Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/27/1971-10/2/1971)

 

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 (9/27/1971)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/28/1971)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/29/1971)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/30/1971)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/1/1971)

Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/2/1971)

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.  

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, Korak agrees to help protect a film crew shoot an action movie in the jungle, at the insistence of the pretty young star.  After the director's objections escalate into a fight, in which Korak prevails, the young star begins flirting with the handsome, heroic son of Tarzan.  Now, Korak is becoming increasingly confused by the young actress, whose primary concern is to shoot a good action movie and who is willing to endear herself to the jealous, hot-heated director in order to accomplish that.

This week, Korak is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the pretty young star, who repeatedly appears to be finding herself in peril.

Korak continues his hero role this week.  The son of Tarzan has demonstrated his physical abilities by defeating Machado in a fight and rescuing Anne from the herd of hippopotami.  However, the handsome boy toy also shows an emotional callowness when dealing with the pretty young star.

Manning's artwork is wonderful.  The youthful, handsome son of Tarzan continues to lurk in the background while the story remains focused on the pretty young star.

Favorite scene:  9/28/1971, panel c

Previous blog:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (9/20/1971-9/25/1971)

Next blog:  Korak in Daily Tarzan (10/4/1971-10/9/1971)

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:

https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2900.html

This week's adventures can also be found at the following link(s):

https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2935.html