Comic Review: John Carter-World of Mars #2

This week's Barsoom comic review! With great white apes, sandstorms and woman trouble included.

Picking up where we left off, Dejah Thoris just offered up some kicks to her attempted kidnapper only to be distracted when she learns it's Sab Than, who immediately knocks her out. But with guards everywhere escaping proves risky and Sab's vehicle is damaged, causing them to crash land just as a massive sandstorm begins. Meanwhile Tars Tarkas and Tal Hajus head off on their quest to find the infamous Warhoon Gothan, with a tag along-Loas, a female Thark and apparently Tars' woman. However both parties find themselves at odds-the Tharks with an ape with a bad attitude and Sab Than with an angry Dejah. But the Princess might have found something else that is harder to escape...

I loved the first issue so I was looking forward to this one. But I have to admit I'm split on it. First the good stuff-the Tharks are well handled by writer Peter David and artist Luke Ross. I admit seeing Tars and Tal as friends might throw off the reader but if anything at least it builds up their relationship-one we know is doomed to failure. The fight with the great white ape is also drawn beautifully, even if the final resolution seems unlikely.

On the flip side though, the Dejah-Sab section seems to be nothing more than the standard capture/escape routine. It also brings up a major issue I've had with the movie-if she's a "warrior princess" how can she be captured so easily? She gets distracted when Sab reveals his identity, runs out into a sandstorm like an idiot and still manages to get tackled by Sab. For someone who insults Sab Than on the first page with "all you're showing me is your incompetence" Dejah seems to have just as much here. Also Loas? Is that Sola with a different name? I'm sure that's a debate for fans coming soon. I also can't say I'm sold on the great white ape. The rat/ulsio head is not a good look and in some of the art it resembles the wampa Hoth creature. Still that isn't Ross' fault but some concept artist on the movie. Still they could have done better.

So to wrap up, this issue is OK, not as good as the first one but still enjoyable. Just look past the flaws and have a good time.