A Princess of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs · 1912 · Novel
It originated the 'planetary romance' subgenre, featuring swashbuckling adventure on exotic alien worlds with fantastical elements.
What it is
A Civil War veteran is mysteriously transported to Mars, where he gains superhuman abilities and becomes embroiled in the planet's conflicts. It established the 'sword and planet' subgenre, blending adventure, romance, and alien cultures.
↑Inherited from(3)
Verne's work popularized the idea of space travel, setting the stage for Burroughs' planetary romance.
Directly influenced the trope of a human protagonist traveling to Mars, interacting with its inhabitants, and engaging in conflicts on the alien world.
Burroughs built upon the burgeoning concept of space travel and alien worlds popularized by authors like H.G. Wells, taking the idea of encountering alien civilizations (as in 'The First Men in the Moon') and injecting it with pulp adventure and romance.
Wells' novel depicted an alien civilization on the Moon, influencing the concept of encountering complex alien societies on other planets.
↓Passed on to(8)
Burroughs' planetary romance established adventure on exotic alien worlds.
Alex Raymond's 'Flash Gordon' is widely acknowledged to be directly influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars,' taking the concept of a human hero on an alien world embroiled in its conflicts and translating it into a visual space opera format.
Burroughs' planetary romance established the template for swashbuckling adventure on alien worlds.
Bradbury's 'The Martian Chronicles' directly engages with and subverts the romanticized vision of Mars popularized by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars,' offering a melancholic and critical perspective on human colonization and its impact on native Martian civilization.
Burroughs popularized Mars as a setting for alien encounters and human interaction with native cultures.
Burroughs' work established swashbuckling adventure on alien worlds, a key element of space opera.
Frank Herbert's 'Dune' builds upon the 'planetary romance' tradition established by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars' by setting an epic adventure on an alien world, but elevates it with complex ecological, political, and religious themes, moving beyond simple adventure.
Zelazny's novel draws on the tradition of adventure on alien worlds, popularized by Edgar Rice Burroughs ('A Princess of Mars'), but infuses it with complex mythological and technological themes, exploring how advanced science can be perceived as divinity.
George Lucas explicitly cited the 'planetary romance' adventures popularized by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars' as a major narrative inspiration for 'Star Wars'.
Burroughs' planetary romance established swashbuckling adventure on alien worlds, influencing the hero's journey.
'Avatar' draws heavily on the 'planetary romance' tradition established by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars' (human transported to alien world, gains abilities, fights for natives).