Since "Iron Man" is opening on Friday and the following day is Free Comic Book Day, I thought I would add a Youtube video from a film based on a comic book.
But, this is definitely one most people outside Turkey are probably unfamiliar with. "Tarkan" was a popular comic book when I lived in Turkey in the late 1970s. It took place in the time of the Huns, and it was known for its great illustrations. The comic book created by the late Sezgin Burcak is sort of like a cross between "Prince Valiant" and "Conan the Barbarian."
Turkey's most popular pop singer Tarkan took his name from that same character, and hence most people no longer think of the comic book character when they hear the name Tarkan.
This film with '70s matinee idol Kartal Tibet is actually available on NetFlix! (with English subtitles, no less). This octopus sequence is the most amusing one in the film. For my money, this film is even more over-the-top than "The Turkish Star Wars."
"Tarkan Versus the Vikings" was made at a time when nationalism was resurfacing in Turkey, mainly due to ethnic conflicts between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in the island nation of Cyprus. And, this film certainly reflects those sentiments!
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