The Fantagraphics EC Artists' Library #9
In "The Long Years!", a tense journey to Mars takes a shocking turn when one of the crew confesses he’s actually a Martian who built the ship to return home—only to be shot dead by his panicked comrades. Joe Orlando’s stark, expressive art and the chilling tone of Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein’s script make this a standout in the EC Artists' Library series. The cover, also by Orlando, captures the eerie unease of the moment perfectly.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Astronauts are approaching Mars when one of their number admits to them that he is really a Martian who designed the rocket in order to return home after his crashed. The other astronauts think he has lost his mind and attempt to seize his gun, which discharges, killing him. They land on Mars and notice that the body has regained its true form and realize the creature was telling them the truth and that hostile Martians are now waiting outside to absorb their bodies and return to Earth as Martian infiltrators.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).