via The Blog From Another World
Although he's been gone since 1950, Edgar Rice Burroughs has had an amazing influence on the recent pop-culture landscape. One of his most popular characters, John Carter–a Civil War veteran who is mysteriously transported to Mars for incredible adventures–is starring in several new comic book series and reprinted collections, plus he's also getting a movie: Disney's John Carter is due out March 9, 2012. Meanwhile, Burroughs' most famous character, Tarzan, is getting a no-holds-barred comic book adaptation, Lord of the Jungle, courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment, this December!
When checking out these classic pulp adaptations, it's no coincidence that one name keeps popping up: Arvid Nelson. Nelson, who is currently writing Warlord of Mars, Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris, and Lord of the Jungle for Dynamite, has been a longtime fan of the genre, which also influenced his original series, Rex Mundi.
As part of Dynamite Month, we asked Nelson what attracts him to these classic stories, what he thinks of the upcoming movie, and what he'd like to tackle next. Plus, we've got an exclusive five-page preview of Warlord of Mars #11, out October 19, so feast your eyes!
TFAW.com: Hi Arvid, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions!
Arvid Nelson: Let the jabbering commence!
TFAW.com: Between your work writing Thulsa Doom, the Warlord of Mars series, Queen Sonja, and your original series, Rex Mundi, it's clear that classic pulp adventure stories are in your blood. What was your introduction to the genre?
AN: I'll never forget pulling R Is for Rocket by Ray Bradbury at my local library. It was mixed up with the children's books. I think I was about 10. There was a story in it about a man encased in an alien chrysalis . . . I got sucked down the black hole, right then and there!
TFAW.com: There are a ton of comics today inspired by legendary writers like Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs. What makes their stories so comics-friendly, besides their serialized nature?
AN: The stories are so visual! I sort of reject the idea anyone can do a "definitive" take on a story. I love seeing how different writers and artists handle the same material.
TFAW.com: What is it about these stories that keeps attracting new fans, decade after decade?
AN: Small publishers like Arkham House and Gnome Press–and devoted fans–deserve a lot more credit. If not for them, time would have gobbled up most of these stories.
TFAW.com: What are the challenges you face adapting Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom series for Warlord of Mars? What's your process?
AN: There's a colossal amount of information in the originals. Colossal. Deciding what to cut is very painful, like having six children and only enough food for one of them to make it through the winter.
TFAW.com: From what I've read of your Warlord of Mars comics, it looks like you've completed Princess of Mars and are embarking on Gods of Mars. Will you adapt the entire Barsoom series?
AN: We'll see how it goes! Right now I'm working on one story at a time. We'll also be doing original interludes here and there. Currently, we're in the throes of an original bridge between Princess of Mars and Gods of Mars.
TFAW.com: What have you changed in these stories for a modern audience, if anything?
AN: The artists and I try to give the stories a more present-day look and feel. For instance, Martian scout ships–I'd always seen them as flying canoes. We decided to make them jet bikes. Totally rad! There's also a certain amount of racial stereotyping in the original stories. So that's not very cool.
TFAW.com: Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris is a prequel to the original stories, which must give you a lot more freedom in terms of storytelling. How hard is it to tell essentially original stories that still fit into Edgar Rice Burroughs' world?
AN: Not hard at all! Burroughs did such an amazing job creating the world, the stories practically jump out at you.
TFAW.com: What do you think about the upcoming John Carter movie? Have you seen the trailers?
AN: I did see the trailers! And I'm excited, very. The artists working on it have come up with some weird and wonderful designs.
TFAW.com: You're about to take the reins of another classic epic with Lord of the Jungle, an adaptation of Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes, which, in the solicitation copy, promises to be "uncensored." What does that mean?
AN: It's not going to be X-rated or anything! We just want to present readers with the original character, as Burroughs conceived of him. Most adaptations stray pretty far from the source.
TFAW.com: You're also going to be expanding on the original story and adding some original elements. What aspects of the story are you most excited to flesh out?
AN: Ah, that would be telling! You'll just have to read the story.
TFAW.com: Juggling so many series at once, you're probably Dynamite Entertainment's most prolific writer. What makes Dynamite a good fit for you?
AN: Dynamite offers me stories any writer would strangle puppies for a chance to script. They really get behind their titles, too–for instance, offering Warlord and Jungle #1 at $1 a piece. I feel great about everything we've accomplished with Warlord, and I can't wait to unleash Jungle on the world.
TFAW.com: What other projects are you looking forward to?
AN: Gods of Mars, the next installment of Warlord of Mars! We're telling it at a much faster pace than the first story arc, so hold on tight. I'm also writing a novel. Which is terrifying.
TFAW.com: Fifty years from now, how do you want to be remembered as a comic book writer?
AN: If I'm remembered at all, it will be a sign of the impending collapse of Western Civilization.
Our thanks to Arvid for patiently answering all of our questions. You can pre-order Warlord of Mars and Lord of the Jungle here–in fact, Lord of the Jungle #1 is just $0.65 in October, so make sure to pick it up now. You can also find a slew of excellent Dynamite pre-order comics and graphic novels at an amazing 35% off for a limited time here at TFAW.com.
BROWSE D.E.'S WARLORD OF MARS COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
PRE-ORDER LORD OF THE JUNGLE #1 BY 10/31 FOR JUST 65 CENTS
Are you excited for more Warlord of Mars and the debut of Lord of the Jungle? Post your comments below!
