JET-MEN
Classification: Alternate reality (Reality-5391) extraterrestrial semi-humanoid
Location/Base of Operations: Denebola
Known Members: Zurko
(leader), captain (name unrevealed)
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Space Sentinels (Speed Carter, Johnny Day), United Planets Organization
First Appearance: Spaceman#4/2
(March, 1954)
Powers/Abilities: Jet-Men
appear to be biotechnological with each of their two legs comprising
something akin to a jet rocket that can propel them at warp speed
through space, although they still need air to breathe (an oxygen mix
suitable for humans sustains them). A Jet-Man's "jet" legs can be
switched off
at will when their body is bent in the middle to sit or when levitating
upright about a foot from the ground.
Traits: Jet-Men are suspicious
of outsiders and are ready to die on missions to obliterate supposed
enemies. They have a militaristic structure under one leader dubbed a
premier.
Type: Extraterrestrial
biotechnological semi-humanoid
Eyes: Two (on head)
Fingers: Four (including opposable thumb)
Toes: Inapplicable
Skin color: Light green (with dark green patches on cranium)
Average height: 6'
History:
(Spaceman#4/2 (fb) - BTS) - Zurko,
leader of the Jet-Men on Denebola, saw Earth people and the United
Planets Organization as a threat. Declaring Earth people to be war-mad
monsters, he commanded that the Earth's civilization be destroyed and
launched a massive offensive, ordering the death penalty for any who
failed. He also insisted on photographic evidence of the rubble left
after the Jet-Men's bombs had hit Earth.
(Spaceman#4/2) - On patrol in their
"spacer" craft, Speed Carter and Johnny Day chanced upon a swarm of
Jet-Men, each carrying a large bomb. Hoping to snag a Jet-Man in a
space net to investigate, they instead became a target and narrowly avoided two bombs
directed at them. Carter tried again and captured a Jet-Man, whose bomb
floated away in the process. Once onboard, Day activated his wrist
translator and after a brief scuffle, the Jet-Man captain revealed his people's
plan to destroy Earth and the propaganda that Earthlings were war-mad
monsters. Day alerted the Space Sentinels, who were ready to shoot the
other Jet-Men unless they surrendered. The captain realized it was
death for the Jet-Men either way, so to vanquish any further
misunderstanding between the two species, Carter came up with a plan.
First the Jet-Men had to surrender their bombs, then the Jet-Man
captain photographed historical ruins (like the ancient Roman Colosseum
and the Greek Acropolis) and the dramatic land feature of the Grand
Canyon. Afterward, the Jet-Man captain thanked Carter for the peaceful
solution and the Jet-Men returned home. The captain, lying to protect
peace, passed the photos to Zurko, who was satisfied that they showed
the rubble and craters left from the Jet-Men's bombs.
Comments: Created by Hank Chapman, Mike Sekowsky, Jack Abel.
I guess it's implied that Premier
Zurko was too arrogant to believe anything other than victory, even if
whispers of the truth might have later circulated. The strategy was
reliant on
all the Jet-Men involved in the attack remaining silent or lying as to
what actually happened. Or maybe Zurko died before he could do anything
if he found out and Jet-Men instead took on a peaceful leader.
The piranha-like Space Demons of Reality-5106, which also have (one) lower body jet tube, may be an alternate reality evolutionary offshoot of the more advanced Jet-Men.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Jet-Men have no known connections to:
Zurko was the obese leader (dubbed
premier)
of the Jet-Men on Denebola. He felt threatened by Earth, base of the
United Planets Organization, and spread propaganda that Earth beings
were war-mad monsters. He ordered a massive attack on Earth with each
Jet-Man carrying a bomb to be released on Earth under pain of death
penalty for failure. He demanded photographic evidence showing rubble
and ruin. However, the attack was intercepted by Speed Carter and Johnny
Day of the Space Sentinels, and a peaceful solution was found. The
Jet-Man captain in charge of documentation instead photographed
historical ruins on Earth and returned to Denebola. Zurko readily
believed the lie, happy with the success of his Jet-Men.
--Spaceman#4/2
images: (without ads)
Spaceman#4/2, p1, pan1 (main image)
p4, pan1 (headshot)
p4, pan6 (Captain with tubby Zurko (seated))
Appearances:
Spaceman#4/2 (March, 1954) - Hank Chapman (writer), Mike Sekowsky
(pencils), Jack Abel (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
First Posted: 11/16/2024
Last updated: 11/16/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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