Dear ComiRades,
The Moment we utter the name J.M.Charlier, Die Hard Comirades may recall Captain Blueberry (கேப்டன் டைகர் in Tamil). However, There is something called as Problem of Mount Everest. That is, A Great Achievement becomes irrelevant in comparison with the Greatest Ever. For Example, Kangchenjunga pales in Comparison with Mount Everest and Radio loses out to the Television (What a Co-incidence of Dates– Kanchenjunga's 1st Ascent was done on May 25th in 1955 and 1st Ever Public Broadcasting of Television Started on May 25th 1953). To cut them short, Rahul Dravid May Lose out to Sachin Tendulkar (Even though Yours truly thinks otherwise).
All these examples are quoted so as to make the comparison amongst the works of J.M.Charlier. Two of His greatest works (Buck Danny and Tiger Joe) loses out to the Gargantuan success of Blueberry. At least Cine Book has Come out a New Series of Newer Stories of Buck Danny (Most Probably this should be covered by GEC very soon as the Latest set Cinebooks are out). However Tiger Joe Remains in Wilderness and hence TCU Has come out with this Post on Tiger Joe and His Introduction to Tamil ComiRades by Editor S.Vijayan. As we get into the post, Let us take a Closer look at the Main Characters of this Series.
| Joe's RHM John | Joe's Porter Congo | Hunter Mouton | Ranger Tim Holder | Gold Hunter Slim |
 * Noted for His One Liners * Infamous for Drinking *Nick named as DoubleJin |  * Chief Porter of Joe * Noted for His Strength * Dedicated Ally of Joe |  * Wanna-Be Hunter * Noted for “Inventions” * Hunting to Woo Fiancée |  *In-Charge of Deep Forest * Honest, Straight-Forward * Dies in the 3rd Part |  * English Gold Hunter * Lives in Deep Jungle * Good Friend of Joe |
As Discussed in THIS Post, Tiger Joe was introduced to Tamil ComiRades after the 3rd memorable tour By Editor S.Vijayan. This was largely to the fact that his earlier introduction to Tamil Comics, Blueberry, from the same Author Attaining a Cult Status. Hence, the Editor must have thought that His other stories must also work good and Thus Came Tiger Joe. Have a Look at the cover and the Introduction given by the Editor in his Hotline about this character.
| LionComics161-Jun 00-Siruthaigal Samrajiyam-TigerJoe-Cover | LionComics161-Jun 00-Siruthaigal Samrajiyam-Editorial | LionComics161-Jun 00-Siruthaigal Samrajiyam-1st Page |
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| Les Homes Leopards – 1st Edition | LesHomesLeopards–B/W Art Reference | Les Homes Leopards – 2nd Edition | Les Homes Leopards –Last Edition | Digitally Coloured Pages-Latest Edtn |
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The 1st adventure of Tiger Joe was an outstanding success among the Tamil ComiRades who always welcome quality stories. This can be gauged by the letters and a Small sample is provided here. However, the next story appeared only after three years and that too in Muthu Comics, instead of lion comics where Joe made his debut. That Story was Yaanaik Kallarai (The Cemetery of the Elephants). However, that happens to be the 2nd part of the continuing story and, believe it or Not, The 1st part was published one and half years later. Now, this will not be easily found out (Story wise) and that is where a Good Editor stands out in terms of translation and continuation of the story.
| Lion Comics No 162 Dated Jul 2000 ratha Boomi Ltters for Tiger Joe | Rani Comics Issue 83 Dec 1 1987 | Rani Comics Issue 102 Sept 16 1988 |
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Rani Comics also have done the same thing. When Editor S RamaJayam (Whose Exclusive Interview will appear in TCU Very Soon) was in Charge, He Published Buck Ryan’s Janadhipathi Kolai (Murder of the President) which happens to be the 2nd part of a Series. And Wonder of Wonders, The Man who came in Next, Mr A.M.Saamy published the 1st Part without giving a Hint that it actually is the 1st part of the already published story.
