Novel Meant as Tribute, too derivative?

Okay, Edgar Rice Burroughs (ERB) was a big inspiration in my youth. I decided I wanted to write something as a tribute that captured the flavor and excitement of those books. Now I understand that his stories were primarily echoes of heroic myths since the spoken word ruled and as such, the trappings are different.

My question is, How do I know if I'm just doing ERB and not doing me as a tribute to ERB?

Any ideas on possible pitfalls and such?

Yes, plot-wise it follows a fairly typical ERB line of stranger in a strange land immediately engaged in heroic activity. Yes, exotic locale/other world with strange plant and animal life and different races. Push ahead, Indiana Jones style excitement (borrowed from ERB of course).

So, where do I plant my differences (apart from a better understanding of culture and history of the world in which he finds himself).

Thanks in advance.

Actually, I'm trying very hard to NOT emulate his writing style. I am using my own voice, so that's comforting that it will be different on that level. I guess I was worried about the big picture. Carter Johns (not real character name) is just John Carter, NotBarsoom is really Barsoom, and the like. The world has it's own culture and it is basically a hero-quest story. Maybe I'm just agonizing over nothing.

Good points all -- note: I'm not using ERB characters, it is entirely new, but in the spirit of those stories.

Well, the problems I perceive with his work are: Lack of genuine character development and depth of character. Implausable, at best, deus ex machina resolutions. Add lack of well developed characters. Nearly all the characters in his books are plot devices or stand-ins.

No, I wanted to celebrate the fantastic, while delivering these lacking elements and still tell an exciting story.

So, it should come out as having more depth without seeming hackneyed. I also, will go to darker places, as that is just something I explore with my characters, dragging them through the pits before raising them up to the heights (and sometimes, just pushing them off again, because I can ).

So, I guess I'm on pretty good ground, and my differences will be sufficient.

Thank you -- I'll continue to take comments, but I really do want to write this, so, hey, I will.