Tangents with Alex Ross and Jason Lenzi. Episode 7: John Carter of Mars

Join Alex and Jason on this wild tangent-filled episode as they trace the epic lineage of John Carter of Mars – the Edgar Rice Burroughs character who became the godfather of superhero mythology. From Superman's origins to Flash Gordon's influences, they explore how Carter shaped comic book history before landing on a fascinating revelation about the 1980s cartoon Blackstar (spoiler: it was almost a John Carter show!). Packed with deep dives into pulp fiction, sci-fi inspirations, and Hollywood what-ifs, this is a must-listen for fans of adventure storytelling. Don't miss their passionate defense of the underrated John Carter movie too!0:00 Introduction0:55 John Carter of Mars Discussion2:03 Influence on Superman and Other Characters7:13 Flash Gordon and The Shadow8:56 Batman and Lone Ranger Origins12:52 Visual Lineage and Design Influences14:34 First Awareness of John Carter16:48 John Carter Movie and Franchise Potential26:43 AI and Future of Storytelling33:30 Blackstar and John Carter Connection35:54 Closing Thoughts