High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Carter is a fictional character, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, who appears in Burroughs` Barsoom novels. Although he is actually a Virginian from Earth and only a visitor to Mars, he is sometimes known as John Carter of Mars, in reference to the setting in which his major deeds are recorded. His character is enduring, having appeared in various media since his 1912 debut in a magazine serial. The 2012 Disney-made feature film John Carter marks the centenary of the character`s first appearance.