Saturday, June 13, 2020

Korak in Daily Tarzan (7/15/1968-7/20/1968)



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 (7/15/1968)

Daily Tarzan (7/16/1968)


Daily Tarzan (7/17/1968)
Daily Tarzan (7/18/1968)


Daily Tarzan (7/19/1968)
Daily Tarzan (7/20/1968)


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, in the prehistoric world of Pal-ul-donKorak encounters a Ho-don party while continuing his search for his father Tarzan.  The Ho-dons believe that Korak is Dor-Ul-Otho, son of their god, which belief the son of Tarzan encourages in hopes that it would help him find his father.  Along the way to the Ho-don city of Ta-lur, Korak rescues young Ab from a hybrid sabre-tooth tiger.

This week, Korak learns that Ab is a fugitive for destroying their god Jad-Ben-Otho.  Inasmuch as the Ho-dons believe that he is the son of Jad-Ben-Otho, Korak is understandably concerned that Ab killed his father Tarzan.

Korak continues his hero role this week.  As he endures the suspense of not knowing whether Ab had killed his father, the son of Tarzan learns more about the boy he saved, his father Be-jub, the high priest, and the city of Ta-lur.

Manning's artwork is wonderful.  Korak's boyish face and dark, wavy hair are again beautifully depicted in July 17, 1968 (panel b).

Favorite scene:  7/20/1968, panel a

Previous strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (7/8/1968-7/13/1968)
Next strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (7/22/1968-7/27/1968)

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/mag26/2622.html


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