The curious case of John Carter of Mars

I was just writing a review of Dark Horse's collection of DC Comics' of John Carter comics, when I came across this article about Disney (which produced the 2012 John Carter film) talking about how Disney is suing Dynamite Entertainment because the covers of the company’s John Carter comics are too lurid and sensual:

ERB Inc. takes specific issue with some of the covers and interior art for "Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris," insisting they "border on (and in some cases are) pornographic": "On some covers -- covers which defendants refer to as "Risque Nude" exclusive covers — Dejah Thoris appears topless."

Something that we find thoroughly entertaining as in the original ERB novels, John Carter and the various Martian tribes were described as nude. Further, on ERB’s own web site there exists a full John Carter Novel (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars) shows all of the various characters in numerous full frontal nude illustrations).

As for their ‘case’ against Dynamite. I”m not entirely sure what they are talking about.

Personally, I’m voting for this last cover to be the best comicbook cover of all times!

Warlord of Mars

I first discovered Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter back in 1977 when it appeared in a Marvel Comic. and remember enjoying it quite a bit. I really dug the four-armed Martians. It wasn't until much later on that I realized that this character had a long, rich literary history in comics (I was aware of his connection to Burroughs right away). Well, in the years since, the character has appeared in other comicbook incarnations (including DC & Dark Horse).

Oh, and for those of you paying attention, the character “John Carter” who appeared on the TV program, ER was actually intentionally named by series creator, novelist Michael Crichton (The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park), after the Burroughs character in tribute to the master storyteller.

Well, recently, Dynamite Entertainment has begun publishing a 12-issue series entitled Warlord of Mars. The first two issues serve as a prelude story, issues 3-9 will adapt A Princess of Mars, and issues 10-12 will be an original story. The great part of this is that issue #1 has a $1.00 cover price, which — as I’ve often said — is always a great way to lead into a new series. This first Dynamite issue (by Arvid Nelson & Stephen Sadowski) is really very good, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Dynamite also has a Warlord Of Mars Deja Thoris series planned as well that will give some background to Carter’s Martian love. I’m looking forward to both series.