| Muthu Comics 298-Jan 2005 Pudhaiyal Paadhai-Cover | Muthu Comics 298-Jan 2005 Pudhaiyal Paadhai-1st Page | Muthu Comics 298-Jan 05 Pudhaiyal Paadhai-Reason for Tour |
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| The Trail of Ivory – 1st Edition Cover | The Trail of Ivory–1st Editn-1st Page | The Trail of Ivory – 2nd Edition Cover | The Trail of Ivory – Latest Edtn Cover | Digitally Coloured Pages-Latest Edtn |
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Here is the 1st part of the story and the Editor has sold this book in the opening paragraph itself by giving a thoughtful intro about the story and the rest, as they say, is history. There is a Sweet story behind this Book which relates to TCU. Now, there was a Friend of TCU Who used to read Comics when he was in his schools and as he graduated his masters, He discontinued the habit of reading Comics. One Day he visited Yours truly’s home and he saw this particular book and immediately started reading that story. The best part of the story is that he began to read comics from then onwards. Now, the Sad Story is that many of the books that he took from TCU’s Collection never came back. TCU is also No longer in Touch with Him. Krish_Maha, Are you reading this By any chance?
| Muthu Comics 290-Apr 03-Yaanaik Kallarai-Tiger Joe Cover | Muthu Comics 290-Apr 03-Yaanaik Kallarai-Tiger Joe-Editorial | Muthu Comics 290-Apr 03-Yaanaik Kallarai-Tiger Joe-1st Page |
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| Cemetery of Elephants-1st Edition | Cemetery of Elephants-2nd Edition | Cemetery of Elephants-3rd Edition | Cemetery of Elephants-Latest Edtn | Digitally Coloured Pages-Latest Edtn |
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Now, then. This one deserves a Post of it’s own with Appreciative review for the theme alone. Everyone knows that TCU Loves and Appreciates the theme / Plot line of the movies, even if they are very Badly made. One such Example in recent Times was Kamal Haasan’s Magnum Opus Dasavadharam where the Plot line was Brilliant. Contrary to rumours that Kamal Just Planned that he will play 10 roles and called K.S Ravikumar for discussion is baseless (This was confirmed by a Director who is about to Direct a Movie which will star Ace comedian Vadivelu as a Hero after the latest debacle). Imagine that, a Disaster like Tsunami happened just to prevent the Mass destruction of Unimaginable scale. Now, that is what i call a novel idea.
Likewise, Here in this particular story where the Plotline is awesome, to say the least. The myth in Africa goes on something like this: The Moment the Elephants sense their death by natural cause, they leave their family and friends and embark on a Journey towards a Mysterious valley which is something like a Valhalla to the elephants and they die there peacefully.The Title itself is so majestically sorrowful that it deserves an applause for this poetical title. Hats off to you Mr Vijayan. Now, in that valley, as the elephants die, their remains (which can be marketed like gold dust) make the bone of contention for a Gang and Tiger Joe leads a Troup which contains a Girl who believes that his Dad died in the Valley of the Elephant cemetery. This is one story which will remain in your memory long after you read.
Even the editor was surprised by the success of this story and it was recorded in the Editorial of the next issue. Even the normally lesser letter to the editor page was so full on this occasion. Tiger Joe Rocks.TCU Knows About 5-6 of these letter writer personally.
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Now, let us review the story which appeared in Lion Comics: Siruthaigalin Samrajiyam – The Home of the Leopards. Kindly read the 1st page and the intro given by the Editor which are uploaded in the first part of the Post.
| 1-Mouton’s Reason for the Journey=Love | 2-Mouton's Mosquito Protection Walker Set | 3-Mouton's Ointment for Jungle Protection | 4-Mouton's Ointment for Insects |
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| 5-Hunter's Deserted Place with a Dead Body |
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| 6-Ranger Tim Holder's Death by Leopards |
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| 7-Tiger Joe Saving a Girl's Life from Leopard |
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| 8-That Night, Girl's Death By Leopards |
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| 9-Tiger Joe's Drama to Fool The Villagers |
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| 10-Congo joining Leopards, Gets Order |
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| 11-Congo Finding out the truth of Leopards |
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| 12-Congo Saved & john's Musings |
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- As Tiger Joe has completed a Mission, he relaxes a Bit hoping to take rest. In the original format, this story happens just after the other two stories and this is the third and final installment in Tiger Joe Series.
- Then, Mr Mouton requests for his desire to continue their original African Safari and get on with Hunting as he has promised his fiancée that he will return victorious from the Hunting expedition. But this time, he has come out fully equipped and prepared for the forest trip with his own inventions.
- One such invention is the Mosquito Net-Walker. However, while demonstrating that itself, Mouton falls and creates a funny scene. Later on, He applies an Ointment all over his body so as to protect from the Mosquitoes. Because of the smell, the Porters protest and they force Mouton to follow them only after a distance so that the smell does not affect them. After some time, Mouton himself cannot bear the smell and the ointment is cleared by washing.
