Classic Pulp Hero John Carter of Mars Returns in New Comic Series

Warning! Spoilers for John Carter of Mars #1

The classic pulp hero, John Carter of Mars, is returning in a new line of adventures thanks to a brand new comic series of the same title.

Originally created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter has permeated popular culture alongside the likes of Zorro, the Shadow, and others. For a while, he had comics published by Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Comics. Joining the comic book publisher Dynamite known for a myriad of pulp heroes’ titles, Carter has found a new lease on life. However, new stories featuring the titular pulp hero have been lacking.

In a recent announcement by Dynamite, it was revealed that John Carter is coming back to comics with a new series, John Carter of Mars, written by Chuck Brown (Aquamen) with art by George Kambadais (Firefly). Set in the year 1919, the series follows Carter as an asteroid is headed toward Earth, made up of a substance called “Ninth.” While it approaches the planet, it causes the people of Mars and Earth to switch. As the warlord of Mars and a soldier in the Civil War, John Carter is at the middle of the event. Going back and forth between his lives, he finds himself in Virginia at one moment, and fighting martians in the next. The first issue includes variant covers by artists including Junggeun Yoon, Jonathan Case, Dejah Thoris, Joseph Michael Linsner, and series artist Kambadais. Dynamite’s new comics series take on John Carter begins in April.

Brown spoke on the upcoming title, saying, ”I’ve always been a huge fan of sci-fi and adventure… Like many of us, as a kid I was obsessed with Mars and the other planets in our solar system. Barsoom has such amazing characters and backstories. So it’s a huge opportunity for George and I to play in this world.” In the press release, it was alluded to that Brown might incorporate commentary into the series, based on past work. However, it was also hinted that the series will feature “plenty of action, explosions, and all the profanity that Dynamite will let him get away with,” which contrasts the classic pulp hero that some readers might remember.

Chuck Brown and George Kambadais are a promising creative team to reimagine components of the classic pulp hero. Some of the released variant covers match the more mature material that has been referenced. A practically nude portrait emphasizes the rating that the series intends to go for. John Carter of Mars #1 releases in April both in print and digital formats.

Source: Dynamite

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