Tarzan of the Apes

"Quick is Numa; but Tarzan of the Apes is Lightning!"

Doorway to Endless Adventure.

The painting to the right is taken from the ACE cover of "Tarzan Triumphant", and was painted by Roy Krenkel, Jr. It is not one of the most famous depictions of Tarzan of the Apes; nor one which is depicted anywhere else I have visited. However, this cover art caught my attention back when I was about 16 years old. I was in a drugstore, and was perusing the paperback section. I noticed this colorful, vibrant scene, and picked up the book to take a closer look.

That was a memorable moment in my life.

Something about this painting called to me; drawing me into the world of this savage man fighting for his life against a magnificent lion.

I had been a fan of Tarzan comic books for years, and had seen several movies about this famous creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs; yet had never read or even seen any Tarzan books. Something about this cover captured my imagination, and since the price was only forty cents, I decided to buy the book and give it a try. Than night I was introduced to the "real" Tarzan of the Apes; not the mono-syllabic creature of the movies; nor the comic book character.

I met a man who was so savage, intelligent, and magnificent that my life was forever changed.

"Tarzan Triumphant" is not a particularly great Tarzan book, when measured against the others; but it was absolutely captivating to this teenager. I believe I finished it in one night, and was back at the drugstore the next day looking for other books about this amazing character. I was able to find only "Tarzan the Invincible", and purchased it immediately. I was forever hooked on the tales of the man who became, and remains, my favorite fictional creation of all time.

Soon I discovered the Ballantine paperbacks, which comprised the entire 24-volume saga of the ape-man; and I was able finally to read the first book, "Tarzan of the Apes". That book remains to this day one of my favorite novels.

The Introduction of the World to "Tarzan of the Apes".

I will discuss my own interpretation of Edgar Rice Burroughs immmortal creation as I discuss the books themselves.

The image presented is the painting for the dust jacket of the First Edition of Tarzan of the Apes, publshed by McClurg. This haunting image, painted so long ago, still evokes the mystery and unique isolation which marked the maturation and adventures of the ape-man.

I hope you enjoy my own presentation of the captivating saga of that most magnificent character,

Tarzan of the Apes.

  • 1. Tarzan of the Apes
  • 2. The Return of Tarzan
  • 3. The Beasts of Tarzan
  • 4. The Son of Tarzan
  • 5. Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
  • 6. Jungle Tales of Tarzan
  • 7. Tarzan the Untamed
  • 8. Tarzan The Terrible
  • 9. Tarzan and the Golden Lion
  • 10. Tarzan and the Ant Men
  • 11. Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle
  • 12. Tarzan and the Lost Empire
  • 13. Tarzan at the Earth's Core
  • 14. Tarzan the Invincible
  • 15. Tarzan Trimphant
  • 16. Tarzan and the City of Gold
  • 17. Tarzan and the Lion Man
  • 18. Tarzan and the Leopard Men
  • 19. Tarzan's Quest
  • 20. Tarzan and the Forbidden City
  • 21. Tarzan the Magnificent
  • 22. Tarzan and the Foreign Legion
  • 23. Tarzan and the Madman
  • 24. Tarzan and the Castaways

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Copyright 1998 by Robert A. Woodley. All rights reserved worldwide.

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E-mail Tarak at: woodley@ibm.net
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