John Carter

In the late 19th century, Earth is plagued by one of its most brutal and protracted wars, the American Civil War. Within this tumultuous landscape, Captain John Carter, a seasoned and decorated veteran of the Confederate Army, finds himself stranded in the scorching deserts of Mars, a world he has only ever dreamed of exploring. The year is 1863, and Carter is fighting in the trenches of Virginia, but it is then, inexplicably, that he wakes up in this unforgiving alien landscape. As Carter discovers the peculiarities of Mars, he realizes that this unforgiving world has a unique property: Mars' gravity is only about one-third of Earth's. At first, this reduced gravity serves as a novelty, allowing Carter to perform impressive feats of strength and agility. However, he soon comes to understand the full extent of his new environment's alienness. While fighting in a conflict known as the Ares Campaign on Mars, Carter soon finds himself at the center of a brewing conflict between two warring nations: the Heliumites and the Zodangans. Residing on Mars is the fantastical and ancient Martian society known as the 'Green Men' or Tharks. The story unfolds as Carter unwillingly involves himself in these factions' internecine warfare through his repeated encounters with them. It is among these warring nations that Carter eventually meets Dejah Thoris, the princess of Helium, who instantly captures his heart. In an unexpected chain of events, Carter is approached by Dejah's father, Tardos Mors, who is desperate for aid in defeating the aggressor nation. Furthermore, after witnessing Carter's incredible strength and keen combat skills, Mors believes that the Earthman possesses the means to not only help his kingdom but also to potentially alter the balance of power in favor of the Heliumites. However, not all Heliumites believe this. They ultimately display considerable apprehension when Tardos approaches his allies for assistance. Fearing that the Heliumites' interests might not genuinely align with those of the Earthman, Mors' caution heightens. At the same time that the Zodangans seek full domination over Mars, Carter discovers that their intentions extend far beyond just seizing the conquered territories: their overarching desire is for absolute control over the source of Barsoom's greatest source of power, a powerful and radioactive fuel. As the epic battle looms large on the destiny of Mars, Carter knows he needs to find the opposing force that has an equally compelling motive: discovering this resource must therefore allow him to effectively deploy its maximum power for counterbalancing. With the epic war drawing near, and ultimately, with the power at stake of potentially derailing the course of civilization, John Carter finds himself suddenly discovering a sense of belonging and purpose once more. Mars, in all its breathtaking desolation, no longer proves an unforgiving place, for John Carter -- finding his new identity as the greatest warrior on Mars -- uses this newfound energy to take up the banner of war alongside Dejah Thoris to safeguard Barsoom from destruction.