H.G. Wells' novel 'The War of the Worlds' made people start to look at the sky in a whole new way—from over their shoulders. Written in a journalistic style blending fantastic events with real-life locations and actual science of its day Wells' novel chronicles the sudden Martian invasion of our planet Earth. 'The War of the Worlds' and its realistic approach launched a new chilling genre of fiction and went on to inspire numerous variations and adaptations for radio television comics and film.