TARZAN #1
(Cover by John Buscema)
Published and © by Marvel, Jun. 1977
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“Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar”
Synopsis: Tarzan returns to save a safari hunter from beast and man — but is the hunter really who he says?
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciler: John Buscema
Inker: Buscema
Review: Marvel’s Tarzan directly replaced Joe Kubert’s excellent run with the character at DC (see Comics Bronze Age’s review of DC’s first issue), so it’s almost impossible not to compare the two versions. Writer Roy Thomas delivers a much wordier script than your typical Kubert issue; this isn’t a bad thing, really, but it does rob the story of some kinetic energy. As for the art, John Buscema’s work is decent, but his jungles are nowhere near as lush and his storytelling is a bit bland compared to Kubert’s. Still, on its own merits, this is an enjoyable first issue.
Grade: B
Second opinions: “Ol’ Groove has a real soft spot for the Marvel Comics version.” — The Groovy Agent, Diversions of the Groovy Kind. … “Unimaginative stories and dull art …” — The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).
Cool factor: Turns out your Comics Bronze Age editor might be a Tarzan fan. Who knew?
Not-so-cool factor: Joe Kubert, you are missed.
Notable: Includes a one-page text feature, “Edgar Riche Burroughs: The Man Who Created Tarzan.” … There’s also a John Buscema pinup of Tarzan.
Collector’s note: According to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, there’s a 35¢-cover-price variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Hello. I’m Tarzan.” — Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle.
A word from the writer/editor: “There are certain heroes just about every comic-book writer in the business would give his typing-finger to get a crack at — at least once.” — Roy Thomas, on the chance to writer childhood favorite Tarzan, in the “Tarzan’s Jungle Drums” essay in this issue.
