In the Shadow of the Atomic Age 6 6

[Scrooge]

10 minutes ago, Sqeggs said:

Interesting.  After all these years of reading comics, I wasn't aware of that rule.  Certainly makes sense, though. 

Not any formal rule, simply a "rule" I made based on observation of Marsh's work in Tarzan in the last few I read. It works for Marsh.

I long had printed the words of Toth on Marsh but had never read Russ Manning's words on Marsh that I can recall. They appeared in Batmania # 1 and can be found online at comicbookplus - http://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=11972

The Manning piece starts on Page 12 and run to Page 17. It confirms how late Marsh worked on Autry and how he needed to be speedy with so many assignments.

[Scrooge]

Tarzan 17 - Front and Back Covers with assorted panels.

Again, in the first story, we see recurring characters AND we have a story that is clearly continued in the following issue and announced essentially as such within the story. This issue contains Act I - the Escape and the next issue will have Act II - the Way Home. So, here's an instance of clear continuity within the series.

Here are another set of panels indicative of the sense of companionship Tarzan has with his animal friends -

… though, not all of them are clutch at all times! You'll notice that in that panel more care is taken to punch up the "oopps" moment with the expression of the animal compared to all other panels where they are depicted. The lack of background adds to that effect.

Finally, here's a gorgeous and lush panel that I wish was not marred by the giant word balloon. My first reaction seeing this panel was a flashback to a similar one with Prince Valiant running in a forest under the brush of Foster -

 

 

 

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 18 - Front and Back covers with more sample panels and pages -

The first story is another rescue mission, whereby Tarzan rescues not one but two persons stranded in the Jungle, this time from a group of Amazons. Here's an unusual page set-up by Marsh with a stack of three page-wide panels. The middle panel ends up being superfluous, the top and bottom would have sufficed and it would have granted more room for the other panels, esp. since, in the middle panel, the altar seems out of proportion, even considering these are Amazons.

The second story is the continuation from last issue, where Tarzan repatriates the folks he rescued in issue # 17. Bara is still here as a formidably helpful companion. That croc will have a headache from this blow - Wonderful page all around. Tarzan's Africa is full of idiosyncrasies: here we have Tarzan (normal size), the pygmy people (small size) and Bara (giant size). Phew!!

Meanwhile, in the back of the book, Two against the jungle is plodding along … -

 

[adamstrange]

Some very nice individual panels.

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 19 - Front and Back cover and sample pages.

Nothing remarkable about this issue -

Even the mighty sometimes (literally) fall - This scene then leads to Roman arena fighting - You will note that it would be rare during this time period to have an entire page dedicated to the fall and capture of the main character at other publishers. The page count to these Tarzan stories really allows the story to breathe.

So far … so good … -

Oink -

 

 

 

[Scrooge]

Since my stack of early issues resurfaced, instead of moving on to # 20, it's back to 1948 and # 4.

Tarzan # 4 - Front and back covers and panels -

Cover duties are handled by Marsh.

This is a 32 pages single story issue wherein Tarzan helps his pal from Pal-ul-don recover his wife as she gets captured abroad while fleeing strife at home.

This is not a small panel but a 2/3rd splash, fairly unusual for Marsh -

I noticed that in the earlier story, the adventure tended to be more frame with family life scenes. I can't recall if the writer changed as the run went on. Here, we see the celebration after the rescue, a nice summer BBQ at the home front -

Last page, last panels of farewell - the flower at bottom right where one would expect a "The end" is a rare touch by Marsh, something one'd expect in some strips but not in general by Marsh.

 

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 5 - Front and back covers with more art -

In a return to Opar Tarzan is forced to guide a trio of greedy men to its riches while they threaten Tarzan's family.

Again, the men disturb a happy home front where they just stocked a garden pond -

… to go to the nigh inaccessible city of Opar -

which leads to an excellent silent two-page sequence. Here's page 1 -

Many dangers loom during this journey where Tarzan shows not only his fortitude but his morality - Notice on the upper left balloon how the letterer left space on the left so this would be readable and away from the gutter in the book.

When Tarzan splits from the group to *ahem* regroup, we get another chance of a walk-through Opar. I love the bottom panel -

 

 

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 6 - Front and Back covers with some panels.

This time it is a race to Pal-ul-don to recover Tarzan's companion. One page was posted earlier in the thread by Pat. I won't repeat it here.

Here's the 2/3rd splash establishing Pal-ul-don after a nice sequence in which Tarzan and Boy had to manage the rigor of passing the mountains in snow -

Following this large panel is a fantastic panel with many textures that deserved to be seen at the same size, though much smaller on the actual comic page -

Finally, preceding the page Pat posted where Tarzan beats the outlaws and rescue his companion is this feast scene, a rarity for Marsh as most scripts didn't call for crowd shots - again, this was a 2/3rd page panel.

 

 

[adamstrange]

On 7/16/2018 at 10:22 AM, Scrooge said:

Tarzan # 5 - Front and back covers with more art -

In a return to Opar Tarzan is forced to guide a trio of greedy men to its riches while they threaten Tarzan's family.

Again, the men disturb a happy home front where they just stocked a garden pond -

… to go to the nigh inaccessible city of Opar -

which leads to an excellent silent two-page sequence. Here's page 1 -

Many dangers loom during this journey where Tarzan shows not only his fortitude but his morality - Notice on the upper left balloon how the letterer left space on the left so this would be readable and away from the gutter in the book.

