io9: Martians

io9's Field Guide to Martians

Alasdair Wilkins and Sophie Bushwick — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:05:10 PST

Science fiction is overrun with Martians, from monstrous invaders to shapeshifting superheroes to Santa-kidnapping buffoons. To make sense of over a century's worth of Martians, we present this grid ranking scifi Martians on their goodness and just how alien they are (click to expand). More »

Mars Needs Moms rap video is the most terrifying thing you'll hear all day

Meredith Woerner — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:08:27 PST

The new Mars Needs Mom trailer starts with such promise and great zombie banter. Until the rapping starts: "Can't even tell, is that a boy or a girl? They look so nasty, make a robot hurl!" (Cue barfing robot.) More »

Mindblowing Concept Art from Mars Needs Moms: The lair of the mother-stealing Martians has never looked so dangerous

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:51:52 PST

You might not have been paying attention to the animated movie of Berkeley Breathed's Mars Needs Moms — but this fiery, insane concept art may change your mind. Check out some more luscious concept art of the film's dangerous locations — and hope that they're not coming for your mom next. [via Stitch Kingdom] More »

Hang the Martian invasion on your living room wall

Lauren Davis — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:00:00 PDT

In 1962, Topps released the pulpy Mars Attacks bubblegum card series, which would eventually inspire the 1996 film. Now, the original cards are being reprinted as art prints, so you can enjoy the skull-faced invasion in your living room. More »

Stranger in a Strange Land is the Catcher in the Rye of SF

Josh Wimmer — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:15:12 PST

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Is Stranger in a Stranger Land by Robert Heinlein the Catcher in the Rye for the science-fiction set? Yes, I think you could say that about the 1962 Hugo winner in one important sense. More »

The Martians Are Coming - and They Want Your Oldsmobile

Lynn Peril — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:00 PDT

"Trail of the Rocket" is a 1951 promo film for Oldsmobile's new "rocket" engine. Johnny and his singing partner Lucille, whose show just happens to be sponsored by Olds, are invited on a factory tour. But before they get there, Johnny snoops around his friend's laboratory, where he's experimenting with interplanetary TV signals. Before you can say "don't touch that," Johnny discovers a pair of Martians (resembling Fred Mertz and Mr. Peepers) planning a visit to earth. Click through to learn what Martians hate most about earthling culture. More »

The Ninteenth Century Madman Who Invented Martians

Annalee Newitz — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:46:52 PDT

He was the man who launched a thousand imaginary rocketships to Mars — in the nineteenth century, before anybody knew the word "Martian" and War of the Worlds hadn't been written yet. Percival Lowell, a wealthy Bostonian, spent his youth traveling Japan and Korea before having a nervous breakdown and recovering by falling in love with Mars. He built the Lowell Observatory in Arizona just so he could get a better look at the planet, and spent months staring at it every night, taking notes and writing books about how it might be possible that other creatures lived there. A mesmerizing speaker, Lowell gave lectures and readings all over the country, popularizing the idea that the Martian "canals" might be signs of Martian civilization. With the new Phoenix Mars Lander about to plop down on the Red Planet, the Boston Globe's Nancy Zaroulis has published an amazing and timely article about Lowell's life. More »

We Will Land on Mars and We Will Sell Them Shoes

Lynn Peril — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:30:00 PDT

Capitalism triumphs again in this cartoon from a novelty ink blotter dating to the 1950s. Ink blotters, by the way, were absorbent cards used to soak up excess ink from your fountain pen. Thanks to the invention of the ballpoint, they were a dying technology when this one, celebrating future technology, was printed. More »

Santa Claus vs. Neo in the Martian Matrix

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:00:14 PST

The 1964 holiday film Santa Claus Conquers The Martians has the distinction of constantly being named one of the worst films ever made. It also contains the acting debut of Pia Zadora, although that may be unrelated to its critical status. Instead this film was all about bringing "freedom" to poor Martian children who have been brainwashed by machines. Of course, Neo can't rescue them — only Santa Claus could bring that kind of liberation. How does this film stack up to The Matrix? Let us count the ways. More »