Broken Frontier

A gorgeous jungle is brought to life.

Lord of the Jungle is a straightforward yet fun take on the classic Tarzan tale.  Finding themselves stranded by their British kin in the Belgian Congo, Lord and Lady Greystoke carve out their own meager existence alone in the jungle.  What simple story follows is both entertaining and emotional, but the lush art truly makes Lord of the Jungle a joy to read.

Lord and Lady Greystoke’s life in the Belgian Congo seemed destined for disaster.  Hostile gorillas and indigenous tribes surrounded the Greystokes' handcrafted home at all times, forcing the Lord to defend his tiny castle and fend for his wife and unborn son.  As all good things must come to an end, the Greystokes' dream of happiness too must crumble, setting up their young son to take on the mantle of Lord of the Jungle.  Arvid Nelson does a commendable job of making the uncomplicated story and characters interesting and relatable; the emotional downfall of the Greystokes is difficult to watch unfold, even for only following their lives for a few pages.  As the end of the issue turns and circles back to the beginning of the story, moreover, an extra tinge of emotional weight is revealed to readers with a careful eye.

The shining strength of Lord of the Jungle is the gorgeous art from the talented Roberto Castro.  The flourishing jungles of the Belgian Congo have surely never been drawn in such a beautiful fashion.  All manners of plant life, from infinite amounts of leaves and vines, to massive forests of jungle trees, dominate entire pages.  The Greystokes' small oasis in the jungle, likewise, feels both peaceful and calm, a stark contrast to the danger on the family’s horizon.

The story of the Greystokes and Lord of the Jungle is an emotional take on a familiar tale.  Arvid Nelson’s characters prove to be relatable, making the Greystokes' ending all the more emotional, while the set up for their son’s new life as the lord of the jungle is exciting.  Roberto Castro’s art truly brings the Belgian Congo to life in an organic way that is gorgeous to behold.  Lord of the Jungle is worth the investment for the art alone, making the solid story an extra treat.