Russ Manning continues his utter mastery of depicting the world of Tarzan of the Apes in the second volume of comic strips from IDW. These cover the years 1969-1971. We have both the dailies and a robust section of colored Sunday strips to enjoy. There is a nifty section up front which talks in some detail about Manning's studio and how the work was accomplished most times.
Let's begin with the Dailies.
"Korak's Story - The Gryf Worshippers" tells what Korak was up to in Pal-Ul-Don after Tarzan left before. It seems he fell into a web of intrigue which ultimately proves tragic for many of the inhabitants of the strange lost territory.
"The Magii of Pal-Ul-Don" is the story of what happens when Tarzan, Jane and Korak try to survive in the lost land and are confronted by strange, hooded men who wield strange powers.
"Tarzan and the Stone Pharoah" is a bizarre tale of a lost Egyptian society which is rife with palace intrigue and seemingly haunted by a powerful walking stone statue which appears without warning. Tarzan gets involved against his will when he is separated from Jane and Korak.
"Tarzan and the Rashi Rochi" tells what happened when Tarzan finds his lost family who have become captives of a strange nomadic tribe who use adapted motorcycles rather than camels to traverse the sands.
"Tarzan and the Cult of the Mahar" is a whopping great of a strange cult which seems to worship a bizarre lizard-headed creature. It turns out it's a Mahar from Pelllucidar and not just any Mahar but the very one David Innes brought to the surface in the first novel. It's used mind-control to stay in our world and found people to give it succor.
The Sunday narratives are lush and colorful.
"Tarzan and the Safari to Opar" offers up some outstanding action in the lost city. After a few idyllic pages of Tarzan and Jane enjoying each other's company Tarzan heads off to head off a safari to Opar which quickly gets captured by La and the Beast Men. Tarzan has to fend off both the threats of the deadly Beast Men as well as the ardent advances of La to rescue the safari. One member of the party though finds more than he'd hoped.
"How Tarzan Met Jane" tells us the famous story but from Jane's perspective. We follow her and the others shipwrecked at the site of Tarzan's cabin right up until Tarzan fetches her off into the jungle. Some stories it seems are too hot for Sunday reading.
"Korak and the River of Time" is weird story that has an old man appear claiming to be Korak and pleading with Tarzan to go with him to the city of Tembo-Haven where he claims his youth was stolen from him. Tarzan must confront the weird truth of his strange lost city to save his son.
"Tarzan and the Slavers" has Tarzan trying to save two young women and their party from slavers. But it turns out their father is less innocent than one might assume. No magic in this one but only the all too real greed of men.
"How Paul D'Arnot Met Tarzan" picks up the tale of Tarzan's origin as told from by the man who was saved by the Ape Man and later was key in teaching him how to function in the civilized world. We see how D'Arnot's lessons are a bit rough and tumble in the edges of civilization as Tarzan has to contend with perfumed and painted ladies for the first time.
I am incredibly impressed with what Manning and his assistants can do with the Tarzan saga. He at the very least has succeeded in returning the strip to its old glory even if sales remain sluggish. More on that next time.
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I always liked Manning's art. Nice, clean lines.
ReplyDeleteI've always cottoned to the rougher hewn art of Joe Kubert when it comes to Tarzan but the more Manning I see the better I like it.
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