Deep beneath the planet surface, a pair of Martians are attempting to melt the ice. Did I mention they were both hotties? That ice is gonna melt quicker than butter on toast. But will the true secret of Segotha be revealed this issue, or will the tantalizing tale and tempting art delay the inevitable?
WARLORD OF MARS: DEJAH THORIS #9
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Illustrator: Carlos Rafael
Colorist: Carlos Lopez
Letterer: Marshall Dillon
Editor: Joseph Rybandt
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris: After being captured, then escaping from Xen Brega, the Dator of the cannibal pirates of the moon, Dejah Thoris, Phondari, the Prirate Queen of the Mars, and their compatriots, have made it to the frozen ice caverns looking for the Hoard of Segotha.
ICE BIKINIS OF MARS
Using technology that helps to power the atmosphere machines of Mars, Dejah and her merry band have made it deep into the ice caverns at the southern pole of the planet. Though they are deep inside, and the ice has to be extremely cold, I will admit a chuckle or two after seeing Dejah and Phandari prancing around in their unmentionables with nothing but thin fur robes (which keep popping open) to keep them warm.
The troop encounters a strange, and very old, black martian tied to a outcropping, and watch as a giant worm emerges and devours the old fellow. Dejah Thoris dispatches the creature, which draws more of the small men from various parts of the caves. Seems the old men think the arrivals are prophets they’ve waited eons for to rescue them, and though they are hesitant, they do lead the explorers to the Hoard of Segotha – a treasure trove of gold and jewels, and one special treasure that is priceless – pearls.
I love how Arvid Nelson paces this issue. It’s full of the right amount of shock and horror (but not the blah-blah-kids kind), and moments that cause the breath to catch in the throat. Nelson isn’t afraid to spend a panel having the two princesses exchange a knowing glance over the treasure they’ve found, nor is he afraid to let the strangeness that is Burroughs’ Mars play out. It really is well done ,and I think this chapter would have made Edgar Rice Burroughs proud.
DID I MENTION ICE BIKINIS OF MARS?
The last couple of Dynamite Entertainment issues I’ve reviewed haven’t fared so well, but this issue makes up for it. The lines are fine and detailed, the women look gorgeous, and the tribe of old men are both humorous and frightening at the same time as they all look alike, and they all look bat-shit crazy. And though the T&A is in overdrive this issue, there’s never a panel where we see anyone with Woman with Broken Spines syndrome.
The art team of Carlos Rafael and Carlos Lopez do a spectacular job, and if one was giving this issue a casual glance there are times when one might mistake the style for that of Adam Hughes or Terry Dodson. Simply put, everything about the art is fantastic.
BOTTOM LINE: ICE BIKINI GOODNESS
Part Indiana Jones, part Empire Strikes Back, and part Hardbodies (hey, look it up), Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #9 is an entertaining read. This issue mixes the right amount of adventure with some really great art, while propelling the story ahead with a cliffhanger that puts the heroes in jeopardy. I want to read more, and the entire creative team needs to be commended for a job well done. Even if you haven’t picked up the previous issues, it’s not hard to figure out what is going on here. I give Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #9 4 out of 5 Stars.