When Tarzan splits from the group to *ahem* regroup, we get another chance of a walk-through Opar. I love the bottom panel -

 

 

Fun!

I suspect a review of the National Geographic might reveal the source for one or more of the scenes. 

[Scrooge]

34 minutes ago, adamstrange said:

I suspect a review of the National Geographic might reveal the source for one or more of the scenes

For sure. My first reaction to the bottom panel was a memory of walking the Alyscamps in Arles - though the purpose of the structure in the Tarzan panel is clearly different. Nevertheless, Marsh captured the atmosphere very well in that last panel.

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 7 - Front and back covers. That's it!

This is my favorite Marsh drawn Tarzan cover. Too bad the interiors are humdrum. The story meanders for most of the issue. Boy gets lost in a balloon ride ending in yet another dinosaur valley where an earthquake may or may not have ended the dinosaurs. At story's end, our lost party of four is set for the long voyage home which sets up Tarzan # 8. I believe we'll have better luck in the next issue.

Nothing's more fun than a good game of tug of bananas -

 

[Sqeggs]

20 hours ago, Scrooge said:

Tarzan # 6 - Front and Back covers with some panels.

This time it is a race to Pal-ul-don to recover Tarzan's companion. One page was posted earlier in the thread by Pat. I won't repeat it here.

 

I don't remember Tarzan typically being shown having the kind of strength holding a boulder that size with one hand would take. 

[frozentundraguy]

T-Man #29 November 1955 with a couple of pages added for good measure. Checked the GCD for artist information and found it's very sparse for this issue and nearby issues. The first story "Death House at Bergenstrasse 13". A search on this name leads me to conclude it is a slight twist on the name Bergstrasse, which is an ancient 50 mile long trade route in south west Germany possibly dating back to Roman times. For a post code book the splash page stages a grim scene with mysterious woman in red dress ominously overseeing the questioning.

[frozentundraguy]

The last story in T-Man #29, "The Red Robbers" also leaves no clue as to the artist. Agent Trask takes on the Reds, more in keeping with the times, in this story set in Rumania. I'm not sure why the actual country name of Romania could not have been used.

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 8 - Front and back covers plus art.

Therein is told the tale of the journey back home from # 7's adventure and the first encounter with the white pygmy civilization. It has been one of my favorite issues so far!

Certainly one of the best covers of the entire run -

The start of the warrior series on the back cover -

And tons of great art inside along with an interesting story.

Single panel, blown up (sorry for the left side blur, didn't close the scanner cover somehow) -

A daunting journey ahead of our group -

… but they find hospitality on the way - 2/3rd splash

… as well as a way to improve the lives of his hosts -

 

Edited July 26, 2018 by Scrooge

[frozentundraguy]

8 minutes ago, Scrooge said:

Tarzan # 8 - Front and back covers plus art.

Therein is told the tale of the journey back home from # 7's adventure and the first encounter with the white pygmy civilization. It has been one of my favorite issues so far!

Certainly one of the best covers of the entire run -

The start of the warrior series on the back cover -

And tons of great art inside along with an interesting story.

Single panel, blown up (sorry for the left side blur, didn't close the scanner cover somehow) -

A daunting journey ahead of our group -

… but they find hospitality on the way - 2/3rd splash

… as well as a way to improve the lives of his hosts -

 

 

Neat artwork indeed. The cheetah on the cover is incredible. Found this link to most every Tarzan issue from Dell to Gold Key. I think DC and Marvel are also included, but at a quick glance I do not see them today.

http://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2395.html

[Scrooge]

1 hour ago, frozentundraguy said:

Found this link

Great link. Nice to see that my assessment is in very close alignment with the reviewer's for that issue in the 'zine. I am enjoying reading these comics.

[adamstrange]

5 hours ago, Scrooge said:

Tarzan # 8 - Front and back covers plus art.

Therein is told the tale of the journey back home from # 7's adventure and the first encounter with the white pygmy civilization. It has been one of my favorite issues so far!

Certainly one of the best covers of the entire run -

 

 

 

I've always liked that cover.  Now I know I would love the interior.  Thanks for the scans!

[Scrooge]

Tarzan # 9 - Front and back covers with interior art.

Another strong cover - Probably better than that of # 8 but that big cat in # 8 makes it easier to love. As per the date stamp, this May-June issue reached that newsstand on April 5th.

Perhaps my favorite back cover in the Warrior series -

Since these were done with photographic reference, we see clearly the traditional accoutrements of the Beja warriors, including their characteristic weaponry -

In the story of a coup in Pal-ul-don, Tantor gets a center role. First, he is in a fit then helps Tarzan in his strategy to regain the throne of A-Lur -

… even the mighty Gryf cannot withstand Tantor's ire -

Tarzan reaches out to allies and rallies the troops who set out at dawn -

In the end, the rightful king is back in charge and Marsh delivers a wonderful, classical banquet scene -

 

[Sqeggs]

1 hour ago, Scrooge said:

Tarzan # 9 - Front and back covers with interior art.

Another strong cover - Probably better than that of # 8 but that big cat in # 8 makes it easier to love. As per the date stamp, this May-June issue reached that newsstand on April 5th.

 

 

GCD credits Morris Gullub for the covers to 8 and 9.  I have to admit that I'm not familiar with him, but he seems to have been a far better artist than Jesse Marsh, imho.