# Kantos Kan — The Gods of Mars character guide

> Kantos Kan in The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Kantos Kan.

**First appearance:** 0001-the-gods-of-mars

## Snapshot

Padwar of Helium's navy and John Carter's steadfast friend, he proves that loyalty on Barsoom is measured in deeds, not titles.

## Who they are

Kantos Kan is the kind of officer whose competence and calm make him invaluable in a crisis, whether aboard a warship or inside a dungeon. His bond with Carter is tested by the political storms around Helium, yet he never wavers in the quiet, practical ways that matter most. He anchors the story's human scale, reminding readers that Carter's grand adventures rest on friendships willing to risk everything.

## Relationships

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Kantos Kan are loyal allies and friends, with Kantos Kan serving as a trusted officer of Helium.

### [Zat Arras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/zat_arras)

_rivalry_

Kantos Kan is a fierce rival of Zat Arras, opposing his treacherous schemes.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Kantos Kan are loyal allies and friends, with Kantos Kan serving as a trusted officer of Helium.

### [Zat Arras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/zat_arras)

_rivalry_

Kantos Kan is a fierce rival of Zat Arras, opposing his treacherous schemes.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Kantos Kan are loyal allies and friends, with Kantos Kan serving as a trusted officer of Helium.

## In the story

### [Under Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-under-arrest)

Commands the Helium navy, intervenes to prevent a mutiny, and informs John Carter of Dejah Thoris's fate.

### [The Death Sentence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-the-death-sentence)

Defies Zat Arras by throwing his sword at Carter's feet, rallying the people of Helium to support the Prince.

### [Sola's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-sola-s-story)

Commander-in-chief of the navy; tasked with remodelling battleships for the expedition.

### [The Air Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-air-battle)

Commands part of the fleet alongside Carthoris and John Carter in the assault.

### [Through Flood and Flame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-through-flood-and-flame)

Mentioned as father of Djor Kantos, who aids John Carter.

### [Victory and Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-victory-and-defeat)

Arrives with a thousand red men to support John Carter in the throne room.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/kantos_kan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters