The Stratemeyer Syndicate used the pseudonym Roy Rockwood for many of their books written for young boys. The name is most noted for the adventure books Bomba the Jungle Boy and the Great Marvel series. Two of the highest-ranking students of the Universal Electrical and Chemical College, Jack Darrow and Mark Sampson, are world travelers. They have been to both poles and the center of the earth. The boys and their mentor have an opportunity to go on an expedition to Mars.