Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles (a.k.a The Silver Locusts)1946-50 (collected 1950) / Audiobook / 222 pages / USA
***
As contrived fix-up novels go, this collection succeeds in fooling the reader into thinking they're reading an epic future history saga, rather than a collection of thematically similar and accidentally coherent short stories cobbled together. I admire it for that. Its over-familiar plots didn't really do it for me though.
Isaac Asimov, The Martian Way and Other Stories
1952-54 (collected 1955) / Audiobook/ebook / 222 pages / USA
***
I've avoided Asimov before now, unfairly assuming that the 'botz master might be too technically-minded for me. This minor collection only gets autistic in its final story, the others exploring human concerns and hang-ups in that classic extrapolative sci-fi way, with a twist ending that would make The Twilight Zone proud, not that it could possibly work on TV.
Faves: 'The Martian Way,' 'Youth.'
Worsties: 'The Deep,' 'Sucker Bait.'
Philip K. Dick, Martian Time-Slip (a.k.a. All We Marsmen)1963 (collected 1964) / Audiobook / 220 pages / USA
****
A more cynical take on Bradbury's colonial Mars, with the focus narrowed to corrupt and paranoid bit players since this is Philip K. Dick. The outdated psychology is more distracting than the tech, but you can get over that initial awkwardness in time to enjoy things getting weird.
Glenville Mareth, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
1966 / Ecomic/audiobook / 34 pages / USA*
Read-along Christmas stories were one of my favourite parts of the festive season as a child. I also liked science fiction and comics. So there's a slim chance I might actually have enjoyed this, though even if I didn't, I would have contentedly gone through the ritual repeatedly regardless. I haven't watched the legendarily crap film, but the story isn't any worse than your standard contrived festive comic tie-in, which is to say abominable. The lavish full-cast audio production is better than it deserves.
Len Brown, Zina Saunders and artists, Mars Attacks: 50th Anniversary Collection
1962-2012 (collected 2012) / Ebook / 224 pages / USA****
Save yourself the trouble and significant expense of collecting the rare vintage trading cards by picking up this Panini-style album that's already filled in for you. Covering the original 55-card saga in all its controversial and excessive violence, along with concept art and various minor resurgences across the decades, this is a commendably detailed and comprehensive retrospective. Probably more than it deserves, to be honest, but it's nice that people care.
