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A13-IJC

Set Type: Indrajal Comics
Owner: 13
Last Modified: 4/18/2018
Views: 446

Current Standings

Rank:	1
Score:	25
Leading by:	N/A
Points to Higher Rank:	N/A

Set Description:

"No! You must not kill! Only the law can take a life! Even these men have the right to a fair trial by jury!"----STRAIGHT ARROW (September 1950)

"Stand back and shut up,pop! The first one to open his mouth will be swallowing bullets!"--Crime Does Not Pay # 39 (November 1943)

"In 1933 came the COMIC BOOK, and while it swamped the nation with sensationalism, it became gradually clear that here was one of the most remarkable educational potentials yet discovered in man's history."--COULTON WAUGH, author of The Comics

‘PITY THE NATION THAT HAS NO HEROS!’ ‘PITY THE NATION THAT NEEDS THEM!’- GALILEO, BERTOIT BRECHT

"We have met the enemy and he is us."--POGO POSSUM

"I spare you to live--to live in misery also--to watch and see the suffering and grief that I, your creation, will cause the human race. You will chase me, but never get me! I go now, always haunting and tormenting you!"---FRANKENSTEIN, Prize Comics # 7 (December 1940)

"I believe in the brotherhood of man and PEACE ON EARTH. If I could do it with a wave of my hand I'd STOP ALL THIS WAR and this SILLY NONSENSE OF KILLING PEOPLE. So I used the SUPER HEROES' powers to accomplish what I couldn't do as a person. The SUPER HEROES were my wish-fulfillment figures for BENEFITTING THE WORLD."--GARDNER FOX

"I had no idea how one would go about stealing from a locker in GRAND CENTRAL, but I have COMIC BOOKS which describe that in minute detail and I could go out now and do it." ---DR. FREDERIC WERTHAM, author of Seduction of the Innocent

"It may be said that no acceptable evidence has been produced by WERTHAM or anyone else for the conclusion that the reading of comic magazines has, or has not, a significant relation to delinquent behavior."---PROFESSOR FREDERIC M. THRASHER, "The Comics and Delinquency Cause or Scapegoat"

In the passage from heroes to superheroes we are closer to the redundancy of the heroic, the fact that conditions for ordinary heroism are increasingly impossible. Is this a sign of impending apocalypse, as the postmodern genre repeatedly signals through its dystopian universe? Or else might the genre, through an overall sharpening of contradictions, give a glimpse of a time when not heroism but the lack of it will determine human relations. David Gonzalez purchased a 1930s era abandoned house in ELBOW LAKE, MINNESOTA for $10,000. He found a copy of ACTION COMICS # 1 among some newspaper used as insulation in a wall cavity. SUPERMAN had made his FIRST APPEARANCE on the cover of Action Comics # 1 in JUNE 1938. This copy of Action Comics # 1 sold for over $175,000. SUPERMAN is considered by many to be AMERICA'S FIRST SUPERHERO. THE PHANTOM comic strip debuted in THE NEW YORK JOURNAL on FEBRUARY 17, 1936. The PHANTOM was a mysterious MASKED crime-fighter in SKIN TIGHT COSTUME who used his totemic SKULL RING to brand his enemies with the SKULL SIGN. The PHANTOM was dedicated to the destruction of all forms of PIRACY, GREED and CRUELTY. Despite the fact that the PHANTOM PREDATES the debut of SUPERMAN in ACTION COMICS # 1, the character's contribution to the SUPERHERO genre has been routinely overlooked. Even though he looked very much like a superhero, the PHANTOM possessed none of the extraordinary powers or abilities commonly associated with such characters.THE PHANTOM has struggled to receive OFFICIAL RECOGNITION as America's First Superhero, but to his INTERNATIONAL FANS, there is little doubt about his rightful historical status. The relative obscurity of the PHANTOM in the UNITED STATES has been offset by his phenomenal success in AUSTRALIA, SWEDEN and INDIA.

YOUNG PERSONS (HARMFUL PUBLICATIONS) BILL-INDIA, 1956.

