John Carter - A Princess of Mars

John Carter – A Princess of Mars

In 2012 Disney released the movie, John Carter to a movie crowd totally unfamiliar with the character. Some western fans thought it was supposed to be a western, and walked out when they discovered it was science fiction. The reason was poor publicity. Sadly, the movie was marked down as a flop, even though fans thought it was very well done.

Disney’s John Carter

The western fans might be surprised to learn that science fiction is really only a western on another world. Replace six-shooters with ray guns, and horses with rocket ships, and Indians with red or green, four-armed alien warriors. The basic plot is still the same.

Asylum’s Princess of Mars

In 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs created two iconic heroes that would last through one century and into the next. His first novel was A PRINCESS OF MARS, featuring John Carter as the iconic hero. Following that, he created TARZAN OF THE APES, one of the most beloved fictional characters ever to be published in pulp magazines.

DELL Funnies Issue

A PRINCESS OF MARS was responsible for creating several long-lasting genres; mighty swordsmen and otherworld romances – or science fiction, as the genre would eventually be called. Although Burroughs marketed Tarzan, he actually did very little with John Carter. Tarzan was everywhere: radio, comic books, comic strips, movie, chapter plays (serials), and eventually television. There were 24 original Tarzan novels by Burroughs, but only 12 novels featuring John Carter.

DELL John Carter Issue

John Carter has had several comic book appearances, but nothing compared to Tarzan’s comic book life.  Carter appeared in a few issues of Funnies from DELL from 1939 to ‘41, then appeared in three issues under his own title, also from DELL in 1952 to ’53. The series is currently being published by DYNAMITE Comics.

Dynamite’s Warlord of Mars

So it isn’t surprising that moviegoers were not familiar with the character in 2012. Actually, in 2009 Asylum released a movie titled PRINCESS OF MARS, which was a low budget, poorly acted, direct to video, film that few moviegoers were aware of. When Disney released JOHN CARTER in 2012, it didn’t meet expectations at Disney Studios. Neither movies followed Burroughs original novel 100 percent, though fans gave Disney’s JOHN CARTER high marks for a good movie version of their iconic hero.

Tom's Altus Press Hardbacks

Next week I hope to talk about John Carter of Mars and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Until then, here is a list of some of my hardbacks with publisher Altus Press.

Tom’s Altus Press Hardbacks

It’s time to advertise my hardback books from Altus Press this week. I have two short story collections, and five research books available. I only have a few of the hardback editions, so check with Altus Press on the availability of these, and confirm the prices. What I have listed may be incorrect.

The Pulp Detectives: For the first time, nine all-new stories starring the classic pulp heroes of the 1930s, featuring characters such as The Phantom Detective, The Black Bat, The Lone Eagle, The Masked Detective, Secret Agent X and Nightwind. Paperback $22.46. Written by pulp scholar Tom Johnson, it's nearly 400 pages of excitement! Hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Phantom Detective Companion: The longest-running hero of the pulp era! For the first time, the history of the Phantom Detective is bought under one volume, completely updated! Includes an index to nearly 175 stories, 100s of pages of articles, two unused Phantom story plots from the mid-1930s and nearly all of the Phantom's comic book appearances. Paperback is $26.96. It's 400 pages of must-own information for any pulp fan to enjoy. The hardback is $39.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Secret Agent X Companion: The classic investigation of SECRET AGENT "X," revised and updated by the original writers, Tom Johnson and Will Murray, including new chapters, images and information! It's the last word on this classic character! Paperback edition is $13.46. I’m not sure if this one is in hardback yet, check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com

G-Man Companion: For nearly 20 years, Dan Fowler and his G-men battled crimedom in the pages of G-Men Detective. Now, author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series. Also included are complete reprints of the two best Dan Fowler stories as chosen by Johnson and pulp historian Will Murray: "Give 'Em Hell" by Norvell W. Page and "Bullet Justice" by Charles Greenberg. And reprinted in its entirety for the first time: "I Cover the Murder Front," the lost, rejected Dan Fowler story. Paperback is 31.46. Featuring additional articles by Johnson and Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. The hardback is $44.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

