John Carter, Warlord of Mars #20 - Jan. 1979

"Battle at the Bottom of the World!" by Chris Claremont and Ernie Colon.

John Carter, still at the lost city of Karanthor trying to rescue his beloved Dejah Thoris, prepares to help his friend Garthon fight off an invading horde (the best kind of horde):

While Gar Karus celebrates John Carter's courage and skill, he continues to dismiss his son Garthon. That night, the whole city celebrates their victory, while Carter is alone, plotting on how to save Dejah and escape.

He hears someone creeping into his room, but gets the drop on him, assuming its an assassin. Turns out its Garthon, who asks Carter point blank about whether he's plotting an escape.

Carter admits he is--but instead of arguing, Garthon suggests an easier way for his friend to leave rather than scaling the immense cliff that the city sits in the shadow of. Garthon says he made the trip once himself, but could not leave his love Hira behind.

But now, he and Hira are ready to leave together, and ask Carter if they can come along. Carter is thrilled, adding only that he's not leaving without Dejah Thoris:

...to be continued!


This is one of my favorite--if not the favorite--issues of this whole series. Having Ernie Colon draw the entire book (the letters page says the art was reproduced directly from Colon's pencils, but this sure doesn't look like it) was a great idea, and I think his style is perfect for John Carter, Warlord of Mars.

Plus, Colon's Dejah Thoris is simply drop-dead, stunningly gorgeous. The man could (can) do gritty action as well as draw sexy women: two major elements of the series!