Writer – Ron Marz
Artist – Ariel Medel
Colours – Nanjan Jamberi
Letters – Rob Steen

Ron Marz, the writer of our erstwhile hero, has already put John Carter and Dejah Thoris through one fairly trying time and so deigns to give them a bit of a rest. But like any good writer, Marz also injects a bit of action to liven things up and the little trip that Dejah and John take ends up being more than a simple getaway. After a more personal arc with an enemy from the past, this one finds the two facing the dangers of years gone by once again except this time it is from Barsoom or Mars as it is more commonly known. It is nice to see Ron Marz finally starting to explore the Red Planet though it was only a matter of time before readers knew that he would. Also really good to see was the book addressing one of the problems that have plagued the planet for so long, more specifically the loss of atmosphere and how over time it too will soon run out much like most of the water in the past. As such, not only is the little day trip the two go on just about getting away and spending a little time together as a couple but also looking into a long-standing problem for the people of Mars. As for the rest of the cast, they only put in a momentary appearance which is all right considering and one has to love Woola no matter how short a time he is present but a little more might have gone a long way to adding just a little more meat on the bones. The best moment of all though has to go to the great sequence featuring Dejah Thoris as she faces down a whole cadre of Warhoons. The Warhoons are out for blood as they believe that they have not received enough compensation for aiding in the defeat of the foreign invaders and that is quite possibly true, at least from their perspective. Suffice it to say, Dejah Thoris is not a helpless woman and she will do what it takes to protect John Carter at all costs. With some great writing from Marz and some really strong artwork from Ariel Medel, the two make this issue a win on every front.

3.5 out of 5