26 Bob Morane – A Treat for Fantasy Based Comics Lovers: Another Great Intro By S.Vijayan

Dear ComiRades,

As Recorded in the Previous Posts, This one is also in line to celebrate the 25th Year of Lion Comics Entry into Tamil Comics World. In other words, This July will mark the 25th Year of Editor S Vijayan’s Grand Entry into Tamil Comics and This Blog will celebrate that event by posting 25 Special Postings starting from May 1st. That is, 25 posts in the next 75 Days and we have posted two of them already.

Well, It’s a Known fact that TCU is obsessed with Numbers and Perfection. Comics Historians will mark certain Dates as Important Ones in the history of Tamil Comics. Dates such as Jan 15th 1972 (Launch of Muthu Comics), or the eventful day in July 1984 (Launch of Lion Comics), 15th Jan 1986 (Launch of Thigil Comics) etc. Now, Among all these Dates, there is one date which may miss Normal eyes. 29th September 1985 is the date and the Specialty of that date will be the discussed in the next Blog Post next week after a Special Post This Sunday.

Among the Characters Introduced by Editor S Vijayan, there are many which people will vividly recall without even thinking for a Nano-Second. But, there are certain characters which may not result in Top of the Mind Recall test. One such character is Bob Morane. Now, this 2nd World War RAF Pilot is one character who was marked to make his debut in Lion Comics as seen in this Advertisement which featured in Issue no 20 of Lion Comics. Nothing much was disclosed about this character. Many a ComiRade was wondering Like is he a Detective? Part of Any Elite Force?  Is He a Nomad who is in Search of Adventure? Is he Somebody who is searching the True meaning of Life?

Bob Morane is any and all of these.Born on 16th October,Bob Morane left Engineering in a Polytechnic to serve the nation in the 2nd world war. For An Ex RAF Pilot, Roger is an expert in many forms of Hand-to-Hand Combat as well as with weapons. He speaks a Wide Variety of Languages as well. One thing that is to be noticed is that he is Re-Christened as Sagasa Veerar Roger (An Adventurous Warrior Named Roger) சாகச வீரர் ரோஜர் in Tamil.

Lion Comics Issue No 20 – Africa Sadhi – Dated Dec 1985 – Forthcoming Series – Bob Morane	The Standard Bob Morane Album’s Back Wrapper – Bob Morane’s Standard Pose

Even though ear marked for Lion Comics, Editor S Vijayan (Considering the Genre of Stories) Launched him in Thigil Comics 7 months after the Advertisement. Now of all the 6 adventures featuring Bob Morane, you can see that twenty years is the time period that elapsed in between his 1st Story and his latest story.He is the Comprehensive List of Roger – Bob Morane in Tamil and the respective stories in French.

No	Comics	Issue	Issue	Title	Book Title In English (Click Link for More Info)	Year	Author	Artist
1	Thigil Comics - திகில் காமிக்ஸ்	7	July 1986	Marma Kathi (Secret Sword)- மர்மக் கத்தி	Sword of Paladin	1967	Henri Vernes	Gerald Forton
2	Thigil Comics - திகில் காமிக்ஸ்	32	Aug 1988	Thavalai Manidhanin Muthirai (Mark of Frogman)-தவளை மனிதனின் முத்திரை	Mark of the Toad	1979	Henri Vernes	William Vance
3	Thigil Comics - திகில் காமிக்ஸ்	37	Apr 1989	Ratha Theevu (Island of Blood) - இரத்தத் தீவு	Seven Lead Crosses	1976	Henri Vernes	William Vance
4	Lion Comics - லயன் காமிக்ஸ்	66	Jan 1990	Marma Kovil (Secret Temple) - மர்மக் கோவில்	Secret of 7 Temples	1968	Henri Vernes	Gerald Forton
5	Muthu Comics-முத்து காமிக்ஸ்	226	Aug 1994	Nadakkum Silai Marmam (Mystery of Marching Statues)-நடக்கும் சிலை மர்மம்	Giants of Mu	1975	Henri Vernes	William Vance
6	Lion Comics - லயன் காமிக்ஸ்	195	May 2006	Karuppu Kathiravan (Black Sun) - கருப்புக் கதிரவன்	Operation Black Night	1969	Henri Vernes	William Vance

Bob Morane came into limelight through Novels in the early 1950’s as a RAF Pilot in the 2nd World war and After the war, Bob became a full-time explorer, freelance reporter and adventurer. The Novels started as a Straight Adventure stories and later on included elements of Espionage, Crime fiction, Treasure Hunting, Science Fiction and finally Fantasy. Most of the Bob Morane Stories start with the Plot line that he is travelling to some exotic location and Has to help out the needy (Invariably Beautiful females) or Someone seeking his help in a Dangerous mission.

