WATERLOO -- When Tarzan was first introduced to the public as a 1912 pulp fiction character, Thomas Metcalf, head of "All-Story" magazine, added a special note to the tale.

"If you will stop and realize how many thousands and thousands of stories an editor has to read, day in, day out, you will be impressed when we tell you that we read this yarn in one sitting and had the time of our young lives," he wrote.

Ninety-six years later, fans are still enamored with the brave jungle king. On Friday, a two-day convention in Waterloo will celebrate Tarzan, one of history's most popular fictional characters. "Dum Dum 2008" -- named for Tarzan's term for a gathering of the great apes -- will include a memorabilia trade show, a seminar about Tarzan comic book art and a visit from former ape man actor Denny Miller.

Mike Chapman, executive director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum, coordinated this year's conference. Tarzan fans from across the nation have been holding "Dum Dum" events for the past 40 years. Chapman has attended about 10 gatherings, organizing two prior meetings in Newton, Iowa, and Fort Collins, Co.

But the upcoming Cedar Valley bash is especially dear to the Waterloo-native's heart. He vividly remembers trooping downtown with friends to the former Paramount Theatre to watch "Tarzan, the Ape Man" in 1959.

"I'll never forget the movie," said Chapman, who was 14 at the time. "So for me to bring Denny Miller, one of my favorite Tarzans as a kid, to Waterloo, is a huge treat."

Like many Tarzan fans, Chapman has amassed a large collection of ape man books, comics and movie paraphernalia. One 1938 film poster is now worth $8,000. But for the 64-year-old, who has published two books about Tarzan actors, learning about author Edgar Rice Burroughs' finest creation is not just about preserving history. It's about honoring the spirit of Tarzan.

"He wasn't the village idiot you see in a lot of the earlier movies; he was bright and articulate," said Chapman. "He would always stick up for the underdog. ? There was no gray area with Tarzan. If you were an evil-doer, he was going to get you."

Actor Miller calls Tarzan "advanced before his time," a character who respected women and made friends with the local inhabitants.

"He was kind to everybody but the bad guy, and he always won," said the 74-year-old. "He wasn't sneaky about it. He just went and clunked them on the head or put them in a jungle jail and went on to his next adventure."

Miller, who was picked for the role after a talent agent saw him walking shirtless down Sunset Boulevard, went on to appear in several television programs and films. And although he doesn't consider "Tarzan" his finest role, through the years he's enjoyed learning more about the icon from the character's loyal fan base.

"I think my best Tarzan memories are still to come," said Miller, who has attended nine "Dum Dums." "There's something about these conventions. I get to catch up with old friends and I always meet new ones."

Apart from the banquet and auction, all Tarzan events are free and open to the public. About 100 people are expected to travel from across the country for "Dum Dum," said Brooke Burnham, with the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau. She hopes that those fans are joined by local residents at the conference, which will be held in conjunction with Saturday's Iowa Comic Book Club show.

"I think it'll appeal to a lot of people, even if they aren't specific Tarzan fans, they may be fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs or want to come for the comic books," Burnham said. "It's something a little off the wall that people of all ages can get involved with."

Title: Choose Tarzan or Mowgli Date: July 21st, 2008 Ever confuse Tarzan with Mowgli of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling? Match the following plot points with the correct jungle character. TAKE QUIZ »

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.