The Once & Future Tarzan (One-Shot)

He's one of the most famous fictional characters in the world, but there are probably few characters who are as misunderstood by the general public as Tarzan.

The image most people have is of the illiterate ape-man depicted in movies by Johnny Weissmuller. Speaking in a primitive, broken English ("Me Tarzan - You Jane."), clad in a loincloth, he fights poachers and rescue Jane and their son "Boy."

But to those who've read any of the original stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs know that Tarzan was meant to be a noble savage - intelligent, educated but capable of reverting to his savage side when the need arose.

Happily, that's the version that usually appears in the comics - and that's certain who you'll find in Dark Horse's The Once & Future Tarzan.

This story takes the jungle lord into the future (luckily he's an immortal) where civilization has largely crumbled - which means his skills are in great demand.

The story written by Alan Gordon is very much in keeping with the Burroughs Tarzan - an intelligent, well-read, extremely capable man who's at home dealing with wild animals and ruthless humans.

Even better, the art is by Thomas Yeates, and it's wonderful to see. Lush, loaded with great action, drawn with a classic, illustrative style that hearkens back to the masters - it's no wonder that Yeates was chosen to take over the art of the Prince Valiant comic strip.

This is a nifty done-in-one issue, and as always, it's great to see the "real" Tarzan back in action.

More like this, please.

Grade: A-

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