Lord of the Jungle #4 features Tarzan forced to travel to the mysterious Valley of Mists to save his friend, Bouanga! Last issue had the older Tarzan about to steal the treasures now in displays cases. When he was younger, Tarzan saved his allies, Bouanga and Lt. Carson, from a lion. He learns from them how to speak and the ways of “civilized” people. Then, he encounters Shaw who had killed his adoptive ape mother, Kala, and keeps his Mangani ape brothers in cages.
Shaw makes the bargain that he will free the Mangani if Tarzan recovers the Treasures of the Mist. The elderly Tarzan takes a chip of one of the Diamonds of the Triad. Guards fire on him, but Tarzan escapes on the rooftops! Lord of the Jungle #4 sports a variant cover by interior artist, Benito Gallego, that has Tarzan in a powerful, but relaxed pose on a tree branch with his hand on his knife and a lil’ Manu, monkey, on his shoulder. An iconic image! The issue is written by Dan Jurgens with art by Gallego.
In a splash page, we see the older Tarzan in his black suit with arm bag racing on the moon-lit rooftop! The narration is by Bouanga reflecting on the scene. He explains that an escape, especially with someone as built as Tarzan, is not possible. Tarzan leaps across rooftops, with the moon behind him, and then down to the street. A closeup as he is seen by police who are stunned to see that it is Tarzan! The policemen think they can outnumber the older Tarzan and gang pile on him. Even older Mangani Kerchak can take on several opponents and Tarzan is the same.
We flashback to another splash page and great contrast with the previous page. Here is Tarzan standing with a scowl in the daytime of the jungle. Tarzan refuses Shaw’s deal. Carson explains that it is obvious why Tarzan would not trust Shaw. There is a large panel showing the jungle with Tarzan, Shaw, and the others at the ground level of it with the cages. Shaw pushes away Carson and threatens what he calls Tarzan’s “monkey family.” Tarzan responds if he hurts his family, they will hurt him!, we see a panel in red with the Manganis filling the trees and giving their shouts!
Again, I like the work of colorist Francesco Segala emphasizing scenes, characters, and action. Carson warns that his men might take down a few of the apes, but they will eventually overwhelm them. Shaw rethinks his plan and grabs Bouanga as a hostage! He holds his gun to Bouanga’s head and then points it at Tarzan. Closeup in yellow, the background is shady, almost surreal as we see Tarzan’s face working out what to do. The next panel we see Tarzan with his clenched fist agreeing to find the Treasures of the Mist. Shaw tells him that he has until sunrise or he will kill Bouanga, the threat is seen in a red panel, also with Shaw’s men carrying rifles.
Tarzan swings through the jungle as Bouanga reveals that Tarzan doesn’t know the location of the Valley of the Mists! A closeup of a rock striking Tarzan’s shoulder. It is his former rival, Kerchak, with a scarred, blind right eye! Their conversation, Bouanga explains it is a series of grunts, with Kerchak realizing that Tarzan wants to help the Mangani. A panel of Tarzan looking desperate and asking for Kerchak’s help in English. Kerchak leads the way along the jungle vines which Bounaga says would only be traveled by someone like Tarzan. Kerchak points out a hidden passage under a tree.
They find their way crawling in the dark passage and then reach the other side, the Valley of Mists with a covering of mist, mountains, and birds flying overheard. Tarzan calls it “Beautiful.” I love the lost worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan tells Kerchak he is going the rest of the way alone. He clibs down into the mists and skillfully makes his way down cliffs. Eventually, Tarzan finds a village wiht a pyramid at its center. He picks up a blue cloak to pass by the villagers. Then, Tarzan enters the pyramid to find an empty throne room filled with jewels! Tarzan pries jewels from the throne, the Diamonds of the Triad, and is about to leave when he is confronted by warriors! Lord of the Jungle #4 is another Tarzan adventure filled with Edgar Rice Burroughs touches and beautiful artwork!
Five Journals out of Five!
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