The Gods of Mars · Character

Issus

The false goddess of the Holy Therns and First Born, worshipped as eternal life and death from her temple at the heart of a buried sea.

major

Also known as IX Issus

First appearance: IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal

As a major figure in The Gods of Mars, Issus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The ancient, hideous goddess who degrades Xodar and commands Carter's fate.

In the storyIX: Issus, Goddess of Life EternalOpen this moment free

See Issus in IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal Book page

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Issus rules the First Born as an unquestioned deity, her name invoked to justify terror, sacrifice, and the rigid caste that keeps the black Martians in awe. The horror of her true nature—a grotesque, mortal old woman—is the secret that shatters Xodar's faith and fuels Carter's defiance. She embodies the corrupt theocracy the heroes must expose, and her temple is the destination toward which the early and middle chapters relentlessly move.

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

See Issus in IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal

Character Web

16 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Allies and Antagonists of Helium
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and strategic turning point where John Carter s…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Xodar
psychological · negative
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court. How this plays out →
Dejah Thoris
rivalry · negative
John Carter
rivalry · negative
Phaidor
psychological · negative
Xodar
psychological · negative
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court. How this plays out →
Xodar
psychological · negative
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court. How this plays out →
Phaidor
psychological · negative
Dejah Thoris
rivalry · negative
John Carter
rivalry · negative
John Carter
rivalry · negative
Dejah Thoris
rivalry · negative

Xodar
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.
Dejah Thoris
Dejah Thoris is a defiant prisoner and enemy of the tyrannical goddess Issus.
John Carter
Issus sees John Carter as a dangerous enemy who threatens her divine rule.
Phaidor
Issus manipulates and controls Phaidor, using her as a tool in her schemes.
Xodar
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.
Xodar
Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.
Phaidor
Issus manipulates and controls Phaidor, using her as a tool in her schemes.
Dejah Thoris
Dejah Thoris is a defiant prisoner and enemy of the tyrannical goddess Issus.
John Carter
Issus sees John Carter as a dangerous enemy who threatens her divine rule.
John Carter
Issus sees John Carter as a dangerous enemy who threatens her divine rule.
Dejah Thoris
Dejah Thoris is a defiant prisoner and enemy of the tyrannical goddess Issus.

Relationship notes

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

See Issus in IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal

In the story

Issus appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal
The ancient, hideous goddess who degrades Xodar and commands Carter's fate.
The Prison Isle of Shador
Referenced as the tyrannical goddess whose authority John Carter openly defies.
When Hell Broke Loose
The goddess of the First Born, terrified as Carter and the youth close in; she flees through a trap door.
Doomed to Die
Threatens John Carter from behind bars after his fall into the pit.
A Break for Liberty
Revealed as a wicked old woman manipulating Barsoom through religious ignorance.
Victory and Defeat
Captured by John Carter, she reveals the fate of Dejah Thoris and goes mad before being handed over to her vengeful people.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Issus in IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal