77 Modesty Blaise – Arguably, The Best Comics Character in Tamil

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Tours and Travel engagements are keeping TCU very Busy and next One month will be the same. Apologies for the same. Will try to get back to  normalcy as soon as possible. Our Beloved ComiRade Dr 7’s Birthday was celebrated amidst much fanfare this week. Many more happy returns of the day Dr. Now, On May 03rd, Our Beloved Comics Character Modesty Blaise’s Creator Peter O’ Donnel Passed away at the age of 90. 2010 seems to be a tough year for the ComiRades as they have already lost two creative legends. Only The other day, we were discussing that Peter O’ Donnel was six short of Touching MB in terms of the Numbers, i.e., Total stories of MB is 96 and Peter was on 90 very recently.

The first time that yours truly read Modesty Blaise (Let us call her MB, As that is the way we refer her) was way back in the 80’s and Yours truly was not even 10 years of young. Since then, in TCU’s Point of view, she has been THE BEST Comics character that has appeared in Tamil Language. MB has inspired many a fan’s through her deeds. One such example is Mr Bharathi Nandheeswaran (பாரதி நந்தீஸ்வரன் of கொமாரபாளையம்) Who happens to be a Die Hard fan of MB and expressed his desire many-a-times to name his daughter as MODESTY. Another ComiRade (Muthu from Chennai) has went ahead and named his daughter as “Blaise”. MB has inspired many of us through her never say die attitude and her simplicity. Here is a brief note on MB and most of the things that TCU wanted to convey is featured here and hence read it completely.(Thanks to Ramya for penning such a Lovely article on her).

 Now, Then: When TCU was started to post this particular Blog post sometime last month, the 1st question was, which one was MB’s 1st ever appearance in Tamil and who is going to take credit for introducing such an iconic character in Tamil Language. Definitely not in Lion Comics (1st Issue) and also not the story in Muthu Comics issue No 32. So, the search begun for the 1st ever appearance of MB in Tamil.

A Search which took its own course and time and when it ended, there was many a surprises in the waiting. Yes, Possibly the 1st ever MB Story to be translated in Tamil was not in any one of those comics books; Rather it was on a weekly magazine Named Kalki, Where One Mr Vandumaama was already weaving his magic through many wonderful comics stories. Yes Sir, The credit of Introducing MB in Tamil goes to the same legend who introduced Comics stories to Tamil readers.

Somehow the other, TCU got the issue and here are the 1st part of the story (3 Pages – 2 in different colour and 1 in Black & White). Have a closer look into the tagline given to MB – 007 in female form.This is the same story which has appeared in Lion Comics in the 100th special edition – Lion Century special.

The 1st Ever Appearance of Modesty Blaise in Tamil, Possibly  – Translation by Vandumama - Kalki April 2nd Week 1971 MB - Red Gryphon

If you thought that next appearance of MB in Tamil would have been in the 1975 Muthu Comics, then you are gone for a toss. Yes, the second appearance was also in another weekly magazine named Kumudham in the very next year (Feb 1972). This time, another different story and the title Black pearl was appearing in Tamil. Note that she was named as Blaise (read as blez பிளேஸ்) and not as பிளைசி, which is the norm now-a-days.

One of the irony of this compilation is that, the 1st part of this series is not available. TCU and Dr 7 each have an individual copy of this compilation and still in both these compilations, the 1st part is missing. what could be the reason? Well, that’s the question we are running after now.

