My Top 10 Science Fiction and Fantasy Characters: #9

9. John Clayton, Earl Greystoke (Tarzan of the Apes) 

I decided to conduct a little experiment about my choice for number 9 on this list. I talked with some people I know about how Tarzan was going to be one of my favorite characters and everybody scoffed at the idea. I even received a few “Me Tarzan, you Jane” references from the old serials. My hypothesis was confirmed that the old serials from the 1930-1950s have done quite a bit to damage the public’s perception of the character of Tarzan.


Likewise, you are probably thinking to yourself, “What is Tarzan doing on a list of favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy characters?” Well, I think he is a character that belongs on any list of greatest characters, Sci-Fi or otherwise. During the late 19^th century through the early 20^th century, the golden age of science fiction literature began. Authors like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells should ring a bell to anyone who has read a book. While, I give credit to both Verne and Wells in developing grand concepts and predictions never before imagined, the characters in their stories often took a back seat to the concept. Not many people can name the main character of The Time Machine (trick question, he’s the Time Traveler) or tell you who else was in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea beside Captain Nemo.

Where time travel and nuclear submarines have been the most memorable parts of the aforementioned works, Edgar Rice Burroughs focused on his characters. Who could forget John Carter, sadly the victim of an unsuccessful but enjoyable movie, and Tarzan of the Apes? Tarzan, as Burroughs writes him, is somewhat of a superhero both extremely strong and extremely intelligent. He actually taught himself to read from abandoned books in his dead father’s tree house. Obviously, the Tarzan of the books is a far cry from the Tarzan of the serials and movies. Burroughs noticed this very fact and in his book, Tarzan and the Lion Man, Tarzan is rejected by Hollywood to play himself in a movie.

Okay, so why does Tarzan belong on a list of Sci-Fi and Fantasy characters? Tarzan has been on many adventures into lost cities, has jousted with Crusader knights, finds a Roman legion, travels to places in Africa with dinosaurs still roaming, has visited the Earth’s core, and fought mad scientists. In addition, Burroughs even developed an entire Ape language for use in his books similar to a certain fantasy trilogy and its Elvish language.

Best portrayal: Tarzan the Untamed 

Greatest moment(s): As a young boy, Tarzan, armed with only his father’s old knife takes down a full sized Gorilla showing why he is destined to become King of the Jungle.