MARTIANSMARTIANS
Classification: Semi-humanoid extraterrestrial race
Location/Base of Operations: Mars (active up to early 1950s)
Known Members: None named
Affiliations: None
Enemies: All humans, notably Skip Richards
First Appearance: Venus I#13/4 (April, 1951)
Powers/Abilities: These Martians are technologically advanced with interplanetary space travel and powerful atomic weapons. According to them, they are about 50 years ahead of Earth, although this approximation may be reduced due to paranoia (see Traits). They cannot breathe Earth's oxygen mix and require space suits, which are also fitted with a telepathy component on top of each helmet. This telepathy is limited to communication only without the need for language translation and they cannot mind control others.
These Martians appear to have compound
eyes, protruding from the head to give a wide field of vision. Incisor
teeth suggest a carnivorous diet and they seem to lack lips, making it
appear that their mouth is always at least partly open. Spindly limbs
indicate strong tight tendons. Their webbed frog-like feet indicate an
aqueous native environment (or origin).
Traits:These Martians are an aggressive yet
cautious species, preferring subterfuge over direct assault. They seek
to conquer, but watch and observe their targeted foe first before
engaging powerful weapons. It's unclear if their paranoia over
conquering Earth is from a general fear of domination by other aliens or from
observing Earth's devastating weapons, two atomic bombs and carnage
from World War II that had ended only six years earlier.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric humanoid bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head)
Fingers: Three (webbed)
Toes: Three (webbed)
Skin color: Green
Average height: 6'6"
History:
(Venus I#13/4 (fb) - BTS) - The web-footed Martians
had been observing Earth for 20 years and became concerned at
humankind's scientific progress. They felt that Earth was only 50 years
behind them technologically. Concerned Earth would catch up and destroy
them, the
Martians set out to conquer Earth, sending only one spaceship laden
with atomic weapons to destroy Earth's cities, confident this would be
sufficient for victory.
They landed near New Rochelle in New York State on a deserted beach on
Glen Island, unaware that a sci-fi movie publicity stunt organized by
Skip Richards was already underway nearby.
(Venus I#13/4 (fb)) - The Martians emerged from their
spacecraft just as Richards arrived, thinking his alien publicity stunt
had become waylaid. Richards was shocked by the real Martians' visage
but began to believe their extraterrestrial claim. Richards asked if
they were friendly but the Martians dismissed his hopes, bizarrely
declaring their intent and that they would then go into hiding to
return at an unrevealed time. The
Martians returned to their small blimp-like spacecraft and went out to
sea where they submerged. Richards rushed to his newspaper editor
contact Sidney Wayne to have the story published,
but his violent
desperate nature had him quickly incarcerated in a psychiatric ward.
Wayne nevertheless typed up Roberts' report.
(Venus I#13/4) - Wayne reread the article and
considered it too bizarre to print. The next day, two fishermen
unwittingly anchored their rowboat to the submerged Martian spacecraft
in Long Island Sound.
Comments: Created by uncredited writer & Dave Berg.
Skip Richards spoke to "C.B." at "Zenith Studios";
this is likely a reference to the legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille
and Paramount Pictures, even though DeMille didn't do sci-fi flicks.
It remains to be explained how so many different races/beings allegedly originated from Mars:
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
These Martians have no known connections to:
Skip Richards was the head of publicity at Zenith
Studios and responsible for the forward marketing of the Studios'
films. Big-time director C.B. wanted Richards to amp up the marketing
for his new film on a Martian invasion. Richards organized billboards
proclaiming "The Martians are coming!" plus a disguised blimp to land
and actors in bizarre spacesuit costumes to attract attention. However, real-life Martians had landed their spacecraft in
nearby New Rochelle just before the blimp stunt, so Richards dashed out
to investigate and encountered the real Martians. Richards hoped they were frindly, but the aliens declared
their plans to hide and later conquer Earth; they then steered their
ship into the sea and submerged. Richards rushed to his newspaper
editor contact Sidney Wayne to have the story published, but his
violent desperate nature and bizarre story had him quickly arrested and
incarcerated in a psychiatric ward. The next day, his arrest was
reported, but his encounter with the Martians had been deemed too crazy to
print.
--Venus I#13/4
Sidney Wayne was the managing editor of the New York
Times-Journal. He knew movie publicity agent Skip Richards for a few
years and printed publicity stories for him, including for an upcoming
big-budget film on a Martian invasion. However, Richards stumbled
across a real-life Martian invasion, although it consisted of only one
spaceship that hid underwater. Richards rushed to Wayne to report his
encounter but Richards' haste, desperation and the story's fantastic
nature made him appear unhinged, and he was arrested and incarcerated in a
psychiatric ward. Wayne nevertheless typed up Roberts' report, but upon
rereading the article, considered it too bizarre to print and tore it
up.
--Venus I#13/4
images: (without ads)
Venus I#13/4, p1, pan1 (main image)
p3, pan4 (headshot)
p3, pan4 (Richards)
p4, pan5 (Wayne)
Appearances:
Venus I#13/4 (April, 1951) - uncredited writer, Dave Berg (pencils
& inks), Stan Lee (editor)
First Posted: 08/04/2025
Last updated: 08/04/2025
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.!