Korak in Sunday Tarzans (11/18/1973)

 

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 Sunday Tarzans (11/18/1973)

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 Sunday Tarzan pages in 1968.  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 Sunday Tarzan pages, Korak tended to suffer from more frequent comparisons to his legendary father. 

Previous to this week's adventures, a tall, mysterious stranger asks Korak to guide him to Tarzan.  Interpreting his refusal as laziness, the stranger continues to press Korak, causing the son of Tarzan to lash back at his tormenter.  The youthful jungle hero fights the stranger and gradually gains the upper hand, until a young lady intervenes.  Korak then learns that the stranger wanted Tarzan to guide him and the young lady to their village and that the task is not as routine as he had thought.

This week, Korak learns that the tall, mysterious stranger and the young lady need a guide to the Igotha village, which has recently been attacking and oppressing its neighbors.  He agrees.

Korak resumes the leading role in his own adventure.  The son of Tarzan resists the urge to demonize all of the hated Igotha by recent changes in the village's policies.  Despite his recent fight with the tall, mysterious stranger and despite being struck in the back by the young lady with an oar, Korak agrees to guide them to Igotha.  However, part of his motivation appears to be competition with his father Tarzan.

Manning's artwork is wonderful.  The young, athletic, shirtless Korak gets a few good poses this week as he listens to the Igotha students' dilemma and the crowd's reaction.

Favorite scene:  panel a

Previous blog:  

Korak in Sunday Tarzans (11/11/1973)

Next blog:  Korak in Sunday Tarzans (11/25/1973)

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/mag21/2130.html

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

https://www.erbzine.com/manning/tz2228.jpg