BETALGEUSEAN race

Classification: Semi-humanoid extraterrestrial race (Reality-59116, circa 31st century AD)

Location/Base of Operations: Betalgeuse II, presumably the second planet orbiting the star Betelgeuse, Milky Way galaxy

Known Members: None identified

Affiliations: Humanity, Darius Cartwright of Earth-59166's 31st century

Enemies: (Unintentionally) Darius Cartwright

First Appearance: Tales to Astonish I#6 (November, 1959)

Powers/Abilities: The Betalgeuseans did not demonstrate any abilities beyond humanity, though they survived in an atmosphere that did not contain oxygen (what elements were in their atmosphere is not specified). Obviously their lungs and entire physiology would be radically different from human to function thusly

    Betalgeuse II is rich in uranium. As Cartwright had the natives mine the uranium in their togas, one would hope they had some manner of radiation resistance.

Traits: The Betalgeuseans were considered primitive by Darius Cartwright; their clothes resembled togas worn by the Romans (or perhaps some island nation) on Earth. They were benevolent and were very happy living without any advanced technology. They were happy to be colonized and taken over by a representative from Earth. They took instruction seriously, such that subsequent orders contrary to long-established orders were unlikely to be followed.
    They had their own spoken and written languages.

Type:  Bilaterally symmetric humanoid bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head; solid red color seen)
Fingers: Four (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Unrevealed
Skin color: Pink
Average height: Approximately 5'10"?

History:
(Tales to Astonish I#6 (fb) - BTS) - In the 31st century of Reality-59166, humanity spread throughout the Milky Way galaxy, establishing numerous colonies on various worlds, seeking to unite as many planets as possible in one vast galactic empire ruled by Earth. The resources and products of each planet were distributed to all the others in Earth's empire, thereby making each planet far more enriched than they had been before. Earth sent a governor to each planet, an overlord to see that the planet was maintained as a smoothly running part of the galactic network. In most cases, these overlords were kindly men who were eager to aid in the advancement of the planets they governed; as a result, they were well-liked by their subjects.

(Tales to Astonish I#6 (fb) - BTS) - Humanity colonized Betalgeuse II, and they chose as its governor Darius Cartwright (son of Cartwright Rocket Ships, Inc.'s John Cartwright), an arrogant and selfish man.

(Tales to Astonish I#6) - Though the Betalgeuseans welcomed governor Cartwright and offered him several gifts, he refused to accept them for fear of contamination from uncivilized beings. Cartwright's first edict was to order the building of a palace enclosed within a glass dome into which would be pumped liquid oxygen.

(Tales to Astonish I#6 - BTS) - Intending to never leave his palace, Cartwright threw away his oxygen mask after the dome was completed.

(Tales to Astonish I#6 - BTS) - From within the dome, Cartwright then announced to the Betalgeuseans  that none of them were to ever enter the dome, under any circumstances, as he did not want to risk pollution from inferior beings.

 

 

 

 

(Tales to Astonish I#6) - To ensure his rule was followed, Cartwright had it instructed to the children in school as the "Golden Rule." The benevolent Betalgeuseans accepted this rule as law and indoctrinated the children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Tales to Astonish I#6) - Cartwright formed a native police squad to patrol the area around the dome. Any who attempted to enter were sentenced to seven months in solitary confinement or a similar punishment.

(Tales to Astonish I#6) - As Betalgeuse was found to have large deposits of uranium, Cartwright ordered the construction and working of uranium mines. The mined ore was picked up monthly by rocket ships and flown to other planets in the galactic empire where uranium was scarce.

(Tales to Astonish I#6) - Years later, Cartwright's oxygen pump's pipeline broke. As the pipe was too strong to lift, Cartwright announced to the Betalgeuseans that an emergency had occurred that necessitated three natives enter the dome. He assured them that he was changing his previous order and that there was nothing to fear. However, the Betalgeuseans had been so conditioned to never enter the dome that they thought this must be a trick or a test.

(Tales to Astonish I#6 - BTS) - Cartwright apparently perished as his oxygen ran out.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Joe Sinnott.

    This race existed 1000 years in the future in an alternate reality, but may well exist in Reality-616's modern era...unless their world was eaten by Galactus, destroyed by the Ebon Seeker, etc...

    Though the story clearly says their atmosphere did not contain oxygen, perhaps it only did not contain sufficient oxygen for a human to survive for any duration.

    Hopefully, the Betalgeuseans got a more friendly and nice governor after Cartwright.

    I'm focusing on the extraterrestrial races, alternate reality or not, but if anyone wants to do profiles on Darius Cartwright (with sub-profiles for John Cartwright and Cartwright Rocket Ships, Inc," please feel free. For now, that's Darius Cartwright in the gas mask.

    I think it is logical to ASSume that Betalgeuse II and the Betalgeuseans are associated with the star Betelgeuse, though we don't know that for certain. Betelgeuse is an interesting star. Google it for information!

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Betelgeuseans have no known connections to

images: (without ads)
Tales to Astonish I#6, third story, page 3, panel 3 (landscape);
                panel 4 (natives greeting Cartwright);
            pg. 4, panel 1 (school);
                panel 2 (police);
                panel 3 (uranium mine)

Appearances:
Tales to Astonish I#6 (November, 1959) - Stan Lee and Larry Lieber (plot, script), Joe Sinnott (art)

Last updated: 05/28/14

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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