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Julian Darius
In 1996, while still an undergraduate, Dr. Julian Darius founded what would become Sequart Organization, which publishes non-fiction and documentary films on comic books and promotes the medium as a legitimate form of art. After graduating magna cum laude from Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisconsin), he obtained his M.A. in English, authoring a thesis on John Milton and utopianism. In 2002, he moved to Waikiki, teaching college while obtaining an M.A. in French (high honors) and a Ph.D. in English. In 2011, he founded Martian Lit. He currently lives in Illinois.
BOOKS AND MOVIES BY JULIAN DARIUS
 Dance until Dismembered (author) |  Nira/Sussa (author) |  Watching People Burn (author) |
TOP MAGAZINE CONTENT BY JULIAN DARIUS
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 1
A merry little vibration against her clitoris awakened Yelena Moulin. Jack, her psychiatrist, had recommended the device, which looked like a suction cup dangling on a string from a short straw and recharged itself on… [more]
OTHER MAGAZINE CONTENT BY JULIAN DARIUS (12 TOTAL)
Carlos Danger #1
He thinks he’s the hero New York deserves, but he’s sure not the one it wants right now. He is… Carlos Danger!!! [more]
We’ll Take a Lover in the Afterlife
Dreamed on 15 Jan 2013. I was at my parents’ house, helping them move electronics around the living room. Everything we moved had other things behind it, flattened cardboard boxes propped up against the wall,… [more]
The Most Brilliant Art in the Vatican Museum
In the Vatican Museum, religious paintings you’ve seen in books all your life mix with modern religious depictions that have impressed some unknown cardinal. There, awe-inspiring classical statuary serves to remind you how much fuller… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 10
In the holofeed wall above the phony flickering fireplace, the fifteen-year-old Mira Mira sat in the defendant’s chair, listening to testimony against her. Yelena thought her neon blue skin undercut the way her lawyers had… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 9
A dozen colored spotlights, gaudy and grandiose, caressed Yelena Moulin. Glitter rained down upon her, caught like sparkling dust as it descended through the colored layers of light. The rest of the room was lit… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 8
The hardest thing about spending days underwater was keeping the mind busy.
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 7
“My therapist says it all goes back to her. She was very doting, in a lot of ways. I was her wonderful, genius son. But she could turn on you in an instant. Criticize viciously.… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 6
In the early hours of the morning, before the sun had risen against the snow and the mountains outside the living room’s glass wall, Yelena knocked on Mr. Pollard’s door. Veronique answered, clad as always… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 5
Yelena felt the latex surface of the couch beneath her. This shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t have any weight. She knew full well she had no skin or nerves to feel through. She reached out… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 4
Yelena stood staring at the door to her den, thinking this isn’t right. She told herself that she must’ve opened the door all the way, then stepped back into the room to retrieve something, only… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 3
Closing the door, Yelena felt absurd, hiding from her mom in her own home. The room looked like an old-fashioned study, the kind in historical holofeeds, with a wooden desk and books printed on dead… [more]
The Many Lives of Yelena Moulin, Chapter 2
Wilbur lay on his side, his wrinkly face pressed into a padded black helmet. The helmet’s soft leather interior concealed a large array of electrodes. His long tongue hung from his mouth and appeared stuck… [more]
NEWS CONTENT BY JULIAN DARIUS (46 TOTAL)
The Official Index to the Martian Universe
This document is intended as an index to the Martian Universe, listing all stories in their recommended reading order. Please note that the descriptions below contain spoilers. The following is a work-in-progress. The original version… [more]
The Synthetics Vol. 1 on Kickstarter!
The Kickstarter campaign for our newest trade paperback, The Synthetics Vol. 1, along with three other collected editions, has just three days left, and right now, it’s got a ways left to go. The Synthetics… [more]
The Tears of Khera Available in Print
Martian Comics Vol. 2: The Tears of Khera is now available as an oversized graphic novel! The softcover book is over 11.5″ tall, showing off Mansyur Daman’s beautiful artwork. The Tears of Khera is an… [more]
A Martian Reading Order
I’ve been asked about this, so I thought I’d share with you my own suggested Martian reading order. Of course, you can read whatever you want, and most stories stand on their own. Also, most… [more]
Martian Lit Publishes its 30th Comic
Martian Lit has published its 30th comic: Kimot Ren #5! Our comics line began in 2014, almost six years ago. In that time we’ve published 30 standard issues: Martian Comics #1-19 Kimot Ren #1-5 Necropolitan… [more]
Martian Comics Vol. 1: Moon to Moon on Kickstarter!
Our first collected edition, Martian Comics Vol. 1: Moon to Moon, is a beautiful 240-page book collecting 13 stories, written by Julian Darius with work by 15 different artists and colorists. The stories span 18,000… [more]
The Synthetics #0 Now on Kickstarter with Exclusive Print Edition!
