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TARZAN #223
(Cover by Joe Kubert)
Published and © by DC, Sep. 1973
[Buy from Mile High]

“The Pit of Doom!”

Synopsis: Tarzan saves Jane from beast men of Opar, beats down nemesis Nikolas Rokoff and generally saves the day.

Writer: Joe Kubert
Penciler: Kubert
Inker: Kubert

Review: Overall, Joe Kubert’s adaptation of The Return of Tarzan wasn’t as strong as his Tarzan of the Apes (see reviews), but the legendary comic-book creator ends this arc on a high note. Story wise, this was the strongest of the five issues (see reviews of parts one, two, three and four), thanks largely to scenes featuring Tarzan and Jane. Kubert’s art remains masterful, with subtle-but-sublime storytelling, excellent use of spot blacks, and an inking style that’s appropriately kinetic. Like Tarzan, Kubert seems most at home in the wilds of Africa. Readers would do well to join both men there.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: After some missteps early, it was nice to see this arc return to form.

Notable: Part five of the five-part The Return of Tarzan adaptation. … Also includes two “Tarzan’s Animal Encyclopedia: A Series of Nature Studies” pages, with art by Sam Glanzman.

Character quotable: “You are like a piece of sunlight … come to Earth!” — Tarzan, the jungle mack.

Collected in: Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume Two HC [Buy from Mile High]

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TARZAN #222
(Cover by Joe Kubert)
Published and © by DC, Aug. 1973
[Buy from Mile High]

“The City of Gold”

Synopsis: Tarzan, new chief of the Waziri, leads his tribe to the city of Opar, where Jane eventually ends up captive.

Writer: Joe Kubert
Penciler: Kubert
Inker: Kubert

Review: After a ludicrous string of coincidences moved the key players into position last issue (see review), Tarzan #222 takes its time reuniting the jungle lord and Jane. It’s the only place the story takes its time, though, as rushed pacing continues to mar this arc. There’s simply too much going on in The Return of Tarzan, and Joe Kubert can’t take time to develop any one moment. That’s too bad, because his art on this arc is excellent, with this issue being particularly well executed. Given a few more issues to breathe, Return could have been a masterpiece.

Grade: B+

Second opinions: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition). … This cover was named #87 by Scott Harris on The Vault’s list of The Top 150 DC Covers of All Time.

Cool factor: Another great Joe Kubert cover.

Notable: Part four of the five-part The Return of Tarzan adaptation. … Also includes a text essay titled “Lights … Camera … Action on Safari.” … “The Dum-Dum” letters page includes an LOC from future DC Answer Man Bob Rozakis.

Character quotable: “Do the brave Waziri fear the stories of old women? Do they shiver at the unknown … like children?” — Tarzan, king of the motivational speeches.

Collected in: Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume Two HC [Buy from Mile High]

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TARZAN #221
(Cover by Joe Kubert)
Published and © by DC, Jul. 1973
[Buy from Mile High]

“Return to the Primitive”

Synopsis: Tarzan’s continued clashes with the villainous Nikolas Rokoff lead the jungle king back to the wilds of Africa.

Writer: Joe Kubert
Penciler: Kubert
Inker: Kubert

Review: Having not read Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Return of Tarzan, your Comics Bronze Age editor isn’t sure whom to blame for the ridiculous string of coincidences that mar this issue. Regardless, either original author ERB or comics writer Joe Kubert should have reined in this story’s reliance on convenient occurrences; the many chance meetings and lucky landfalls undermine all suspension of disbelief. Pacing also continues to be a problem with this story arc; it’s better for the first half of this issue, but feels rushed again when Tarzan returns to Africa. On the plus side, Kubert’s art remains strong.

Grade: B-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: Nice art.

Not-so-cool factor: Weak story.

Notable: Part three of the five-part The Return of Tarzan adaptation. … Also includes a three-page Tarzan text story titled “Civilization … or Wilderness?,” with reprint art from Hal Foster.

Character quotable: “In the jungle wilderness … opponents will face each other in open combat … rather than to slay through deceit and treachery!” — Tarzan, the ape man, engaging in a little internal monologue.

Collected in: Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume Two HC [Buy from Mile High]

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TARZAN #220
(Cover by Joe Kubert)
Published and © by DC, Jun. 1973
[Buy from Mile High]

“Fury in the Desert”

Synopsis: After surviving a duel in France, Tarzan is offered a government position that takes him undercover in Algeria.

Writer: Joe Kubert
Penciler: Kubert
Inker: Kubert

Review: As with last issue (see review), Tarzan #220 feels rushed. This is particularly true of the jungle lord’s battle with a lion, and his opening duel with Count de Coude. The duel sequence is also marred by a rare artistic misstep from Joe Kubert, as his visual storytelling fails to get across the drama of Tarzan passively taking shot after shot. But there are plenty of other nice storytelling sequences, and the jump from one exotic locale to the next highlights part of the pulp character’s lasting appeal. Not the best example of Kubert’s Tarzan run, but still quite enjoyable.

Grade: B

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: Those exotic locales. Tarzan may be king of the jungle, but he holds his own in cities, remote outposts and deserts, too.

Notable: Part two of the five-part The Return of Tarzan adaptation. … Also includes a “Tarzan’s Animal Encyclopedia: A Series of Nature Studies” page and a two-page essay on “Children of the Wild.”

Character quotable: “Do not be frightened … the danger is past!” — Tarzan (with a line he uses on all the ladies).

Collected in: Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume Two HC [Buy from Mile High]

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TARZAN #219
(Cover by Joe Kubert)
Published and © by DC, Apr. 1973
[Buy from Mile High]

“Trial by Treachery”

Synopsis: Pining over Jane, Tarzan heads to Paris — where he learns the human animal may be the most dangerous of all!

Writer: Joe Kubert
Penciler: Kubert
Inker: Kubert

Review: Following his masterful adaptation of Tarzan of the Apes (see Comics Bronze Age’s reviews of Tarzan #207-210), Joe Kubert turns his attention to The Return of Tarzan, the second book in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic series. Story wise, this outing is a bit more hurried, and the source material doesn’t feel quite as vital as the first book’s origin tale. Still, this issue is plenty enjoyable, thanks to Kubert’s commanding skill as a storyteller. From panel composition to page design, Kubert is every bit as good as his reputation would suggest. And his love for this material is almost palpable.

Grade: B+

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: A striking Kubert cover …

Not-so-cool factor: … that has nothing to do with this comic.

Notable: Part one of the five-part The Return of Tarzan adaptation. … Also includes two “Tarzan’s Animal Encyclopedia: A Series of Nature Studies” pages and a three-page “Tarzan Comes Alive” essay.

Character quotable: “Cowards are unworthy enemies …” — Tarzan, King of the Jungle.

Collected in: Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume Two HC [Buy from Mile High]