One of my favorite books of all time is A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I know sci-fi nerds have an appreciation for this story, which was released in 1917, but I think there could be more fans of this story if more people knew how it has impacted the origin of our standard modern day superhero.
On the surface, A Princess of Mars is very much a space opera. It’s one of the original ones. It’s also a very PG love story, the likes of which even modern day romance novelist can’t top. Burroughs doesn’t excite the reader with minute details of sexual encounters, but rather instead paints pictures by describing feelings and brave acts out of demonstration for those feelings. It’s also a well told story with many character layers to keep even the most accomplished reader entertained. No wonder the creators of our modern day superheroes borrowed so much from this epic tale.
Superhuman Strength
Whether we’re talking about an alien from another planet, like Superman, or a man-made superhero like Captain America, it is commonplace for modern superheroes to possess super strength and it all started with John Carter. In A Princess of Mars, John Carter, is a somewhat ordinary captain yet brave warrior on the battlefield who through an inexplicable magical event ends up on the planet Mars (referred to in the novel as Barsoom).
However, on Mars John Carter is no ordinary man. He is naturally superior to Barsoomians upon his arrival, requiring no physical alteration in order to realize any of his abilities. This then puts him at an obvious advantage over the natives on Barsoom, which is eventually exploited until he escapes from his Thark captors.
One Great Love
Although modern superheroes tend to diverge from this one a bit, for the most part, many superheroes- especially the overwhelmingly popular ones- have one great love that claims their heart. For Superman, it’s Lois Lane, for Iron Man it’s Pepper Potts, etc. Nevertheless, there is consistency in the fact that nearly all major superheroes have a lady love to call their own. And naturally, that lady love is often the main reason the superhero goes head first into danger…to rescue her.
In A Princess of Mars, John Carter did the same thing. Though he didn’t know Princess Dejah Thoris of Helium until her ship crash landed on his captor’s territory of Thark, he fell instantly for the red Barsoomian nearly at first sight. His instant gravitation towards Dejah Thoris then gave him the motive to fight the large creatures holding him captive in an effort to not only win over her affections but also keep her safe from harm. We see the same in our modern day superheroes as they work tirelessly to protect the women that they love.
Humility
One of the more universal characteristics that modern superheroes possess is humility. Whether the humility is the result of incredibly humble beginnings or simply innate, either way, this trait is now the standard upon which superheroes are built on, and it is likely due to John Carter. In A Princess of Mars, it is revealed that John Carter suffered a great tragedy with the loss of his both his wife while he was off fighting the Civil War- a war he eventually deserted because of his lack of devotion to the cause. The pain that he endured as a result of that tremendous loss, no doubt contributed to his sense of humility and deep appreciation for what he still had in life. He knew love and therefore could find it again; and that he did. This set the stage for superheroes that came after him.
Many modern day superheroes also have tragedy in their past, a story of trial and tribulation which drives the superhero’s sense of humility. They are not only compassionate because of the experiences that they have endured, but also are ultimately stronger for it as well.