Exciting Pulp Tales: The exciting sequel to Tom Johnson's 2010 anthology, PULP DETECTIVES, EXCITING PULP TALES brings you ten more all-new stories featuring classic pulp heroes such as The Angel, The Green Ghost, The Cobra, The Crimson Mask, Gentle Jones, The Purple Scar, Funny Face, Mr. Death, The Jungle Queen, and Ki-Gor. Paperback is $22.46. The hardback is $34.95 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

Operator #5: The entire history of the The Purple Invasion, the War and Peace of the pulps which ran for over a year in the pages of Operator #5! Loaded with illustrations from the original pulps. Paperback edition is $13.46. The hardback is $24.95. I think the hardback is still available. Check with Altus Press www.altuspress.com

The Black Bat Companion: This one is not in hardback yet, but I wanted to list it anyway. One of the most beloved pulp characters, The Black Bat, is finally celebrated with this 340 page deluxe retrospective. Author Tom Johnson has indexed each issue, listing everything you need to know about the series, along with the following highlights: - A complete reprint of the rejected Black Bat adventure, "The Lady's Out for Blood" - A breakdown of the newly-discovered final Black Bat story, "The Celebrity Murders" - All 800 German Black Bat stories newly identified for the English audience - Nine complete reprints of the Black Bat's golden Age comic book stories - An interview with series creator Norman Daniels as well as his complete payment records... available here for the first time Featuring additional articles by Will Murray, this is the ultimate history of the series. Paperback edition $26.96 from Altus Press www.altuspress.com

Some Other Theaters

Some Other Theaters

Mystery and western author Bill Crider posted a picture of an old movie theater (above) he attended in Alvin, Texas when he was young. I can’t make out the title, sorry.

Jean Pierre, a good friend from France, sent me some pictures of the old Eden Theater in St Jean d’Angely. This was one of the theaters American G.I.’s went to while station in France back in the 1960s. If you look close at some of the posters, you’ll notice that a lot of the movies we were offered were a bit racy. However, we also saw American flicks there too. I remember watching Westside Story once.

I’ve been awfully busy for the last few weeks, but I hope to get back to regular posts soon. Of course, we would love for someone to do a guest post for us sometime.

My Hardbacks From NTD

Hardbacks From NTD

The Spider’s Web by Tom Johnson. In 1980, a treacherous Chinaman created a web of events that culminated thirty years later in a reign of terror and death. As the streets of his city run red with blood, The Black Ghost searches for the mysterious killer, who is motivated by revenge, and this time the city's paladin may be faced by his greatest foe, the Spider! An evil mastermind, trained in the deadly mysteries of the Ninja, and a desire to kill! Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $22.76, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Cold War Heroes by Tom Johnson. Pulp goes Top Secret in this military comedy drama set in Europe during the height of the Cold War. A group of misfit MPs must confront spies and the black market while dealing with a boxing tournament on Post! Not since M*A*S*H* and Soldier In The Rain have we been treated to an inside look at military life with a touch of humor by a soldier who actually experienced it. COLD WAR HEROES by Tom Johnson is loosely based on the author’s experience with the 202nd Military Police Company in France during the 1960s. Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $23.90, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Three Go Back by Tom Johnson. When their teleport vehicle malfunctions, becoming a time machine, it sends three young girls back in time on a journey of discovery they never expected. From the Ice Age through the Cretaceous, Permian, Carboniferous, and finally to the beginning of the Earth's evolution of life, they experience their world's prehistoric past in all its splendor and terror, coming away with the joy of knowledge and adventure! Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $24.95, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Jur: A Story of Pre Dawn Earth by Tom Johnson & James Reasoner. A young French archeologist disappears without a trace in the jungles of Africa. An American adventurer with time on his hands volunteers to go find her. Through the high thrills of adventure and the adrenalin-pumping lows of terror, these two must unite in their fight to survive the jungle as they attempt to find their way back to the world they left behind and discover a love like no other. Will they succeed? Only time will tell…. Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $26.44, plus $5.00. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Savage Land of Jur by Tom Johnson. Trapped in the Jurassic age, Ron and Odette seek the time portals that will return them to the 20th Century, but must face the dangers of pre-dawn dinosaurs and wild beasts. When discovered by an Ancient One, the old man brings another danger to them … Published through Lulu by NTD, I have copies available for $25.70, plus $5.00 postage. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com