During the past decade, Alexis Paulvitch, who escaped Tarzan at the end of the last novel, has lived a hideous life of abuse and disease among tribal people in Africa.

In the months that follow, Paulvitch encounters the ape Akut (whom Tarzan had befriended in the previous story) at one of the ship's stops.

Because of Akut's interactions with Tarzan, he is unafraid of white men, and Paulvitch, unaware of the previous relationship, sees an opportunity to make some money.

After the trauma of the kidnappings ten years earlier, Jane has refused to return to Africa or to allow Jack to know anything about his father's past for fear that he might somehow try to relive it.

John Clayton follows his son, is surprised to find the ape is his old friend Akut, and begins conversing with him.

Akut kills Paulvitch, and Jack, terrified, escapes into the jungle with him, thinking he will have to run for the rest of his life.

Like Tarzan before him, Jack learns survival in the jungle and encounters the Mangani apes, with whom he can speak because of his dialogue with Akut.

The comic book magazine Korak, Son of Tarzan, generally focusing on other adventures of the protagonist, was issued from 1963 to 1975 by both publishers in succession, nos.