Mr. Martian Mr. Martian is also exceptionally strong, and gifted with the power of teleportation. He uses a Distorter Beam to alter his appearance, and a Multi-Ray to enlarge or shrink his opponents. However, he cannot breathe Earth's atmosphere, and must always wear a protective helmet. Planet Mars was once a paradise, until a nuclear war made the surface uninhabitable. The Martians moved underground, only coming to the surface to use the "Transit Tubes" (which Earth scientists mistook for Martian canals). Under the surface, Martian technology flourished, and continues to do so underneath the planet. Besides being a pastiche of Martian Manhunter,
Planet Stories is the folk-tale, the hero-tale of our particular niche in history". Also arguing in support of "Planet Stories", science fiction critic John Clute has commented that "the content was far more sophisticated than the covers". Bradbury's work for "Planet Stories" included two of the stories that he later incorporated into "The Martian Chronicles", including "The Million Year Picnic"; only one other story in the series had appeared before this. He also collaborated on a story with Brackett, "Lorelei of the Red Mist", based on an idea of hers, which appeared in the Summer of 1946. His stories for "Planet" demonstrate