A Princess of Mars · Character

Kantos Kan

A Heliumite air scout and soldier of polished manners, he becomes John Carter's steadfast comrade in the campaign to free Dejah Thoris and break the Zodangan siege.

supporting

Also known as Kantos

First appearance: An Air Scout for Zodanga

As a supporting figure in A Princess of Mars, Kantos Kan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Fellow prisoner and Heliumite padwar; fights in the arena and wins freedom by feigning Carter's death.

In the storyXIX: Battling in the ArenaOpen this moment free

See Kantos Kan in XIX: Battling in the Arena Book page

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Kantos Kan moves easily between courts and battle lines, equally at home greeting Helium's nobles and charging Zodangan entrenchments. His loyalty to Carter is immediate and unshowy, and he serves as the bridge between the Earthman's wild Thark allies and the disciplined forces of Helium. In the middle arc he helps orchestrate the joint assault that turns the tide, embodying the civilized honor Carter is fighting to preserve.

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The fuller portrait of Kantos Kan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Kantos Kan in An Air Scout for Zodanga

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Kantos Kan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Helium and Zodanga royalty
Protagonist
Thark captors and allies

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because John Carter’s internal conflict reaches its emotional peak when he nearly…

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Relationships

John Carter
friendship · positive
Kantos Kan becomes a loyal friend and ally to John Carter, aiding him in his quest to… How this plays out →
Dejah Thoris
friendship · positive
John Carter
friendship · positive
Kantos Kan becomes a loyal friend and ally to John Carter, aiding him in his quest to… How this plays out →
Dejah Thoris
friendship · positive

John Carter
Kantos Kan becomes a loyal friend and ally to John Carter, aiding him in his quest to rescue Dejah Thoris.
Dejah Thoris
Kantos Kan is a trusted friend and fellow Heliumite who supports Dejah Thoris.
John Carter
Kantos Kan becomes a loyal friend and ally to John Carter, aiding him in his quest to rescue Dejah Thoris.
Dejah Thoris
Kantos Kan is a trusted friend and fellow Heliumite who supports Dejah Thoris.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Kantos Kan in An Air Scout for Zodanga

In the story

Kantos Kan appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIX: Battling in the Arena
Fellow prisoner and Heliumite padwar; fights in the arena and wins freedom by feigning Carter's death.
An Air Scout for Zodanga
Undercover as an air scout in Zodanga; helps Carter enroll in the squadron and teaches him to fly.
Lost in the Sky
Plans to assassinate Sab Than via a secret tower entrance; helps Carter with a gearing trick for speed.
XXV: The Looting of Zodanga
Captured by the air patrol before reaching the palace, rescued from the dungeons by John Carter.
Through Carnage to Joy
Present on the ship during the transfer of Dejah Thoris and later returns to report the complete reduction of Zodanga.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Kantos Kan unlock in the free preview.

See Kantos Kan in An Air Scout for Zodanga

See Kantos Kan in XIX: Battling in the Arena