You might think the title of this column a little strange, but if you read on, you will understand. Believe it or not, but Tarzan was really the first superhero of the 20th century. If we examine the characters that have survived to this day, Tarzan is really the first of the 1900's to be active and vibrant still in the 2000's. Sherlock Holmes was a late 1800's creation, and the other major creation of that era, Hopalong Cassidy, is very much dormant. The only other active characters from an era close to 1912 are the Lone Ranger, The Phantom, Flash Gordon, or Mandrake. The closest to life are the Lone Ranger and the Phantom. Not one of these has had the longevity or extraordinary creators associated with them. Tarzan has had more than 50 movies made, five series, and a long running radio play. The Lone Ranger has had six movies, a long running TV series, and the longest and most popular radio series in history. The Phantom has had two movies, a long running comic strip, and a couple of cartoon shows.
Who wins? Tarzan, loin cloth down.
Back to the purpose of this column.
The Tarzan power trio is about three excellent Tarzan references published by McFarland. 'The Tarzan Novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs', 'Kings of the Jungle', and 'Edgar Rice Burroughs and Tarzan'. All essential to the Tarzan collector, and all vital if anyone is to understand exactly who Tarzan is.
The Tarzan Novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs
David Ullerly has created the most useful book on the Jungle King. With material drawn from the novels themselves, he has written a guidebook to the fiction that has inspired Hollywood for decades.
His study of Tarzan has resulted in chapters on Tarzan himself, on the lost cultures, cities and religions, on the Languages of Tarzan, the Cast of Characters, and lastly, the book summaries themselves. If you have any questions at all about Tarzan novels, this is the book you want to read, and often.
Kings of The Jungle
David Fury, like David Ullerly, has immersed himself in Tarzan. Specifically, in this case, the films of Tarzan. As a fan, I am not sure which was more fun? But, I would be willing to try however. The result of his hours and hours or intense joy and research is this book that follows the history of the Tarzan film franchise from its early beginnings in the 1910's to 1989.
Go To Page: 1 2
