KLYS
Real Name: Klys
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial
(Martian (Red Martian)) (late 19th Century)
Occupation: Matriarch
Group Membership: Citizens of Paradise (city)
Affiliations: John Carter, "She-Who-Loves-Us",
Dejah Thoris, citizens of Paradise
Enemies: Bat-Men,
past victims to their god;
briefly John Carter, Dejah Thoris
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Paradise, Mars
First Appearance: John Carter Warlord of Mars
Annual#3 (October, 1979)
Powers/Abilities: Klys is a ruler of a
citadel, dedicated to preserving its heritage and safeguarding its
citizens. She is armed with a knife that she uses for sacrificial
killings, and is reasonable hand-to-hand combatant. She is athletically
fit.
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
History:
(John Carter Warlord of Mars Annual#3 (fb) - BTS) -
Ages ago, as surface conditions deteriorated on Mars, a powerful fire
creature bearing a female form saved the red Martian people of Paradise
citadel from marauders. A matriarchal system developed in a female-only
society where regular sacrifices were made as thanks to the being, now
considered a goddess as "She-Who-Loves-Us". Lone travelers near
Paradise were ambushed; they targeted red Martian men who would be
seduced by powerful scented aphrodisiacs so they were unable to resist
sexual allure from the women. But the men were destined for sacrifice;
this ritual was performed by the matriarch at the lava pool of the
goddess. Klys was the latest matriarch of Paradise. (Presumably female
travelers who resisted were killed too).
Heroic but stranded Earthman John Carter was
traveling home alone to his Martian city when it was detected by
Paradise. Klys set out to be the trap, pretending to be chased by
unknown fliers.
(John Carter Warlord of Mars Annual#3) - Klys ran
across the barren landscape as three fliers darted around her, shooting
very close. Carter saw this and naively thought Klys the victim, so he
opened fire and destroyed two of his chosen opponents while the third
flew off. Klys pretended to faint and lay prone, waiting for the man to
heroically rescue her. She feigned disorientation, but only so she
could get close enough so her intoxicating perfume could overwhelm
Carter's senses and weaken his resistance. He flew her back to her
citadel where he was welcomed by the women, although Carter was at
unease about Klys' looks at him and a city of only women. The fragrance
from so many women overrode his defenses and Carter kissed Klys
passionately; he was soon seduced by sensual delights with such
intensity that he lost track of time. A sudden warning gong sounded and
the women rushed inside the bolted sacred cavern as monstrous Bat-Men
attacked. Carter fought furiously, but was blocked from escape until
Klys opened the solid doors and let him inside. Soon the women were
dancing around the molten lava pool and Carter's senses were overwhelmed,
unable to resist. Klys led Carter to a granite island in the pool's
center and bound him to the altar there. Carter protested but was too
weak to break free, and Klys refused to let her sisterhood be
threatened. However, concerned for their missing friend, Carter's
beloved Dejah Thoris had infiltrated the sisterhood, while Tars Tarkas
(Carter's green Martian warrior friend) attacked the Bat-Men. But Carter
recognized his love Thoris and foolishly called her name; this alerted
Klys and she ordered the other women defend their sacred ritual. Thoris
fought bravely and made it across to the altar island, but was stabbed
by the zealous Klys. Seeing his beloved hurt cleared his mind and
Carter broke free of his bonds at which point the fire goddess emerged. Klys knelt before her while
Carter cradled the dying Thoris in his arms. The fire goddess
resurrected and reinvigorated Thoris and Carter, and explained that
death and sacrifice were not in her nature, but rather life and love. The
goddess submerged. Klys acknowledged the goddess' words and commanded
her people to change their ways, promising Carter and Thoris that the
sacrifices would stop and that she would open the city to outsiders,
intending to send ambassadors to the capital Helium.
Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman, Alan Weiss, Chris Claremont, Tony DeZuniga .
A bit of an odd story. Paradise has only Amazon-like women against monstrous Bat-Men, yet Klys denies there was ever
any connection between the two groups. Funky '70s costumes tho!
It's implied that the captured men impregnated the women, as there's clearly generations of women there. However, we only see nubile young women in Paradise. It may be the elderly are hidden and care for the young, or the life-giving nature of the fire goddess emanate through the lava into the citadel and sustain them.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS
:
Klys has no known connections to:
images:
(without ads)
John Carter Warlord of Mars Annual#3, p7, pan1 (main image)
p31, pan2 (headshot)
Appearances:
John Carter Warlord of Mars
Annual#3 (1979) - Marv Wolfman (plot), Alan Weiss (plot/pencils), Chris
Claremont (script), Tony DeZuniga (inks), Roger Stern (editor)
First posted: 08/17/2026
Last updated:
08/17/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
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