Tarzan #223
Published and © by DC, September 1973
Title: “The Pit of Doom!”
Synopsis: Tarzan saves Jane from the beast men of Opar, beats down nemesis Nikolas Rokoff and generally saves the day.
Writer: Joe Kubert
Artist: Kubert
Review: Overall, Joe Kubert’s adaptation of “The Return of Tarzan” wasn’t as strong as his “Tarzan of the Apes” (see reviews of Tarzan #207, #208, #209 and #210), 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: “4 out of 4 stars.” – Michael Tierney, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1609, October 2005 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
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.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “You are like a piece of sunlight … come to Earth!” – Tarzan, the jungle mack
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Sept. 10, 2010.
