MARTIANSReality-5464
MARTIANS
Reality-5464
Classification: Alternate reality
(Reality-5464) semi-humanoid extraterrestrial
race;
active circa the 30th century
Location/Base of Operations: Mars;
briefly New
York City, New York, Earth
Known Members: None identified
Affiliations: None
Enemies: "Whirlwind" Carter, the Space Army
(Brenda Hale, others), the residents of Earth
First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics I#4
(May, 1940)
Powers/Abilities: The Martians did not display
any superhuman powers, though their bodies were covered in spiky
protrusions and they had sharp teeth. Despite these protrusions' spiky
appearance, they did not appear to be very sharp to the touch, as human
beings were capable of punching Martians without injury.
The Martian fleet possessed
advanced weaponry including Superlunar gas guns capable of firing jets
of gas that weakened any who breathed it. They also utilized the
Vapor-Arm, an extendable, gas-like tentacle capable of grasping objects
at a distance and for space travel, the Martian used their extremely
fast Martian Destroyer ships that were capable of projecting comet-like
fire.
Traits: The Martians were extremely aggressive
and war-like, accustomed to taking whatever they desired by force.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric semi-humanoid
bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head; black irises with white sclera)
Fingers: Four (plus opposable thumb)
Toes: None (Each of the Martians' two legs ended in a large,
furry stump of a foot)
Skin color: Green (with red patches around the face)
Average height: 7'-8' (approximately)
History:
(Daring Mystery Comics I#4 / 4 (fb) - BTS) - Space Army agent Brenda
Hale was sent to Mars as a spy and while there, Hale learned that the
Martians were organizing for an invasion of the planet Earth, with the
intent of transforming Earth into a Martian colony. Realizing the
Martians were ready for an imminent attack, Brenda Hale quickly
departed towards Earth to warn the planet.
(Daring Mystery Comics I#4 / 4)
- From his base on Venus, "Whirlwind" Carter used his advanced scopes
and video sets to spot a Martian Destroyer craft in pursuit of Brenda
Hale's ship. When the Martian Destroyer overtook Hale's ship and forced
her to crash on the planet Venus using a projection of comet-like fire,
Carter flew towards the crash site and rescued Hale from the wreckage.
After introductions were made, Hale explained the impending Martian
attack to Carter and Carter opted to use his light-traveling ship to
get them to Earth. As they neared Earth, however, they witnessed the
Martian fleet readying to land on Earth. The fleet soon made their way
to North America's largest cities and hordes of Superlunar gas
gun-wielding Martians flooded the streets, overcoming and capturing the
unprepared civilians. The Martians then took their captives back to
their ships, where the captives were placed into individual rockets
that were then fired into space to clear the way for the Martians to
settle the area. Seeing the floating rockets in the stratosphere,
"Whirlwind" Carter and Brenda Hale used Carter's ship to magnetize the
rockets and tow them to Venus, where the captives were released and
many rallied alongside Carter to return to Earth in an effort to free
the planet from the Martians. While Carter and his newfound army were
traveling back towards Earth, the Martians took New York City as their
headquarters but they were soon met by Carter and his fleet, who rained
Elastic-Gas Bombs down on the Martians. Despite attempts to escape, the
Martians were soon overcome by the Elastic-Gas Bombs but when one of
the Martians used his Vapor-Arm to capture Brenda Hale, their enraged
former captives took the fight to the Martians in the streets. A fierce
hand-to-hand battle between the still-groggy Martians and their former
human captives ensued as "Whirlwind" Carter rescued Brenda Hale. Carter
then had Hale released large gas bombs against the Martians once more,
forcing them to flee to their ships in an attempt to escape the planet.
The former Earth captives pursued, driving the Martians more than
50,000 miles from Earth before turning back.
Comments: Created by Harry Fletcher.
It's unclear whether the Martians'
Vapor-Arm was a weapon the Martians used or if the Martians had the
ability to partially transform their arms into a vapor-like form they
could extend outward. We only ever see the Vapor-Arm coming from
off-panel.
The creative team on the
"Whirlwind" Carter story in Daring Mystery Comics I#4 is not credited
in any way but the Marvel Masterworks HC: Golden Age Daring Mystery
Vol. 1 confirms Harry Fletcher as the creator.
Profile by Proto-Man.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Martians (Reality-5464) has no known connections to:
images: (without ads)
Daring Mystery Comics I#4, p28, pan2 (Martians
wielding Superlunar gas guns, main image)
Daring Mystery Comics I#4, p30, pan1 (Martians with evil grins)
Daring Mystery Comics I#4, p28, pan4 (Martians from behind, leading
captives to their ships)
Appearances:
Daring Mystery Comics I#4 (May, 1940) - "Mars Attacks" story - Harry
Fletcher (writer, art), uncredited editor
First Posted: 03/28/2025
Last updated: 03/28/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
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