Warlord of Mars #33 Review

Is there really enough narrative meat to ignore any potential missteps along this narrow path? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

John Carter desperately searches for the true identity of the tyrant who has dragged Mars into a planet-spanning crusade of racial extermination. Although Carter finds a ray of hope among his former enemies, the tyrant is tracking his every move…

Behold the work of this creative team, because this is one release that should honestly catch your attention. Sure there are superficial issues, but the bulk of the outing compliments what we know while focusing on the strongest assets that this particular franchise has enjoyed since its inception. It’s a fun comic that’s brought to us by modern and past influences that take the roots of an aged saga and allow enough room make it new again.

It’s a dark time for Barsoom, and Arvid Nelson is just the scribe to perfectly illustrate that fact. Now, if we can move past the sheer absurdity of its premise I can honestly say that this unconventional rise to power and eventual dark reign is starting to generate some interesting results. The author knows what to attack but there is the silliness of many of the consequential moments that ultimately hold this release back from being all that it could be.

The art by Wagner Reis is up to the challenges provided by the text but I have to say that there were several moments where the obvious assets of a particular heroine were exploited a tad bit too much. Still I can’t deny that this is one illustrator who perfectly suits the job he’s given, as we see detailed backgrounds and expertly choreographed battles that keep the action flowing. So in short: there are problems but not enough to prevent people from enjoying the pictures.

Warlord of Mars #33 is a corny but engaging literary journey that builds on the foundations of this particular tangent. It’s not groundbreaking, nor is it trying to be. Even so rest assured my fellow fanboys and fangirls because it is entertaining. Recommended.

3.5/5