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 (2/14/1972) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/15/1972) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/16/1972) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/17/1972_ |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/18/1972) |
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| Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/19/1972) |
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.
Korak rejoins his father for further adventures in Pellucidar, a fictional world within the Earth's core. Korak is introduced to a Mahar, an intelligent, flying dinosaur from that underground world. As Tarzan and his son return to Pellucidar, a flock of Pteranodons attack the blimp and help the Mahar escape. Trying to prevent the escape, Korak becomes the Mahar's prisoner.
Tarzan's initial attempt to rescue his son are deterred by the Mahar's vivid threats:
"Go Away, Apeling! Or We Will Eat Your Son - !!"
"Leave Instantly, Apeling - Or Your Offspring Dies !!"
"Now! You Will Leave Or We Will Commence To Feast Upon Your Son!!"
"Leave Instantly, Apeling - Or Your Offspring Dies !!"
"Now! You Will Leave Or We Will Commence To Feast Upon Your Son!!"
Tarzan's second attempt to rescue his son results in his own capture by the Horibs, semi-intelligent lizard men, his escape with Da-Van, a young, female captive of the Horibs, and his return to the Mahar's cave, where he despairs of finding Korak again.
This week, we return to Korak, whose failed attempt to prevent the Mahar's escape results in his becoming her hostage.
Korak returns to his leading role, but in a somewhat unheroic and humiliating situation. His heroic, youthful enthusiasm leads to his capture by the Mahar, which he has clearly underestimated. Now, he is faced with being eaten by the Mahar, which would be a cruel fate for the tender, young son of Tarzan, and an unreasonable penalty for this youthful miscalculation.
Manning's artwork is wonderful. However, the youthful, handsome son of Tarzan is only seen in the last day of this week, with one clear, distant shot and one closeup of his face.
Favorite scene: 2/19/1972, panel b
Previous blog:
Korak in Daily Tarzan (12/20/1971-12/25/1971)
Next blog: Korak in Daily Tarzan (2/21/1972-2/26/1972)
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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