PLANET X-41PLANET X-41
Official Name: Planet X-41
Nature: Alternate reality (Reality-60188) extraterrestrial planet, unidentified star cluster, unidentified galaxy
Environment: Life-sustaining biosphere
Gravity: Appears to possess a gravitational field in which humans could function comfortably
Atmosphere: Probably Earth-like (mostly nitrogen and oxygen), as Garnett did not need a helmet or breathing apparatus
Natural Satellites: Unrevealed
Artificial Satellites Unrevealed; probably none
Natives: Assorted flora; giant lizard-like creatures that grew from a species of flowers
Population: Unrevealed; likely in the millions
Capital City: Unrevealed; probably none
Government: Unrevealed; probably none
Languages: Unrevealed; probably none
Monetary Unit: Unrevealed; probably none
Major Resources: Unrevealed
Planetary Defense: Unrevealed; probably none
Places of Interest: None identified
Prominent Residents: None identified
Visitors: Hank Garnett of Earth
First Appearance: Journey into Mystery I#56 (January, 1960)
Significant Features: The planet known as X-41 was located near a star cluster.
The surface (or at least parts of it) was covered with lush vegetation and contained some mountainous terrain.
The planet had an extremely humid atmosphere, which resulted in rain showers every quarter hour.
In addition to a variety of plant life, Planet X-41 was home to a race of giant lizard-like creatures.
However, unlike on Earth and other planets, flora and fauna on Planet X-41 were not two separate forms of life.
Rather, the lizards were birthed from a species of large red flowers.
At a certain point in their lives, the flowers began bearing seeds, shedding them by the thousands.
Some time later, the flowers started to rapidly increase in size.
Eventually the rate of growth became so fast that it was visible to the naked eye.
Once the flowers were fully mature and had ceased growing, they changed their shape, evolving into the giant lizards.
Both the flowers and lizards were very sensitive to thirst and required
an abundance of water in order to survive. They were dependent on
Planet X-41's rainy climate and had difficulty adapting to drier
atmospheres. The flowers, once removed from their native environment,
became fragile and tended to wither and die if they were not soon
replanted in soil and watered regularly. Likewise the lizards lost
consciousness if they went too long without water, and their limited
intelligence restricted their capacity to adjust to new surroundings.
The
lizards, who could be quite aggressive, were very protective towards
their offspring seedlings, guarding them until they, too, reached
maturity and transformed. Their protective instinct was so strong that
they could somehow sense when other beings intended harm to their
offspring, even when such danger was not immediate.
History:
(Journey into Mystery I#56 (fb)) - Veteran intergalactic
explorer Hank Garnett was part of a multi-ship team exploring the star
cluster. Garnett embarked on a solo mission to investigate Planet X-41.
While on the planet, he encountered the fierce lizard creatures.
Fearing for his life, he fled back to his vessel. On the way he noticed
some beautiful red flowers he hadn't seen before and grabbed a handful
of them to take back with him as samples of the native vegetation.
Barely escaping, he met up with the rest of his team at the edge of the
cluster. He reported his findings and decided to warn other explorers
to avoid the planet. His team then began the thirty-two hour voyage
back home. 
By the time they landed on Earth, all but one of the flowers from
Planet X-41 had withered and died. Grateful that at least one specimen
survived, Garnett hurried back to his apartment to replant the flower
before it too expired. He was quickly surprised by just how much water
the flower needed; it required multiple watering throughout the day.
About a week later, the flower started shedding thousands of
seeds. Garnett realized that there might be a market for these exotic
alien artifacts and took them to a florist wholesaler who marketed
them. Soon all the seeds were sold—to customers across the globe who
were curious about these mysterious plants which had originated on "the
planet of danger" and who were eager to see them bloom.
Shortly
after, Garnett noticed that the flower's growth was increasing rapidly,
and he became concerned about this unexpected development. And then the
unthinkable happened—the flower's shape began to transform. As it
gradually assumed a giant reptilian form, Garnett finally understood
the flower's true nature—that it was the source of Planet X-41's ferocious lizards!
Watching the newborn lizard
emerge, Garnett realized the tremendous threat he had unwittingly
unleashed upon the world. If other lizards were to "hatch", they could
cause massive destruction and potentially even overrun the planet! He
tried to flee so that he could warn others of the impending danger, but
the creature blocked his escape. Garnett realized that it was somehow
able to sense the threat he posed toward its offspring. Now trapped, he
was at the mercy of the deadly beast.
But suddenly the lizard cried out in agony, and Garnet quickly surmised
what was happening. Like its floral predecessor, the lizard too
required water, and it had gone without it for too long. Not
understanding that it doesn't rain on Earth as often as it does on its
home planet (not to mention the fact that it was currently indoors!),
the creature was helpless. Unable to endure its unbearable thirst any
longer, the mighty lizard fainted. Garnett finally escaped his
apartment and quickly spread the alarm.
Luckily no other lizards had sprouted yet. The thousands of
seeds and flowers that had been spread around the world were all safely
recovered. Garnett and a crew transported the plants, as well as the
lizard, back to Planet X-41, relieved that they were able to save the
Earth in time. Garnett realized he had been foolish to assume that life
on other planets would always maintain the same separation between
plants and animals as it did on Earth. And because of his naivety, he
had nearly caused global catastrophe. Humbled, he and his teammates
recognized that their limited knowledge required them to be more
careful in their future explorations of the vast universe.
Safely back on Earth, Garnett could finally appreciate the
irony of the whole episode -- these powerful creatures that had threatened the entire planet had been
defeated so easily because they didn't know that their much-needed
water was readily available by simply turning on a faucet.
(Journey into Mystery I#56) - One year later, Hank Garnett
reflected back on his harrowing experience and concluded that "for
sheer danger and hidden hazards, nothing can match the peril of Planet
X-41".
Comments: Created by Jack Kirby, Christopher Rule, and an unidentified writer (possibly also Jack Kirby).
"I Planted the Seeds of Doom" was reprinted in Where Creatures Roam#6 (May, 1971).
As was often the case, the reprint made changes to the story's colors.
Unlike some other reprints, however, none of the dialogue or narration was altered.
The story was also reprinted in Monsters: The Marvel Monsterbus by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby Vol. 1 in 2017.
The story took place in the future, but the year is never
specified. Hank Garnett began his explorer career in 1990, and he has
already visited a number of planets by the time the story begins.
The differentiation between animals and plants is based on
several biological characteristics, but probably the most apparent one
is that most animals have developed the capacity for mobility, whereas
plants are mainly stationary.
Profile by Zuckyd1.
CLARIFICATIONS :
Planet X-41 of Reality-60188 has no known connections to:
images: (without ads)
Journey into Mystery I#56/3, pg. 1, panel 1 (Hank Garnett on Planet X-41);
pg. 2, panel 5 (Garnett watering the flower);
pg. 4, panel 1 (the flower transforming);
panel 2 (the lizard in Garnett's apartment);
Appearances:
Journey into Mystery I#56/3 (January, 1960) "I Planted the Seeds of Doom!"
- unidentified writer (Jack Kirby?), Jack Kirby (pencils), Christopher Rule (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 04/25/2025
Last updated: 04/19/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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