Published On: 2021-09-30 by Independent
Artist: Mick Beyers
Colorist: Mick Beyers
Letterer: Mick Beyers
Catch-up on Last Issue
The story picks up at a point where John Carter (The Warlord) has brought peace to much of Mars. The Valley Dor and its River Iss has been set free to deadly consequences. Kahr Kagut, a Jedwar of Thark, the greatest of the green hordes, has lived his 1000 brutal years, and instead of embracing the new world, with it’s strange new customs, Kahr Kagut has turned to the old ways.
In This Issue of He May Yet Conquer! A Martian Tale #1
Our heroes, Kahr Kagut, a green Martian, and Phaidor, Queen of the Therns, band together on a quest to reclaim Thern society. We jump directly into the action in the Valley Dor as Kagut emerges from the River Iss. The Valley Dor is populated with some of Edgar Rice Burroughs most infamous creations, White Apes, Plant Men, Therns, and Tharks. Each of them challenge Kahr and Phaidor.
What Else Happens in this Comic?
In addition to Kahr and Phaidor’s story, we get a back-up short-story titled Merciless. It’s about everyone’s favorite emotional Princess of Thark, daughter of the legendary Tars Tarkas, the incomparible, Sola. She’s also floating down the River Iss when she encounters an unexpected gift from the gods. In true Sola fashion, she makes the most of the gift and may change several lives because of it.
The Comic's Themes
Societal change is the big theme of ‘He May Yet Conquer’. In waging war against the realms of Mars, John Carter has unwittingly destroyed many of the foundations Martian society was built upon. Kahr is having trouble dealing with it. Phaidor, in the fashion of a true queen, sees opportunity to reclaim and rebuild all that was lost when her father Matai Shang was deposed.
How's He May Yet Conquer! A Martian Tale #1's Writing?
The Dialogue
The Therns have a complex society based loosely around reincarnation. The Tharks are your standard Vikings or Klingons. You’ll pick up all you need to know through Mick’s good dialogue. In addition to the backstory, the words provide insight into our lead characters and how they are dealing with the changes forced upon them.
Comic Art Review
The character designs and action sequences are really solid. Mick knows his Martian races and the designs are unique. The quality of the line varies a lot from page to page almost like a layout was drawn too small and become pixelated when enlarged to the final format.
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- He May Yet Conquer Cover
On the Cover
The cover is good. We have our primary characters fighting with Mars’ go-to villain, the White Apes.
The Comic Panel by Panel
A black and white comic can be a drag. Color brings a lot to the story. Although I would have liked the entire issue to be colored, I was delighted by the dynamic page layouts. There’s a lot of panel breaking. Panel shapes are used to move action sequences. It’s really well done. The other publishers of Barsoom related comics should be hiring Mick for their next Martian projects.
World Building
We are treated to some of Mars’ most mysterious areas: The Valley Dor, the River Iss, and the Therns’ Yellow Cliffs. Through the plot and dialogue, we see many of the creatures that inhabit the Valley. To his credit, Mick draws the creatures to scale.
Who's In This Issue of He May Yet Conquer! A Martian Tale #1
- Kahr Kagut, Thark
- Sola, Thark
- Sarkoja, Thark
The Big Question for Next Issue
Will we get Book 2: Queen of Therns? Do Phaidor and Kahr have enough willpower between them to forge a new Thern nation?
Give your metal to me, Kahr Kagut. Become a Jed of Thern. Conquer a world even the Warlord could not.
Who Will Like He May Yet Conquer! A Martian Tale #1?
If you are an Edgar Rice Burroughs fan or you liked the John Carter movie, you’ll enjoy this comic. It comes in two flavors, Jasoomian or Barsoomian (nsfw). Jump over to Kickstarter. Digital copies are only $5.
I Need More Content like He May Yet Conquer! A Martian Tale #1
If you want to know more abou the Therns, revisit the source material, The Gods of Mars. You can find the audio book on Librivox.
Even if you didn’t like the Disney movie, it’s soundtrack by Michael Giacchino is solid. Check it out on Spotify.
More Reviews
Have any John Carter suggestions?
Email info( at ) athenaessentials.com
What was I missing?
I’m a casual fan of John Carter’s mythos. The Disney movie didn’t’ help. I could have used a splash page on the different races and places of Mars.
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
I'd really like to see more of this story. It's rare to have a Barsoom comic where the main character isn't John or Dejah. Other publishers have already mined their story. Here's something fresh.