Warlord of Mars Dejah Thoris #7
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Carlos Rafael
Colors by Carlos Lopez
Letters by Marshall Dillion
Covers by Joe Jusko, Ale Garza, Paul Renaud
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: October 5th, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

This is why we’re all lucky that comics are still being published. This story would NOT work in film, television, books, or any other kind of medium. But, it totally works in comic book form.

Arvid Nelson knows how to write a fun, exciting, suspenseful story specifically for the comic book art form. It’s action from first page to last, always moving, and cliffhangers abound in this issue. Hey, what’s not to love about scantily clad woman bouncing (and I do mean bouncing) around fighting, in chains and causing all sorts of mayhem? This is a genuinely fun, well-crafted action story with a GREAT last page shocker.

The art duties are by Carlos Rafael — you know, the guy who did all those great Red Sonja covers. Nobody but him could do this book justice. There’s a lot of artists out there who can draw beautiful women, but his are never out of proportion and you can tell they aren’t based on pics of models in magazines. Perfect choice for this book. For the second time this week, I am confused by the coloring. Dejah Thoris is colored a tiny darker shade of pink than a “regular” human being would be, yet her and her race and called “Red.” I just don’t get it. But, if that’s my biggest problem with the book, it’s really not a big deal.

Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris is not going to win any Eisners. Nor does it want to. But, it’s fun and entertaining and definitely worth picking up.