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MOLE-MEN

Classification: Terrestrial semi-humanoids

Location/Base of Operations: Deep under Earth's surface (1950s era)

Known Members: None named

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Humans (Freddie Peters, others)

First Appearance: Marvel Tales#152/6 (November, 1956) (Atlas)

Powers/Abilities: The Mole-Men live deep underground, but have developed technologically with limited exploration beyond their subterranean pocket (see comments). They have developed chemical weapons and guns with unknown capacity.

   They average 5'5" in height. Of note is that they cannot breathe oxygen.

Traits: Mole-Men appear to live in a patriarchy with a single ruler. They value the benefits science can bring in the military pursuit of expanding their domain.

 

History:

(Marvel Tales#152/6 (fb) - BTS) - For unspecified reasons, the Mole-Men made plans to invade the surface world, developing gas machines that would churn out thick gray fog onto the surface. An initial test was scheduled with a more intense gas run set to destroy surface creatures so that the Mole-Men could rule the surface.

(Marvel Tales#152/6) - The Mole-Men's fog oozed out of the ground, forcing the residents of a small rural town to evacuate. One human boy, Freddie Peters, returned to investigate wearing a gas mask and stumbled across three Mole-Men on the surface. They chased the boy, but were exposed to the normal oxygen-rich atmosphere of the surface (poisonous to Mole-Men) and the three invaders were forced to retreat underground. They reported to their ruler that the surface world is covered by oxygen, thus denying any future chance of Mole-Men ruling the surface.  The ruler ordered that the gas machines be shut down and the invasion was called off.

 

Comments: Created by uncredited writer, Bob Forgione (pencils), Jack Abel (inks).

They are referred to as Mole-Men in the title of the story only.

Somewhat unique on Marvel Earth as a bipedal subterranean race that doesn't process oxygen, indicating they adapted in an isolated pocket. Should these Mole-Men ever encounter other subterranean races, they'll likely be destroyed when the more prevalent oxygen-rich subterranean atmosphere enters their realm, or be forced to live in containment suits.

It's not specified where on Earth's surface they emerged, but the architecture suggests a rural American community.

Grand Comics Database lists Stan Lee as the likely (but unconfirmed) writer.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Mole-Men have no known connections to

Freddie Peters

Freddie and his family were evacuated from the village where the Mole-Men's strange fog first appeared. Freddie prized his father's old army gas mask and took it with him, later using it to investigate the fog by himself when he spied and overheard the Mole-Men's invasion plans. He ran away and tripped, but was saved when the Mole-Men were forced to retreat due to different atmosphere needs. When the fog cleared, Freddie kept quiet about what he had seen, sure that his family and neighbors would laugh at him.

 

 

--Marvel Tales#152/6

images: (without ads)
Marvel Tales#152/6, p4, pan1 (main image)
   p3, pan5 (headshots)
   p4, pan3 (ruler, seated)
   p2, pan2 (Freddie Peters)

Appearances:
Marvel Tales#152/6 (November, 1956) - uncredited writer, Bob Forgione (pencils), Jack Abel (inks), Stan Lee (editor)

Last updated: 01/31/18

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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