Number 1245: Turok kicks out Kong

In its original 1950’s version, Turok, Son of Stone, had a simple premise: Turok and Andar, two pre-Columbian Indians in what is now New Mexico, found themselves in a lost world full of dinosaurs and other anachronistic creatures and people, and couldn’t find their way out. I loved this title as a kid and ape fan that I am, I for sure bought this issue with its King Kong-like cover.

In reading it so many years after its publication it I’m struck by symbolism I didn't see as a kid. The giant ape is living on its mesa minding its own business when Turok and Andar lead a tribe there. They displace the ape, which is what will happen to Turok and Andar’s people once the Europeans land on their “lost world” of the American continent.

The Grand Comics Database lists the cover artist as Giusto, the writer as Gaylord Dubois, and the artist, pencils and inks, as Bob Correa. From Turok, Son of Stone #6, 1957.

The ending seems Comics Code-style, even though Dell had an internal code and did not knuckle under to the Comics Code Authority like other publishers. Perhaps before the Code was implemented the ape would have been killed, not “asleep” as Turok describes his condition after a big fall.