MARTIANS
Classification: Alternate reality humanoid extraterrestrial
Location/Base of Operations: Green-flamed
regions, Mars
Known Members: Vorga, at least four others
Affiliations: Jan, several other humans
Enemies: Most humans stationed on Mars
First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery I#35/7
(June, 1956)
Powers/Abilities: Martians hide inside small
areas surrounded by geyser-like green flames that defy human sensors;
these are on an otherwise desolate Mars. These Martians can
telepathically reach aliens like humans via flame-induced dreams,
captivating them and drawing them in to show their idyllic garden-like
world within the flames which they consider to be the "true" Mars. They
appear like Earth women (see comments).
Traits: Martians communicate only with those who are not frightened by the green flames. They smile welcomely at new visitors.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric humanoid
bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head, color unrevealed)
Fingers: Four (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Unrevealed (presumably five)
Skin color: "Pink" (comparable to Caucasian humanity), at least
Average height: Comparable to adult Caucasian females; about 5'4"
History:
(Journey Into Mystery
I#35/7 (fb) - BTS) - Earth had begun to spread beyond its orbit. It
established (or became part of) the Galaxy Patrol. Earthmen were
assigned to outposts on the desolate Martian surface (which had an
Earth-like breathable atmosphere) to provide weather reports for the
Galaxy Patrol. However, the Martian surface had at least several small
areas walled off by high-shooting green flame that defied human sensors, but
which apparently contained hidden idyllic gardens populated by Martians
who appeared like human women. The overly cautious Earthmen rarely left
their outposts and used special lenses to see the green flames and be
protected from its apparent hypnotic alluring effects. However,
sometimes an Earthman saw the flames unguarded and was diagnosed with
"Martian fever", his temperature rising and then rushing toward the
flames only to be lost. The outpost would then call for a replacement.
(Journey Into Mystery I#35/7) - The commander of an
outpost showed his latest arrival the Martian landscape and warned him of the apparent dangers of the
green flame. But Jan was not frightened by the
flames like the other humans. Just thinking about it induced a deep sleep for Jan and he had
a vision of the Martian Vorga appearing through mist. She said few
humans showed an understanding and offered to show him the "true" Mars. She
took the entranced Jan through the mist to the peaceful garden and saw
other Martian "women"; he asked to stay, but Vorga turned away and he
was pulled back through the mist. Jan woke in a fever before the
commander, who warned him he had Martian fever with hallucinations, but
Jan violently pushed past and ran across the surface into the flames. Inside, Jan was welcomed by the smiling Vorga.
Comments: Created by uncredited writer &
John Forte.
For me, this comes under the heading of "Yeah, nah!"
Yes, I get the premise and understand the story at face value, but no,
the Martians sound a bit dodgy to me. The Martian Vorga, surprisingly
adult, female, attractive and human-like in guise, appears to the timid
Jan in a
Martian flame-induced sleep, showing him a vision of an idyllic locale
with only beautiful women of his apparent ethnicity (why are there no
men or those humans previously
lost to the flames?). Jan wakes obsessed, becomes violent and runs to
Vorga
through the green flame barrier. Vorga sounds more like a siren,
calling
to vulnerable men, seducing them much like the Jovian Infra
from Reality-5106. Indeed, it
could be that Vorga is the only one in
the flames and the other Martians were just an illusion by Vorga to
lure Jan in; likewise her human form and the Earth-like garden idyll in
the flames could be illusions.
Jan was part of the "Galaxy Patrol"? It's probably
more limited to the solar system and near space bodies, similar to
Reality-5106's Space Squadron, but that's my speculation. The story may be
by the same writer.
It remains to be explained how so many
different races/beings allegedly originated from Mars:
- Is there some Nexus of Realities on Mars through
which numerous Martians from other realities have traveled to Earth-616?
- Is there some cosmic manipulator (like the Stranger
or Immortus)
who is transporting various races to Mars and then removing them and
traces of their existence when they have served their purpose?
- Have the various incarnations of the Man
on the Wall been eliminating Martian races/colonizers after they
threaten Earth?
- We don't have the answers to those questions, but
maybe someone will answer them someday.
Profile by Grendel
Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
These Martians should be distinguished from:
Jan
Jan was the latest arrival
of a weather outpost on desolate Mars. Jan's commander showed him the
Martian landscape from the outpost's balcony. Inside, he warned
Jan of the apparent dangers of a nearby area of high-shooting green
flame that required protective lenses or else it could induce "Martian
fever". But Jan felt at peace
at the outpost and unfazed by the flames. Just thinking about it
induced a deep sleep for Jan and he had a vision of a Martian calling
herself Vorga
appearing through mist. She said few humans showed an understanding and
offered to show him the "true" Mars. She took the entranced Jan through
the mist to a peaceful garden and saw other Martian "women"; he
asked to stay, but Vorga turned away and he was pulled back through the
mist. Jan woke in a fever before the commander, who warned him he had
Martian fever with hallucinations, but Jan violently pushed past and
ran toward the flames without protective lenses. The commander broke
off pursuit once Jan had vanished and called Galaxy Patrol for another
replacement. Inside the flame-walled garden of contentment, Jan was
welcomed by the smiling Vorga.
--Journey Into Mystery I#35/7
Vorga
Vorga was one of the Martians inside an area of
otherwise desolate Mars surrounded by a wall of a high-shooting green
flame that defied human sensors. In a dream, she appeared to Jan, a
human on the weather outpost, who was not frightened by the captivating
flames like other Earthmen. In the vision-like dream, Vorga took Jan
beyond the green flame to show him the "true" Mars: an idyllic garden
with beautiful women like herself. He asked to stay, but she turned
away (suggesting he had to make the physical journey himself). Awake
and obsessed with reaching her, Jan ran across the Martian surface and
through the flame, where he was welcomed by Vorga.
--Journey Into Mystery I#35/7
images: (without ads)
Journey Into Mystery I#35/7, p3, pan4 (main image; Martians, group)
p4, pan7 (Martian, single)
p1, pan1 (green flame)
p1, pan1 (Jan, uniform)
p3, pan5 (Jan, headshot)
p2, pan7 (Vorga)
Appearances:
Journey Into Mystery I#35/7 (June, 1956) - uncredited writer, John
Forte (art), Stan Lee (editor)
First Posted: 02/14/2026
Last updated: 02/14/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let
me know.
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