Tarzan's Return to Opar by Mike Grell

 

September 20, 2021 and 40 years ago on this day 1n 1980, the Mike Grell written and illustrated Tarzan Sunday Page story arc, “Tarzan’s Return to Opar,” concluded. The story began on July 19, 1981 and ran for ten weeks. It can be read in its entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2968.html

Jessica Faraday is part of an expedition to study a solar eclipse. She stopped to take photos for National Geographic and was is attacked by a bull gorilla. Tarzan killed the gorilla to save her. Tarzan recognized her guide Tusker Shanks, an evil man who’d poisoned elephants for their ivory.

The next morning Tarzan discovered that Shanks and Faraday had been captured by the beast men of Opar. La sentenced Jessica to death, but fascinated by Shanks blonde hair, decides to keep him for herself. Shanks’ betrayed La and tried to become the ruler of Opar. It worked out poorly for him.

“The drabble for today is “Bad Blonde,” and it was inspired by the story arc, “Tarzan’s Return to Opar.

Tarzan said, “La, Tusker Shanks is a bad man. What were you thinking when you decided to keep him and sacrifice Jessica.”

La flipped her hair. “The woman’s blood would be enough to satisfy the flaming god when he rides the skies at dawn tomorrow. The man has hair the color of the sun. A man with golden hair might make a suitable mate.”

“Sometimes golden hair only hides a black heart.”

“Indeed, he betrayed me. If I can’t have him, then the flaming god will. His hair color will only make his sacrifice taste sweeter to the sun god.”