When ever you find yourself on an alien world, remember two things – You are probably going to be the strongest and smartest of everyone you meet, and there’s a good chance you’re going to fall in love with a sexy alien princess.
Warlord of Mars #6 arrives in stores on April 27, 2011, so consider this your Spoiler Warning!
WARLORD OF MARS #6
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Illustrator: Lui Antonio
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Covers: Joe Jusko, Lucio Parrillo, Patrick Berkenkotter, Stephen Sadowski
Editor: Joseph Rybandt
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in Warlord of Mars: Princess Dejah Thoris has been placed under the protection of John Carter as the Thark horde head to the capital city. Along the way, Carter learns that the green Martians are very treacherous, but he finds something completely different in the form of Sola, a Green Martian with a secret past…
SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY
Throughout the original Edgar Rice Burroughs Princess of Mars, readers got a great deal of the backstory in the form of tales told to Carter. We’ve reached the point in the story, were we learn Sola’s tale, and it is one of the saddest tales in the entire book. See, Sola wasn’t conceived and born like the other Green Martians. Green Martians have no compassion, they don’t fall in love, and they raise their children in giant nests, until they are old enough to return to the tribe. Love should be completely foreign to them. Sola’s mother was not the typical Green Martian. She had great compassion. She fell in love with a Thark warrior, who in turn fell in love with her. The two conceived a child, and Sola’s mother watched over the hidden nest for five years, while her love was sent away to become a leader and a warrior.
But those who have secrets are going to be found out, and that is what happens to Sola’s mother. But before her mother is tortured and killed, she did manage to sneak Sola in with the rest of the children, and whisper the name of her father.
If you’ve been following the melodrama, you’ve probably already figured out that the only other Green Martian to show any compassion is Tars Tarkas.
When the caravan does reach the capital city, Carter learns that he’s to be taken prisoner and forced to fight, while Thoris is to be killed as revenge against the Red Martian tribe. Of course this means an escape plan is executed, but not before we get to see some disgusting Green on Red Martian alien action… ew…
The trio make their escape, and during their flight, Thoris reveals her love to Carter just as the party gets split.
This was a fantastic issue, as far as the story goes. Since the series began, i wondered how well Nelson would be able to adapt Sola’s tale, and he did an excellent job. The flashback only takes three pages, but seems much longer; full of drama, and emotion. The action and flight across the desert is also well done, but we have come to expect violence, fighting, and scantily clad ladies, so the impact is not as wonderful.
GROSS AND LOVELY
Art by Antonio continues to deliver, and this issue Lui shows us that he can do more than just draw perfectly formed bodies. Tal Hajus’ reveal is perfectly laid out to deliver the biggest impact and shock, though I wonder how many people are going to complain that it is merely a rip off of the Jabba/Leia scenes from Return of the Jedi.
Once again, Dynamite Entertainment didn’t screw over the art with a lot of muddy colors. And in an issue where color is key, and light and shadow help push the story forward, it’s nice to see everything finally come together.
BOTTOM LINE: BUY IT
The Princess of Mars adaptation has been great, and this issue, things really start to move. Sola’s story is a wonderful tale of love, and seeing Thoris and Carter express their love to each other in words and actions (but not those kinds of actions) hits the right spot for those who believe that love can concur all. This issue features the best to date, and if you enjoy the Edgar Rice Burroughs Carter series, you need to pick this up. Even if you’ve never read a Carter tale, Warlord of Mars #6 is worth the buy, and earns 4.5 out of 5 Stars.
