For more than a century, Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan has been a staple of adventure, across literature, comic books and on film. Now, a new comic book series penned by Dan Jurgens reminds readers why the character and his setting have endured for so long.
Tarzan has been in and out of print in the comic book industry for decades, with some of his best stories having been told under Dark Horse. But Dynamite, with their Lord of the Jungle series, had done the character justice too. With the series being revived under the writing of Dan Jurgens, fans have good reason to rediscover the pulp-adventure genre of comic books, and why it's such a versatile one. Tarzan himself has always been full of great potential, thanks in large part due to the jungle setting and animal supporting cast. The hero appeals to a wide variety of readers, and crosses multiple genres too.
Dan Jurgen's Story Of Tarzan in Lord of the Jungle
The recently restarted Dynamite series has explored a more modern world, in which Tarzan has emerged jaded and nostalgic for his jungle heyday. It spends the bulk of the issue detailing the origin of Tarzan, from the arrival of his parents, Lord and Lady Greystroke, to Africa. It follows the Greystroke couple to their deaths, at which time Tarzan was taken in by a family of apes, raised as one of them. That is, however, until he would finally stumble upon man's world and meet humans like him, instantly piquing his interest. It was at this moment that Tarzan's reconnection with his humanity began. Possessing the strength, agility and ethics of a superhero, Tarzan has spent close to a century defining an entire genre.
Tarzan's appeal has always been as much his location as the character himself, with the diverse fauna of the region providing a great way to bring out good art. Lord of the Jungle is no different on either front, showcasing the world in which Tarzan grew up and his ape family who raised him. Jurgens now appears to be leading the hero in a new direction, teasing the time-honored "Old Man" trope that is usually a hit with fans. The series does a good job of teasing Tarzan's next big adventure, beginning with the hero now on a ship as he heads out to parts unknown. Indeed, some of Tarzan's best adventures have seen him venturing into parts unknown, which test the mettle of the wild man.
Unlike most heroes who protect cities and nations, Tarzan is largely confined to the jungles of Africa, with a family of apes instead of a people. The Jurgens series acts as something of a perfect entry point to the Tarzan character and world, with no prior reading necessary to enjoy the story. Cutting between the origins of Tarzan and a new adventure later in life is the perfect way to help newcomers get up to speed. Where many Tarzan series often seek to simply bring the latest Tarzan adventure, he's now being given an entirely new chapter of life to explore.
Lord of the Jungle's Tarzan is a Good Alternative To Superheroes
The premise of an older Tarzan as he grapples with a changing world is sure to make for an interesting story as it progresses. The Tarzan archetype has proven so enduringly popular that it has been copied by the likes of Marvel's Ka-Zar. The idea of stories of heroism that explore new and dynamic settings in the wild is great for artist, writer and fan alike, bringing vibrant images and true adventure. The series is a perfect entry point for old fans and new readers alike, balancing the origins of the jungle bound hero with a new adventure.
The appeal of Tarzan is similar to but different from the typical superhero comic book, carrying the same fixation on action but with a completely different backdrop. Where other heroes exist in the civilized world, defending cities, Tarzan defends the jungles of Africa. This also brings a more grounded threat level, with Tarzan battling poachers and mercenaries in place of robots and super villains. These stories serve the wide comic book audience from superhero and pulp fans to adventure. In comics, his stories can bring out the best in artists and writers alike.