Once the Fantasy Genre came into prominence, Bob became an Agent of Time Patrol, an organization from Earth's future that controls the time stream and stops time travelers from disrupting history (Similar theme can be found in Mandrake the Magician). Because of the reception, Bob Morane’s Stories remained loyal to the science fiction plotlines. The Ananke Series is widely considered as The Master Piece in the Science fiction from the Bob Morane Stories. The theme of the stories involved Bob Morane and Bill Ballantine finding themselves prisoners on a nightmarish, multi-leveled, other-dimensional world, and escape only after a series of harrowing adventures. It has since been revealed that the Ananké Saga was, in fact, ghost-written by Belgian writer Philippe Vandooren (who passed away in 2000) and who was a long-time editor-in-chief of the comics magazine Spirou.

Thigil Comics Issue 7 – Marma Kathi – Dated July 1986 – Bob Morane’s 1st Ever Story in Tamil	Thigil Comics Issue 7 – Marma Kathi – Bob Morane’s 1st Ever Story in Tamil –1st Page – Billy?
Corresponding Original –Sword of Paladin – Album Dated 1967 Cover - Reference	Corresponding Original –Sword of Paladin – Album Dated 1967-1st Page Reference

The Entry of Bob Morane to Tamil was through a Historical Fantasy which Involves professor Hunter’s Time Machine. Professor Hunter requests to test the Time Machine he invented and he wants to test drive it and as he is injured, He asks Roger and Bill. Later on that Night a Nameless Character sneaks into the machine and tries to start the machine. However, Roger has removed an Important key without which the engine will not start and hence he hides himself in the machine. Our friends travel to 14th century and there they are attacked by foxes and saved by a beautiful queen who is sorrow ridden. To clear the Family stigma, out adventurers travel to 778 BC and see the Heroic death of Roland and they inform about the traitors to king Charlemagne and as a prize, they get a Letter from the king clearing the  Name of the Yoland Family.

However, when they return to the Time Machine, they are attacked by the Thugs and the Nameless Villain takes the Key and when our friends gain consciousness, they find that the Time Machine is Gone. Not knowing how to get Back, they sleep for the night and when they wake up, they are in present day and as seen in the 1st page, Professor Hunter’s car entering their Home. They think it is a Collective dream only to Find the Sword of Paladin lying in the floor.(To Down Load this Adventure in French, Click HERE).

Thigil Comics No 32-Thavalai Manithanin Muthirai-Cover	Thigil Comics No 32-Thavalai Manithanin Muthirai-Page 1	Thigil Comics No 32-Thavalai Manithanin Muthirai-Page 2
Bob Morane-The Mark of the Toad-William Vance-1979 Album	Bob Morane-The Mark of the Toad-1979 Album-1st Page	Bob Morane-The Mark of the Toad-1979 Album-2nd Page

The response was mixed for the 1st adventure of Bob Morane and hence Editor put him in His Table and they remained there for more than 2 Years and when he made a comeback, it was a memorable one. Those days, the Editor Didn’t had a Editorial in Thigil comics and he Put a Special Box and requested the ComiRades to have a Closer look at the Pictures and he himself claimed that he hadn’t seen better pictures than This for a Long, Long time.

The Story Line was Thematic with Bob Morane’s. They come across a Girl walking under hypnotism and when they try to rescue her, they see Frog like creatures and leave the girl in her home and meet her father who happens to be an Advocate who is now turned into a Scientist. The Legend is that during the 1st Holy war, As the Villagers Killed Toad’s Daughter, he promised his vengeance on them before intervened by the King and Toad left that village and never to be seen again. Now, he has returned to wreck havoc to the village. However, there is a Sub Plot for this mystery and Bob Morane discovers that. The editor himself claimed that after Ric Hochet (Reporter Johnny), he found this story the toughest one to edit. To Down Load this story in French, Click HERE).

Thigil Comics No 37-Ratha Theevu-Dated Apr 1989-The 7 Lead Crosses-Cover	Thigil Comics No 37-Ratha Theevu-Dated Apr 1989-The 7 Lead Crosses-1st 3 Pages
Corresponding Original - Bob Morane 1976 Album–The 7 Lead Crosses–Cover Art By Vance	Corresponding Original - Bob Morane 1976 Album–The 7 Lead Crosses–1st Page

Encouraged by the positive response, The next Adventure of Bob Morane followed soon which also featured Vance’s Artwork. The story starts in Singapore - Asia where our friends are enjoying a break and in a local Bar they were forced to drink Whiskey which makes them to lose consciousnesses. Upon gaining it, they find themselves being Slaved by Captain Soldon who  plans to go for a treasure Hunt and requires man power and hence captures them along with many. They take out Jack from a Prison for he is the only person who knows where the treasure is. The Background story has links with Chinese Boxer rebellion in 1900 when a British Soldier Named Melony stealing the Chinese Royal Diamonds and stuffing them in 7 Lead crosses in order escape the preying eyes. They end up in a remote island  full of Man eating Bubbose’s.

