John Carter
A Jasoomian (Terran/Earthling) warrior hailing from Virginia who is mysteriously transported from his native planet Jasoom (Earth) to Barsoom (Mars). He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and well built from regular military conditioning. He is also well groomed, again, due to the military discipline he’s picked up, and has black hair and steel grey eyes. On Earth he fought in the American Civil War on the Confederate side holding the rank of Captain. When the war ended he decided to switch careers and seeks out his fortune as a gold prospector but runs afoul of the Apaches on whose land he has decided to go mining. He seeks safety in a cave filled with strange glyphs within Indian Territory and this is where he is inexplicably teleported to Mars. On Mars he finds that his strength, stamina, and agility are increased to superhuman levels, and being a career military man he is proficient in the use of firearms, swords, horsemanship, as well as canny tactician. His combat skills and strength earn him the respect and awe of the savage green Tharks. He is fearless, optimistic to a fault, and possesses a strong ethical streak.
Dejah Thoris
Princess of the City-State of Helium, Dejah Thoris hails from the Red Martian sub-race, the predominant sapient inhabitants of Barsoom, similar in build and appearance to humans of Earth, save for a deeply tanned, nearly brick red complexion, hence their common moniker. She is clever, fearless, resourceful, and beautiful to behold making her a prime target for all manner of unsavory characters in throughout the novel series. Dejah Thoris comes from a long line of Barsoomian nobles and it is evident in her speech and movement. Her recurrent abduction by her diverse enemies and the resultant rescues by John Carter is a consistent plot device used throughout the series.
Tars Tarkas
Chieftain of the warlike Green Martians, known more widely as Thanks. Being the leader of such a bellicose society it comes as no surprise that Tars Tarkas is famously ferocious and highly skilled in close quarter combat, constantly needing to prove his right to rule from frequent challengers. Despite his ferocity though, he is different from the rest of the Tharks as he is capable of experiencing and expressing compassion, friendship, and even love -- concepts largely unknown to the bulk of the Thark populace. He and John Carter develop a kind of “odd couple” friendship and have often fought side by side.
Sola
Tars Tarkas daughter and John Carter’s friend. She, like her father, is less prone to the savage inclinations of the Tharks. It was Sola who taught John Carter the language of the Barsoomians, the history of the Thanks, and even the secret of her personal lineage.
Sarkoja
A manipulative female Thark who sows conspiracies within the tribe of Tars Tarkas. John Carter is the target of her rumormongering, as she doesn’t trust anyone, much less an alien like him. He eventually discovers though that she is the font of the schemes and she leaves the tribe in self-imposed exile, fearing the reprisal of John Carter and the wrath of her Chieftain. Tars Tarkas.
Gozava
Tars Tarkas’ deceased mate and Sola’s birth mother. She, much like her chieftain and daughter, was a departure from the stereotypical savage Thark. Gozava was a peaceful soul, preferring to roam the wilderness. It was here that she met and fell in love with Tars Tarkas, and Sola was conceived. Sola was hatched while Tars Tarkas was out on a mission and because he wasn’t there to claim her Gozava was dishonored. Thark law demands that a birth mother must divulge the identity of her child’s sire and failure to do so would mean death. Her chieftain, for not divulging the name of Tars Tarkas, tortured Govaza; she died as a result of the injuries she received.
Kantos Kan
A Red Martian who was taken prisoner along with John Carter. They eventually escape and later on in the series he ends up becoming a high-ranking officer of the Helium royal navy.
