TPH #050 Shikhar Gatha (Diamond Phantom - 6) and its English Indrajal Comics Version IJC #V25N01 and #V25N02 Journey to the Emrald Island.

This is the 50th comic post on this blog. Using this opportunity I am to unfold my story. So here it comes. It all began on a sunny afternoon of september, 1967 when indrajal comics fans across the country saw a glimpse of a mountain peak which looked like a human skull. That was me in my earliest appearance. The shape was different but name still the same, 'Phantom Head'. A group of bank robbers using me as a memory mark for hiding their loot. (IJC #049, Sep 1967)

After four years, I made another appearance, this time in more human like form. People were amazed to see the similarity between me and the ghost who walks. (IJC #143, 1971)

More and more people discovered me in almost the same fashion and returned to their homeland only to tell some strange stories, which generally nobody believed. (IJC #244, 1975)

Untill then I had become one of the prominent figure in the mystical world of Phantom and his native country. Many stories started like this...(IJC #313, 1978) When our beloved ghost finally decided to marry lady diana, I had the priviledge to host the wedding party. Oh what a day that was. Madam Lily were so amazed to see me. hahahaha. (IJC #317, 1979)

A visibly ecstatic Phantom told me the good news of continuation of phantom tradition, the 22nd phantom was conceived. Such a great news. I kept singing (would be dancing as well if possible) all day and night. (IJC #359, 1980) But soon I also witnessed some horrific time Diana had to experience while waiting for his love. That was really scary for her and me too. Thankfully everything went fine as Phantom reached there just in time. A lovely good bye from lady Diana made me fresh as ever. (IJC #360, 1980)

The outsiders kept coming in hope to get some or the other item from Phantom's treasure. Many came and were aptly dispatched bare handed with a vow, not to return back to this country again. hohohohohoho. (IJC #V20N13, 1983)

A very familiar scene, the family going for some picnic etc. Everytime somebody queried about the origin of Phantom Head (that's me), the same answer was heard, "Nature's miracle". I was also almost convinced of this. (IJC #V20N24, 1983) But one day two men namely Lee Falk and Sy Barry came with a very surprising tale about my actual origin. At first I couldn't believe them as the story was quite unbelievable and completely different from what I have been told millions of times. After so many years of my existence how could I be able to accept such a weird thing as this one. But then, since Baba Mozz was telling the story, I had to believe it. Today I am going to present it to you. Read it and then decide is it really believable?

Download TPH #050 (68 Pages, 900px wide, 16.5 MB) And here is the English Indrajal version of this story in two parts. Scans are by Mr Ajay Mishra.

Download Part 1 Download Part 2

(note: the indrajal version covers three sunday strips #S125, #S126 and #S127 while diamond version has only first two, so indrajal has edited but longer story and diamond has short but more complete story)

Song from first James Bond movie Dr. No

A melodious song from Dr. No - the first bond movie. Bond girl Ursula Andress (playing Honey Ryder) enters the screen singing this song and literally sets the standards for all future bond girls. Listen to this. Lryics: Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me can watch for the moon Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me make boolooloop soon Underneath the moonlit sky Me honey and I can sit hand in hand Underneath the moonlit sky Me honey and I can make fairyland Mango, banana and tangerine Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean When we get marry we make them grow And nine little chil' in a row Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me can watch for the moon Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me we plan marry soon Mango, banana and tangerine Sugar and ackee and cocoa bean When we get marry we make them grow And nine little chil' in a row Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me can watch for the moon Underneath the mango tree Me honey and me we plan marry soon Underneath the mango tree Underneath the mango tree Underneath the mango tree Underneath the mango tree

TPH #049 The Tiger Girl - Phantom (Indrajal Comics #097)

Listen to another of my favorite song from my favorite group ABBA. This was a Swedish group which was quite on top during seventies. Many of Hindi super hit songs are copied from their work.Among many others, the most surprising inspiration taker is R D Burman, yes Pancham Da made some of his brilliant numbers based on ABBA's scores. I'll give both English and Hindi versions in future posts. Enjoy this one now.

	ABBA - Dancing Queen
	Presented By The Phantom Head

Lyrics: (oooo ya) You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life ohh yaa Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen ahhh ahhh Friday night and the lights are low Looking out for the place to go Where they play the right music, getting in the swing You come in to look for a king Anybody could be that guy Night is young and the music's high With a bit of rock music, everything is fine You're in the mood for a dance And when you get the chance You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine ohh yaaa You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen You're a teaser, you turn 'em on Leave 'em burning and then you're gone Looking out for another, anyone will do You're in the mood for a dance And when you get the chance You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine ohh yaaa You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life Ooo.. see that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen Dig in the Dancing Queen ---------------------------------------------------------- A classic phantom story this time. This is 1951 strip of the same title as Indrajal. Another Ajay Mishra scan. Kudos to this great man.

