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.
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (12/29/1969) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (12/30/1969) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (12/31/1969) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (1/1/1970) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (1/2/1970) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (1/3/1970) |
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.
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. Reuniting in Pal-ul-Don with Jane, Auric, a failed revolutionary, and Chulai, a disgruntled former follower of Auric, the group escape the savage, ape-like Tor-o-dons, hide in the treetops, and occupy their time hearing Korak's story about his return to Ta-lur.
After his return, Korak is led by Ab into the rebels' underground hideout deep in the sewers of Ta-lur. The rebels are guided and inspired by a mysterious face which appears in the smoke and encourages the young rebels to oppose the city's cult of human sacrifices. Korak discovers that the face in the smoke belonged to Pan-at-za, a girl who was backing Ab in his leadership of the young rebels. The girl is from a distant tribe which was familiar with the use of mirrors from volcanic glass. Korak uses the mirrors to defeat the city's priests and their cult of human sacrifices. However, he discovers that the girl has a secret for which she is willing to kill in order to keep. He survives the girl's attack but finds himself accused of attempting to rape her. Apparently excused by his friend Ab, the son of Tarzan finds himself accused of being a traitor by the mysterious face and attacked by the young rebels.
This week, Korak is strung from a pole like a pig and sold to the Tor-o-dons for some volcanic glass. Then, he observes Pan-at-za's people attacking Ta-lur.
Korak continues his hero role this week. After the mysterious face accuses him of being a traitor, the young rebels capture him and stretch him out under a pole. The son of Tarzan suffers the consequence of his youthful inexperience. Fortunately, it goes well with his boyish good looks.
Manning's artwork is wonderful. Korak's handsome, athletic body is beautifully displayed so humiliatingly. Hanging face-down from a pole, the son of Tarzan looks so helpless and vulnerable, with his soft underbelly exposed and defenseless. This is a haunting, memorable scene of Korak, and one of my favorites.
This week's adventures can also be found at the following link(s):
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