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 (2/22/1971) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/23/1971) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/24/1971) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/25/1971) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/26/1971) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/27/1971) |
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, Jane, Korak, and Chulai leave Pal-ul-don with Ngala to return to modern Africa. However, attempting to cross the desert using wind power, they are stranded when the wind dies. While searching for help, Tarzan is captured by a column of ancient Egyptian soldiers, who utilize him to help them defeat barbarian invaders from Europe. Meanwhile, the wind returns, and Korak, Jane, Chulai, and Ngala leave without him. Having escaped the ancient Egyptians, Tarzan is rescued in the desert by Korak and Chulai and hears their adventures with Jane and Ngala.
In accordance with Tarzan's instructions, they leave without him when the wind returns. However, they are spotted by an airplane, stopped by a column of motorized sand vehicles, and brought before Pasha Ronchi. After being accused of being spies, they are taken under guard to another tent, where they wait. Korak is then taken with the pasha on one of the sand vehicles, followed by a column of other sand vehicles, into the desert, where they wait for a train to raid. However, the train is expecting the attack, and many of Pasha Ronchi's men and sand vehicles are eliminated. Korak is blamed and brought back to the camp to be publicly executed in a gruesome fashion.
After hanging upside down overnight, tied to two trees by his ankles, Korak is ready to be torn apart in the morning. However, there is a surprise attack, and the pasha is shot, removing the likelihood of a gruesome death, but not the possibility of it, inasmuch as he is left hanging in a storm of bullets.
Manning's artwork is wonderful. Korak's handsome, shirtless body is beautifully on display hanging upside down helplessly, with defiance before Pasha Ronchi is shot and with ironic fear of being the victim of friendly fire afterwards.
Favorite scene: 2/24/1971, panel a
Previous blog: Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/8/1971-2/13/1971)
Next blog: Korak in Daily Tarzan (3/1/1971-3/6/1971)
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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