Download TPH #49 (28 pages, 6.94 MB)

Boney M song - Brown Girl in the Ring

------------------------------------------------------------ [Update, 18 March 2008, 9:45 PM] CW has pointed out mistake in the collection of mandrake covers which do not show him in formal dress. There is one more indrajal where he does not wear his usual magician dress. So in all there are 11 mandrake ijc of such type. Honour of reaching to the correct answer is shared between Dara and CW. Congratulations. ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- [Update, 18 March 2008, 9:30 PM] Dara has answered correctly for the question posed in the previous post. Mandrake is not wearing his characteristic magician dress on all those ten covers. there is one more mandrake indrajal which is absolutely unique in the sense that it does not show mandrake at all on the cover. Here is the cover of that one. ------------------------------------------------------------- No corrct answer yet for the question in the previous post. Keep trying. Here is one of my favourite song. (you'll need flash player plug-in enabled to listen to it.) Lyric: Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la Theres a brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum Show me your motion Tra la la la la Come on show me your motion Tra la la la la la Show me your motion Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths I remember one saturday night We had fried fish and johnny-cakes I remember one saturday night We had fried fish and johnny-cakes Beng-a-deng Beng-a-deng Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la Theres a brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum Show me your motion Tra la la la la Come on show me your motion Tra la la la la la Show me your motion Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths I remember one saturday night We had fried fish and johnny-cakes I remember one saturday night We had fried fish and johnny-cakes Beng-a-deng Beng-a-deng Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la See, brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths All had water run dry Got nowhere to wash my cloths Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la Look that brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum

TPH #048 The Deadly Queen Mesala - Flash (Indrajal Comics #V25N51)

I never tried to create any quiz for this blog. This time I'm going to do that. So friends, here comes few covers of Mandrake comics from Indrajal. Almost all of these comics have already been posted on some blog or the other. All these have something strikingly common. Can you find what it is? Lets see who can find the answer first. Start turning the pages, or rather clicking the folders. Only these ten have that common feature out of all 150+ Mandrake Indrajals.
mandrake covers are taken from CW/ICC/MTM posts of covers. Most of them are Ajay's scans.

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A Flash Gordon comic this time. I haven't read this myself. should be interesting. Its an Ajay Mishra scan once again.
Download TPH #048 (20 pages, 5.7 MB)

TPH #047 The Hangman's Knot - Mandrake (Indrajal Comics #338)

First of all, condolences to Indian Hockey. After many years of untiring (without ever hinting at retiring) efforts, Mr. K.P.S. Gill has finally succeeded in securing a place for it in graveyard where it may lie in peace for ever. Thank you Indian Hockey, you gave us few (even in recent past) but proud moments to cherish. --------------------------------------------------- This story takes mandrake to the journey of deep ocean. Again the quality of imaginative thinking takes the reader to another world of fantasies where only the pen of Mr Falk guides the way for the mesmerized comic lover. Those who liked Mandrake's walk on clouds, would certainly love this one too. This is again a contributory post. Comic is scanned by Mr. Ajay Mishra. I have given some photoshop effects. Its better now. Enjoy.

Download TPH #047 (32 pages, 9 MB)

TPH #046 Chhipe Dushman - Garth (Indrajal Comics #V25N42)

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This post is dedicated to Sameer, who is doing a brilliant job with his IJC collection and Digital Camera. He has achieved a distinct identity by making some very nice posts about passionate IJC lovers in Pune. Those were a treat to read. Hope he continues in the same passionate way as he has been doing so far.

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DON'T QUIT

by Edgar A. Guest

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.

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This is another Garth story which I first read as a newspaper strip. The IJC version is edited heavily and that takes out some of the pleasure. The drawings are good specially all the action moments, for example the sequence of scenes where Garth jumps on to the boat from some height and another one involving boat breaking by ship. As with other Garth strips, this strip was also having some nudity (published uncensored in Hindustan Times) but TOI rightly arranging for proper outfits. The story revolves around the drug barons operating from Pakistan. This area was (and still is) one of the most infamous supplier of drug products worldwide.

Download TPH #046

(31 Pages, 1024px width, 8.6 MB)

TPH #045 The Blood Thirsty Bandits part 2 - Phantom (Indrajal Comics #336)

------------------------- [Update, 06 March 2008] A new comic is posted at ACK blog today. Visit at once. Its worth it. ------------------------- Second part of this gripping adventure. Did some resizing to many pages which were having unusually high resolution. This brings the file size within normal limits. Also includes a short Mandrake story, The demon dancer. Enjoy.
Download TPH #045 (25 pages, 6.88 MB)

TPH #044 The Blood Thirsty Bandits part 1 - Phantom (Indrajal Comics #335) and IOB March 2008

A great day for Indian cricket. A magnificent match winning innings from Tendulkar and then Indian Colts winning the under 19 world cup beating South Africa U-19. This is not the first time that we have won the junior world cup. Clearly shows the availability of raw talent in the country, unfortunately we don't have a proper system to nurture it. BCCI is run by some of the worst managers, most coming from a political background. ------------------------- The latest edition of IOB is presented. Indrajal Comics posted till 29th of February, 2008 are included in this update.
Download IOB (March 2008 update) (179 KB) Another contributed comic is here. This time it's phantom in a two part story scanned by Ajay. Download TPH #044 (28 pages, 8.05 MB)