FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousand Oaks, CA – March 18, 2008 – Artist Joe Jusko and publisher The Forest Primeval have
teamed up to produce a new series of fine art prints.
Up first, a fully authorized and licensed image featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic hero, Tarzan. Joe
Jusko’s “Tarzan And The Golden Lion” shows a sweeping panorama of British East Africa, circa 1923, that
capture all the power, majesty and grace of Burroughs’ Tarzan and his companion, Jad-Bal-Ja, the golden
lion.
Brad Burch, who has launched The Forest Primeval to showcase Jusko’s work, has been collecting artwork
for over 30 years. “I approached Joe at a fan convention about the possibility of re-creating some of the
Burroughs trading card artwork he did back in 90s as a private commission. As our discussions progressed
we discovered we had a mutual love of wildlife artwork. So I got the idea of marrying his fantastic figurative
work with some traditional wildlife paintings like the work of Simon Combes or Guy Choheleach. Joe was all
over that.”
The final ingredients: Scope and scale. “Joe did a series of pencil roughs to nail down the concept in both
our minds. He was so on the mark, at the last moment, as he was about put down paint I asked him to
increase the size of the piece to allow him to get as much detail in as he cared to.
Says Jusko, “At 26"x38", this is the largest and most complicated commission I’ve done so far. It was a
pleasure to have both the time and the room to give this piece the attention I thought it deserved.”
Nothing could have prepared Burch for the final painting. “To say I was blown away is an understatement.
For the first couple of months I couldn’t bear to leave the room where the painting was hanging for more
than I few minutes. After the shock wore off, I got the idea that this artwork needed to be shared with others.”
After tracking down the finest state-of-the-art reproduction materials and techniques, it was just a matter of
getting approval from Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., the company formed by the late author back in the 1920’s
to license the authorized use of the Tarzan name, which he had the foresight to trademark.
Continues Burch, “Hey, art is subjective. I couldn’t predict if the Burroughs folks were going to be as
enthusiastic about the project as I was. So I drafted a proposal and made an appointment and the short trek
over to their Tarzana, CA offices in the next valley with a sample Canvas Print rolled up under my arm.”
Turns out he had nothing to worry about. Danton Burroughs, grandson of the Edgar Rice Burroughs was
already a big fan of Jusko’s aforementioned 90’s Burroughs trading card artwork. Says Burroughs, “I love
the way Joe Jusko portrays Tarzan and we are thrilled to see him producing this new work that continues to
capture all the power of my grandfather’s creation.”
As a result of the signing of the license agreement, Joe Jusko’s “Tarzan and the Golden Lion” will be
available this June through fine art sellers and comic specialty shops. Joe Jusko has already been
authorized by the Forest Primeval to begin work on the next round of paintings to be published.
Joe Jusko’s “Tarzan And The Golden Lion” will be strictly limited to 495 pieces worldwide. Collectors will have
the choice of a deluxe 24”x36” Giclée on canvas that sells for $995 or a 20”x30” Giclée on paper that sells
for $495. There will even be a Super Deluxe 40”x60” Canvas that will be limited to 5 pieces available at
$2,495. All versions are subject to availability and expected to sell out quickly.
For additional information about this new series of fine art pieces or to reserve a print, contact Brad Burch
brad@theforestprimeval.com (888) 266-7577 or visit their website at www.theforestprimeval.com
Tarzan is a registered trademark owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and used with permission.