In Review: Altered States: Warlords #3 Me Tarzan, you…Dejah Thoris?

Synopsis: Me, Tarzan, you…Dejah Thoris? The Lord of the Jungle is transported to the Red Planet, just in time to join forces with Red Sonja and John Carter in their fight against the Thern death cult and their Goddess Issus. What are they planning to do with the awesome power of all that hijacked Eighth Ray? How will Helium get its navy back in the air? Can the evil Therns be stopped before they conquer all Barsoom? Find out, in this tale of swashbuckling planetary romance!

The Story

While on an expedition in Persia, Tarzan encounters a three-armed ape with whom he is unable to communicate, as it does not understand the language of the apes Tarzan knows. Their fight causes so much havoc that an artefact clatters to the ground and opens a portal, through which Tarzan falls.

Finding himself in the heart of Thern territory, Tarzan discovers that he can leap higher than ever before as he experiences the benefits of Barsoom’s lighter gravity. He is soon forced into hiding when he witnesses a Thern princess and her guards transporting an Eighth Ray generator, which looks remarkably similar to the device that opened the portal. Hoping it might provide a way home, Tarzan quietly follows them.

Elsewhere, Red Sonja, John Carter, Tars Tarkas and Dejah Thoris are travelling aboard a Barsoomian craft. Red Sonja is amazed by the vessel, as is John Carter. When they spot the Therns below and catch sight of Tarzan carefully keeping out of view, they land nearby. Once Tarzan is forced to engage the Therns, John Carter and the others lend their aid and recruit him to their cause.

Having taken the Eighth Ray generator from the Thern princess, the group finds itself pursued by Thern forces. Impatient with the pursuit, the princess summons Issus to intervene. Meanwhile, another stranger is about to find themselves transported to the strange world of Barsoom.

Artwork

Mariano Benitez Chapo does a solid job with the artwork. I loved the opening sequence featuring the three-armed ape, as well as the way Tarzan initially finds himself shrouded in darkness when he arrives on Barsoom. My favourite panel depicts the fight between Dejah Thoris and the Thern princess.

Overall

Another enjoyable chapter introduces Tarzan to the group while moving the story forward. I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of impact Vampirella will have when she joins them in the next issue.