Korak in Daily Tarzan (4/8/1968-4/13/1968)

Korak is the Honorable Jack Clayton, son of English Lord John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke, also known as Tarzan, lord of the jungle.  He is the hero of a 1915/6 magazine serial and 1917 novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs and a 1920 silent movie serial, as well as a character in several other Tarzan stories from 1914 to 1924.  He experienced a revival in 1964 as the star of his own comic book series and as a major character in various Tarzan comic books, pages, and strips from 1966 to 1978.

As depicted in the comic books, pages, and strips, Korak has a lean, athletic physique, broad shoulders and thin waist, almost no clothing, a cute, boyish face, and full, thick hair.  He is also an intelligent, enthusiastic teen-aged boy with excellent natural instincts and a good heart.

Korak strives to emulate his legendary father but lacks his strength, maturity and experience.  Therefore, he is both more likely to enter into dangerous situations and more vulnerable to being defeated.

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/8 

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/9

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/10

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/11

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/12

Daily Tarzan, 1968/4/13

As the star of his own comic book series in 1964, Korak is a capable, young hero.  His adventures were somewhat similar to those of his father Tarzan, but independent from them.  

In 1966, ABC released the TV series Batman, featuring the frequently imperiled youthful sidekick Robin the Boy Wonder.  As a fan of seeing cute, young sidekicks in trouble, I watched every episode.

Russ Manning took over the Daily Tarzan strips in 1967.  His Korak tended to have a tall, lean, swimmer's build.  While the son of Tarzan continued to have somewhat autonomous adventures, the slender, handsome youth seemed to be getting into trouble more frequently and more easily.  Moreover, in the Daily Tarzan strips, Korak tended to suffer from more frequent comparisons to his legendary father. 

Previous to this week's adventures, Tarzan and Jane uses a floating log on an unknown river to escape savage Opar warriors.  However, they encounter a waterfall which separates them.  An underground river sweeps Tarzan into the prehistoric world of Pal-ul-don, while Jane returns to the surface, floating unconscious on the log.

While searching for his parents, Korak is ambushed by a crocodile, rescues his mother, and manages to avoid some slave traders. 

Korak has the hero role this week.  In fact, he cleverly utilizes the crocodile attack as an opportunity to create a disguise which helps him avoid the slave traders while rescuing his mother.

Manning's artwork is wonderful with plenty of Korak action scenes.  However, while the crocodile disguise evidences the hero's cleverness, it also obscures his lean, athletic body.  

Favorite scene:  4/11/1968, panel c

Previous strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (1/1/1968-1/6/1968)
Next strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (4/15/1968-4/20/1968)

This blog is intended to raise interest in and appreciation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs character Korak.  To see this story in context, you may find it in Hillman's ERBzine at the following link:

https://www.erbzine.com/mag26/2600.html

This week's adventures can also be found at the following link(s):

https://www.erbzine.com/mag26/2612.html