Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/23/1968-9/28/1968)

 

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.

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/23/1968)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/24/1968)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/25/1968)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/26/1968)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/27/1968)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/28/1968)

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.  Upon learning that Tarzan rides with their Waz-don enemies, the king takes advantage of the news to turn the city against Korak. Ta-den orders Korak to ride with him into battle against Tarzan and the Waz-dons.  Korak spots Tarzan with the Waz-dons and rather foolishly attempts to escape the Ho-don army and reach his father.  Not surprisingly, the Ho-dons react by hurling spears at Korak in order to prevent the apparent defection.  One strikes his leg, turning the young hero into an easy target.

Tarzan cleverly focuses the Waz-don and Ho-don warriors back upon their mutual enmity, and away from his vulnerable son.  

Korak remains in a supporting role this week, and the youthful son of Tarzan continues to disappoint.  Korak is injured by a Ho-don spear when he impetuously jumping from the Gryf and running to his father like a lost, helpless little boy.  Tarzan cleverly focuses the Waz-don and Ho-don warriors back upon their mutual enmity, and away from his vulnerable son.  The ungrateful bitch then chastises his father for his inhumanity in devising a creative solution that saved his tight, little loin-clothed rear.  Our young hero is then schooled by his more experienced father in the true depths of his plan.  The boy is clueless.  However, he did save his mother earlier.

Manning's artwork is wonderful.  Korak continues to be in the background this week.  However, in the last two days, Tarzan seems to be having trouble keeping his hands off his handsome, young son.  

Favorite scene:  9/27/1968, panel c.

Previous strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/16/1968-9/21/1968)

Next strip:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/30/1968-10/5/1968)

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/mag26/2629.html