NOLTOI
Classification: Humanoid extraterrestrial race
Location/Base of Operations: Near water, Mars
(circa 1 billion
years ago)
Known Members: Numerous, Noltoi
outcast
Affiliations: Phra
Enemies: Chak, Gullivar Jones
First Appearance: Creatures on the Loose
I#17/1 (May, 1972)
Aliases:
Spider-Swarm
Powers/Abilities: Noltoi have bat-like faces
and ears (suggesting enhanced hearing) plus two extended lower
incisors. They have almost no speech capacity (except to utter
"Noltoi", likely the origin of their name). Evidence of at least one
mutation has existed, but it was rejected due to its differences.
Notably, they seem to draw out strong sticky rope from their bodies (or
coat hidden scavenged ropes with sticky substance) and cast them
accurately to bind targets. As carnivorous scavengers, they
opportunistically eat corpses from other Martian tribes. Noltoi have
primitive-level intelligence.
Traits: Noltoi exhibit swarm-like behavior and
reject human-like traits. They scavenge for food, usually from dead
bodies of other Martian tribes, and do not covet property. They are
superstitious and worship powerful creatures. While Noltoi cover their
loins with scavenged cloth, they appear to have only one gender (or do
not differ physically). They usually crouch and keep low.
Type: Humanoid
Eyes: Two (on head)
Fingers: Five (with opposing thumb)
Toes: Five (hand-like)
Skin color: Gray (some body hair), pinkish faces
Average height: 5' (by approximation); always crouching
History:
(Creatures on the Loose I#18/1 (fb) - BTS) - Over
thousands of generations, the humanoid, golden-hued Hither People of
Mars split into an additional eight tribes, each with distinctive
traits. The Noltoi were one such tribe and shared common ancestors with
red Lizardmen and Wing-Men, yet all had forgotten their history.
(Creatures on the Loose I#17/1 (fb) - BTS) - Bestial
and primitive in nature, the Noltoi became also known as the
Spider-Swarm and despised human traits. They venerated as a god the
giant creature Phra, which swam in the River of the Dead, where several
other Martian tribes let their respected deceased float down. The
Noltoi dwelt there, scavenging from funeral barges and making slaves of
those still alive. The Noltoi would also gather live captive beings,
trussed up as offerings to Phra.
(Monsters Unleashed I#4/5 (fb) - BTS) - At some point
a young Noltoi developed psychic powers and heavier physical traits,
but was cast out by fellow Noltoi.
(Creatures on the Loose I#17/1) - The time-lost
Earthman Gullivar Jones lay unconscious and adrift on a funeral barge
that became entangled in a giant Noltoi-generated web. Jones recovered
and fought them off, but their overwhelming numbers and sticky
web-ropes snared him. He was tied up next to the exiled mutant Wing-Man
Chak as an offering to Phra, which surfaced after the Noltoi signaled.
(Creatures on the Loose I#18/1) - Noltoi members watched in revelry as Phra took the two offerings below the river's surface.
(Creatures on the Loose I#19/1) - After seeing a Noltoi amongst the corpses in an iced graveyard, Jones recalled the
dangerous Martians he had met, including the Noltoi.
(Monsters Unleashed I#4/5 (fb) - BTS) - The lone
Noltoi
outcast sought Jones, Heru and Chak as companions, and secretly
followed them.
(Monsters Unleashed I#4/5) - The Noltoi outcast
captured Heru and psychically communicated that it sought friendship.
But Jones and Chak
were too quick to react and, thinking the creature malicious, killed
it. Despite its eyes showing forgiveness, Jones berated himself and
resolved to act wiser and less impulsively.
Comments: Created by Roy Thomas (writer), Gil Kane (pencils), Sam Grainger (inks).
The Monsters Unleashed appearance was published in
black and white.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Noltoi have no known connections to
The Noltoi outcast was exiled from the Noltoi tribe due to its more
human traits, being heavier, intelligent and able to psychically
communicate (although it could not speak). It was also repulsed by the
Noltoi's scavenger ways. Aware of Jones and his fellow exiles, it
sought them out as companions. One night, it captured Heru by
psychically captivating her and spun a web around her, communicating
its thoughts. Jones and Chak, however, fearing the worst, impulsively
attacked the outcast. It defended itself but was ultimately pierced by
Jones' sword. It died showing forgiveness to Jones as Heru wept the
loss, and it was later buried by them in a cavern. Jones resolved not
to act so brashly in future.
--Monsters Unleashed I#4/5
images: (without ads)
Creatures on the Loose I#17, cover (main image, three)
Creatures on the Loose I#19, p4, pan4 (solo with web)
Monsters Unleashed I#4/5, p32, pan1 (outcast)
Appearances:
Creatures on the Loose I#17/1 (May, 1972) - Roy Thomas (writer), Gil
Kane (pencils),
Sam Grainger (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Creatures on the Loose I#18/1 (July, 1972) - George Alec Effinger &
Gerry Conway (writers), Ross Andru (pencils), Sam Grainger (inks), Stan
Lee (editor)
Creatures on the Loose I#19/1 (September, 1972) - George Alec Effinger
(writer), Wayne Boring & Gil Kane (pencils), Jim Mooney (inks), Roy
Thomas (editor)
Monsters Unleashed I#4/5 (February, 1974) - Tony Isabella (writer),
Dave Cockrum (pencils/inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
First posted: 04/26/2018
Last updated: 04/26/2018
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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