A November 2009 commission from the Joltin' Johnny Lucas! I asked the Joltin' One about a John Carter commission and he replied: "I'd love to do one of those. I love Burroughs and the Mars series is my favorite. I do love the Mars books. Far and away Burroughs' best stuff. "
"As far as my definitive look, we're all just rats, scrambling for Frazetta's crumbs. I doubt I could dare to move too far away from his basic designs. Besides, that's the look I had branded on my brain. If I could do it for Europe, I might draw everybody naked. Isn't that how they are in the book? It's been years since I read them. drawing this made me want to re-read them.
After battling my fear, I settled in and really enjoyed drawing this one. The classic stuff always paints a yellow stripe down my back. In the end, though, I think it makes for stronger pieces. I'd hate myself if I let a drawing I was unhappy with go out, but the Shadow or John Carter?! I really do love the old pulp stuff, too. it's a real charge taking a crack at it. As much as I love it, I've never drawn any of it. The pulp drawings you see on the sight are my first attempts. Crazy, huh? Aside from Conan, i never drew this stuff when I was reading it as a kid. The prose was separate. Conan had a comic, and could be drawn. I'd never really thought about that 'til just now. "
