Martians are the native sapient inhabitants of the planet Mars.
Biology[]
Martians are tall bipeds, over 10 ft tall, with disproportionately enlarged chests that allow them to survive in a rarefied atmosphere, and bodies covered in white fur that protects them from the cold. Their feet are shaped like suction pads and equipped with valve openings. They have an elephantine trunk, horizontal eyestalks, large shell-shaped ears, and a pair of antennae with which they communicate by telepathy. The trunk and eyestalks are also retractable, in order to shield the eyes and nose from the cold when needed. Their intelligence is keenly developed.
Culture and society[]
Martians are an ancient, scientifically advanced race. Their technology includes atomic weapons, synthetic pellets containing food and water to help them survive in the desert, and electrically-warmed clothes.
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- This Martian species was created by author Hugo Gernsback and artist Frank R. Paul. It first appeared in Gernsback's article "Evolution on Mars", published in the magazine Science and Invention, in August 1924. Howard V. Brown illustrated the Martian on the magazine's cover, while Paul created the interior art.
- Almost 15 years later, the iconic design was featured again as the first of Paul's series of illustrations for Fantastic Adventures (and later Amazing Stories) depicting aliens from each planet of our solar system. "The Man from Mars" was featured in Fantastic Adventures, May 1939. An additional article titled "As Mars Sees Us" appeared in Amazing Stories, July 1940, followed by "A City on Mars" in December 1940.
- Paul also illustrated this species again for Gernsback's Superworld Comics (1940) and Science-Fiction Plus (1953).