KORAK, SON OF TARZAN
Issue #9, July 1965

Steve "Korak" Allsup

Copyright © 2004

Cover: George Wilson

Inside Front Cover: Wild Animals of Africa #18- The Genet

Story: The Men from Underground
Position: 1
Writer: Gaylord Dubois
Artist: Russ Manning
Inker: Russ Manning
Pages: 24
Characters: Korak, Dr. Linscombe, Pahkut

Synopsis: At the request of an African president, Korak reluctantly accompanies a small geology crew looking for oil. Led by Dr. Linscombe, they plan to travel into desert areas that contain antagonistic tribesmen. The first day out they discover that Pahkut has stowed away in one of the trucks. They soon discover oil, but are attacked by desert horsemen armed with guns. Though armed, the geologists cannot keep the gunfire from wrecking the vehicles. After the horsemen ride away, they set out on foot, loaded with guns and supplies, and a travois to carry a wounded man. Four days later, they are about to give up hope when they stumble upon a vast ancient city in the sand that has been partly uncovered by Tuareg troglodytes who inhabit the ruins. Korak asks them for some water and supplies, but they trick the travelers by suddenly shoving them into a large sandpit. That night the men make a human ladder so that Korak and Pahkut can reach the rim of the pit. They silently enter one of the abodes and steal provisions and a long rope. Korak discovers the ancient aqueduct that is the source of the troglodytes’ water. They are attacked by two warriors but they subdue, bind and gag them. They return to the pit and haul the others out. Now they are detected and they must flee into the buildings to the entrance to the aqueduct. When the Tuaregs discover they have fled through the aqueduct, they ride ahead on the surface and drop gasoline bombs into the water below as the men come under them. Korak is able to defuse the first bomb so they can get past the opening. Korak and Pahkut travel rapidly ahead of the others to the source of the aqueduct in the hills. They arrive at the end before the Tuareg, move the heavy lid and wait for their pursuers camoflaged in the trees. When the Tuareg arrive to wait for the geologists, they camp for the night. Korak and Pahkut terrorize them by baiting one of them into the air with a lasso. The warriors flee, and Korak helps the men out of the aqueduct. They return to town on the camels of the Tuareg that Korak had appropriated.

Remarks: Korak states that the distance through the aqueduct is fifty miles. Korak binds and gags the two trogoldytes; in the Burroughs books he probably would have killed them. The desert tribesmen constantly refer to the white men as nazrani. While shimmying up the exit shaft, Korak carries an “Aladdin” style lamp in his teeth!

2. Unusual African Fish

3.Across the Sahara by Bus (text feature)

4. Could it be True?

5. Jon of the Kalahari: Thirst is a Leopard! 4 pages. Gaylord Dubois, writer; Jesse Marsh, artist.

6. African Birds

Inside Back Cover: People of Asia #2- The Nepalese

Back Cover: Pin-Up