Callisto

Callisto #1-2

by Lin Carter

THE CLASSIC FANTASY SERIES
FROM THE CO-AUTHOR OF
CONAN THE BARBARIAN! At the height of the Vietnam War, Jon Dark is a helicopter pilot for the International Red Cross, flying numerous rescue missions...until the day his helicopter crashes in the Cambodian jungles. Cut off from American troops, he searches for a way out, only to find a lost city -- and the gateway to another world.

Stepping through the portal, he arrives on Callisto -- a savage, hostile world terrorized by insect-men and the infamous Sky Pirates of Zanadar. It is a world of black and crimson jungles where Jon Dark -- now known as Jandar -- finds not only chilling dangers awaiting him, but also the love of a beautiful princess.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

418 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the first of a fun series, if you're a teenage male. If you like Burrough's Mars (Barsoom) series, this is probably right up your alley. It's the same plot, only the names & a few details have been changed to protect the author from out right plagiarism. The quality of writing isn't quite to Burrough's specs. There are a few new ideas & twists. I enjoyed them years ago, but the last time I tried to read it, I couldn't finish it.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book collects the first two installments in Lin Carter's eight-volume Callisto series: "Jandar of Callisto" and "Black Legion of Callisto", both originally printed in 1972. They're planetary romance stories specifically written in the vein of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars/Barsoom series. This is both a strength and a weakness. Fans of the Barsoom novels will see a lot of fun familiar elements, but the imitation is too slavish, frequently crossing the line from homage to outright fan-fiction (a common complaint regarding the work of Lin Carter).

The hero of the series is Jonathan Dark, and the books are written in first person POV. Like the classic Barsoom stories, there's a goofy metafiction element where Lin Carter directly addresses the reader, insisting that he is not the author of the Callisto stories, he's only acting as editor of a series of mysterious manuscripts delivered to him through unorthodox methods. (This particular collection of the novels goes even further, with a new introduction by publisher John Betancourt that somewhat crassly hints that the late Lin Carter isn't really dead, he's just joined Jonathan Dark on Callisto.)

Jonathan Dark is a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war who ends up on one of Jupiter's moons--Callisto--after crashing in the jungle and encountering a mysterious portal. Just as John Carter was captured by the four-armed Green Martians, he's taken prisoner by mantis aliens. Like John Carter, he grows to understand their ways, gradually winning the respect of their leader. Like John Carter, he encounters a bodacious alien princess with whom he is immediately smitten. Like John Carter's lady-love Dejah Thoris, she gets kidnapped frequently. This series is like John Carter.

To be fair, things do get shaken up a bit. It's not a straight-up retelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "A Princess of Mars." Most of the events, aliens, and interactions are different enough to keep things interesting. But while I was pleased to read new (to me, anyway) stories written in the tradition of the Barsoom novels, the Callisto stories would've benefited had Lin Carter taken the basic "stranger in a strange land" premise and done his own thing, rather than directly translate nearly every element found in the Barsoom books. After a while it starts to feel like the author is working from a checklist. Skyships? Check. Romance with a princess? Check. Alien warrior BFF? Check. Despite being a Vietnam War-era American, Jonathan Dark speaks in the same antiquated, slang- and contraction-free manner as Civil War Veteran John Carter. Why?

While not unexpected given what I know about the author, the imitation was a little disappointing. Complaints aside, I did enjoy this volume. It's not as good as the best Edgar Rice Burroughs, but these two stories were better than some of ERB's less-inspired work, and among the better Lin Carter output I've read. I'd like to read the subsequent volumes, but I think I'll work through the last few remaining Barsoom novels before spending any more time on Callisto.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s pretty clear from the outset that these two novels – the first in a long-running series by Carter – are effectively the author’s tribute to the style and imagination of Edgar Rice Burroughs, one of the most important 20th century writers of fantastic adventures. Carter follows a similar theme, of a single man transported to a hostile alien world, and making friends and foes among the races he finds there.

The first book, Jandar of Callisto, takes time in introducing the themes and concepts, but also provides plenty of spectacle and action; the highlight is undoubtedly the assault in the arena towards the end of the book, and the subsequent fight from the mountain-top city. There are engaging allies to be met, including the irrepressible Lukor and the quietly intriguing Koja (my favourite character) and Carter allies himself with the lead, Jandar, so it really does sound like a friend reading out his story to you. One other thing – I really loved the narrative device, which makes out the whole thing is a true story.

Black Legion of Callisto, the sequel, is a lot shorter in length, but perhaps more assured and more intriguing. Here, Jandar must go undercover as a soldier in the enemy army to find the true love of his dreams, Princess Darloona. It can be frustrating but Carter’s rich description makes for an engaging read. The action is more subtle until the rousing finale, which is the best part of both the stories; loved the statue’s head rolling down the stairs! These are pure pulp adventure stories, to be sure; don’t go looking for below-the-surface subtext or moral allusion here. They just offer plain action, intrigue and suspense, and as such fulfil their roles very well indeed.