Friday, June 21, 2013

Tarzan In La-La Land!


That's a powerful rendering of ERB's Lord of the Jungle. Rich Corben has the ability to blend power and an odd grace in his distinctive work. His figures are rarely on model, nor especially true to human anatomy, rather being extravagant images of pure potency. "Robust" is the word that comes to mind.


This Tarzan art served well as the cover for the Burroughs Bulletin which headlined a Corben story featuring Tarzan's meeting with the wickedly lovely Queen of Opar, the alluring La.

Below is that meeting.


Not exactly what ERB had in mind. But it sure is memorable. It sticks, and that's what Corben is so very very good at, making art that stays in the mind and kindles the imagination.

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2 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting this.
    Corben and VERN CORIELL Founder Burroughs Bibliophiles
    were friends in Kansas City Mo.
    When I was a boy I was invited to Mr. Coriell's home.
    By simply writing a letter to him from an address in an ACE paperback.
    My mother had to drive me there. I was too young to drive.
    He and his wife could not have been more gracious.
    You've never seen so many ERB books, Original Art etc. in your life.
    Needless to say made quite an impression on me.

    Richard Corben. Beautiful yet, grotesque
    -Sam
    p.s. Nice Eye Shadow Tarzan!

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    Replies
    1. Sounds utterly fantastic. What a great experience.

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