For anyone who has ever thrilled to a screen Tarzan — from Johnny Weissmuller (with Maureen O’Sullivan’s sexy Jane in that abbreviated, pre-censorship costume) to the sculpted Gordon Scott and beyond) or have enjoyed the various book and comics (such as Joe Kubert’s splendid run for DC Comics), Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration by Scott Tracy Griffin is a book to luxuriate in. Subtitled The Stories, The Movies, The Art, this is a nigh-definitive visual celebration of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s immortal Jungle lord, but with text to match the large format illustrations (the latter includes all of Neal Adams’ stunning paperback covers — reason alone to buy the book). Scott Tracy Griffin’s text, too, is impressive, though not inordinately critical (a little more analysis of the virtues — and otherwise — of some of the films would have been welcome). Nevertheless, a real delight.

Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration by Scott Tracy Griffin is published by Titan Books