Writer: Arvid Nelson |Penciler/Inker: Carlos Rafael | Colorist: Carlos Lopez | Letterer: Marshall Dillon | Cover Artists: Arthur Adams, Paul Renaud, Joe Jusko, Sean Chen, and Ale Garza | Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
What Is It About?
This series takes place hundreds of years before John Carter arrives on Mars during a time where the nation of Helium was divided into two warring city-states who are brought together by an overlord who wants to use their war to his advantage.
Thoughts?
I am pretty new to the concept of Warlord of Mars and all of its characters and history. What I have been able to read so far has been pretty entertaining and has intrigued me enough to want to consume more of the comics that Dynamite is publishing. This interest in these characters may cause me to go out and find the actual books in which this series as well as the main Warlord of Mars series is based.
With all of that being said, I think this series is something that is safe for new readers to pick up and feel like they’re not behind on anything. This series actually takes place hundreds of years before the Warlord of Mars series begins. I think that is one thing that makes this series appealing to me and scratches that itch I have to start fresh with a series. While I love finding back issues and learning more about a series and its characters, there’s something nice and relaxing about starting with a first issue and knowing you’re already caught up.
Dejah Thoris #1 drops readers right in the middle of a civil war between the two city-states of Helium, and you don’t really need to know any more than that starting out. There’s a war. There are two sides. Simple. What I do like is that Arvid Nelson provides some moments of dialogue that tells the readers what the stakes are and that this war has been going on for a while. We get a little more story on Dejah Thoris’s side of the conflict, but you expect that since this series is centered on her. What I like about Dejah Thoris is that Nelson writes her as a strong character that is alongside other strong characters. It’s true that she’s a strong female character, but the dialogue does not focus on the fact she is a woman. You know she’s a woman – it’s kind of obvious.
The art in this issue provided by Carlos Rafael is amazing. Rafael has really brought his “A”-Game to this issue and the fans are reaping the rewards of his efforts. I had a fear starting out with this issue that there would be a lot of gratuitous panels of Dejah Thoris because of her lack of attire, but there wasn’t any of that and eventually I sort of forgot that she really had very little on. If you’ve read super-hero comics, the characters are basically naked with lines drawn on them to simulate clothing. It’s just something I look past these days, and Rafael’s art is so good and doesn’t focus on just Dejah Thoris you’ll probably look past it, too.
The Verdict?
Dejah Thoris #1 is a great first issue that makes me excited to see what is coming. If you’re like me and new to this world of characters, come on in and see what it’s like. I think you’ll enjoy what you find.
