Marvel to Adapt JOHN CARTER: A PRINCESS OF MARS

Marvel to Adapt A PRINCESS OF MARS CREDIT: View full size image

Marvel is adapating the John Carter novels to comic book form, starting with a five-issue John Carter: A Princess of Mars series starting in September.

The creative team for A Princess of Mars is Thor: The Mighty Avenger and The Muppet Show writer Roger Langridge, and artist Filipe Andrade (Onslaught Unleashed). Skottie Young, the artist behind the Eisner-winning Oz titles for Marvel, will provide covers.

Marvel's press statement says that the publisher is working closely with the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate, and that the comics will be "considered part of the official canon." The original A Princess of Mars was the first of the Barsoom series, originally seeing print in 1917. Marvel's parent company, Disney, is scheduled to release a John Carter film in March 2012.

For the past year, Dynamite Entertainment has released comics based on the John Carter novels, including Warlord of Mars, Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris and Warlord of Mars: Fall of Barsoom. Dynamite's Nick Barrucci tells Newsarama that this announcement will not affect their titles.

Marvel's full press release follows:

New York, NY, June 7— Marvel Entertainment, in collaboration with the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate, is proud to announce all new graphic fiction adaptations of the legendary John Carter novels, beginning with John Carter: A Princess of Mars #1 (of 5) in September 2011. By working closely with the ERB estate, all John Carter comics produced with Marvel Entertainment will be considered part of the official canon, adding new layers to the rich mythos created by Burroughs.

Transported to the dying planet of Mars, Captain John Carter must now fight for his life against creatures unlike any ever seen by mankind. But as he finds himself enveloped by an alien civil war, he meets the proud and beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who will change his life forever!

“With our new partnership with Marvel Entertainment, we believe we have found the best creative force to revive the thrills and adventures in the 21st Century of the legendary John Carter of Mars.  We are looking forward to introducing this original interplanetary adventurer to a new generation of fans and await the first issue with great anticipation,” said  James Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.

Re-envisioned by acclaimed scribe Roger Langridge (Thor: The Mighty Avenger) and fan-favorite artist Filipe Andrade (Onslaught Unleashed), with covers by Eisner-winner Skottie Young (Wonderful Wizard of Oz), John Carter: A Princess of Mars #1 (of 5) brings you the story you love like you’ve never seen it before.

“Edgar Rice Burroughs created one of the great action heroes in John Carter and we’re excited to bring his novels to comics for a new generation,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor-In-Chief. “Roger and Filipe are going to blow everyone away with their take on the John Carter novels, keeping fans new and old on the edge of their seats.”

This September, one of the greatest action stories of all time comes to life in John Carter: A Princess of Mars #1!

JOHN CARTER: A PRINCESS OF MARS #1 (of 5)

Based on the Novel by EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS

Adaptation by ROGER LANGRIDGE

Art and Variant Cover by FILIPE ANDRADE

Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG

All Ages …$2.99

ON-SALE SEPTEMBER 2011

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