2nd Appearance of Modesty Blaise in Tamil – Circa Feb 1972 - Kumudham Weekly Magazine -  Karuppu Muthu 2nd Part – Black Pearl

Here comes the next version of MB and it is in the much celebrated Muthu comics (Read completely about this story with many interesting back ground stories in Muthu Fan’s Blog post HERE). Kindly note that this is also in Editor S.Vijayan’s personal Top 10 Comics story list. Considering the Background of the story with that of the time in which it was published, it was indeed a GEM among many other stories. Read what the Editor Himself has to say about this wonderful story: Indeed, it has left many a Wonderful imprint on those who read that. In many ways, it typifies the struggles in life as a whole and the methods to overcome. It was not a surprise that this happens to be TCU’s 1st ever MB Story in collection. It is also no surprise that it is placed in the higher echelons in the Top 10 list of Muthu comics by Editor S.Vijayan. There will be a surprise post next weekend on the Top 10 Muthu comics in TCU. That is the background story of the 1st ever MB in a proper comics magazine. Once she appeared in 1975, she had to wait another 9 more years to make her comeback. And comeback she did!. TCU has done a special post on THAT issue and read it on your leisure.

Muthu Comics 028 Kazhugu Malaikottai 1 – Issue Dated 01st Feb 1975	Muthu Comics Kazhugu Mlaikottai Reprint – Issue Dated 01st Sept 1987

Here is a small compilation for those who are trying to complete their MB Collection in Tamil. The reason why the 1st 2 weekly magazines are not added up in this list is, They are impossible to collect.That’s it. Kindly note that most of these (at least the last 13 books) are still available with the publisher and contact them if you want to buy them to complete the MB Collection.

MB in Tamil Language – Under the Prakash Publishers Banner – Muthu Comics & Lion Comics- Translated By S.Vijayan (All but 1st 2)

Here comes the cover gallery. TCU Would love to put the 1st page comparative study (which is the norm in TCU), Still keeping in mind the length of the post, only the cover gallery is done. Kindly appreciate the work of an artist who is, very recently to be featured in TCU in the artists of note section.

Lion Comics 001 Kathi Munaiyil Modesty Blaise	Lion Comics 001 Kathi Munaiyil Modesty Blaise	Lion Comics 002 Modesty in Istanbul
Lion Comics 011 Marana Kottai	Lion Comics 025 Kodai Malar 86 Front Cover	Lion Comics 028 Marma Ethiri MB
Lion Comics 031 Deepavali Malar 86	Lion Comics 035 Dated Mar 1987	Lion Comics 040 Bayangara Nadagam MB
042 Diwali Super Special October 1987	Lion Comics 052 Kaanakathil Kannamoochi	Lion Comics 54 Karkaala Vettai
Lion Comics 062 Nadukkadalil Adimaigal	Lion Comics 100 Century Special	Lion Comics 102 Manthira Mannil Modesty
Lion Comics 106 Pachai Vanap Paavai	Lion Comics 112 LionTop10Special	Lion Comics 116 Thihil Nagaram Tokyo
Lion Comics 119 Aaviyin Padhayil	Lion Comics 124 Puli Varuthu	Lion Comics 127 Boomikkoru Blackmail
Lion Comics 135 Thalai Vaangum Tharagai	Lion Comics 141 Thigil Theevu	Lion Comics 149 Parakkum Paralogam
Lion Comics 190 Mithakkum Mandalam	Lion Comics 194 Maranathai Muriyadippom	Lion Comics 195 Lion Jolly Special
Lion Comics 198 Thedi Vantha Thookukayiru	Lion Comics 201 Katteri Kanagam MB	Lion Comics 207 Kolai Seiyya Virumbu

Rani comics is the second comics which published more than 25 MB Stories in Tamil. Here is the exact list of the MB stories that appeared in Rani Comics:(Don’t look into the 11th book in this index, even after my warning you are willing to take risk, then here is the link for that story: Rani Comics MB). The translation and formatting of the MB series in Rani comics was, well to say the least, Not up to the mark. MB and Garvin are Lovers, that’s how she was introduced that itself is the reason for TCU not to continue the series. Still TCU’s collection is complete and many of these stories were edited severely and the course of the storylines were changing with the trend of the editorial mood-swings. Rani Comics are available in the second hand market easily and hence accessibility to these collection will not be as tough as that of the Lion comics. Try your luck, who knows you may hit upon a jackpot.

