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.
 |
| Korak in Daily Tarzan (8/26/1968) |
 |
| Korak in Daily Tarzan (8/28/1968) |
 |
| Korak in Daily Tarzan (8/30/1968) |
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, 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. Korak saves the fugitive renegade Ab from a sabre-tooth tiger, enters the Ho-don city of Ta-lur as the son of its god, attracts the seductive attention of the lovely and crafty Ju-ra, who rules the city's priests through Ab's father Be-jub, and defeats its king Ta-den in a fight. News that his father Tarzan rides with the city's Waz-don enemies causes a riot, which the son of Tarzan manages to escape, but he finds himself shoved into a locked garden.
In the garden, Korak encounters the lovely and crafty Ju-ra, who urges the son of Tarzan to challenge Ta-den and become king. They are interrupted by Ta-den's warriors.
Korak is given a brief respite and moment to reflect as he is being overwhelmed by his continuing role as hero this week. His victory over Ta-den, while necessary, has earned him a powerful enemy who perceives the son of Tarzan as a threat to his continued rule. He has blundered and alienated the warlike Ho-dons, who had previously hailed him as the son of their god. He is also being played by Ju-ra, who senses that the son of Tarzan is both strong enough to defeat Ta-den but weak enough to be manipulated by her.
Russ Manning's artwork is magnificent as it depicts Korak in the garden. The son of Tarzan's lean, athletic, shirtless body is beautifully depicted this week as he is first enticed by the lovely and crafty Ju-ra, who then proceeds to run her sensuous fingers against the youthful hero's bare arm and chest, and then surrounded at spear point by Ta-den's warriors.
Favorite scene: 8/31/1968, panel b.
Previous strip: Korak in Daily Tarzan (8/19/1968-8/24/1968)
Next strip: Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/2/1968-9/7/1968)
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:
This week's adventures can also be found at the following link(s):