Martian Lit is proud to launch the Kickstarter for our comic book The Synthetics #0! We’re offering a signed-and-numbered print edition of the comic, limited to 100 copies and exclusive to this Kickstarter! And if you act… [more]
One Week Left for Necropolitan on Kickstarter: Join the Team of History’s Worst Serial Killers in Hell!
The Kickstarter for our horror comic Necropolitan is currently 49% funded with just over a week left to go! Just $3 gets you Necropolitan #1, just $4 gets you issue #2, and just $7 gets you both issues!… [more]
Necropolitan Now on Kickstarter with Early-Bird Rewards!
Martian Lit is proud to launch the Kickstarter for our comic book Necropolitan! As a backer, you can get the 42-page issue #1 and the 32-page issue #2, along with plenty of extras! Watch history’s most infamous… [more]
Publishing Update
We’re working hard to get more comics out, and we have a ton in various stages of completion. We thought now would be a good time to update you on where we’re at and where… [more]
The Synthetics #1 Live on Kickstarter! Two Free Books!
Our next comic, The Synthetics #1, is live on Kickstarter here! It takes place in the same Martian Universe in which Martian Comics is set, but features tales of robot life! We know it hasn’t been long since… [more]
Covers Revealed for The Synthetics #1 and Martian Comics #14-15
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to a number of upcoming comics. First is The Synthetics #1, with a cover by artist Steven Legge and colorist Donovan Yaciuk. This exciting new series focuses… [more]
70-Page Lazarus, the Forever Man #1 Now on Kickstarter!
Martian Lit is proud to launch the Kickstarter for our newest comic book, Lazarus, the Forever Man #1! The massive, 70-page first issue follows our 24-page zero issue, which reprints the first two Lazarus stories from… [more]
Our Comics Plans through Mid-2018
Martian Lit is now able to reveal its publishing plans through around mid-2018. Our next release will be Lazarus, the Forever Man #1, featuring an ambitious 70-page story, illustrated by Sergio Tarquini and Sara Nietto.… [more]
Martian Comics #16 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #16, by Jason Muhr and Andrei Tabacaru, the artistic team behind the indy hit Voracious. Muhr previously illustrated two short stories in Martian Comics #3.… [more]
Necropolitan #2 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Necropolitan #2, in which the protagonist makes the rounds with serial killers on his first full day in Hell. The cover is by series artist Steven… [more]
Martian Comics #13 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #13, which will feature two stories of Martian intervention on Earth. The cover is by Marlena Mozgawa. It depicts the Martian goddess Earth, who… [more]
Announcing The Synthetics
Martian Lit is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of our fifth comics title: The Synthetics! The comic is set in the Martian Universe, which is shared with three other comics: Martian Comics, Kimot Ren, and… [more]
Martian Lit Releases Martian Comics #10
Martian Lit is proud to release Martian Comics #10! The 21-page issue concludes “The Second Most Dangerous Game,” written by Julian Darius, with art by Mansyur Daman. The sci-fi riff on the classic story by… [more]
Lazarus, the Forever Man #1 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Lazarus, the Forever Man #1, a special 70-page issue that follows the Biblical Lazarus as he comes to terms with his past, while first-century history unfolds… [more]
Martian Lit Releases Lazarus, the Forever Man #0
Martian Lit is proud to release the debut issue of Lazarus, the Forever Man! The 24-page zero issue reprints the Lazarus stories from Martian Comics, in preparation for his ongoing series! The series stars the Biblical… [more]
Kimot Ren #3 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Kimot Ren #3, a 37-page issue featuring the next four chapters in the saga of the Martian android stranded in the Wild West! The cover is… [more]
2016 Year in Review… and 2017 in Preview
In 2016, Martian Lit published six comics: Martian Comics #4-8 and Kimot Ren #1. In addition, we’ve already hit the ground running in 2017 by publishing Necropolitan #1 (although it and Martian Comics #8 are not yet available… [more]
Martian Comics #11 and Lazarus, the Forever Man #1 Covers Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to unveil two new covers! The cover to Martian Comics #11 is by Mansyur Daman and painter Roni Setiawan. It relates to the story “The Second Most Dangerous Game,” which is… [more]
Martian Comics #9 Cover Unveiled
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #9. The cover is penciled by Ace Continuado, inked by Jeffrey Huet, and colored by Donovan Yaciuk. For more information, visit the Martian Comics… [more]
Hours Left for Martian Comics Kickstarter!
Our Kickstarter for Martian Comics #5 is currently in its final hours and needs your help! The comic focuses on how Mars has seen Earth through the ages, from Martian prehistory to that planet’s space… [more]
Final Two Weeks for Martian Comics Kickstarter!