MB in Tamil Language – Under the Rani Syndicate Banner – Rani Comics – Translated by A.M Sami

The cover gallery for Rani comics provides a wonderful opportunity to marvel at the work of Artist Mali who has a keen sense to reproduce from the original. in that way, we can compare him to that of 80’s Indrajal Comics’ Shehab.

Rani Comics Issue No 133 Pen CID MB	Rani Comics Issue No 137 Marma Kottai MB	Rani Comics Issue No 140 Vayirakkan Paambu
Rani No 144 Pudhaiyal Vettaiyil Boogambam	Rani Comics Issue No 153 Ulavu Kappal MB	Rani Comics Issue No 213 Kai Mariya Petti MB
Rani Comics Issue No 217 Marma Petti MB	Rani Comics Issue No 219 Maaya Chilai MB	Rani Comics Issue No 229 Mugamoodi Pen MB
Rani Comics Issue No 237 Kolai Mirattal MB	Rani Comics Issue No 307 Ilavarasiyai Thedi	Rani Comics Issue No 348 Ragasiya Silai MB
Rani Comics Issue No 350 Abaaya Nagarm MB	Rani Comics No 352 Kaanamal Pona Kappal	Rani Comics Issue No 354 Kadathal Thavalai
Rani Comics Issue No 356 Ragasiya Locker MB	Rani Comics Issue No 365 Ragasiya Bunglow	Rani Comics Issue No 369 Manidha Vettai MB
Rani Comics Issue No 375 Kadathalkaarargal	Rani Comics Issue No 385 Ragasiyap Petti	Rani Comics Issue No 387 Marana Vilaiyattu MB
Rani Comics Issue No 395 Kollaiyar Padai MB	Rani Comics Issue No 403 Rowdikku Rowdi MB	Rani Comics Issue No 411 Elippori MB
Rani Comics Issue No 416 Poli Samiyar MB	Rani Comics Issue No 422 Karuppu Muthu MB	Rani Comics Issue No 433 Kummang Guthu
		Rani Comics Issue No 436 Thuppakki Mangai

There were several magazines and news papers which published MB in India in English. Times of India were the parent company behind the successful run of Indrajal Comics. They launched another comics named Spectrum Comics and the 1st issue featured MB and have a look at the artwork by Ajay and have a look at Actor Archana Puran Singh’s Photo HERE. How striking is that resemblance?

1st Ever Appearance of Modesty Blaise in English – Time of India’s Spectrum Comics Issue No 1 6th - 12th Dec 1985 Death of a Jester MB

There were some 5 to 6 Books missing in the entire collection of Spectrum Comics (MF’s collection, that is) and hence the index of MB’s stories in This comics is not comprehensive. That list will be posted very soon. Diamond Comics started a New trend in the 90’s by publishing Comic World magazine and in the 3rd issue, they had a MB story for the 1st and last time. Here are the sample pages from that book:

Comic World Issue No 3 Vettai Theevu– Modesty Again in Tamil - Colour	Comic World Issue No 3 English- Killing Ground – One of the Rarest

Now, then. That is the end of the comics part of the MB. What else is left? Well, There are MB Movies, MB TV

Series, MB Novels, MB Sunday Scripts by a Legendary Artist and many more to come in the next part of the MB Post, which will be done very shortly with the analysis on all the artists who drew MB with the inputs coming from the author himself.

Meanwhile, many of you might wonder what the poster of Wuthering Heights is doing here in this part of the MB Post. Let me tell you that TCU has nothing against Emily Bronte and has no ill feeling towards Heathcliff and Catherine. Still, THIS particular movie is hated by TCU like no other movie and the movie itself has nothing to with it. Can anyone of the ComiRades explain why this hatred is?

Well, that’s all for this post and TCU will be back with another post on Wednesday and will try to be as regular as possible from here onwards. 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.