Roger and Bill help Jack to escape from Soldon and they were captured by a Pirate Princess Li-Pin-Singh and they form a Unit and through many hardship, How they capture the diamonds in the end forms the rest of the story. To Download this story in French, Click HERE).

Lion Comics – Issue No 66 – Jan 1990 – Marma Kovil – The Secret of 7 Temples -Cover	Lion Comics – Issue No 66 – Jan 1990 – Marma Kovil – The Secret of 7 Temples –1st Page
Corresponding Original – Bob Morane Album 1968 – The Secret of 7 Temples - Cover	Corresponding Original – Bob Morane Album 1968 – The Secret of 7 Temples – 1st Page

Even though Roger was slated to make his debut only in Lion Comics, His entry was in Thigil and he made his entry in lion comics exactly 4 years after his advertisement. The story begins with the protest from a News Paper Reporter Named Roselyn about her room and our friends help her out by swapping the rooms. Because of the Change, an aide of hers visits Roger in critical condition and informs about a potential danger and hands over a map. He was Supposed to meet her. And as usual, the adventure begins and our friends along with the reporter find out the secret of the 7 temples and as it turns out, Roman Orgonetz is the Man behind this. Now, Orgonetz is another one of Bob’s Famed Enemies who cross his path often. It is to be noted that Later on Orgonetz Joins SMOG as well. This is the 2nd and potentially last one of Gerald Forton drawn story to appear in Tamil Comics.

Muthu Comics – Issue No 226 – Dated Aug 1994 – Nadakkum Silai Marmam Cover	Muthu Comics – Issue No 226 – Dated Aug 1994 – Nadakkum Silai Marmam – 1st two Pages
Corresponding Original – Bob Morane Album Dated 1975 – The Giants of Mu - Cover	Corresponding Original – Bob Morane Album Dated 1975 – The Giants of Mu – 1st Page

The Next appearance of Roger was in Muthu Comics what counts to be His only adventure in Muthu Comics.Yours Truly was Bowled over by the Cover art itself. The Plot Lines of Bob Morane can be compared with Martin Mystery in terms of Mixing with Historical events and giving a new meaning to them. (And Also the fact that both of them visited kolkatta, In fact Bob Morane has a friend in Kolkatta Police Chief, Mr Singh). This particular story involves how the Giant statues of Ester Island appeared (Just like the explanation given in Martin Mystery for Stone Hench). It is a Complete Fantasy and the lukewarm response by the ComiRades may have disheartened the Editor and as a result of this, he forced Bob Morane to remain in his Table rather than in the Book shops. To Download this Story in French Version, Click HERE).

Latest Bob Morane Adventure in Lion Jolly Special Issue No 195 – Dated May 2006–Title Page	Lion Jolly Special Issue No 195 – Karuppu Kathiravan -Dated May 2006–1st Page
Corresponding Original – Bob Morane 1969 Album – Operation Black Knight - Cover	Corresponding Original – Bob Morane 1969 Album – Operation Black Knight – 1st Page

Well, the rights for this story was bought in 1985, along with others, and they were translated and edited then itself. However as the storyline was considered Too Sci-Fi then and was lying in the Editor’s Table for Years as it will be tough to publish this story in a One Off Book and he was waiting for a Special issue so that he can club it with the other stories. And, he waited for 21 years and it got published in the Lion Jolly Special in 2006.

This Story Makes the Debut of the International Spy Cartel SMOG and their Beautiful and Deadly Leader Miss Ylang-Ylang (Pronounced as Long Long-Who is secretly in Love with Bob Morane) to Tamil ComiRades. The story line is something like this: Roger and Bill are Contacted by Sirilla through Telepathy to help her entire race from getting destructed along with Earth. Sirilla belongs to an Alien civilisation which is well in advance when compared to Planet earth in technology and they have Made a Rocket Named as Chevalier Noir – Black Knight (Changed as Black Sergeant in Tamil) which should be destroyed in order to save earth. SMOG also interprets these Telepathic conversations and soon a Two way race begins to capture Black Knight. This process involves our heroes turning into Super men by acquiring super powers and in the end they succeed in their mission. The Climax is a CHILLING one, to say the least.

The Bob Morane Book which was Not Published in Lion Comics – Circa 1991 – Marana Yathirai	Corresponding Original – Bob Morane 1977 – Album – Temple of Dinosaurs

Now, Every one knows that TCU Provides such information that will be a surprise to many. Here is one such piece. Around 1991, Prakash Publishers Planned to release an Album of Bob Morane and even the Cover was also got printed. However, for reasons known to the Editor, This one never saw the Day Light. However, this Book deserves a Special place in the history as the artwork was ASSISTED by Coria for the 1st time. ComiRades may Recall the Cover Design with the Tex Willer Starring Ratha Muthirai. (This French Book can be downloaded by clicking HERE).

