History:
ERNEST KEITH
Real Name: Ernest Keith
Identity/Class: Human (Post-World
War II Era)
Occupation: Astronomer
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: General Starner, Professor Wohler
Enemies: "The Invaders"
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: An observatory on a university campus somewhere in the eastern USA
First Appearance: Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2 (April, 1956)
Powers/Abilities: Ernest Keith was an experienced astronomer.
Height: Unrevealed
(approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 170 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black with gray streaks
History:
(Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2) - After many years of running an university observatory, Ernest Keith was informed the observatory's owners had placed Professor Wohler in charge of the faacility because of his superior knowledge of astronomy. Professor Keith was put out by this, even as he showed Professor Wohler around the facility. Professor Keith explained he'd come to think of the obsrvatory's telescope as his own.
As Professor Keith went to look through the telescope he spottted what seemed to be an enormous plastic ball containing a race of extraterrestrial men. He could see the men in the ball were being trained in the ways of war. Professor Wohler looked at the ball but told Professor Keith there was no cause for alarm. That evening, when Professor Keith left the observatory, he went directly aboard a train bound for Washington D.C., determined to warn them of the "Invaders." Professor Keith hoped that by stopping the Invaders the university would reverse their decision and restore him his position at the observatory.
Professor Keith went to General Starner and described what he'd sen to him. General Starner agreed to look through the telescope to see it for himself. Boarding a military plane, they flew directly back to the observatory. Although Professor Keith felt bad about going over Professor Wohler's head, Professor Wohler made no trouble and suggested General Starner should look through the telescope. General Starner saw the ball seemed to be very close. However, Professor Wohler again stated there was no need for alarm, explaining even if the ball had been launched from Mars it would take the Invaders 100 million years to reach Earth. General Starner was chagrined and noted they had more than enough time to deal with the Invaders, then left with his staff.
Professor Keith apologized to Professor Wohler for going over his head but Professor Wohler told him there was no need to apologize. Taking Professor Keith out to the observatory's balcony, Wohler opened his shirt and revealed he had the same markings as the Invaders. He explained his ancestors started for Earth 100 million years ago. However, Wohler told Keith there was no reason to fear; Professor Wohler had seen the goodness of mankind and when the Invaders arrive, they would be certain to establish friendly relations with humanity.
Comments: Created by Carl Wessler and Al Williamson.
This profile was completed on 03/04/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Ernest Keith should not be confused with:
The "Invaders" were an extraterrestrial race who possibly originated from the planet Mars. Their bodies had green skin but their faces were white and they had white markings on their chests. 100 million years ago, an army of the Invaders' people journeyed to Earth to prepare for conquest but by the time they arrived their descendents (including Professor Wohler) had realized humans were good and should make peace with them. Another invasion force of the Invaders set out aboard a large plastic ball, but were due to arrive 100 million years later, when Wohler anticipated they would choose to make peace with humanity.
--Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2
General Starner was a U.S. military official based in Washington D.C. When Professor Keith saw the approaching "Invaders," he informed General Starner of what he'd seen. General Starner came to the observatory and saw the Invaders for himself, but Professor Wohler explained they wouldn't arrive for 100 million years. General Starner was a bit chagrined at this information and noted they'd been given plenty of time to prepare for the Invaders' arrival.
--Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2
Professor Wohler was descended from an army of the "Invaders" who had spent 100 million years travelling to Earth. Wohler saw the goodness of humanity and resolved to work peacefully with humans. Wohler used his great knowledge of astronomy to attain a position at an university observatory, displacing Professor Keith. When Professor Keith saw more of Wohler's people were coming toward Earth, Wohler told him there was no cause for alarm. When Professor Keith brought General Starner to see the approaching ball of Invaders, Wohler explained they wouldn't arrive for another 100 million years. After General Starner left, Professor Wohler shared his true nature with Professor Keith, explaining his origins to him and telling him his people would make peace with humanity.
--Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2
images: (without ads)
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2, page 1, panel 1 (main)
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2, page 2, panel 6 (face)
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2, page 2, panel 2 (Invaders)
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2, page 3, panel 7 (Starner)
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2, page 2, panel 3 (Wohler)
Appearances:
Strange Tales of the Unusual I#3/2 (April, 1956) - Carl Wessler
(writer), Al Williamson (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/09/2026
Last updated:
03/04/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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