21 Review O5: James Bond Comics No.2 Rocket Ragasiyam

Dear ComiRades,

Apologies for Posting the second issue review of James Bond Comics late. However, once you read this post completely, then you will agree the difficulty that Yours Truly has gone through to complete this particular Post. Here comes the review of the 2nd Issue of James Bond Comics: Rocket Ragasiyam.

The Cover of the 2nd issue was not as good as the action packed 1st issue of James Bond  Comics in Tamil. The reasons for this could be that the original Semic cover was also not that great. In fact, the English version of the Same James Bond Comics Edited by Mr S.Rama Jayam was comparatively better than the semic original. Have a look at these & judge for yourself.

This particular story titled as "Death in Florence" in Swedish Semic Press and was Named as "Death of a Spy" in the Tamil Version of the James Bond Comics (Yes, these James bond comics' were published in English as well with full colour). Unlike the first issue of James Bond Comics, This story was written by Bill Harrington and artwork was done by Manuel Carmona. Have a Look at the first page of these issues.

The Original Storyline featured in James Bond Comics was something like this: 007 James Bond comes out of a Movie Hall with an Actress after watching a Movie & was taken inside a car where Mr M briefs him about his next mission in Italy - Florence. A Russian Spy, Mr Orkin, wants to get settled in USA with Italian Missile Secrets. Obviously Italy Doesn't like this & wants to prevent him going to USA at ANY COST. Orkin's Love interest is an Actress named Mirella. After this Brief, Bond comes back to meet his Actress Friend & informs her that he is going to Italy.

Meanwhile, Italian Intelligence Meets Mirella and she is upset with the behaviour of one of them (Bini) and complains this to Their Head (Rinaldi). Later she is informed on Orkin's Mission. She Neither Accepts nor rejects the offer made by Italian Intelligence. Rinaldi asks Bini not to follow her & gives that Responsibility to another secret Agent Gina. When Mirella meets Orkin, He explains his plan of escaping to US of A with the Missile Secrets. He says that they can get their names inscribed in a Locket by a Jeweller named Lodi.

Bond meets mirella posing as London Times Reporter in a Hotel.However, Just below the hotel, Orkin's Dead Body is found & Bini is noticing them. Mirella Confesses the truth to 007 and Says that she is yet to get the Micro Film with Missile Secrets.They Visit the Jeweller Lodi & find out that the Micro Film is not placed in the Locket. They Spend the Night Together.Bini was still around. Later, in the morning Mirella is not to be seen and Gina Enters and informs about Orkin's intentions. They decide to form a Team to find out the Micro Film.

They visit one person known for Duplicate Passport and then to a dentist and finally a Museum where Gina is Shot on her shoulder.Leaving her, 007 follows the Shooter & meets Mirella who says the Shooter is a Lady. She also says that Gina is Her friend. She has noticed the Car Number & 007 goes to the Hospital from where Orkin's Body is taken for the last rituals. The Lady Happens to be Orkin's Secretary Katya who says that there was actually no secret micro film with Orkin & he just wanted that as a cover so that he can settle in US of A. Katya threatened Orkin & he committed suicide. Katya Tries to kill 007 as well & was saved by the Injured Gina and Katya dies in that accident. 007 watches another movie with Mirella and Gina.

This particular story was issue no 20 in Semic publication which got published in 1986 & it appeared in June 1988 in James Bond Comics in India. Here are the Regulars of James Bond Comics Issue (Editorial, Letters to the Editor and The Back Wrapper featuring Night Visit Vivek). Take a note on the next issue Cheena Pudhir (Chineese Puzzle).

The Back Wrapper featuring Night Visit Vivek with artwork by the Great Chellam.

Here is the English counterpoint for the same.

As usual, Judge George occupied his usual slot in both the inner pages. The English version (Even though it was a Good idea) was not much of a success as the printing was not up to the best quality. By that time, we were used to the Wonderful colours of Indrajaal comics & hence this kind of colour printing was, let's Say, Average.

Here is the Back Wrapper of the English Version of the James Bond Issue No 2.

Title: Rocket Ragasiyam (Death in Florence)

Cover Design: Art By V.Chinnaiah, Soft Cover, Non-Laminated.

Serial Number: No. 2.

On Sale From: 1st June 1988 Onwards.

Total No. of Pages: 16cmx24cm, 36 Pages (Story 24 Pages), Black & White in Tamil & Colour in English.

Price: Priceless for Comic Fans; For others, INR 2/- for Tamil Version and INR 4/- for English Version.

Partner in Crime: Kovai Dr Sathish.

Here comes the U-Turn in the Post. After the James Bond Comics Issue No 6 (Oct 1987), The Publication stopped the series & Later on Rani Comics Published the same story which featured in issue no 2 in as their Issue No 113 in March 1st 1989. ComiRades will agree that the golden age of Rani Comics was when Mr Rama Jayam was the Editor. When he was replaced by A.M Samy, the quality of Rani Comics took a plunge (Translation, Pronunciation, Story, Editing etc). This issue was the classic example to show that how a story can be altered by the editor.

 Notice the Fact that the title is changed for commercial purpose. Here comes the 1st Twist: The 4 leading bond girls were trimmed to 2 without cutting their panels. Yes, The 1st Actress with whom Bond goes for a Movie in London & The Italian Spy Gina are clubbed into 1 Character (Come On). Later, Mirella and Katya were Clubbed into 1 Character. Mr M becomes Police Commissioner.

Here Comes the Best: Italian Intelligence Chief Rinaldi & The KGB Spy Orkin were clubbed and they become one single person. The Great Editor of Our Beloved Rani Comics thought all the Readers were ignorant fools & if he can say they are one, people will believe. Shame on a Publication which continued with the Editor even after this fiasco.

The Story Goes for a Complete Toss. As they have merged the Characters of Katya and Mirella, look what they have done in the last 2 pages of the story: Editing & Cutting of Artworks in Panel.

The Rani Comics Version was a Complete Mess of a Story. Let us stop cribbing about that. They are a publication which has to be appreciated for a Single fact that their comics were on sale in stands on 1st & 16th of every month for over 2 decades, even though they very much compromised on all aspects of Running a Quality comics after Issue No 92. I want your comments on this. By the way, Am just producing one panel from all the 4 possible versions (Semic, James Bond English, James Bond Tamil & Rani Tamil). Judge Yourself:

Now, here comes the Rani Comics Panel. Even though, they have covered the frontal exposure their way of looking at things leaves a lot to be desired. When 007 is on a mission to meet her, he plans the next step in all the 3 panels; whereas in Rani Comics version, he just admires her beauty. However, when they have actually changed the entire script, they can have the liberty of doing this - i Guess. There are many ComiRades who are Die-Hard Rani Comics Fans who say that the Rani comics issues were of good quality, even at least till issue no 250. This is issue no 113. What's your take on this?

This has become a Very big Post with so many scans. Let me sign off with 3 more scans which showcase how the cover arts are inspired: the original inner panels from which the cover arts get Done.

Well, that's all for the time being. As usual, post your comments in the comments section. The next post on this blog will be two news features with relation to comics. However, the next Review Post will be on the 3rd issue of James Bond Comics only. 

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.