A Quick Introduction to John Carter of Mars
If you have not heard by now, the Disney Studios are partnering with Pixar to bring Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars to film under the title “John Carter of Mars”. A Princess of Mars was the first pulp adventure story Edgar Rice Burroughs published — in 1912 — and it launched one of the most successful literary careers in history. Although Burroughs made most of his fortune from Tarzan, the John Carter books and stories have remained immensely popular for nearly 100 years.
The character of John Carter is immortal. At the beginning of his tale he is a former Confederate soldier who lived in Virginia, but he does not recall when he was born. He has vague memories of having fought in many wars. After the Civil War, Carter goes west to find his fortune. He and his partner are hunted down and slain by Apaches, but Carter’s spirit passes through space to another world, the planet Mars, whose people call it Barsoom.
On Barsoom John Carter rises to power as a great prince and general. He wins the heart and hand of Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium. Together they brave many perils and raise a family who help to unite Barsoom under an international alliance of kings and princess. Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote 10 books about John Carter and his associates, and had begun writing an 11th novel when he died. The unfinished story, “John Carter and the Skeleton Men of Jupiter”, was published in a book by John Coleman Burroughs with a story that Coleman himself wrote, “John Carter and the Giant of Mars”.
Many fan sites have documented the world of John Carter of Mars. There are also several dedicated sites that report on John Carter of Mars news from the film productions.
