— Ch. 1 · Origins And Creation —
John Carter of Mars.
~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the first John Carter novel between July and the 28th of September 1911. The story appeared as a serial titled Under the Moons of Mars in The All-Story magazine from February to July 1912. A.C. McClurg & Company published it as a hardcover book named A Princess of Mars in October 1917. This publication followed the massive success of Burroughs's Tarzan series. Before this point, the character had no standalone existence outside pulp magazines.
Character Biography And Lore
A Virginian soldier stands atop a cave in Arizona while hiding from Apaches. He appears to die there but is transported by astral projection to Barsoom. His body re-embodies on Mars with identical features yet greater strength due to lower gravity. Dejah Thoris of Helium becomes his wife after he wins her hand. He sacrifices himself to save the planet's atmosphere before awakening back on Earth. On the 4th of March 1886, he dies again in a small cottage on the Hudson River in New York. His earthly body rests in a special tomb that can only be opened from inside.