Dark Sun is an arid, post-apocalyptic Sword and Sorcery campaign setting that takes place upon the desert world of Athas. John Carter of Mars is a pulp fiction series by Edgar Rice Burroughs that takes place upon the arid, post-apocalyptic Sword and Planet world of Mars. The John Carter of Mars series (first of which was published in 1917), undoubtedly has had an influence upon many similar stories since.
The 2e campaign setting Dark Sun is being updated and released for 4e in a few months. At some time in 2012, the John Carter of Mars movie is due to be released in theaters. Although one has to be extremely hesitant as to the quality of an adaption of any classic/pulp literature, the Mars movie will at least supply some incentives and imagery to coincide with any ongoing Dark Sun campaigns.
I have seen some entertaining Dark Sun fan vignettes on youtube that contain clips from such movies as The Mummy, Gladiator, Scorpion King, Conan etc. I am sure some clips of Mars (and Prince of Persia) will make there way into future fan films.
I do not know much about the adaptation other than it is in production and is being produced by Pixar. I believe it is to be their first live-action movie. The only actors I recognize from the notes are Willem Defoe, James Purefoy and Thomas Haden Church.
Beforehand, I will certainly be using ideas generated from the John Carter of Mars series as well as the homage series Kane of Old Mars by Michael Moorcock for Dark Sun adventures.
"These rules are strictly fantasy. Those wargamers who lack imagination, those who don't care for Burroughs' Martian adventures where John Carter is groping through black pits, who feel no thrill upon reading Howard's Conan saga, who do not enjoy the de Camp & Pratt fantasies or Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser pitting their swords against evil sorceries will not be likely to find DUNGEONS and DRAGONS to their taste. But those whose imaginations know no bounds will find that these rules are the answer to their prayers. With this last bit of advice we invite you to read on as enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!"
E. Gary Gygax, 1 November 1973
Tactical Studies Rules Editor, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
It wasn't just an inspiration for Dark Sun, but D&D as a whole! Dark Sun may very well borrow many more directly portable concepts, though.
Doesn't Dune get any recognition? The whole life is harsh so we are strong, rarety of water and mind powers and Dunelike.
Heck, the Vilichi are like the Bene Gesserit!
Props to Dune! One of my favorite books of all time. The whole original 6 book series for that matter.
Wait... Leto II was worm-like... worms... wyrms... dragons... dragon kings!
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Except I don't think Kalak was masterminding his own coup.
Doesn't Dune get any recognition? The whole life is harsh so we are strong, rarety of water and mind powers and Dunelike.
Heck, the Vilichi are like the Bene Gesserit!
Props to Dune! One of my favorite books of all time. The whole original 6 book series for that matter.
Honestly, the first book was amazing but the rest was just milking the cash cow.
Well, I like them all, but I have to agree that Dune (the first book) is really something special. I also like a couple of other Frank Herbert books, Whipping Star and Dosadi Experiment.
From the first D&D box set, the forward in the Men & Magic booklet ends with:
"These rules are strictly fantasy. Those wargamers who lack imagination, those who don't care for Burroughs' Martian adventures where John Carter is groping through black pits, who feel no thrill upon reading Howard's Conan saga, who do not enjoy the de Camp & Pratt fantasies or Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser pitting their swords against evil sorceries will not be likely to find DUNGEONS and DRAGONS to their taste. But those whose imaginations know no bounds will find that these rules are the answer to their prayers. With this last bit of advice we invite you to read on as enjoy a 'world' where the fantastic is fact and magic really works!"
E. Gary Gygax, 1 November 1973
Tactical Studies Rules Editor, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
It wasn't just an inspiration for Dark Sun, but D&D as a whole! Dark Sun may very well borrow many more directly portable concepts, though.
Nice bit of trivia!
2.9 out of 10 according to imdb, that's less than Steel Dawn but more than A Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell.
About Princess of Mars:
"Not the worst film ever made"
"Very bad with watchable parts"
"Gah"
and
"Maybe the key to happiness is low expectations"
I like ERB and have read damn near everything he has written.
Conveniently coinciding with the launch of the Dark Sun D&D Encounters Series; Sci-Fi (SyFy) Channel is premiering Princess of Mars (2009), tonight.
2.9 out of 10 according to imdb, that's less than Steel Dawn but more than A Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell.
About Princess of Mars:
"Not the worst film ever made"
"Very bad with watchable parts"
"Gah"
and
"Maybe the key to happiness is low expectations"
It is also available streaming on Netflix. I actually made it twenty minutes into the movie. I probably deserve some type of medal.
It is also available streaming on Netflix. I actually made it twenty minutes into the movie. I probably deserve some type of medal.
Then what do I get for making it through the whole thing? (Though I did know what I was getting into from the start: it was an Asylum film. All schlock, all the time -- the worst B-grade movies you will ever see.) Regardless, it was an absolute travesty of a movie adaptation. Stick to the novel.
It is also available streaming on Netflix. I actually made it twenty minutes into the movie. I probably deserve some type of medal.
Then what do I get for making it through the whole thing? (Though I did know what I was getting into from the start: it was an Asylum film. All schlock, all the time -- the worst B-grade movies you will ever see.) Regardless, it was an absolute travesty of a movie adaptation. Stick to the novel.
You should get a gold medal! I barely get a bronze.
You should get a gold medal! I barely get a bronze.
I don't know if I deserve a medal for making it through, or a smack in the head for not just turning it off! (Then again, a steady diet of schlocky B-movies over the years has raised my tolerance to incredible, some might say even say SUPERHUMAN, levels.)
You should get a gold medal! I barely get a bronze.
I don't know if I deserve a medal for making it through, or a smack in the head for not just turning it off! (Then again, a steady diet of schlocky B-movies over the years has raised my tolerance to incredible, some might say even say SUPERHUMAN, levels.)
LOL! I can't believe you watched that man.
Been starring at it for awhile now in Netflix streaming and slap my hand every time I feel the need to click the play button.
