Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/6/1969-10/11/1969)

 

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 (10/6/1969)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/7/1969)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/8/1969)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/9/1969)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/10/1969)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/11/1969)

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 left Korak in Pal-ul-Don to recuperate from his leg wound and to assist his friend Ab in the Ho-don city of Ta-lur.  Meanwhile, the lord of the jungle returns home, foils a jungle revolution, returns to Pal-ul-Don with Jane to search for their son, and are captured by the savage, ape-like Tor-o-dons.  Coincidentally, Korak was discovered among the slaves of the same Tor-o-don tribe.  They are also joined by Auric, a failed revolutionary who had been ruling the Tor-o-don tribe until recently, when they stole his rifle from him, and Chulai, a stocky former ally of Auric who now follows Tarzan.

Tarzan returns with Korak to the hut where Jane, Auric, and Chulai remain, still being watched by the Tor-o-dons.  The jungle lord devises an escape plan involving some gunpowder.

Korak is in a supporting role this week.  However, he helps Tarzan pull the bullets out of the casings and pour the powder on the floor.  

Manning's artwork is wonderful.  Korak has a cute, youthful face and handsome, athletic body.  Jane is certainly happy to see her boy again.  

Favorite scene:  10/7/1969, panel c.

Previous blog:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/30/1969-10/5/1969)

Next blog:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/13/1969-10/18/1969)

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/mag26/2665.html

https://www.erbzine.com/mag26/2666.html