At the age of twelve, Gretchen von Harben went missing from her father’s mission in the Urambi region of central Africa, abducted by a band of exiled priests from the lost city of Opar. These Oparians sought to make her their new high priestess of the Flaming God, but Tarzan of the Apes rescued her from that blood-thirsty fate. The experience changed her forever, however, and she soon developed an intense interest in anthropology, which she pursued with eagerness as she bloomed into adulthood. During summer break before entering the graduate program in cultural anthropology at Columbia University, Gretchen learned of the existence of Pellucidar, the hollow world at the Earth’s core, and joined a secret expedition via airship ferrying supplies to the inner world through the north polar opening. But when the Favonia was attacked by flying pterosaurs, she parachuted from the dirigible onto an island of sentient crab-people and her adventures began once again. It was there that she met Nadok of the Voraki tribe. After surviving a series of harrowing experiences together on the island, Gretchen and Nadok moved to Sari, the capital of the Federated Kingdoms of Pellucidar, and were married. In what would have been the year 1932 on the outer crust, on the eve of a great battle between the gilaks of the Federated Kingdoms of Pellucidar and invading reptilian Mahars, they welcomed a beautiful daughter into the world, who would grow up to be known as Victory Harben.

Name: Gretchen von Harben
Birthdate: 1908
Species: Human (Earth)
Spouse: Nadok
Children: Victory Harben
Parents: Karl von Harben (father)
Other Relatives: Erich von Harben (brother)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in anthropology
Personal Interests: Cultural anthropology

Canonical Appearances

Core Canon by Edgar Rice Burroughs:

Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins

Expanded Canon:

Pellucidar: Across Savage Seas #1 (comic book): Written by Mike Wolfer; Story, Series Concept, and Expanded Canon by Christopher Paul Carey and Mike Wolfer; Art by Miriana Puglia

Pellucidar: Across Savage Seas #2 (comic book): Written by Mike Wolfer; Story, Series Concept, and Expanded Canon by Christopher Paul Carey and Mike Wolfer; Art by Miriana Puglia

Pellucidar: Across Savage Seas #3 (comic book): Written by Mike Wolfer; Story, Series Concept, and Expanded Canon by Christopher Paul Carey and Mike Wolfer; Art by Miriana Puglia

Pellucidar: Across Savage Seas #4 (comic book): Written by Mike Wolfer; Story, Series Concept, and Expanded Canon by Christopher Paul Carey and Mike Wolfer; Art by Miriana Puglia

Victory Harben: Fires of Halos (novel) by Christopher Paul Carey – NEW!


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© Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Gretchen von Harben artwork by Miriana Puglia © Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks Gretchen von Harben™, Victory Harben™, Nadok™, Tarzan®, Tarzan of the Apes™, Pellucidar®, Opar™, and Edgar Rice Burroughs® Owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Associated logos, characters, names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.