JOHN CARTER LIVES!
14. Jan, 2009 
9 Comments
That’s actually a quote from the Edgar Rice Burrough’s John Carter of Mars Barsoom stories. I won’t cite which one since I think it appears in all eleven novels, at least once.
It’s no secret that Pixar is making a live action film – just about everyone is talking about it these days. Casting began today (I know that casting agents are supposed to be able to find anything, but tusked, four-armed green giants are a little thin on the ground these days. ANYONE fitting that bill has a guaranteed job!)
I’m eagerly anticipating this film, although I am also dreading disappointment. This is, after all an adaptation, not a remake (no original to fall back on), so there is the possibility that it can achieve ‘as good as – but different’ status, even though I wasn’t as thrilled with Wall-E as everyone else seems to be.
I thought it might be a cool idea to take a look at the various incarnations of Barsoom over the years. So, without further ado -
Under the Moons of Mars (the original title for Princess) first appeared in All Story magazine in 1912.
Except where otherwise noted, these images can be found on the Erbzine site and, of course, all images are copyrighted by the artist(s).
Note that the byline is for Norman Bean.
The Ballentine edition that I originally read.
An earlier Ballentine edition with art by Schoonover.
A later edition from Del Rey books featuring a Michael Whelan cover.
The full Whelan cover.
Joe Jusko’s montage.
The first book edition with the original version of Schoonover’s art.
The iconic Frazetta version.
DC comics; Carter would eventually get his own ‘zine.
Gold Key illustrated version.
An illustrated novel from Incwell
David Burton’s illustrated version.
A UK edition.
Another UK edition.
John Coleman Burroughs comic version.
A b&w version of JC Burroughs appearing in the British Sun weekly.
James Killian Spratt’s illustrated edition. The art is a bit unusual, because James presented the story exactly as Burroughs wrote it – naked princesses and all.
That’s all for now – I’ve got to catch a running thoat for Helium!
I am eager to see the film, although I fear disappointment. I started reading the series when I was twelve then picked it back up when I was in my early twenties. By the time I was 25 I had read the entire series. All the cover art on my books was by Whelan (I happen to like it better than Frazetta’s version.
Excellent stuff. But note the spelling of Ballantine. Only one “e.”
Cool!
The “other UK” version is by the great Bruce Pennington; his thark and thoat are not my favorite, but no other illustrator has done such justice to Clark Ashton Smith…
I most highly recommend Vanguard Productions’ “The Paintings of J. Allen St. John”, a costly, magisterial on the great Burroughsian illustrator:
http://www.vanguardproductions.net/StJohn2/index.html
Princess of Mars is such a great pulp sci fi adventure. I have a handful of these books with various covers but my selection is far from complete. I love that UK edition with the alien on riding with the woman draped over his lap. I have got to track down a copy of that. Thanks for feeding my collector’s addiction!
For the JC Marvels see:
THE ERB COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA
http://www.erbzine.com/comics
also see:
http://www.johncarterofmars.ca
Bill Hillman
Editor and Webmaster for
The Official ERB, Inc. Websites and Webzines
WEEKLY ERBzine WEBZINE:
http://www.erbzine.com/mag
My collection isn’t complete, either.
You could have grabbed an image from eBay. There’s usually quite a few going for sale on there.
Hey Ian – yes I did – couldn’t find an image for it.
I’ve got most of those too, lol.
You missed off the Marvel John Carter, Warlord of Mars comic series, from 1977 to 1979.