Mars Needs Wood!

For the cover of EC's Weird Science #16 Wally Wood fabricated an image which would have long-lasting effects which percolated through pop culture for decades and still continue to do so. It was this cover which reflects the story inside titled "Getting Down to Earth" about an alien invasion which was one spark in the minds of the boys behind Mars Attacks, the infamous card set from Topps.

Mars Attacks (originally titled "Attack from Space") was controversial from the beginning. The artwork is tame by modern standards, but for the early 60's apparently the parents would kick up quite the fuss about seeing brain-headed, bug-eyed aliens blasting furry puppies and delectable dames alike. Wally Wood was contacted to help design the cards in the very beginning and he did a darn fine job of roughing out what the Topps people wanted. But then Bob Powell was brought in to bring a bit for zest and life to the images in a final penciled form. Ultimately the great Norm Saunders was tasked with painting these iconic images of the destruction of the world and its people.

We follow the invasion from Mars from the perspective of the Martians themselves as they ready themselves to conquer Earth. They bring flying saucers and blazing ray guns to do the job and set about destroying monuments and men alike. They use their tech to created giant insects which add to the chaos and kill countless people. 

Ultimately the threat is defeated when mankind is able to mount a counter attack to Mars itself, but the Earth is left in pretty ragged shaped by the time all fifty-two cards have told their tales. 

Another strong influence, at least visually for the Martians was the frightening "Metalunan", the alien beast from This Island Earth. It's easy to see the influence the Metalunan had with its enormous brainy head and inclination to threaten lovely women. 

But the first images were done by Wally Wood, and though other fine talents might have obscured his impact on this Martian invasion, there's little doubt in this fanboy's mind that the idea of invasion was just getting started in the mind of the master. 

Note: This post originally appeared at Rip Jagger's Other Dojo. I will be transferring some of those posts over here as the month goes on. 

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