Get Your Ass to Mars!


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Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Today's Paizo Blog discusses Michael Moorcock's City of the Beast, a Mars adventure in the Edgar Rice Burroughs tradition. Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles are among the most-read and best-loved SF classics ever, and more recently Kim Stanley Robinson gave us the hugely influential Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars.

What are your favorite stories of Mars?

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6

Niven's Rainbow Mars was interesting for tying in so many different works. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land is a good take on the human martian.

But I think the John Carter stories win for me. Probably because I was young.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Also because they are damn fun, Russ.

Liberty's Edge

I know I'll lose cool points for this, but I'm a huge fan of Bova. Ben Bova's Mars and Return to Mars are my favorites; followed closely by KSR's Mars trilogy. I remember I bought the KSR books because of an intense interest in Terraforming, and ended up loving his story for the political intrigue.


Hmmm. Terraforming. I wrote a term paper on how to terraform Mars for an astronomy class my freshman year of college. It was pretty fun and the professor even gave me an A- on it. Guess I'll have to check out KSR sometime.

Edgar Rice Burroughs would have to be my favorite, though.

One of Heinlein's later books involved Barsoom as well--don't remember the title or very much about it, but it involved a machine that allowed travel to an infinite variety of alternate universes. So Heinlein covered Mars from several angles. IIRC Stranger in a Strange Land really didn't directly involve Mars at all, except as the hero's place of origin.


Remember when Elric had to contend with the 10 son's?

Well, here is one of them cutting lose on Mars.


Anyone remember Isaacr Asimov's/"Paul French's" Lucky Starr books? Bit of a departure from his normal writing style (hence the nome de plume, I guess).

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6

Peruhain of Brithondy wrote:

Hmmm. Terraforming. I wrote a term paper on how to terraform Mars for an astronomy class my freshman year of college. It was pretty fun and the professor even gave me an A- on it. Guess I'll have to check out KSR sometime.

Edgar Rice Burroughs would have to be my favorite, though.

One of Heinlein's later books involved Barsoom as well--don't remember the title or very much about it, but it involved a machine that allowed travel to an infinite variety of alternate universes. So Heinlein covered Mars from several angles. IIRC Stranger in a Strange Land really didn't directly involve Mars at all, except as the hero's place of origin.

Number of the Beast is likely what you're thinking of. And yep, Stranger made my list because of the human martian, not because of any action happening on Mars :)


I read all the John Carter of Mars series; there was also a sci story of a guy from earth who went to mars as some kind of detective troubleshooter; Mars was cast as a old west kind of setting and this guy wore dude boots that made him stand out kind of as a super hero; dont remember the name at the moment, but will put it in if I think of it; as a great story I read as a teen; maybe someone else knows.


Tars Tarkas!!!
ERB's Barsoom for the win!

After the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings, the John Carter stories were probably the strongest influence on my first D&D games - flying ships, swordplay, lost cities, Tars Tarkas...

I guess I know what I'm re-reading this fall.
:)
Rory Weston


Stranger in a Strange Land is still (despite it's sexist bent in the middle) my #1 science fiction novel of all time. He followed it up later with a book called Red Planet that's more of a Young Adult book, but was still a vivid portrayal of Mars in a pulp context.

Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy is the magnum opus of Mars books, in my humble opinion, and uses a brilliant combination of modern scientific theory and fantasy story elements to create a Mars that breathes with life.

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6

Joshua J. Frost wrote:

Stranger in a Strange Land is still (despite it's sexist bent in the middle) my #1 science fiction novel of all time. He followed it up later with a book called Red Planet that's more of a Young Adult book, but was still a vivid portrayal of Mars in a pulp context.

Stranger was written in 1961, Red Planet's actually a fair bit older (1949). There's another mars book by Heinlein, Podkayne of Mars. It was written in 1963, post-Stranger. Not one of my faves, I liked Red Planet better.


Russ Taylor wrote:
Stranger was written in 1961, Red Planet's actually a fair bit older (1949). There's another mars book by Heinlein, Podkayne of Mars. It was written in 1963, post-Stranger. Not one of my faves, I liked Red Planet better.

I should've said, I followed it up with Red Planet--I read Stranger then Planet. I haven't read Podkayne, but I also haven't heard anything positive about it either. Heinlein is hit-or-miss for me.

The Exchange

nullPlanet Stories Subscriber
Erik Mona wrote:
What are your favorite stories of Mars?

Hasn't been mentioned yet, but one of my favourites is Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. Another is War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Both are classics and worth a read (DON'T judge War of the Worlds by the movie adaptations :D).


