ERBzine 2350: Brothers of the Spear Intro

First and Only Weekly Online Fanzine Devoted to the Life & Works of Edgar Rice Burroughs
Since 1996 ~ Over 10,000 Web Pages in Archive
presents
Volume 2350

by Gaylord DuBois
with art by
Jesse Marsh and Russ Manning

Postal regulations required that a few pages of the Dell Tarzan comic books which began in 1948, be devoted to features other than that featured on the covers. They started by running back-pages features such as "Mabu," "Two Against the Jungle," and "Boy." Eventually this led to "Brothers of the Spear," a very successful series that debuted in issue 25 (October 1951). The serial, created by the prolific Gaylord DuBois and Tarzan artist Jesse Marsh, went on to run in each issue for over 25 years. Comic art legend, Russ Manning, did some of his earliest comics work in this series -- beginning with Tarzan issue #39 and drawing each feature until he took over the main Tarzan art from Jesse Marsh in Gold Key issue 154. The feature appeared sporadically after this with occasional art by Manning and Mike Royer.
The Brothers of the Spear were Dan-El (white) and Natongo (black), unrelated kings by right in their neighboring countries (Aba-Zulu and Tungelu), whose thrones had been usurped. They swore brotherhood and had many adventures together. This was probably the first appearance in American comic books of a pair of white and black heroes sharing adventures. By the time they had been restored to their respective thrones, both were married to beautiful mates, Dan-El to Tavane and Natongo to Zulena. Their love of action continued, however, and they went on to many more years of adventure.
Gold Key Comics published their own stand-alone 17-issue Brothers of the Spear title from June 1972 through February 1976. Whitman Comics published an issue #18 in May 1982, with reprinted material only. Du Bois wrote the series beginning with issue #2. Jesse Santos did the artwork for the first twelve issues, followed by Dan Spiegle.

DELL SERIES CONTENTS

Art by Jesse Marsh Nos: 25-38

ERBzine 2351: Nos. 25-29

ERBzine 2352: Nos. 30-34

ERBzine 2353: Nos. 35-39

Art by Russ Manning Nos: 39-153

ERBzine 2354: Nos. 40-44	ERBzine 2355: Nos. 45-49	ERBzine 2356: Nos. 50-54
ERBzine 2357: Nos. 55-59	ERBzine 2358: Nos. 60-64	ERBzine 2359: Nos. 65-69
ERBzine 2360: Nos. 70-74	ERBzine 2361: Nos. 75-79	ERBzine 2362: Nos. 80-84
ERBzine 2363: Nos. 85-89	ERBzine 2364: Nos. 90-94	ERBzine 2365: Nos. 95-99
ERBzine 2366: Nos. 100-104	ERBzine 2367: Nos. 105-109	ERBzine 2368: Nos. 110-114
ERBzine 2369: Nos. 115-119	ERBzine 2370: Nos. 120-124	ERBzine 2371: Nos. 125-131
ERBzine 2372: Nos. 130-134	ERBzine 2373: Nos. 135-139	ERBzine 2374: Nos. 140-144
ERBzine 2375: Nos. 145-149	ERBzine 2376: Nos. 150-154	ERBzine 2376: Nos. 155-161

GOLD KEY COVER GALLERY

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