John Carter - Warlord of Mars #14 - A Review

John Carter and Dejah Thoris have returned home to Helium. Yet the streets are deserted and there is something else odd about their home city, which defies their senses and calls into question the very nature of reality around them! Is there some science or sorcery at play? Or has too much time in the desert wastes driven the royal couple mad?!

Ron Marz and Ian Edginton deliver an epic conclusion to their original saga of Barsoom. I'm sad to see this series end but I'm glad to see it go out on a high note, with the quality undiminished. It's truly amazing what these two writers accomplished together, crafting tales true to the spirit of Edger Rice Burroughs.

The artwork by Ariel Medel remains equally impressive.  Medel's a great artist, capable of rendering loud action and quiet reflection with equal ease. He's also one of the few artists who can draw a Dejah Thoris who can look sexy and strong without being objectified. The final art is realized by the excellent colors of Nanjan Jamberi.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #13 - A Review

John Carter and Dejah Thoris have been trapped in the desert wastes for five days. Things look grim until they find an oasis... and barely survive a deadly encounter with a creature dwelling in the inviting waters. This leads them into an underground city... and a deadly secret that could lay waste to all of Barasoom!


This story by Ron Marz and Ian Edginton proves exciting enough and worthy of the legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I particularly like how realistic survival skills are depicted throughout the issue. Though I question the efficiency of bullets that explode upon being exposed to sunlight underwater, I'm willing to write that off as pulp science being pulp science and merely enjoy the fact that it is the scientist Dejah, not John the adventurer, who takes the lead in this adventure.


Ariel Medel continues to deliver some impressive visuals. Of particular note is the two-page spread where we first see the vast underground city John and Dejah discover and we see their conversation unfold as they move through the great backdrop Medel has created. The colors by Nanjan Jamberi perfectly finish Medel's pencils and inks.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #12 - A Review

John Carter and Dejah Thoris have jumped from the frying pan and into the fire! The tomb raiders who held them hostage inadvertently awoke the last of The Orovar - the ancient race who ruled Mars centuries earlier. But now he intends to awaken the rest of his people and conquer all of Barsoom!


This issue, while enjoyable, is perhaps the most weakly written script Marz and Edginton have composed to date. While the story is well written and we do learn a far bit about the past of Mars, the sad truth is that John and Dejah are more passive figures in this story than usual and their actions do nothing to stop the villain. Still, we do get several good character moments along the way.

The artwork remains top-notch throughout. Ariel Medel is a true talent and this issue boasts some of the best work on the series to date. The colors by Nanjan Jamberi are applied with equal skill.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #11 - A Review

Things have gone from bad to worse for John Carter and Dejah Thoris. Their transport was grounded by a sandstorm, leaving them stranded in the wilderness. Then they were abducted by a gang of bandits turned grave-robbers, led by a rogue general of Helium with a grudge against Dejah's family. But could even greater dangers be in store for our heroes? In the wilds of Barsoom, almost certainly...
The story by Ron Marz and Ian Edginton continues to engage readers. Though John and Dejah are held hostage for much of this issue as the exposition unfurls, what little action exists proves exciting. And the exposition proves riveting, despite largely being set-up for one hell of a cliff-hanger.


The artwork remains equally impressive. Ariel Medel is one of the finest sword-and-sorcery artists working in the field today. Colorist Nanjan Jamberi does an effective job in subtly applying different tints and gradient effects to enhance the original artwork. And letterer Rob Steen's print is clear and efficient.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #9 - A Review

The good news is that Dejah Thoris has solved the mystery of what has been happening to the disappearing townsfolk of a distant village. The bad news is that she discovered this by being captured by the golem-like creature that was abducting the missing people! Now, as John Carter gives chase after the beast, Dejah must free herself and the captive women before the golem forges them into his perfect mate!


In all honesty, this book should be titled John Carter and Dejah Thoris, rather than giving John Carter solo billing. The scripts by Ron Marz and Ian Edginton treat the two as equal partners in adventure. Indeed, recent issues have seen Dejah playing the hero more than her husband!

While she may be a captive in this issue, Dejah is no damsel in distress and she uses her knowledge of science to free herself and her fellow prisoners.  As Dejah notes at one point, while she will always need John Carter, she doesn't need him to rescue her. Nor does she allow John to send her off with the rest of the women, staying behind to fight by his side with a sword in hand. It's a refreshing change of pace from the usual pulp tropes.

The artwork for the issue is equally excellent. Ariel Medel's only weakness is an occasional tendency towards forcing some poses, such as Dejah's unusual fighting stance in the page above. Thankfully, these moments are few and far between. The color art by Nanjan Jamberi is also impressive, as is the lettering by Rob Steen.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #8 - A Review

As John Carter and Dejah Thoris continue to search for a way to restore a dying Barsoom, they stumble across a more urgent mystery.  A farming community in the distant deserts has been terrorized by an unknown threat and all their attempts to summon aid have failed. It should be a simple matter for the Jeddak of Jeddaks and a warrior princess of Helium... but the key word there is 'should'.


If you like classic pulp action, you should be reading John Carter: Warlord of Mars. There's a lot to like about this series, which - unlike the previous Warlord of Mars book by Dynamite Entertainment - is devoted to original tales involving Edgar Rice Burroughs' characters rather than adapting classical works. And despite the title the book is just as much about scientist/princess Dejah Thoris, who is presented as an equal partner to her Earthly mate, John Carter.


The scripts by Ron Marz and Ian Edginton are innovative while still holding true to the Burroughs oeuvre. The artwork by Ariel Medel and Nanjan Jamberi proves vivid and exciting  I'd recommend this series without reservation to anyone who enjoys classical adventure fantasy.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars #7 - A Review

With the invaders that threatened the city of Helium banished, John Carter and Dejah Thoris can turn their thoughts to more pleasurable pursuits. Of course their trip to the ruins of Gulondra are also part of a quest to restore the dying atmosphere of Barsoom but they also view the scientific expedition as a welcome chance to some quality time alone. Alas, another enemy seeks revenge upon the young couple and their vacation may prove to be short, if not fatal!


Ron Marz has done an amazing job in fleshing out the characters of both John Carter and Dejah Thoris. Their relationship is presented as one of equals and mutual respect, in stark contrast to most pulp hero romances,  Both are capable of great intelligence and great savagery, as Dejah proves when it falls to her to protect her injured husband.


The artwork by Ariel Medel proves a welcome change of pace.  A caricaturist by trade, Medel has a great grasp of expression and his characters' faces broadcast emotion well. Yet Medel is also a gifted fight choreographer and the action of the issue is well illustrated.