It seems like I've read everything Mars in Scifi EXCEPT John Carter.

How did I miss it?


John Carter, now and forever!
IIRC, I was around 12 or 13 when I read my first JC story. Now, 31 years later I still find themto be an exciting read. Strange cities, alien races, swords and blasters. Whats not there to keep anyone interested in them?

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Kruelaid wrote:

It seems like I've read everything Mars in Scifi EXCEPT John Carter.

How did I miss it?

I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?

--Erik

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6

Erik Mona wrote:


I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?

I know the only way I got to read them was from very old editions at our friendly public library.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Russ Taylor wrote:
Erik Mona wrote:


I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?
I know the only way I got to read them was from very old editions at our friendly public library.

And I think we're about the same age, so we may be onto something here.

--Erik

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6

Erik Mona wrote:


And I think we're about the same age, so we may be onto something here.

--Erik

My google-foo leads me to believe that you're a bit younger than my 36 years, so indeed it seems we were both born into the same dry spell for ERB books. I'm afraid that since the library only had John Carter and Tarzan (which didn't interest me), I've never read any but his Mars books.

On-topic goodness: Princess of Mars is being made into an animated film. Wikipedia seems to have the best info. If it makes it all the way to production, it'll be the first film adapation to make it to release - pretty impressive for a book that's nearing 100 years old.


Animated Princess of Mars? Glee!


Lilith wrote:
Animated Princess of Mars? Glee!

And Pixar too! It must be one of their non-Disney affiliated productions.


Erik Mona wrote:
Russ Taylor wrote:
Erik Mona wrote:


I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?
I know the only way I got to read them was from very old editions at our friendly public library.

And I think we're about the same age, so we may be onto something here.

--Erik

I had not thought 1978-1983 was so distant in the past as all that.

In 1978, Del Rey began republishing all 11 books in Burroughs' series, catching my eye at Waldenbooks for two reasons:

  • The price was only $1.95 per book when the typical going rate for any book in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi section was $2.95. Saving a buck per book was much kinder to my pre-teen budget.
  • Michael Whelan did the covers.

Decades later, I discovered Burroughs work had inspired another notable artist whom I suspect is only a couple of years younger than me and should be right in line with you whipper snappers.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

1983 would have been prime Burroughs time for me, as I was already into D&D and had read the Hobbit and even Dune. I was 8, though, so if those books were unavailable even around 85 or 86 there's a good chance I would have missed them.

--Erik

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Frank Cho is a hugely talented artist, but it's kind of lame how all of his pictures basically star the same woman (albeit a hot, large-breasted beauty, but still).

--Erik


Erik Mona wrote:
1983 would have been prime Burroughs time for me, as I was already into D&D and had read the Hobbit and even Dune. I was 8, though, so if those books were unavailable even around 85 or 86 there's a good chance I would have missed them.--Erik

I read the Barsoomian series between 1975-1976 from a mish-mash of old books including A Princess of Mars with a $1.25 cover from Ballantine Books, The Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars with 50 cent covers from Ballantine Books, Thuvia Maid of Mars with a 40 cent cover from Ace Books, et cetera. Although I still have these copies, I've recently purchased the 4 hardbacks from the Science Fiction Book Club that collects the 11 books series. (I like the smell of the old paperbacks better, but the new hardbacks are easier on the eyes.)

I also still have Michael Moorcock's Masters of the Pit or Barbarians of Mars, Lord of the Spiders or Blades of Mars, and City of the Beast or Warriors of Mars from the DAW SF line (1979 1st printings). But I'm looking forward to getting these from Planet Stories also once the Subscription Service becomes available!

I would really love to see Radium Pistols and Green Barsoomians (or something like them) on Golarian's moon in a GameMastery Module!


Erik Mona wrote:
Kruelaid wrote:

It seems like I've read everything Mars in Scifi EXCEPT John Carter.

How did I miss it?

I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?

--Erik

Back then I bought all of my books in a used book store and John Carter should have been there. I've looked at the covers since then, and I know that if I'd seen them when I was between 8 and 15 (1978-85), I would have bought them. Someone must have been buying them all and keeping them.

I actually remember feeling distraught and worrying, at about 14 or 15 years of age, that I had read every fantasy book written (I hadn't, although it was a damn good try) and would have to wait for publishers to release things one at a time from now on.

Then my Dad packed me up and took me to Asia... and when I came back I went hard into sci-fi.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Tars Tarkas wrote:


I would really love to see Radium Pistols and Green Barsoomians (or something like them) on Golarian's moon in a GameMastery Module!

