Marvin_the_Martian Marvin_the_Martian

Marvin the Martian - Definition and Overview

Marvin the Martin Mars Exploration Rover Mission patch

Marvin the Martian (or Marvin Martian) is a fictional character appearing in the Looney Tunes cartoons.

Animation director Chuck Jones noted that while Bugs' major enemy, Yosemite Sam was loud and violent, he was obviously no threat. So, he decided to create the opposite type of character who was quiet and soft-spoken, but in his actions was incredibly destructive and legitimately dangerous.

Marvin the Martin made his debut in 1948's "Haredevil Hare." In his first appearance Mel Blanc gave him a stuffy, denasal voice, but later the Martian adopted a more regal-sounding, snooty, almost British phrasing. He hails from the planet Mars, but is often found elsewhere. He is often accompanied by his dog, "K-9," and sometimes by other creatures (one gag, first used in "Hareway to the Stars", being freeze-dried Martians that become full-size on addition of drops of water).

Marvin wears a parody of a Roman soldier's uniform (a reference to Mars being the Roman god of war) with old-fashioned basketball shoes. His head is a black sphere with only eyes for features.

On numerous occasions Marvin has tried to destroy the Earth (it obstructs his view of Venus) with the "Illudium PU-36 explosive space modulator", only to be foiled by Bugs Bunny. He has battled for space territory with Daffy Duck, a.k.a. Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century.

Marvin the Martian on Duck Dodgers
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Marvin the Martian on Duck Dodgers

Marvin was never named in the original shorts, but decades later when the character attracted merchandizing interest he obviously needed a name, so the current one was selected.

Currently, he appears on two recent animated shows on Cartoon Network - as a toddler in Baby Looney Tunes, and as the Martian Commander in the Duck Dodgers television series. He was also in a Taz-Mania episode and did a cameo in The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries ("What's the Frequency, Kitty?").

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