MARTIANS
Classification: Humanoid extraterrestrial (active at least 1950s era)
Location/Base of Operations: Mars
Known Members: None
Affiliations: None;
one maritime Martian ship's crew inadvertently helped
Earth vessel North Star (Hansen, Rory
Shea, Tinker, other crew
members)
Enemies: None
First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery I#32/5
(March, 1956)
Powers/Abilities: These Martians still rely on
sea transportation for freight. Possibly as an exception from fate,
there has been one instance of instantaneous radio contact between Mars
and Earth; that radio unit may have translated Martian into English (or
maritime Martians speak English). Webbing between fingers suggests an
aqua ability or origin.
Traits: Maritime Martian captains are friendly
to other sea vessels in distress.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric humanoid
bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head, color unrevealed (possibly black))
Fingers: Four (plus opposing thumb) (webbed between digits)
Toes: Unrevealed (presumably five)
Skin color: "Pink" (comparable to Caucasian humanity), at least
Average height: Unrevealed
History:
(Journey Into Mystery I#32/5 (fb) - BTS) - A Martian
sea freighter headed to a port on Mars, but encountered serious
problems. It sent out an S.O.S. signal, which was remarkably received
by the human-staffed freighter, the "North Star", captained by Rory
Shea, on Earth seas. Shea mistook the Martians' S.O.S.
signals to be coming from a local vessel. However, the signals shifted
location, so Shea ordered the North Star follow the S.O.S. By
astounding coincidence, the North Star's redirections led to it
narrowly avoiding various disasters. Both captains were friendly to
each other as Shea tried to reach the origin of the signal (unaware it
was from another planet). Meanwhile, the Martian vessel had recovered.
(Journey Into Mystery I#32/5) - The Martian captain
told his communications officer to radio thanks to the North Star, but
help was no longer needed as his vessel was functioning again and
nearing port.
Comments: Created by uncredited writer & John Forte.
The secret of the story isn't revealed until the last
2 panels; one panel shows the Martian ship and port, the other panel
shows two Martians.
It remains to be explained how so many different races/beings allegedly originated from Mars:
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
These Martians should be distinguished from:
The North Star was the freighter ship captained by
Rory Shea on Earth. By chance, it received instantaneous S.O.S. radio
signals from a similar but stricken vessel on Mars. However, The
Martian signal shifted, so Shea changed course, chasing the signal,
which coincidentally averted various disasters that would have severely
damaged the ship. Eventually, the Martian captain no longer needed help
and the North Star continued on its way.
--Journey Into Mystery I#32/5
Captain Rory Shea captained the ocean-going freighter
"North Star", which bizarrely intercepted instantaneous S.O.S. radio
signals from a similar but stricken vessel on Mars. The human crew
mistook the Martians' S.O.S. signals to be coming from a local vessel.
However, the signals shifted location, so Shea ordered the North Star
follow the S.O.S. By astounding coincidence (or fate, as Shea
suggested), the North Star's redirections led to it narrowly avoiding
disaster, including a crushing hailstorm, a reef, a fog-shrouded
derelict and a old floating war mine. Eventually, the Martian captain
no longer needed help and contact ceased; Shea remained unaware of the
S.O.S. signals' true origin.
--Journey Into Mystery I#32/5
images: (without ads)
Journey Into Mystery I#32/5, p4, pan7 (two Martians)
p4, pan6 (Martian ship)
p1, pan2 (North Star)
p2, pan6 (Shea, standing)
p3, pan5 (Shea, headshot)
Appearances:
Journey Into Mystery I#32/5 (March, 1956) - uncredited writer, John
Forte (art), Stan Lee (editor)
First Posted: 03/03/2026
Last updated: 03/03/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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