You won't see them on the moon, but you will see them in Akiton, the Red Planet orbiting Golarion's star.

The boys have an idea that the inside of the moon is some kind of prison or something. I'd probably base it more on Burroughs's "The Moon Maid" and Otis Adelbert Kline's "Maza of the Moon," but I'd definitely need to reread both before committing to such a possibly insane idea.

--Erik

Dark Archive Contributor

Erik Mona wrote:

You won't see them on the moon, but you will see them in Akiton, the Red Planet orbiting Golarion's star.

The boys have an idea that the inside of the moon is some kind of prison or something. I'd probably base it more on Burroughs's "The Moon Maid" and Otis Adelbert Kline's "Maza of the Moon," but I'd definitely need to reread both before committing to such a possibly insane idea.

--Erik

That's no moon...

Actually, Erik, hadn't we discussed the possibilities of one major moon and several lesser moons?

Yay for hashing out ideas on messageboards, I guess. ;D


Anyone remember an old RPG called Space 1889? Victorian-era early steampunk setting with Mars at the center of most of the published materials. If this type of setting is to your taste there are plenty of RPG supplements as well as fan and third-party material available (web sites, eBay, etc.) that make great reading - or you can create your own stories.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16

Or the Polyhedron Spelljammer mini-game Shadow of the Spider Moon!!!

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Mike McArtor wrote:


That's no moon...

Actually, Erik, hadn't we discussed the possibilities of one major moon and several lesser moons?

Yay for hashing out ideas on messageboards, I guess. ;D

Yes, but James Jacobs was worried about the moons' effect on lycanthropy and other esoteric (and valid) concerns, so we split the difference by having one moon and two planets visible in the night sky.

--Erik


Russ Taylor wrote:
Erik Mona wrote:


I completely missed it in my youth, too. Perhaps we both grew up in one of those ten-year periods where the books have not been reliably published?
I know the only way I got to read them was from very old editions at our friendly public library.

You aren't the only ones. I've been aware of the John Carter of Mars books for sometime, but only recently got my hands on the books through the Scifi and Fantasy Book Club. It's a shame Burroughs is not more widely available. His work is gold.


SEE YOU AT THE PARTY, RICHTER!

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

The Moon Maid/Moon Men is a treasite against Communism, IIRC.

And yes Barsoom please. I know some people who read John Norman, and I love to counter their drek with good pulpy Barsoomian goodness.


Dan Simmons' Ilium/Olympos series is my current favorite involving
Mars. Ben Bova's Mars is a close second, followed by ERB's books.
(I think the fourth in the series was my favorite one, but I
don't even remember the title now!).

Looks like I'll have to read Kim Robinson's Mars trilogy...


The ERB's "Barsoom" books are still among my favourite books. I remember going from mall bookstore to mall bookstore back in the 80's picking up any softcover John Carter (Whelan covers) or Conan (REH) I could get my hands on. I just finished Moorcock's City of the Beast and found it to be a surprisingly enjoyable read.


KnightErrantJR wrote:
Anyone remember Isaacr Asimov's/"Paul French's" Lucky Starr books? Bit of a departure from his normal writing style (hence the nome de plume, I guess).

I loved those Lucky Starr books as a kid. They were the first books I borrow from the elementary school library, but I could never find them afterwards.

Thanks for the clue on the nom de plume!


Favorite Mars?

Burroughs Barsoom

Leigh Brackett's "Colonial Barsoom" stories.

Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles.

The Leigh Brackett pastiches by Lin Carter.

Moorcocks 3 Mars books.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.

Red Planet by Robert Heinlein

The Hall of the Martian Kings by John Varley (novelette)

Old Faithful by Raymond Z. Gallun (novelette)

Martian Odyssy by Stanly G. Weinbaum (short story)

The Martian Way by Isaac Asimov (novelette)

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (oops! soory, that's a record.)

Take care.
Doug

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

You have great taste in books _and_ music, Doug!

Liberty's Edge

Erik Mona wrote:

Frank Cho is a hugely talented artist, but it's kind of lame how all of his pictures basically star the same woman (albeit a hot, large-breasted beauty, but still).

--Erik

I'm unfamiliar with Frank Cho's work ... but if the woman in question is the one depicted in the link a few posts above yours, then there are no complaints of lameness from this quarter! She's even a brunette ...

Liberty's Edge

As some above have mentioned, my favourite Mars is probably Kim Stanley Robinson's - love that trilogy.

Has anyone read Short Sharp Shock by KSR?

