Tarzan / Carson of Venus

Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan: Comics

by Darko Macan, Igor Kordey (Illustrator)

The insidious cult of the Loveking is spreading through Carson Napier's kingdom on the ocean world of Venus. If Carson can't break the Loveking's spell, the balance of power on Venus will be shattered and the woman Carson loves will be lost to him forever. But a jungle howl from a faraway world signals the arrival of a powerful ally, Tarzan, whom Carson will desperately need to avert disaster on his adopted planet! Also included in this volume is "Tarzan: A Tale of Mugambi," never before collected!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 1999

About the author

Darko Macan is a Croatian author and illustrator who has created and collaborated on comics, essays and science fiction and fantasy. He is also an editor.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Carson Napier finds himself in dire straights, a stranger arrives on Venus in the nick of time. He was born John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, but the people of the jungle call him Tarzan!

I'm a recent convert to Russ Manning's Tarzan and I've read a couple of Edgar Rice Buroughs' Carson of Venus novels so I decided to give this a shot.

I wasn't yet a fan of Tarzan when this came out around 25 years ago so I had no idea of its existence. I've never heard of the writer Darko Macan or the artist Igor Kordey. Fortunately, they put out a pretty good crossover here.

There are a lot of moving parts to this, not unlike an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. The Myposans are taking a lot of territory with The Loveking, a cult leader wielding mind-clouding dust. Tarzan and Carson Napier team up to kick ass and take names. The story is action packed and features ERB hallmarks like scantily clad women, ray guns, cool settings, and monsters. The floating city is built on the backs of massive turtles, for instance. The dialog is better than ERB's, in my opinion. It doesn't over explain things. The dialogue also isn't as cheesy as the pulps.

The art is somewhere between Joe Kubert and Russ Manning on the Tarzan spectrum: more detailed than Manning but not as gritty as Joe Kubert's. Kordev does a great job depicting alien monsters and crazy vehicles.

The bonus tale, Tarzan: A Tale of Mugambi, done by the same creative team, is a great read. An old man embellishes his time with Tarzan until it feels more like a myth.

Tarzan/Carson of Venus is a fun pulp action tale. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this years ago, more as a Darko Macan fan (love his Grendel work) than an ERB fan (wh0 I've never read). I got this book years and years ago, must've liked it then because it survived several purges and moves, but I only pulled it out for a reread today.

Without much background in either character, beyond what a casual genre fan would absorb about Tarzan (a fair bit) and Carson (less), I thought this was a passable if forgettable tale. Kordey's art is solid - detailed and a bit sloppy, but energetically so. Macan throws some fun ideas out there - I like the water people and the city built on turtles. The Love King concept and character worked well, but there's no strong character moments or arcs. Carson wants to find his lady and Tarzan is along for the ride - I liked some moments, but I never got any emotional connection. The biggest moment was Love King's sacrifice, but he (and Duare) didn't get enough page time.

[Joe Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no background in Carson of Venus, so I did not really know what to expect of this volume. I have been a lifelong fan of Tarzan however, so it piqued my interest.

This is basically a Carson story with Tarzan. It takes place on the water world of Venus. Carson is trying to find his girlfriend Duare who is under the thrall of the Love King. Tarzan and various inhabitants of the planet are along for the ride. Slow in parts, this probably read better as a trade. I am not sure if I would have hung around during the middle issues if this was a monthly. Ok story.

A Tale of Mugambi was pretty great though. It tells of the story of Tarzan's shadow. It has a folklore feel to it. I really enjoyed this one.

Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way for this one. Maybe just try to track down the single issue of Mugambi.

2.5 rounded up for the back up story.

[Gonzalo Oyanedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Macan y Kordey perfilan un ameno encuentro entre dos creaciones de Edgar Rice Burroughs, dando a ambos héroes una voz propia en una aventura dinámica muy digna y de sabor pulp. Bastante fiel al estilo de ERB, si bien no exige profundizarse en su universo para disfrutarla.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel staring two favorite Burroughs characters. A fun read.

[Abu]

Very boring storyline and pathetic way of Tarzan entering the world of Carson. I didn't enjoy this tale at all.

[The Smoog · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was okay and the artwork was fine, but it’s not one that’s going to stick with me.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depends if you REALLY like Tarzan and ERB...
Recommended.