19 Review O6: James Bond Comics 03-Cheena Pudhir:சீனப் புதிர்

Dear ComiRades,

Let Me Wish Happy Diwali to All the Readers Of TCU. For those who requested - Nay, Ordered- Me to Write in Tamil, Here it is: தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் உலகம் ரசிகர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது உளம் கனிந்த மனமுவர்ந்த தீப ஒளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்.உதிப்பவை எல்லாம் உன்னதம் ஆகட்டும். விரும்பியது எல்லாம் உங்கள் வசமாகட்டும்.

Here is the 3rd edition of the James Bond Comics: Cheena Pudhir (சீனப் புதிர்). For those who came in late, this issue followed Adhiradi Ulavali and Rocket Ragasiyam. As soon as i started a Series on James Bond Comics in Tamil, the traffic to this Blog has increased and so are the controversies. Many people have voiced out their thoughts / Anger / Support on the issues relating to the Translation / Editorial work on Rani Comics, James

Bond Comics and Lion/Muthu Comics. Any way, am happy on one sense that at last, people are started to notice what an editor can do to a publication. Let us not get into anything serious on that. Here is the cover of the 3rd issue of James Bond Comics and the corresponding cover of the Semic Press issue no 17 which got published in 1985 and the English version of James Bond Comics.

The Story line is as follows: James Bond is sent to Hong Kong to meet a contact named Tsu Chai and guide for a trip into the Han-Su province in China. Mysterious things have been happening there lately and the Secret Service wants to discover precisely what is going on.James Bond Gets attacked by a Giant of a Man (Kayo). Later on, James Bond Discovers that a mysterious robot scientist (Saviz) is working on constructing a secret army of humanoid robots, inspired by the first emperor of China's terra-cotta warriors SHI HUANG Who ruled 6 States about 2, 200 Years ago and his Capital was called Chin from which the present Name China was derived. As usual, James Bond Demolishes the Plan of Saviz and Saves the World from Robot Warriors. Have a Look at some of the pages in Tamil and the corresponding pages in Full colour in English.

Have a Look at the same pages in full colour (Done By the Everest Publications Themselves). The translation was Good; However, the same cannot be said about the colouring work by the Publishers. Anyway, what has to be appreciated was the fact that someone has taken the effort to pave way for a new era in Tamil Comics world.

Here are the final pages of the story. Now, when yours truly was doing research work on the cover, the original cover from which the covers got inspired were found. Have a look at the cover. Sometimes, i do feel, that our editors have a tendency to go overboard on the covers and they tend to ignore the original covers from the official publisher. I Have noticed the same from M/s Prakash publishers when they have ignored the original / official cover work and changed it with another cover. Anyway, in this particular case, the changed cover looks much better than the official cover, even though it bears no relation with the story or the inside panels. By the way, have look into the covers of the Tamil and English versions and you will see a minute change.

For the Un-initiated, the Tamil version cover is a replica of the above cover. Whereas the English version was modified and the length of the dress was increased till the knee. For those who crave for statistics, here is something: Even though the 1st issue of Tamil James Bond Comics came in May 1988, the English version of the same appeared only in August 1988. In the meantime, the cover artist became more conscious towards the society (Forced by the Editor?!?) and covered her thighs. Have a Look at the editorial and the comments section. Note the change in the titles from English version to the Tamil Version. This is where a Editor plays a Major role. Yours truly agrees completely with both the titles as they convey the story line to the readers. By the way, Give another reading on the Editorial and you will find that the editor was having thoughts on changing the book to Pocket size (Readers Request).

Here are the announcements for the next issue of the Secret Agent James Bond Comics:

The Regular feature in all the 3 issues was the Story By Gnani with fabulous art work by the Greatest Tamil Artist ever (No Arguments - Judgement Arrived) Mr Chellam.

However, the English version carried out a Picture of the Indiana Jones of Indian Cricket - Dashing Opening Batsman Kris Srikkanth. Any Guesses on why so? The Publication was celebrating the appointment of Him as the National Cricket Team Captain for the toughest Tour: Pakistan. 

 

Title: சீனப் புதிர் (Chinese Riddle)

Cover Design: Art By V.Chinnaiah

Cover: Soft Cover, Non-Laminated.

Serial Number: No. 3.

On Sale From: 1st July 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.

Story: Bill Harrington

Artwork: Sarompas

As a Pattern, Yours Truly will Be Introducing / Highlighting Couple of Comics Houses in the cyberspace. Here are they:

Aa.Ko.Thee.Ka: This is a Very Recently Created Blog on Tamil Comics where the feel will be entirely different from the rest of the blogs. This one was created for the Tamil Comics fans craving for quality writing in Tamil about Comics that they loved and are still loving. The person who is in charge of Tamil blog is None other than the Doctor Himself. Join the Gang by clicking here.

Srini's TriPod: Mr Srini who is currently in Bangalore is from TN only (From Kovai to be precise). He has created a nice Tri-Pod site for the Comics.Even though it is yet to be Updated for the last so many months, it still worth a visit. Srini, My Dear Friend, Kindly Update your wonderful site. Have a Look into it by Clicking here.

Well, that's all for the time being. 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 Widgets Section, Just above the glossary. The next post on this blog will be the review of Muthu Comics Issue No 310 (பொன்னில் ஒரு பிணம் - Martin Mystery Adventure). However, the next Old Review Post will be on the 4th issue of James Bond Comics.

Post Script: The Same concept of Using the Ancient Soldiers to conquer the world was used in the recently released Film The Mummy - 3rd Part as mentioned by Mr Shankar ViswaLingam.

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.