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.

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.