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 (November 1963).

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. However, Curt, an amputee, was looking for a way to regrow lost limbs. Despite Martha warning him about the dangers of experimenting on himself, fearing for his safety, Curt created a Lizard Formula and injected himself with it, transforming into a feral lizard monster. Martha later ran into Spider-Man, who already had an encounter with the Lizard, and told him what really happened, prompting the wall-crawler to track down and cure Curt, albeit temporarily.

At one point, Martha and Billy were kidnapped by the Maggia branch led by Silvermane, who wanted Curt to decipher an ancient tablet. Once again, Curt transformed into the Lizard and it took the combined effort Spider-Man and the Human Torch to save Martha and Billy, who were happily reunited with a cured Curt. Although Curt would continue to transform into the Lizard time and time again, Martha would not abandon him.

Sometime later, Curt mentions that Martha contracted cancer and had died due to the complications of her surgery.

In a lead-up to the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline, Martha is revived by Jackal, along with Billy, who had also died, to persuade Curt to work for him. Martha still works at New U Technologies. When New U Technologies suddenly breaks out in a melee, Martha and Billy are taken away by Curt, who claims that he can cure their Carrion Virus. 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.

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.

Television

 * Martha Connors, referred to as "Mrs. Conner", appears in Spider-Man (1967), voiced by Peg Dixon.
 * Martha Connors, renamed "Margaret Connors", appears in Spider-Man (1994), voiced by Giselle Loren.
 * Martha Connors appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced by Kath Soucie. This version is a geneticist who works with Curt Connors at Empire State University (ESU) until they are forced out by Miles Warren.

Film
Martha Connors was meant to appear in The Amazing Spider-Man, portrayed by Annie Parisse, before her scenes were cut from the final film.

Video games
Martha Connors makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Spider-Man 2 via a photograph.