude it from taking place in Reality-616 around the time
of publication.
It remains to be explained how so many different races/beings allegedly originated from Mars.
The introductory text references the aliens being
from 10,000 light years apart from humanity, but when the aliens give
Lamont their appearance and structure, they note that he will have the
tissue of a Martian.
Obviously, Mars is not 10,000 light years from
Earth, but rather 3 minutes away at the speed of light, but it makes
good sense that the aliens were actually from a distant world and used
Mars as a local base.
As per my understanding, Earth is 26,000 light years
from the closest edge of the Milky Way, so 10,000 light years away
would put the aliens as within the Milky Way Galaxy.
Perhaps they had a different appearance but took on the appearance of other beings on Mars...or not...
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
These Martians should be distinguished from:
Capable of interplanetary travel (including landing on and departing
from a planetary atmosphere), the ship apparently transported at least
five Martians to Earth (landing in a remote wilderness region in South
America) from Mars and back again.It also contained their skin tissue machine. --Adventure into Mystery#3/3 Note: The interior of the ship is shown on the left in the skin tissue machine sub-profile. |
 The Martians on Earth had a skin tissue machine in their ship that was able
to temporarily transform a being's appearance on the molecular level to
mimic the appearance and structure of another being. A transformed human had a different skin texture and pore structure able to convince medical and scientific professionals that he was was not human The Martians had a very humanoid appearance, and they could transform themselves to appear human and could transform a human to mimic a Martian. Based on the name, I would think it could only affect superficial changes and not transform a being to have more a more non-humanoid form (such as a quadruped, insectoid, etc.) or transform a non-humanoid into humanoid form, but that is unconfirmed. The one time it was seen in use, it transformed a human into Martian form for thirty days, after which he reverted back to his natural form spontaneously. It is unrevealed whether the process could be adjusted to last longer or shorter durations. --Adventure into Mystery#3/3 Note: The two images show the exterior and interior of the skin tissue machine, along with the Martian leader and Eric Lamont in his true form. Lamont in Martian form is shown in the ore sub-profile below. |
 To
help Eric Lamont pose as a Martian, the Martians gave him a small piece
of ore that Lamont stated to have a density 5000 times that of any
known ore on Earth. Although Lamont was able to carry it without much trouble, it was apparently so dense/heavy that when dropped a short distance, it would break through a table. Lamont reported that a piece of ore the size of a golf ball could not be lifted. --Adventure into Mystery#3/3 Note: The image shows Eric Lamont in Martian form, and the ore isn't actually seen, just the effects of it smashing through the table. |
Adventure into Mystery#3/3, pg. 1, panel 1 (surveying South American wilderness);
panel 2 (face in profile);
panel 3 (five faces talking to Lamont);
pg. 2, panel 1 (leader, face and hand);
panel 2 (spaceship);
panel 4 (skin tissue machine exterior);
panel 5 (skin tissue machine interior);
pg. 3, panel 2 (Eric Lamont in Martian form, dropping ore through a table)
Appearances:
Adventure into Mystery#3/3 "Bedlam" (September, 1956) - unidentified writer, Paul Reinman (artist)
First posted: 04/20/2025
Last updated: 04/20/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!