Tarkus
Tarkus is an antagonist appearing in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood." Originally a 16th-century British knight who served Mary Stuart, he is resurrected in the modern era as a zombie by Dio Brando. Possessing an enormous frame and overwhelming physical strength, he stands as a ruthless and formidable enemy against Jonathan Joestar and his companions.
Overview
Tarkus is an antagonist appearing in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood." Originally a 16th-century British knight who served Mary Stuart, he is resurrected in the modern era as a zombie by Dio Brando. Possessing an enormous frame and overwhelming physical strength, he stands as a ruthless and formidable enemy against Jonathan Joestar and his companions.
Appearance
Tarkus has a massive, mountain-like build. He wears a helmet adorned with horns and carries a heavy steel sword. In the original manga, he is depicted with black hair, whereas the anime adaptation portrays him with red hair. His eyes are black.
Personality
Driven by intense resentment from his past life, Tarkus completely abandons all knightly honor upon becoming a zombie. He is a bloodthirsty sadist who delights in slaughter and does not hesitate to harm even children. Unlike his former comrade Bruford, who regains his human heart before dying, Tarkus tramples Bruford's fallen armor and mocks his passing. In battle, he is completely ruthless and will resort to any underhanded tactic, such as spitting out his own broken teeth to blind his opponent.
Abilities
Tarkus possesses colossal physical strength, capable of slicing solid rock like butter and causing fissures in the ground with a single sword stroke. Despite his massive size, he exhibits extraordinary agility. He specializes in the "Chain Neck Deathmatch" held inside the Two-Headed Dragon's Hall, where he previously killed 48 opponents. His signature technique, "Hell Heaven Snake Kill," uses heavy iron chains to trap and strangle enemies from above and below, crushing their necks and bodies. Additionally, he can spit out his own broken teeth to blind opponents in combat.
Background
In the 16th century, Tarkus served Queen Mary Stuart with unwavering loyalty until he was deceived and executed through the schemes of Elizabeth I. His intense fury during execution caused his body to harden so severely that multiple axes broke against his neck. Approximately 300 years later, Dio Brando resurrects him as a zombie in Windknight's Lot. Following the death of Bruford, Tarkus pursues Jonathan Joestar's group into the Two-Headed Dragon's Hall, trapping Jonathan in a chained collar match. Although he bisects and kills Will A. Zeppeli when the latter intervenes, Zeppeli transfers his remaining Ripple energy to Jonathan, allowing Jonathan to completely disintegrate Tarkus.
Relationships
Tarkus obeys Dio Brando, who resurrected him, serving as his instrument of slaughter. While he was once a comrade to Bruford under Mary Stuart in the 16th century, Tarkus shows total contempt for Bruford's revived honor upon his second death. He mercilessly battles Jonathan Joestar, Robert E. O. Speedwagon, and Will A. Zeppeli, ultimately murdering Zeppeli by bisecting his body. He also attacks the young boy Poco when the latter sneaks into the arena to unlock the doors for Jonathan's allies.
Trivia
The character's name is derived from Tarkus, the second studio album by the English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). He also appears as a featured unit in spin-off video games, such as the mobile puzzle game JoJo's Pitter Patter Pop.