FLAME-TONGUED LIZARDFLAME-TONGUED LIZARD
Classification: Alternate reality (Earth-54136)
extraterrestrial race (fauna);
circa 2223 A.D.
Location/Base of Operations: Venus, second from the sun in the Sol system
Known Members: None identified
Affiliations: None known
Enemies: Unidentified hunter
First Appearance: Astonishing I#35/5 (October, 1954)
Powers/Abilities: Flame-tongued lizards are quadrupeds, covered in scales, have sharp teeth and three-clawed toes on each foot (the claws are broad-based and possibly composed of bone, or otherwise just dense chitin), and a large, thick, red, forked-tipped tongue.
Their claws could presumably be used for weapons as well as for climbing.
They are presumably poikilothermic
(cold-blooded, with body temperature and metabolism significantly
regulated by ambient temperature)
It is presumed that they are named
for their red-colored tongue, as there is not evidence that their
tongues actually emit heat or flames (but maybe they do)
Their scaled skin may provide some enhanced resistance to injury, but, regardless, they cannot withstand a short-range blast from the neutron gun.
Traits: Unrevealed.
The one observed was blasted from behind, and it may have been taken unaware or it may have been fleeing from an assault.
Their claws may indicate that they
were arboreal, perhaps climbing trees to hunter prey therein and/or to
escape other potential attackers.
Their sharp, fanged teeth would appear to make them carnivorous (or omnivorous), but that is unconfirmed.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric reptilian quadrupeds
Eyes: Two (on head; dark color seen)
Toes: Three
Skin color: Green scales
Average length: Unrevealed. Seen in the foreground some distance
from a human, it is difficult to tell whether they were 1', 3', 6', 12'
or more long. They were considered big game and a worthy challenge for
a hunter, so presumably they were more like 6-12' long or more.
History:
(Astonishing I#35/5) -
Considered big game on Venus, a Flame-Tongued Lizard was blasted --
either while looking away/unaware or while trying to flee -- and taken
down by an unidentified hunter with a neutron gun.
Comments: Created by Mannie Banks and unidentified writer.
Only one Flame-Tongued Lizard was seen, and so all information is based on that single being. Perhaps the lizard we saw was significantly larger or smaller than average.
Venus in the 21st
century could not support such plant-life, nor does it have a
breathable atmosphere nor a temperature hospitable to a human. However,
the image in this story may or may not have taken place within a
hunting preserve.
While there is not evidence to support this,
but it seems likely that in Reality-54136's 23rd century, either humanity colonized/terraformed all of
the planets in Earth's solar system (+/- genetically engineered various animal species there) or else there was pre-existing
lifeforms on each of those planets.
Or, perhaps these worlds are actually hospitable and life-bearing in Reality-54136.
The story was told in the second person, so YOU were the inventor and hunter...that's great, but the character remains unidentified...
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Flame-Tongued Lizard should be distinguished from:
images: (without ads)
Astonishing I#35/5, pg. 1, panel 2
Appearances:
Astonishing I#35/5 (October, 1954) - Mannie Banks (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 12/12/2024
Last updated: 12/12/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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