Martinex first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 as part of the Guardians of the Galaxy. According to Roy Thomas, all of the original Guardians of the Galaxy were created in a conference between Arnold Drake and Stan Lee, but it remains uncertain whether each individual character was created by Drake, Lee, or both. Writer Steve Gerber included the character when he revived the team in Marvel Presents #3 to #12. Martinex's appearance was redesigned in Guardians of the Galaxy #7. Writer/artist Jim Valentino commented, "No one could draw the same way twice. It was impossible and it was a pain in the butt. What I did was streamline him according to the planes in the body that Andrew Loomis delineated in his seminal book, Figure Drawing for All It's Worth." Martinex appeared along with the rest of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team in the 2014 series Guardians 3000. Writer Dan Abnett described him as "the brain" of the team.
In their future, Earth had colonized several planets in its solar system, including Pluto. Martinex was born on Cerberus Center, Pluto, although it was later revealed his ancestors were from the continent of Africa on Earth. He grew up to become a scientist and technician. Like the other Pluvians, Martinex's body was completely covered by facets that were crystalline in appearance. This design was so that the Pluvians could withstand the extreme temperatures of their world. Martinex could also emit heat and cold from his hands. Martinex became the last surviving Plutonian after the Badoon exterminated all the other Plutonians, as he was working on Pluto's moon Charon. The Pluvians had been forewarned of the attack, but the ship they were escaping on was destroyed by the Badoon. Martinex escaped the Badoon using a telepod and teamed with Vance Astro, a humanastronaut from the 20th century with psychic powers, Charlie-27, a Jovian who was the last of his race as well, and Yondu, from Alpha Centauri, to fight the Badoon as the freedom fighters, the Guardians of the Galaxy. It was later revealed Starhawk had manipulated events to bring them together. The Guardians later teamed with the time-traveling Thing, Captain America, and Sharon Carter to retake New York City from Badoon forces. Martinex and the Guardians then time-traveled to the 20th Century and met the Defenders. They returned to the future with Starhawk and the Defenders and defeated the Badoon. Eventually, the Guardians drove the Badoon from Earth's solar system and Martinex later became the team's reluctant leader for a time. The Guardians departed post-war Earth on a space mission, and met Nikki who joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, and they visited the Asylum planet. The Guardians then teamed with a time-traveling Thor, and battled Korvac and his Minions of Menace. Martinex and the Guardians traveled to the present era, and assisted the Avengers in battle against Korvac. He attended an Avengers membership meeting but left soon afterwards. While looking for the shield of Captain America, the Guardians came into conflict with Taserface and the Stark. They also encountered Firelord and defeated the Stark. The Guardians then battled a team of superhumans known as Force, and Martinex was mortally injured by the member of Force known as Brawl. Much of the crystals that covered Martinex's body were shattered, but Martinex recovered with the help of fellow Guardian Starhawk. All of the exterior crystals on Martinex fell away, leaving Martinex with a new crystalline appearance, one that was less faceted, and somewhat purple in tone. The Guardians then located Haven, a lost colony of Earth founded by mutants, where they battled Rancor and her lieutenants. Martinex later met the Spirit of Vengeance. Eventually, Martinex left the team to form a larger version of the Guardians, known as the Galactic Guardians. This team was summoned to help rescue an imperiled planet full of innocents. The Galactic Guardians were initially made up of alternate future versions of Wonder Man, Firelord, the Vision, Phoenix, and Ghost Rider. They had further adventures in their own limited series. Martinex later returns to the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Powers and abilities
Martinex is a member of a genetically engineered offshoot of humanity whose traits were designed for survival under the cold conditions of the dwarf planet Pluto. He possesses enhanced strength, speed, and stamina, and superhuman durability. His epidermis is composed of a silicon-isotope organic crystal. Martinex has the ability to convert bodily energy into laser-like beams of energy which he can project from his hands. His right hand can project infrared energy, stimulating heat in any object. His left hand can project microwave energy that reduces thermal energies in objects, thereby producing coldness. His body is highly resistant to intense heat and cold as well as other conventional forms of injury. Martinex can only use his superhuman powers to project heat and cold at maximum output for up to one half-hour before having to rest in order to replenish them. Martinex has earned doctorates in physics and engineering. He possesses expertise in various areas of 31st Century technology, including computers and cyborg design.
In other media
Martinex appears in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, portrayed by Michael Rosenbaum. He is a member of Stakar Ogord's team of Ravagers. Martinex visits Yondu on Contraxia along with his leader to remind him that he is in exile for breaking the Ravagers' code. After Yondu sacrifices himself to save Peter Quill, Martinex and Stakar are moved by his sacrifice when he and the other Ravagers attend his funeral. The two of them decide to bring the rest of the team back together to honor him as seen in the mid-credits scene.
