“John Carter of Mars” Animated Series Set to Be Unveiled at Comic-Con

Fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic sci-fi hero, John Carter of Mars, are in for a treat! It has been announced that an animated series adaptation of the beloved novels is in development and will be officially unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con this Friday, July 25th.

The news comes exclusively from TheWrap, which reports that the series is being developed with the estate of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, and showrunner Michael Kogge will be adapting the iconic novels for the screen.

For those unfamiliar, the “John Carter of Mars” series began as a pulp serial in 1912 titled “Under the Moons of Mars,” later published as the novel “A Princess of Mars.” The stories follow John Carter, a Civil War veteran who finds himself transported to Mars, known as Barsoom by its inhabitants. There, he becomes a skilled warrior and engages in battles against various alien races and monstrous creatures, often in his efforts to rescue Dejah Thoris, the Princess of the Martian city-state of Helium.

The “John Carter” novels and their subsequent pulp comic adaptations have become foundational works for modern science fiction, inspiring numerous creators over the years. Notably, the series served as an inspiration for George Lucas’ “Star Wars” and James Cameron’s “Avatar,” among many others.

While “A Princess of Mars” was previously adapted into a live-action Disney film in 2012, titled “John Carter,” the movie unfortunately underperformed at the box office despite its significant budget. This new animated series offers a fresh opportunity to bring Burroughs’ imaginative world and characters to life for a new generation of audiences, and perhaps even to satisfy longtime fans.

Jim Sullos and Wolf Larson are reportedly overseeing the animated project for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. A special sneak peek of the series is scheduled to be presented during a Burroughs-themed panel at San Diego Comic-Con this Friday, giving attendees an exclusive first look at what this animated adaptation has in store.

With the rich source material and the promise of a dedicated adaptation by Michael Kogge and the author’s estate, this “John Carter of Mars” animated series is definitely one to watch for science fiction and animation enthusiasts alike. Be sure to follow news coming out of San Diego Comic-Con for more details and potential first looks at the series.