Martha Connors
Martha Connors is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is usually depicted as a supporting character of Spider-Man, and the wife of Dr. Curt Connors, also known as the Lizard. Much of her character's story revolves around her constant suffering, yet perseverance through her husband's constant transformations. Martha was later injected with Curt's Lizard Formula to cure her of a deadly virus, which also mutated her into an anthropomorphic lizard.
Publication history
The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6.Fictional character biography
Sometime before her first appearance, Martha met and married surgeon and biologist Curt Connors. Together they had a son named Billy and their life seemed perfect. Curt, an amputee, sought a way to regrow lost limbs. Despite Martha warning him about the dangers of experimenting on himself, fearing for his safety, Curt creates a Lizard Formula and tests it on himself, transforming into a feral lizard monster. Martha later runs into Spider-Man, who already had an encounter with the Lizard, and told him what had happened, prompting him to track down and cure Curt, albeit temporarily.At one point, Martha and Billy are kidnapped by the Maggia branch led by Silvermane, who wants Curt to decipher an ancient tablet. Once again, Curt transforms into the Lizard and it takes the combined effort of Spider-Man and the Human Torch to save Martha and Billy, who are reunited with a cured Curt. Although Curt continues to transform into the Lizard time and time again, Martha refuses to abandon him.
Sometime later, Billy and Martha are both afflicted with cancer after being exposed to carcinogenic chemicals. Billy survives, while Martha dies due to complications from surgery, with Billy being sent to live with his aunt.
In the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline, Martha is resurrected in a clone body by Ben Reilly along with Billy, who had previously been killed by the Lizard. Martha and Billy are taken away by Curt, who claims that he can cure the Carrion virus they are suffering from. Martha and Billy are injected with the Lizard Formula, which saves their lives, but also mutates them into anthropomorphic lizards. Martha and her family continue to live peacefully in the sewers, getting occasional friendly visits from Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, although Billy desires to live a normal life and begins to rebel against Curt.
Martha and Billy were later brought into the Sewer Enclave by Miles Morales' clone Shift.
Other versions
Newspaper Strips
In the Spider-Man newspaper strips, Martha is renamed Lydia Connors.Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, Martha is renamed Doris Connors and had long since divorced her husband due to his experiments. She receives a letter from her husband explaining his actions.In other media
Television
- A character based on Martha Connors named "Mrs. Conner" appears in Spider-Man, voiced by Peg Dixon.
- A character based on Martha Connors named Margaret Connors appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Giselle Loren.
- Martha Connors appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced by Kath Soucie. She is a geneticist who works with Curt Connors at Empire State University until they are forced out by Miles Warren.
Film