LUNA LIZARDS

Classification: Extradimensional lunar-based reptilian bipeds

Location/Base of Operations: Earth's Moon

Known Members: None (at least four shown)

Affiliations: Human colony on Moon

Enemies: None

First Appearance: Tales of Suspense I#6/6 (November, 1959)

Powers/Abilities: Luna Lizards are massive reptiles that can deftly walk in the Moon's light gravity and survive in the Moon's negligible atmosphere (perhaps given their nostrils, it's via the minute amounts of sodium and potassium there, assuming the Moon is the same as for Earth-616, or they breathe in moondust). They are telepathic and can communicate in any language.

Traits: Luna Lizards behave collectively and are helpful by nature, although they prefer not to interact with alien species.

Type: Bilaterally symmetric bipeds
Eyes: Two
Fingers: Three (thicker middle finger)
Toes: Three
Skin color: Green scales
Average height: 45'

History:

(Tales of Suspense I#6/6 (fb) - BTS) - In the "near future" (1966(!)), Earth established a domed colony the Moon. The Luna Lizards watched hidden as the rockets landed and the dome was built.

(Tales of Suspense I#6/6) - The colonists found tracks made by the Luna Lizards and were concerned what might have left them, but immediately thought them predatory. Five months passed and the dome developed a leak. Much oxygen was lost before it could be repaired. Several colonists prepared to make the journey to the rockets some distance away when the Luna Lizards appeared. The moon creatures tried to communicate telepathically but the dome prevented their thought waves. They pounded on the dome and the humans instead misunderstood and panicked, thinking them a threat. One colonist ran out as a distraction to lure the Luna Lizard after him while others went for the air tanks. The Luna Lizards caught up to the human in a crater and explained that they were trying to help. Having seen the cracked dome, they had already collected the air tanks and were trying to help the human colony. They carried the air tanks to the dome led by the now-enlightened colonist.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, Christopher Rule.

So how did the Luna Lizards get there? Did they develop from lifeforms left on a crashed meteorite or are they evolved escaped pets? Just a nice quirky tale from Jack Kirby & co. with a message not to judge by appearances.

I don't think a unique Earth-number needs to be allocated for this story as it could fit in with various futures shown in Atlas stories.

Writer information supplied as an overarching writer credit from the Marvel Masterworks: Atlas Era Tales of Suspense Vol. 1 tpb. However,  Grand Comics Database suggests the author was Jack Kirby.

This profile was completed 09/21/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary's celebratory event.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Luna Lizards has no known connections to:


images: (without ads)
Tales of Suspense I#6/6, p3, pan6 (main image)
   p5, pan1 (2 headshots)
   p4, pan1 (knock, knock)


Appearances:
Tales of Suspense I#6/6 (November, 1959) - Stan Lee (plot), Larry Lieber (script), Jack Kirby (pencils), Christopher Rule (inks), Stan Lee (editor)


First Posted: 09/23/2021
Last updated: 09/21/2021

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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