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The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

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• The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Michael > September 11th, 2023, 12:55 AM

  I recently saw a screen name on Mastodon for "dejahthoris". I wondered how much interest modern science fiction and fantasy fans still have in Edgar Rice Burroughs' most famous princess.
  
  Apparently, quite a few. I found many examples of fan art and even cosplays of Dejah Thoris, some based on the 2012 Taylor Kitsch/Lynn Collins but some based on older cover and poster art from the 1970s-80s.
  
  In the books Dejah Thoris is mostly a damsel-in-distress character but she gets a few scenes where she acts independently (and bravely). Andrew Stanton made her a much more assertive character for the movie.
  
  Still, I'm a bit surprised to see so much creative interest in a fictional character that first appeared 111 years ago in stories that were clearly male-dominated (and targeted at a male readership).

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Randy Ray > September 11th, 2023, 03:06 PM

  Doesn't surprise me at all. This is what classics are all about. Maybe Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom books will still be popular 300 years from now -- it happened for Shakespeare, after all.

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Michael > September 11th, 2023, 03:24 PM

  Shakespeare and Burroughs - the Masters!

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  august > September 15th, 2023, 08:48 AM

  Plenty of pop classics are still popular - Jules Verne comes to mind, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, Gulliver. Robinson Crusoe. etc. Plus, I think generations of illustrators like Frazetta have helped fix Dejah Thoris as an iconic visual figure, even when it's really Thuvia, or Princess Leia.

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Boomstick > September 24th, 2023, 10:40 PM

  Dynamite Comics has had various John Carter and stand alone Deja Thoris comic book series for what must be 10 years or more now. A quick glance at their website, and as best I can tell there’s a Deja Thoris series ongoing now. Now, how much this is doing to keep the character in the public consciousness, I can’t say. Comics are just about the most niche entertainment industry out there these days!

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Michael > September 26th, 2023, 10:29 AM

  Ah. Well, that most likely explains it. But it's also a testament to the staying power of ERB's imagination.

• RE: The Incomparable Dejah Thoris

  Boomstick > September 27th, 2023, 10:03 PM

  (September 26th, 2023, 10:29 AM)Michael Wrote: Ah. Well, that most likely explains it. But it's also a testament to the staying power of ERB's imagination.

  
  Absolutely. And I suppose it's always just one successful movie or mini-series away from having more widespread popularity. The Disney movie may have just arrived at the wrong time.
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