🌀 Weird Worlds #1–10 (1972–1974) – A Deep Dive into DC’s Sci-Fi Anthology
🗂️ Genre
Science Fiction | Fantasy | Adventure | Pulp Action
Weird Worlds blended high-stakes planetary romance with subterranean fantasy, drawing from early 20th-century pulp traditions. Each story featured thrilling escapism, alien worlds, and sword-swinging heroes navigating bizarre realms.
🧍♂️ Main Characters
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John Carter of Mars 🪐
A heroic Earthman transported to the red planet, Barsoom. Skilled in combat and deeply principled, Carter fights for love and justice among alien races. -
David Innes 🌋
The central figure of the Pellucidar saga, Innes finds himself in a prehistoric world within Earth’s core. His courage and leadership define his journey through savage lands. -
Iron Wolf ⚔️
A swashbuckling space rebel and the original creation introduced in later issues. Noble and fierce, he leads a rebellion against a tyrannical empire with both sword and spacecraft.
✍️ Writer
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Denny O'Neil – Crafted powerful adaptations of ERB’s classic pulp heroes with modern flair.
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Howard Chaykin – Creator and writer for Iron Wolf, bringing a new dimension of gritty sci-fi to the series.
🎨 Artist
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Murphy Anderson – Known for his classic, clean line work in Carter and Innes tales.
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Michael Kaluta – Delivered richly detailed art that matched the fantastical settings.
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Howard Chaykin – Took artistic reins on Iron Wolf, combining dynamic storytelling with dark, expressive visuals.
🧑💼 Editor
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Joe Orlando – Oversaw the anthology’s production, maintaining high editorial standards and adapting ERB’s vision for the comic book format.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
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DC Comics
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No specific sub-label – Published under DC’s main line prior to the introduction of branding lines like Vertigo or The New 52.
📅 Release Year
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1972 to 1974
📖 Brief Plot Summary
Weird Worlds began by adapting the imaginative science fiction of Edgar Rice Burroughs, featuring two of his famed protagonists: John Carter of Mars and David Innes of Pellucidar. Each issue alternated between their ongoing exploits—one on a dying, war-torn Mars, and the other in a hollow Earth teeming with prehistoric monsters and tribal kingdoms.
By issue #8, the financial strain of licensing multiple ERB properties led DC to end the adaptations. They replaced them with Iron Wolf, a wholly original space-opera saga set in a feudal interstellar empire. His story brought a darker, politically charged narrative, combining rebellion with romance and betrayal.
🌟 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"John Carter: Warlord of Mars"
A serialized adaptation covering John Carter’s early Barsoom exploits, love for Dejah Thoris, and battles with Tharks and other alien factions. -
"David Innes in Pellucidar"
A deep dive into the Earth’s core where prehistoric beasts roam and man is both predator and prey. His rise from captive to king was a highlight. -
"Iron Wolf: The Empire’s Edge"
A politically nuanced tale of rebellion against tyranny, Iron Wolf’s storyline introduced morally complex characters and a richly constructed galactic empire.
🧠 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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🤔 Shared Universe Connections:
Some fans speculate that Weird Worlds was DC’s early attempt to link pulp-heroes into a larger narrative multiverse, long before the term became standard. -
🔮 Iron Wolf as a Proto-Vigilante:
The character’s rogue status and moral complexity have led fans to consider him a prototype for darker DC antiheroes like Jonah Hex or even Batman in a galactic setting. -
🪞 Carter and Innes as Dual Reflections:
Literary parallels between John Carter (outer space) and David Innes (inner Earth) suggest dualistic archetypes—both outsiders ruling foreign lands by sheer virtue and might.
📝 Review Summary
Weird Worlds is a hidden gem in DC’s early ‘70s lineup. The artwork shines with a blend of classic pulp beauty and experimental layouts. Murphy Anderson and Michael Kaluta brought a lush, almost romantic aesthetic to the Burroughs adaptations, while Howard Chaykin’s gritty, angular work on Iron Wolf marked a bold tonal shift. The stories, while occasionally rushed due to publishing constraints, are rich with imaginative world-building and compelling pulp heroism. The character development, especially in the Iron Wolf arc, shows surprising nuance and depth for its time.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Recommended for fans of classic sci-fi, pulp adventures, and early DC experimentation.
🪐 Weird Worlds may have ended too soon, but its bold vision and unique characters continue to inspire nostalgia—and exploration—for sci-fi comic fans everywhere.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
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