Marvel sends Roger Langridge to Mars!

Above: The cover for John Carter: A Princess of Mars, by Skottie Young. Copyright Marvel/Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc 2011.

As if he didn't already have a full plate with the announcement of his upcoming series Snarked!, man of the moment Roger Langridge has been tapped by Marvel to write a series of new comic adaptations based on the John Carter of Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. What's special about this project is it's being produced in collaboration with the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate and will be considered part of the official canon, adding to the mythology of this legendary character.

With a big budget John Carter movie on the horizon from Marvel's corporate owner Disney next year, this is certainly an important book for Marvel, and needed to be match up with the right creator. No stranger to licenced properties after working with Disney and the Jim Henson Company on The Muppet Show comics, and writing rip-roaring adventures in Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Roger Langridge was clearly the perfect fit for this project. He'll be collaborating on the series with artist Filipe Andrade, with covers provided by Skottie Young.

Here's the synopsis from the official press release:

Transported to the dying planet of Mars, Captain John Carter must now fight for his life against creatures unlike any ever seen by mankind. But as he finds himself enveloped by an alien civil war, he meets the proud and beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who will change his life forever!

“With our new partnership with Marvel Entertainment, we believe we have found the best creative force to revive the thrills and adventures in the 21st Century of the legendary John Carter of Mars. We are looking forward to introducing this original interplanetary adventurer to a new generation of fans and await the first issue with great anticipation,” said James Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.

“Edgar Rice Burroughs created one of the great action heroes in John Carter and we’re excited to bring his novels to comics for a new generation,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor-In-Chief. “Roger and Filipe are going to blow everyone away with their take on the John Carter novels, keeping fans new and old on the edge of their seats.”

JOHN CARTER: A PRINCESS OF MARS #1 (of 5)

Based on the Novel by EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS

Adaptation by ROGER LANGRIDGE

Art and Variant Cover by FILIPE ANDRADE

Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG

The first issue of the five part mini-series John Carter: A Princess Of Mars, goes on sale in September for $2.99US. For more details and updates check out Roger's website HERE and of coarse MARVEL.COM.

-AK!