KORAK, SON OF TARZAN
DC Issue #48, October 1972

Cover: Joe Kubert

1. Korak: Lord of Pal-Ul-Don
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Frank Thorne
Pages: 18
Characters: Korak, Hassim, Lon-at-lo, Po-den, Na-gon, Dr. Oliver Manning

Synopsis: A band of Hodon and Wazdon attack an Arab encampment by night and steal all their gold. A Wazdon girl straggling behind is captured by the Arabs and put to the torture stake to tell where she came from. Korak hears her screams and drops into the camp, fighting off the men and then carrying the girl into the trees. The band of Pal-ul-donians returns for the girl and surround Korak. They describe an evil person who has taken the role of Jad-ben-otho and enslaved their peoples to build a giant golden idol, and who has sent them out beyond their hidden world to steal more gold. Meanwhile, in Pal-ul-don, Jad-ben-otho, who wears a golden mask, is inspecting the work, and when a Wazdon warrior attempts to assassinate him, he is gunned down by a tommy gun. Korak and his companions come to the great barrier swamp and build a raft. Halfway across, a giant saurian predator rises from the water, and smashes their raft. Korak is able to kill it by driving his spear through its eye. They continue on into Pal-ul-don, and come to the area controlled by Jad-ben-otho and his torodons. Korak and the group descend into a volcano cone into the complex of caves in which the insubordinates are held prisoner. Korak tells the guard that he is another "god" and wishes to see Jad-ben-otho. The masked leader comes and takes Korak aside and explains that he was a former professor who disfigured his face and was rejected by society. Here he can build a giant golden monument to himself. He throws Korak into the arena against a maddened gryf. Korak kills it by getting into its mouth and breaking its jaws apart. He then incites a riot and the rebellion begins. Korak slips up behind Manning and takes his machine gun. Manning runs to the idol and pulls the mold and props away, displaying the giant face, and then the molten gold from the trough falls onto him and buries him. Lon-at-lo notices that the face of the idol is also disfigured.

Remarks: This story marks a trend in the DC Korak to sacrifice realism for pure fantasy. Why do Korak and the others descend a one-way pit in order to face Jad-ben-otho from behind prison bars? Why didn't Korak choose some other method less prone to helplessness and chance? The head of the gryf is not brightly colored as in Burroughs. Korak sports a brown leather loincloth in these Thorne issues, and carries in this story a bow and quiver across his back. -S.A.

2. Carson of Venus: Battle Cry
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Mike Kaluta
Pages: 6
Characters: Carson, Danus

Synopsis: Carson is able to kill off all but two of the attackers in the garden behind his veranda by the time guardsmen arrive. Slipping back to his apartment unseen, he continues his Venusian lessons. In a conversation with Danus, the Vepajan tells him about the Thorist rebellion and why they live in trees. Danus also explains that Vepajans have the secret of immortality, but he and Carson get into a dispute about Carson's freedom and status.

Remarks: This episode was adapted from chapter five of Pirates of Venus by Burroughs. Kaluta's art is incredibly detailed and exotic, making this series a cult favorite. Kaluta depicts Carson with a heavy growth of beard; he has not shaved since his take-off from earth. Carson is glad to have done some fencing as a sport, back on earth, during the battle with the intruders.

3. The Ape Vine (letters page; Krenkel logo art)