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.
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, after helping his father defeat an ivory poacher and discover the secret of the red wig, Korak joins the girls returning to their hidden city of Tembo Haven. He returns as an old man in a loincloth. Tarzan returns to Tembo Haven with the old man in the loincloth where they are led to the "River of Time", where he claims his youth was taken. Tarzan defeats an old man holding a sickle, claiming to be time and threatening to take his mortal years from him. The old man with the loincloth tackles the young man who allegedly took his youth from him, and a youthful Korak emerges from the "River of Time".
Their attempt to escape Tembo Haven is blocked by guards with spears.
The explanation of what happened to Korak is vague and unsatisfying, leaving a lot to the imagination. What is certain is that the son of Tarzan was lured to Tembo Haven by his own curiosity and by two beautiful, red-haired ladies. Perhaps, the young hero was then drugged and imprisoned in the river. An interesting observation is that all of the guards with spears are women. It would be an interesting scenario for the son of Tarzan to be overpowered by the female guards and throw him into the river, where Time claimed his youth. Also, Rojant appeared to be the only young man in Tembo Haven. An alternate scenario was that an elderly Rojant, claiming his youth was taken, may have implored Korak for help, resulting in the kind-hearted boy's going down to the river, demanding that Time restore his youth, and being defeated and trapped until Tarzan's rescue.
Manning's artwork is wonderful. The youthful hero Korak is in every panel this Sunday. Understandably, Tarzan cannot resist the urge to reach out and touch his handsome, young son, now that his youth is restored.
Favorite scene: panel a
Previous blog: Korak in Sunday Tarzans (5/10/1970)
Previous blog: Korak in Daily Tarzans (5/11/1970-5/16/1970)
Next blog: Korak in Daily Tarzans (5/18/1970-5/23/1970)
Next page: Korak in Sunday Tarzans (5/24/1970)
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):
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