Looking through some of the reviews here on Goodreads for this graphic novel adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs sci-fi classic, I was surprised to see so many people giving the book so much grief. I don’t get it. Admittedly, I’ve never read the original book(s) or watched “John Carter” (the big budget Disney - parent company of Marvel - version also released not-so-coincidentally in 2012), so I went into these comics pretty cold; I knew the broad strokes of the story but this was my first experience with the particulars. What I found was an action-packed mash-up of alien romance and political intrigue, led by Filipe Andrade’s goopy, lumpy, and surreally perfect art.
Scripted by Roger Langridge, Burroughs’ “John Carter: A Princess Of Mars” is about the titular Civil War veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported to the Red Planet, known as Barsoom by the warring alien tribes that call it home. Imprisoned by the four-armed Tharks, Carter falls in love with a Martian princess who has also been captured, kickstarting a bloody adventure involving deadly creatures, uneasy alliances, and an extraterrestrial revolution. Only five issues long, Langridge doesn’t waste any time, keeping the series constantly moving forward, brisk and brimming with excitement. It’s Andrade’s art that will really take your breath away, though. Dynamic, flexible, and otherworldly (appropriately enough), Andrade’s character designs, architecture, and page layouts have the potential to be as iconic as Frank Frazetta’s cover paintings for the original novels.
Beautifully playing to the strengths of the comics medium, Langridge’ and Andrade’s adaptation of “A Princess Of Mars” is a stylish bit of high octane fun. Chill out, Goodreads. You’re being way too hard on this book.