Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan: the Jesse Marsh Years 1

Jesse Marsh defined Tarzan in the comics, just as Johnny Weissmuller did in the movies. The stories were all compelling, even if they were often simple, and each one built on the jungle lord and his world, creating an overall atmosphere different from any other comics character. The clean lines and straightforward storytelling technique are refreshing in this age of heavy inks and nuances, but are definitely of the period. Dell was extremely fortunate to have such artists as Marsh, Barks and Manning in their employ during that period, and we readers reaped the benefits, and thanks to reprints and compilations, are still reaping benefits today. Tarzan stories by Marsh are comforting, in a way, because they depict a savage and deadly world that a child could love and not find frightening, but that adults can also find fascinating and soberingly grim. I found the page misplacement toward the end very annoying, and only gave four stars for that reason. This was just sloppiness and lack of care for the subject, and I sincerely hope greater love is shown in future compilations. Marsh was an artistic genius, taken before his time, and I like to think all true Tarzan fans miss him.

My youthful introduction to Tarzan came from Lex Barker movies and the Dell comic books, but my comic books went the way of most comic books, read to pieces and disappearing over the years for one reason or another. After the Edgar Rice Burroughs paperback boom of the early 60s, I became a big fan of collecting the original books but still picked up some Dell comics here and there when I could find them. When Dark Horse published the Jesse Marsh Tarzan archives, I wasn't too sure I wanted to start buying them, but Amazon.com's special free-shipping offer enticed me and I went ahead and ordered Vol. 1. As soon as it came in the mail, I realized I had made the right decision. I immediately placed an order for Vol. 2 and now, since that has arrived, I've advance-ordered Vol. 3. I love these old comics far more than I remember, especially since they have stories that are actually pretty much in line with the original books by ERB. They feature some of the same characters -- Tarzan's friend, D'Arnot, for example, as well as Jane -- and the stories are tied in with the strange lost cities and tribe's of Tarzan's Africa, as originally penned by Burroughs. So, it's almost like having new Tarzan stories! True, there are differences between the comics and the original books: One is the annoying inclusion of a young lad called "Boy" when those old comics could just as easily have referred to him as "Korak," the name Burroughs gave to Tarzan's actual son. However, these Archives are so well done, with slick, full-color pages and reproductions of the original covers, that one tends to be forgiving of such things. I'm enjoying these books and highly recommend them to fans of Tarzan, fans of Jesse Marsh, fans of Gaylord DuBois who wrote the stories, and fans of old comic books. If you're none of the above, it's entirely possible you'll find another reason to like them!

I must admit that the first time I glanced through a volume of Jesse Marsh's Tarzan I was not impressed. I felt the backgrounds were crude and the figures were stiff. It was only when reading through this massive new volume that I gained an appreciation for his work. His style might seem deceptively simple but it is expressive and perfectly suited to classic adventure storytelling. His Tarzan is unique and noble. I finished this book a fan of Marsh and an understanding for why he has earned such a fine reputation.

Classic Jesse Marsh Tarzan, what else needs to be said. His work only got better as the series went on.

The new printing for these Tarzan comics make the colors brighter than ever. Plus you don't have to leaf through those endless ads for 'Sea Monkeys.' And such a deal. It would cost a small fortune to get these classics in the original comic book form. The service was fast and the book arrived in perfect condition since it was extremely well packaged. I sure hope they reprint more in this series.

I have had the hardcover series and to be honest, I found the color reproduction garish and off putting. I like the reproduction in this volume much better. Huge book! I do hope the continue the series and reprint the entire Dell and Gold Key series.

This reprint of the first issues of Dell Comics Tarzan with art by Jesse Marsh is a must for comics fans and historians. The art is rather primitive, Marsh reached his peak a couple of years later, yet there is much atmosphere and wonderfull fantasy and adventure in the pictures. Volume two of this book is already on it's way. It is a very, very fine initiative by Dark Horse Comics. Thank you.

I purchased this volume because I am a fan of Tazan and liked the Joe Kubert volumes. I have to admit I was not familiar with Jean Marsh's art in advance. While the book cover and some of the pin-up pages look interesting, the overall art if child-like at best.

El Omnibus del Tarzán de Jesse Marsh es una recopilación muy bien editada y bastante extensa pues contiene un gran número de páginas y todo a un precio excelente. Una gran oportunidad para recopilar este excelente trabajo de un personaje tan popular cómo Tarzán dado que es una etapa no tan conocida cómo otras pero que merece mucho la pena conocer y disfrutar dada su gran calidad.

Jamais poderíamos ter acesso a uma obra como está se não fosse a Amazon, o espetacular Russ Manning em mais de 700 pg de Tarzan. O original em histórias que foram parar no cinema, ele estava e ainda esta em oferta. Aproveite, esqueça os herois mascarados e bombados e mergulhe na África repleta de perigos e emoções fortes.

o volume tem bastante histórias do personagem que gosto e em ingles, uma lingua que to aprendendo e portanto uniu o útil ao agradável, excelente obra!!!!!!!!!!

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i came across tarzon in the indian expreess daily papers when i was in the third standard this was 50 years ago. my perception has changed. today i see tarzan as a crusader against tyranny, exploitation, all are very visible . thnks for bringing tarzan onmibus back. i hope wou will display the entire omnibus series of JESSE MARSH 11 nos soon on amazon