The Creators Behind Bob Morane and their respective links: (Now, then. Vance deserves a Individual Blog Post of His Own and hence we will discuss about him later on).

Henri Vernes (Not Related with Jules Verne) was a School Drop Out at 16 and Lived a Life in the way he wanted ever after. He fell in Love with a Chinese Woman (Yes, WOMAN) and at the age of 19 travelled with her to China and you can relate the Chinese origins for his plot line to this visit. When he came back, he married a Diamond cutter’s Daughter and moved from Paris to Belgium in between serving his nation during the 2nd world war in the intelligence division (And thus the Espionage Plotlines). in 1953, His story in Morabout  Junior was an instant Hit (Conquerors of the Everest) and he started his Bob Morane Saga the very next month.

That Started the Great Run for Henri Vernes and Bob Morane and ended in 1977 in the publishing Crisis when Morabout junior was closed. Ironically the last adventure was Bob Morane in Bermuda Triangle.After that also Vernes went on writing. Later on in the 80’s he started the Adult based Novels with a Central Character Don and he wrote those novels under the Name Jacques Colombo and when Flueve Noir Picked Up the rights for Bob Morane in 1988, he recycled some of the Plots from Don to Bob Morane in Comics form.

Description	Author of Bob Morane Character	Artist for Bob Morane Comics	Artist for Bob Morane Comics
Pseudonym	Henri Vernes (And a Dozen others)	William Vance	Forton
Full Name	Charles-Henri-Jean-Dewisme	William Van Custem	Gerald Forton
Nationality	Belgium	Belgium	France
Age	91 (16th October 1918)	74 (8 September 1935)	78 (10th April 1931)
Info Links (Bob Morane)	BioGraphy, WikiPedia	WikiPedia, Lambiek, Works	Lambiek Link, Official Site
Works	Bob Morane, Don	Bruno Brazil, Bob Morane, XIII, Blueberry	Bob Morane, Tiger Joe, He Man, Jonah Hex
Famous For	Bob Morane	XIII	Bob Morane & Tiger Joe

Bob Morane Character was Drawn by as many as 5 different artists.Even though Gerald Forton was the one who gave a “Niche” look to Bob Morane, It was the 18 Albums drawn by William Vance that are most sought after by the ComiRades all over the world. When Vance was spreading his Wings, He introduced his Brother in Law Felicisimo Coria (Whose Style is Inspired on Vance – Obviously). Here is a Comparative Look at the various style of all the artists:

Dino Attanasio’s Bob Morane Art	Gerald Forton’s Bob Morane Art	William Vance’s Bob Morane Art	Coria’s Art (Vance’s Brother in Law)	Leclercqs Bob Morane Art

Bob Morane was in His peak during the early 60’s and there was even a Full length feature film was made titled L'Espion aux Cent Visages (The Spy with a Hundred Faces) which had Jacques Santer taking the mantle of Bob Morane for the 1st Time ever in Screen. This film was directed by Fannoy and a Special Screening was made on 8th Jan 1961 & this remains the only ever screening of the film as it was destroyed in the fire later on.

Bob Morane Novel	Magazine	TV Series	Radio Drama Series	Animation	Video Games
*Written by Henri Vernes * Started writing in 1943 * Morane Started in 53 *Don was recycled later * Info Link = Novels	* Started 16th Mar 1953 * The Infernal Valley–1st Week * Continues till Closure in 1977 * Total = 142 Weeks * Info Link = Magazine	* Started 28th Mar 1965 * 26 Episodes of 30 Min’s * Screenplay = J.M Arlaud * Bob Morane = Claude Titre * Info Link = TV Series	* 5 Different Radio Series * 1st One Started in 1960 * Screenplay = Jean Maurel * Bob Morane = Jean Berger * Info Link = Radio Series	* 2 Seasons of 13 Episodes * Started in 1998 (Total=26) * French-Canadian Make * All are Based on Comics * Info Link =Animated Series	* Started in Nov 1987 * Monthly 1 Game=4 Months * 4 Sets of Games were made * Made By InfoGrames Co. Info Link = Video Games

As Mentioned in May Day Post, The Next TCU Post will be about a Never Before, Never after incident in the entire History of Tamil Comics and ComiRades need to wait till Sunday to Read that. However, Similar Incidents Have occurred in U.K Based Comics Publications more than Half a Dozen Times.

As usual, post your comments in the comments section. For those who want to Pen their thoughts in Tamil, Kindly Use the Option Provided in the Widget section or Click Here.

Thanks & Regards,
King Viswa.