- The Journey goes on and they reach The Forest Ranger Tim Holder’s Office who warns them about the possible dangers of entering in such a time when there is a general unrest among the tribes. Still, Joe’s Troup continues and this time Mouton applies a new cream and this makes the bees and insects lining towards him and once again he creates a nice moment of fun.
- They reach the Gold Hunter’s Place and find out that one of his aide is killed and the Gold Hunter himself is missing and the place is ravaged by what looks like a group of Leopards. However, The expert that he is, Joe identifies that these are not the marks of the original Leopard but by men who dress themselves as Leopards and attack with sharp knifes which leaves marks as if they were caused by the original leopards themselves. Joe decides to report this matter to Tim Holder and they return to Tim’s Place.
- To their great shock, they find Tim Also dead and attacked by the same Leopard Man. Angered by his friend’s death, Joe vows for revenge and they visit the nearest village for further enquiry, against the wish of Mouton who requests that they should go back to home after such events. Joe Enquires in the Village and as the enquiry turns unfruitful, they decide to stay there itself by camping just outside the village. And, in this time, Joe saves the Life of a Village Girl and as she is about to tell more on the Leopards, Her folks return and she whispers to Joe that she will return to the same place that night for further information.
- However, when Joe returns to the same spot in the Night, he finds the Body of the Girl with Leopard’s marks all over here. Joe then plans for something different and instead of sleeping in his Bed, he sleeps below it and as expected, one of the Leopard comes and stabs the bed and runs away hoping that he killed Joe. Joe follows him and finds out that there is a Great Leader for this Gang and he is Not there in the nearby vicinity. He comes back and makes a Plan with his Porter Congo. And as per the Plan, he hits Congo and threatens that he is going to sack him. Then one of the Villagers comes to Congo and asks him to join the Leopards.
- Congo Joins the leopards and his first task is to kill Joe and his group. Congo then follows the Mysterious leader and finds out that a Statue speaks and then he is captured by the leopards who tie him to a tree and drench him with honey so that giant ants kill him. But, Tiger Joe rescues him with timely intervention by making a fire out of alcohol to make the ants run. and then they enter the Leopard Leaders cave and find out the truth that he is nothing but a ordinary crook equipped with modern technology to amaze the villagers and Tiger thwarts his plan and everything ends well in the end.
| 13-Hunter Slim Discovering Uranium | 14 Joe Addressing in Mike As Leopard God | 15 Slim Becoming Happy in the End | 16 Mouton Refusing to Continue Hunting |
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Now, Here is the information chart on the Wonderful creators of Tiger Joe Series and ComiRades can find that the chart is modified in such a way that almost all the information on the creators are provide in the form of links and the most important info are added in the last 2 sections.
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| Description | Author of the Tiger Joe & Pioneer in Franco-Belgian Realistic Comics | Artist of the Tiger Joe Series |
| Name | Jean Michael Charlier | Victor Hubinon (Victor Hughes – Pseudonym) |
| Time Line | 30th Oct 1924 – 10th July 1989 (64 Years) | 26th April 1924 – 8th Jan 1979 (54 Years) |
| Nationality | Belgian | Belgian |
| Info Links | Wiki Link, Official Website, Dupius Link, Lambiek Link | Wiki Link, Dupuis Link, Lambiek Link |
| Works | Buck Danny, Blueberry, Red Beard, Tiger Joe | Buck Danny, Red Beard, Tiger Joe |
| Otherwise Unknown Info | Was a Licensed Commercial Pilot & Flew in 1949 for Living. | The Pirates in Red Beard are Inspiration for Asterix Series Pirates |
| Professional Turning Point | Jije’s Advice to Change from a Artist to Full Time Script Writer | Meeting Georges Troisfontaines (World Press) & Working With Charlier |
As mentioned above, J.M.Charlier used to draw his work until advised by Jije to concentrate on Script writing and hence he became a full time Script writer. Here is a comparison of artwork by Charlier and Hubinon for the Character Buck Danny. And this concludes our special post on Tiger Joe and he is one among the great characters introduced By S Vijayan to Tamil Comirades.
| Buck Danny art drawn By J M Charlier | Buck Danny Art drawn By Victor Hubinon | Hubinon with His characters |
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Now, All the 3 Books featuring Tiger Joe are available with the Publishers and all you need to do is to call them by looking at the side bar of this Blog for the contact Number of the Publisher. For Those who are Lazy, Here is the Number: 04562 – 272649.
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.
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