LORD OF THE JUNGLE #5, from Dynamite Comics on 5/10/23, finds Tarzan going to extraordinary lengths to make good on a promise in the past and the present to save his friends.
The Details
- Written by: Dan Jurgens
- Art by: Benito Gallego
- Colors by: Francesco Segala, Agnes Pozza
- Letters by: Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover art by: Philip Tan (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: May 10, 2023
Is It Good?
LORD OF THE JUNGLE #5 is great. That is all. There’s no need to read the rest of the review. You can go on with your life knowing there’s a good comic out in the world waiting for you to read it.
Oh, you want more? As you wish.
Odd as it may sound, we can say without doubt or hesitation that Dan Jurgens “gets it.” Jurgens brings Tarzan’s past adventure full circle, and Jurgens’s journey underscores exactly why Tarzan has persisted for so long.
When last we left the Lord of the Apes, he barely managed to escape capture by the police in the present, and we saw how Tarzan was given an ultimatum in the past to procure legendary jewels or forfeit the lives of his friends. Now, we see how past and present missions played out to their logical conclusion (Tarzan doing the impossible) but with enough twists to keep the story engaging up to the cliffhanger.
There’s no better way to say it. Jurgens gets it. Tarzan’s challenge is nigh impossible, but he manages to overcome it with more than a little blood and sweat for his efforts. The pacing is as smooth and brisk as a mountain stream, the dialog works, and Tarzan’s athletic heroics are gripping for the danger he faces.
Better still, this is the penultimate issue in the limited series, and Jurgens ends the issue in such a way as to give readers no predictable hint concerning how it will all end. This issue doesn’t contain the most explosive or shocking cliffhanger you’ve ever seen, but you’re left satisfied and hungry for more at the same time.
Benito Gallego is firing on all cylinders with the art delivery in this issue. Gallego’s figure work is impressive, his hatching application is spectacular, the character drama acting and action are powerful, and the overall look of this comic is gorgeous.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our LORD OF THE JUNGLE #4 review to learn how Tarzan found the mythical jewels needed to save his friends.
We begin with Bouanga getting roughed up by the police after his capture during Tarzan’s museum heist. Bouanga refuses to inform of Tarzan’s location because he knows what Tarzan is doing is right, and he knows Tarzan would endure the same for him.
Elsewhere, Tarzan scales the hidden cliffs that lead to the Valley of the Mists with the jewels. In a series of flashbacks, we learn how Tarzan’s mission to steal the jewels and save his friends was first met with mistrust, and then mercy by King Dzianni. Eventually, Dzianni let Tarzan go with the jewels for proving to be an honorable man, and Tarzan swore to return someday with the jewels intact.
We conclude the issue with a show of loyalty, a double-cross, and an uncertain future.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
LORD OF THE JUNGLE #5 is a stellar penultimate issue in a thoroughly stellar series. Dan Jurgens absolutely nails the heroic spirit, grit, determination, and action of Tarzan, and Gallego’s art is a perfect homage to the styles of the Bronze Age.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.