Nelson introduces D’Arnot this issue, brings in the hollow Earth ape men, turns Clayton into a bad guy and has a lame interlude with Tarzan and Jane.
The interlude’s lame because Nelson hasn’t done the groundwork for Jane to immediately fall for Tarzan. He could have–Tarzan bringing her gifts, saving her multiple times–but he didn’t and it’s actually excusable. If one can believe Tarzan taught himself to write–that accomplishment is straight from Burroughs–Jane immediately going gushy for him is passable too.
Most of the issue is action. The fight with the man apes is lengthy and good. Castro has some problems this issue (D’Arnot is a basically redheaded Clayton) and the faces are occasionally weak, but he sells the action. The battle is so fierce, one assumes tepid little Professor Porter must die (he doesn’t).
Jungle’s problematic, sure, but it’s still a decent Tarzan comic.
CREDITS
The Village of Torture; writer, Arvid Nelson; artist, Roberto Castro; colorist, Alex Guimaraes; letterer, Simon Bowland; editor, Joseph Rybandt; publisher, Dynamite Entertainment.
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