Tars Tarkas

A Green Martian (Thark) of Barsoom (Mars), Tars Tarkas rose through warrior culture to become Jeddak — paramount chieftain — of the Thark horde. Standing roughly fifteen feet tall with four powerful arms, he embodies his species' formidable strength and eventually forges an unlikely but lasting alliance with Earthman John Carter.

Few characters can claim a Golden Age debut and still be turning up in comics more than eight decades later, but Tars Tarkas is exactly that kind of enduring figure. First introduced in The Funnies #30 back in 1939 — brought to the page by the legendary V. T. Hamlin — this towering presence from the Barsoom mythos has kept remarkable company across the years, sharing adventures with John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Kantos Kan, and the beloved Woola through titles like John Carter, Warlord of Mars and Weird Worlds. With 77 catalog appearances stretching from the Golden Age all the way to 2022 and three key issues to his name, Tars Tarkas is a cornerstone of Marvel's science-fantasy legacy and proof that some characters simply refuse to be forgotten. If you're exploring the rich, pulp-soaked world of Barsoom in comics form, this is a name you'll encounter again and again — and be glad of it.