John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series in the works after smashing crowdfunding target

By John Freeman on September 20, 2024

Pocket Universe Productions - John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series (2024)

John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series is on the way, starring Sean Patrick Flanery of Young Indiana Jones and The Boondock Saints in the title role, Babylon 5’s Bruce Boxleitner as Kantas Kan, as well as Star Trek’s Tim Russ, Wasé Chief, and Doctor Who’s Tom Baker.

The ambitious, fully authorised audio project from Pocket Universe Productions – which you can still “late pledge” to support on Kickstarter – gained almost $84,000 in support. The campaign offers fans both the audio drama and a variety of additional rewards, including a role-playing game supplement compatible with both the Fifth Edition of the world’s most popular RPG, OSR (“Old School Revival”), a double CD set with Frank Frazetta art, and the first-ever plush of John Carter’s loyal companion, Woola.

“This is the John Carter you’ve been waiting for,” say Pocket Universe, “a cinematic experience told in audio, with a cast of top-tier talent and lush soundscapes that will whisk you away to the red planet where you will be immersed in John Carter’s legendary adventures.

“It’s a movie for your ears – and your imagination.”

John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series is a joint project from Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., the company founded by the creator of Tarzan, and Pocket Universe Productions, the audio production company behind EC Comics Presents, announced the first-ever full-cast audio drama series of the iconic John Carter of Mars saga back in May.

Thanks to the successful crowdfunding campaign, these officially authorised productions will debut with A Princess of Mars, the novel that catapulted John Carter into the hearts of millions.

*Dejah Thoris the Princess of Mars, as visualised for the cover of the 1972 edition of the book, art by Bruce Pennington*

When Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the John Carter novels, he invented a genre that inspired storytellers from comic creator Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) to blockbuster filmmaker George Lucas (Star Wars) to contemporary authors like George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones). Cherished by generations of readers, Burroughs’ Martian saga continues to reverberate in the popular imagination and remains one of the most beloved properties in science fiction and fantasy.

These adventures have been told in books, comics, and most recently in film with Disney’s 2012 feature John Carter, but never before as audio drama.

John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series will whisk listeners away to the red planet, surrounding them with a rich, immersive soundscape, complemented by a cinematic score. An international cast of top-tier talent from the United Kingdom and United States will voice the characters whom fans know and love.

Sean Patrick Flanery, the star of Young Indiana Jones, The Boondock Saints, and the recent film Nefarious, among many other features and TV shows, plays the swashbuckling hero of John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series. He also serves as an Executive Producer

Wasé Chief will portray the Princess of Mars herself, Dejah Thoris. Wasé is an Oglala Lakota woman, model, actress, writer, and artist. She can currently be seen in Kevin Costner’s series of Horizonfilms

*The legendary Tom Baker, best known for his lead role as The Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who, will voice the Wise Old Man in the Atmospheric Tower and will teach John Carter the secrets of Mars*

Bruce Boxleitner, Captain John Sheridan in Babylon 5, Tron in TRON, and the CIA operative "Scarecrow" in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, brings his long and storied career to Mars to voice the role of Kantos Kan, the Red Martian soldier who becomes John Carter's comrade in battle — Bruce Boxleitner, Captain John Sheridan in Babylon 5, Tron in TRON, and the CIA operative “Scarecrow” in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, brings his long and storied career to Mars to voice the role of Kantos Kan, the Red Martian soldier who becomes John Carter’s comrade in battle

Tim Russ, well-known for his role as the Vulcan Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, stars as the Thark warrior and friend of John Carter, Tars Tarkas. His credits in film include Karma, 5th Passenger, Live Free or Die Hard, Spaceballs, and television series regular roles for The Highwayman, The People Next Door, Samantha Who, and iCarly

Jim Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., applauds this new venture. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Pocket Universe Productions to create a John Carter of Mars audio dramatic series. Edgar Rice Burroughs’ immortal hero has never before been adapted to this medium, and an incredibly talented team will be producing it.”

“The medium of audio drama is the most visual medium available. You bypass the eye for the cinema of the mind. As such, there’s no better space from which to bring John Carter’s adventures on Mars to life,” says Lance Roger Axt, Pocket Universe co-founder and producer. “I think even the most ardent of Burroughs fans will be impressed by our effort.”

“The swashbuckling interplanetary adventure of John Carter of Mars lends itself perfectly to being experienced as a dramatic audio series. We are looking forward to bringing a new interpretation to the fans, including all the twists and turns of this high-paced story in a way that only Pocket Universe Productions can bring to life,” says Cathy Wilbanks, VP of Operations at Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.

• You can still “late pledge” to support the John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series here on Kickstarter

• Sign up to receive future updates at JohnCarterRises.com

• Pocket Universe Productions are online at pocketuniverseproductions.com

From its headquarters in Tarzana, California, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., administers the intellectual property of American author Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950), one of the twentieth century’s most prolific and enduring writers. Mr. Burroughs’ stories have been adapted into 60 films and 250 television episodes, and are featured in comic books, video games, apparel, and other merchandise. Through worldwide ownership of copyrights and trademarks, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., oversees authorised adaptations of his literary works in film, television, radio, publishing, theatrical stage productions, licensing, and merchandising. The company is owned by Mr. Burroughs’ heirs and continues to operate from offices the author built in 1927 on the site of his former Tarzana ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

Pocket Universe Productions - Locke and Key Audio Series

Pocket Universe Productions - EC Comics Audio Series

Originally established in 2010 as AudioComics, Pocket Universe is one of the foremost production companies in America dedicated to the creation and distribution of high-quality audio dramas for podcast and audiobook platforms. Their accomplished productions include The X-Files starring original cast members Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny and Locke & Key with Tatiana Maslany and Haley Joel Osment for Audible Studios.

Most recently, they adapted the lost Lon Chaney horror film London After Midnight with Audio Marvels and Monkey Basket Entertainment which has garnered almost two dozen awards for excellence.

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.