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

I chuckled at the Barsoom references in 'Heinlein's Number of the Beast.'

I need to order that Barsoom PDF when I get home. Crashed air ship side trek anyone? Temple of the Frog, Barsoom style?

Lone Shark Games

This is a little outside the question's scope, but I enjoy the DC Comics character the Martian Manhunter. It was interesting to watch him turn from a roundheaded Super-clone into a very interesting character in the Keith Giffen Justice League series and then the J.M. DeMattias Martian Manhunter miniseries after that. I liked how the JLA leadership role moved not to the ultra-powerful Superman, nor the super-smart Batman, nor the monarchical Aquaman. It made more sense to have someone whose best skills were coordination, just like Captain America on the Avengers. Telepathy doesn't hurt in that department.

Anyway, to coin a phrase, that's my favorite martian.

Mike

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

Mike Selinker wrote:

This is a little outside the question's scope, but I enjoy the DC Comics character the Martian Manhunter. It was interesting to watch him turn from a roundheaded Super-clone into a very interesting character in the Keith Giffen Justice League series and then the J.M. DeMattias Martian Manhunter miniseries after that. I liked how the JLA leadership role moved not to the ultra-powerful Superman, nor the super-smart Batman, nor the monarchical Aquaman. It made more sense to have someone whose best skills were coordination, just like Captain America on the Avengers. Telepathy doesn't hurt in that department.

Anyway, to coin a phrase, that's my favorite martian.

Mike

I've not read the comic version (though I'm not sure I like the look from the outsiders comic) but I loved the Justice League unlimtied version.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

The recent Ostrander Martian Manhunter series was a disappointment. I used to really dig Tom Mandrake's art on GrimJack, but nowadays it looks too amateurish to my eye. Plus, the stories were pretty lame.

It did bring back Martain Manhunter's little buddy Zook, though, which was a nice touch.


Douglas Draa wrote:

Favorite Mars?

<snip>

Burroughs Barsoom

Leigh Brackett's "Colonial Barsoom" stories.

Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.

Red Planet by Robert Heinlein

Old Faithful by Raymond Z. Gallun (novelette)

Martian Odyssy by Stanly G. Weinbaum (short story)

<snip>

Wow, Doug, that's the choice list! The Mars described in these works is what Den Valdron called the Shared Mars of 1880-1950 (http://www.erbzine.com/mag14/1405.html)


groovista wrote:
Douglas Draa wrote:

Favorite Mars?

<snip>

Burroughs Barsoom

Leigh Brackett's "Colonial Barsoom" stories.

Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.

Red Planet by Robert Heinlein

Old Faithful by Raymond Z. Gallun (novelette)

Martian Odyssy by Stanly G. Weinbaum (short story)

<snip>

Wow, Doug, that's the choice list! The Mars described in these works is what Den Valdron called the Shared Mars of 1880-1950 (http://www.erbzine.com/mag14/1405.html)

Shared Mars???

SHARED MARS????

Don't you realize that what I listed is the...
REAL MARS!!!
It's the Mars that we are not encouraged to know about.
Haven't you ever asked yourself why most of these books and stories have been out of print for oh so very long?

If we Knew that this is the real Mars then we would all want to go there.
And as long as I live I will never accept that there could be any other kind of Mars.
Perish the thought! :-)
Take care.
Doug


ok, this is a long shot - I have been trying for ages to track down a book which is set on Mars - only I don't remember the title, or the author - only that it was different, and I found it interesting. Read it at uni many, many years ago.

Plot of the book is that humans have landed on mars and started exploring some pyramids there, and there are traps in the pyramids meant to test teh intelligence of the explorers so that the supposedly long dead martians can determine if the explorers are intelligent enough to make it worth them reviving themselves.

The book starts off with the team having passed the intelligence type tests but the final one is based on music, and the guy exploring the pyramid is trapped and dies. So the team recruits this guitarist / muso character from earth called Ben, for the next mission, and he jams with the music that the pyramid puts out, which gets past the test. Then ... that's all I can remember.

if anyone knows what the heck I'm talking about, I'd be very grateful for a title and author so I can go look it up!

cheers
Sean


Had to wait until the mid to late '80's to get the Barsoom books with the Michael Whalen covers -- I think I found the first 5 or so, then ended up getting the rest in older editions from used book shops. Classic stuff.

Spoiler:
The part at the end of Swordsman of Mars when the head assassin throws his sword at Carter's feet still makes me cheer out loud.

What was the Heinlein book about the Martian "bouncer"? I rather enjoyed that one.

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