Our Kickstarter for Martian Comics #5 is currently in its final two weeks and needs your help! The comic focuses on how Mars has seen Earth through the ages, from Martian prehistory to that planet’s… [more]
Martian Comics #8 Cover Unveiled
Martian Lit is proud to unveil the cover to Martian Comics #8. The cover is by Janaina Medeiros. The issue continues our exploration of 20th-century history, while also beginning a new story. For more information,… [more]
Martian Comics #6 Cover Unveiled
Martian Lit is proud to unveil the cover to Martian Comics #6. The cover is by Ean Moody. The issue focuses on JFK, and the cover features an homage to the Oliver Stone film JFK.… [more]
“The Canals of Earth” is on Kickstarter Now!
Martian Lit is proud to launch the Kickstarter for our newest sci-fi comic book, “The Canals of Earth!” Watch as Mars looks to the sky and sees Earth, imagining her as a four-armed goddess with her… [more]
Martian Comics #5 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #5! The cover is by David A. Frizell and references the classic movie Voyage to the Moon. The issue offers a self-contained story exploring… [more]
Hours Left for Martian Comics Kickstarter
There’s just 12 hours left on our Kickstarter for a special 52-page issue of Martian Comics. We’re close to our goal; in fact, we’re less than $250 away. Rewards include a print version of the… [more]
Martian Comics #4 Cover Revealed
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #4. The cover is by series artist Sergio Tarquini and colored by Diego Rodriguez. Before we can get there, however, we need to get… [more]
Martian Comics 52-Page Sci-Fi Special is Now on Kickstarter
Martian Comics is back on Kickstarter, trying to fund our huge 52-page third issue. It’s got seven stories in it, illustrated by three different artists. Check out the video and the rewards, which include a… [more]
Behold! The Cover to Martian Comics #3
Martian Lit is proud to reveal David A. Frizell’s cover to Martian Comics #3: Yes, you read that cover right: it’s a 52-page special. Besides continuing our main story, “The Girl from Mars,” the issue… [more]
Martian Lit Reveals the Cover to Martian Comics #2
Martian Lit is proud to reveal the cover to Martian Comics #2. The cover is by series artist Sergio Tarquini and colored by series colorist R.L. Campos. The issue contains two stories: the first continues… [more]
Martian Lit Releases Laura Madeline Wiseman’s American Galactic
Martian Lit is proud to announce the release of its first book of poetry: American Galactic, by Laura Madeline Wiseman Opening with an epigraph from Charles Simic, “Lots of people around here have been taken for… [more]
Martian Comics is on Kickstarter!
Martian Lit is proud to announce its first Kickstarter… for its first comic book, Martian Comics! The first issue is written by Julian Darius and Kevin Thurman, with art by Sergio Tarquini, interior colors by… [more]
Martian Lit Releases Nathaniel Tower’s Nagging Wives, Foolish Husbands
Martian Lit is proud to announce the publication of Nathaniel Tower’s Nagging Wives, Foolish Husbands, a collection of absurd and literary short stories examining the surreal experiences of married life. The book has already received considerable… [more]
Martian Comics #1 Cover
Here’s Darick Robertson’s beautiful cover for Martian Comics #1 — Martian Lit’s ambitious first comic book, coming in 2014. The comic is written by Julian Darius and Kevin Thurman, with interior art by Sergio Tarquini.… [more]
Praise for CS DeWildt’s Dead Animals
CS DeWildt’s Dead Animals, a short story collection published by Martian Lit, is winning tremendous praise as an innovative literary offering that is at once realistic and mind-bendingly troubling. J.J. Anderson, author of Trailer Park… [more]
Martian Lit Releases CS DeWildt’s Dead Animals
Martian Lit is proud to announce the publication of CS DeWildt’s Dead Animals, a collection of short stories and flash. The book doesn’t pull its punches, and it focuses on damaged and damaging characters. But… [more]
Watching People Burn Trailer Released
Martian Lit has released its first video, a trailer for Julian Darius’s Watching People Burn. The book is an original, illustrated, historical screenplay. It reads quickly. It’s gotten rave reviews. And it’s cheap — currently… [more]
Watching People Burn Now Available
Martian Lit’s first book, Julian Darius’s Watching People Burn, is now available for purchase. The original historical screenplay dramatizes the Bath school disaster, an coordinated terrorist attack in rural Michigan in 1927 that blew up a… [more]
The Invading Other: Over a Century of Martian Stereotyping
For at least 113 years, humans have stereotyped Martians as invaders, as butchers, as sadists, as strange-looking monsters, and even as rapists of white women.
Hello, Humans
Our website has now launched, including our “About Us” page, which contains crucial information about our mission.
MAGAZINE ARTWORK BY JULIAN DARIUS
Green Thumbs
When Poison Ivy appears at my backyard gate the Martians offer bouquets of Virginia creeper and woven crowns of red-tongued honeysuckle. I’m so startled that Dr. Isley is in my garden— butterfly bush, tea roses,… [more]
One: Strain [of] Reflection
Net the tulips with their own wither. (It will fit better as the colors fade.) To black tripping white, pledge pieces of the fallen. Flatten the table’s surface pretending to be Columbus’ demise. We know… [more]