The intensity of public debate surrounding comic books provoked governments in AUSTRALIA, SWEDEN, and INDIA to introduce legislation which POLICED the production and dissemination of comic books, especially to minors. This controversy reached the HIGHEST LEVELS OF INDIA'S GOVERNMENT after PRIME MINISTER JAWAHARLAL NEHRU, appalled by the CONTENTS OF A "HORROR COMIC" given to his GRANDSON, called for them to be "SUPPRESSED RUTHLESSLY." THE INDIAN PARLIAMENT'S LOK SABHA (HOUSE OF THE PEOPLE) unanimously passed the YOUNG PERSONS (HARMFUL PUBLICATIONS) BILL in NOVEMBER 1956, which prohibited the production and sale within INDIA of any publication which used illustrations to portray "ACTS OF VIOLENCE OR CRUELTY" or " INCIDENTS OF A REPULSIVE OR HORRIBLE NATURE." INTERESTINGLY! just TWO YEARS ago the following had transpired in the UNITED STATES. The year was 1954 and three significant things happened. Dr Frederic Wertham, a long time vociferous critic of the comic book industry, published SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT, a book which detailed the allegedly ill effects upon children of reading comic books containing crime, sex, and violence. Next, the United States Senate Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency in the United States held public hearings on the deleterious effects of comic books on children. Finally, in October 1954, comic book publishers established the self regulatory Comics Code Authority which imposed a strict set of industry standards upon comic books. Did JAWAHARLAL NEHRU-THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA SECRETLY communicate with DR FREDRICK WERTHAM? Or was he inspired by SOTI to introduce the INDIAN BILL in NOVEMBER 1956? It is UNKNOWN but there may be a CONNECTION. We may never find out. THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!

THE CULTURAL DEFENSE COMMITTEE-AUSTRALIA, PAMPHLET OF 1935.

This committee was founded by the FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN WRITERS. The success of MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN which debuted in DECEMBER 1934 in THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY which was launched in JUNE 1933 fed mounting public concerns over the CORROSIVE INFLUENCE OF AMERICAN CULTURE WITHIN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY. The Cultural Defense Committee launched a blistering attack on the MORAL EFFECTS OF IMPORTED AMERICAN COMIC STRIPS. In its 1935 pamphlet, MENTAL RUBBISH FROM OVERSEAS, condemned MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN in particular as an OUTRAGE not only to "COMMON SENSE AND SCIENCE, BUT ALSO COMMON MORALITY AND INTELLECTUAL DECENCY". Such comic strips were, according to the committee, the PRODUCT OF A DEBAUCHED SOCIETY where belief in witchcraft and demonology, brought to AMERICA BY SUPERSTITIOUS EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS, "found new stimulus from contact with AFRAMERICAN NEGRO ideas of voodoo." This chorus of disapproval, briefly silenced for the duration of World War II grew louder in AUSTRALIA, SWEDEN and INDIA in the postwar era. AUSTRALIA'S federal government amended the CUSTOMS (PROHIBITED IMPORTS) REGULATIONS in 1952, which now banned the importation of comics which "UNDULY EMPHASIZED MATTERS OF SEX, HORROR, OR CRIME AND WERE LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE DEPRAVITY." Several state governments throughout AUSTRALIA introduced measures to further control the publication and distribution of comic books within their jurisdiction. VICTORIA and NEW SOUTH WALES passed laws which held magazine wholesalers liable for the publication and distribution of "OBSCENE" literature. AUSTRALIA'S largest magazine distributor, sought to protect itself from prosecution under these new laws by INSTIGATING A SECRET CENSORSHIP PROGRAM whereby publishers were required to submit forthcoming magazines distributed by the company for review PRIOR to publication. THE PHANTOM was not spared and throughout 1954-1958, FREW PUBLICATIONS removed all traces of KNIVES and WHIPS from villains' hands and ALTERED SOME OF DIANA PALMER'S REVEALING COSTUMES TO MAKE THEM MORE MODEST.

HISTORY OF COMICS IN INDIA AND WORLD WAR II

INDIA's wartime experience highlights the informal and irregular channels whereby AMERICAN COMIC BOOKS circulated throughout the world during the 1940s. INDIA, still under BRITISH COLONIAL RULE, became a vital source of material supplies and military personnel for BRITAIN's war effort. Following the UNITED STATES' declaration of war against Japan, INDIA became a STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL BASE for the ALLIES' SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND, from where BRITISH and AMERICAN FORCES launched operations against the JAPANESE in neighboring BURMA. AMERICAN SOLDIERS brought with them not only WEAPONS and MACHINES, but COMIC BOOKS as well. AABID SURTI who was born in 1935 and who created the FAMED INDIAN COMIC-BOOK HERO BAHADUR, recalled how he received his FIRST-EVER COMIC BOOK featuring MICKEY MOUSE from SOLDIERS TRAVELING THROUGH BOMBAY, WHO THREW COPIES FROM THE TRAIN TO CHILDREN BEGGING FOR MONEY AND FOOD. There was little evidence of locally published children's periodicals, of any description, in the decade following INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN IN 1947. Aside from children's supplements appearing in English language newspapers such as THE TIMES OF INDIA, the earliest and possibly only example from this period was CHANDAMAMA, an illustrated "children's paper" edited by film producer B. NAGI REDDY, and initially published in TELGU and TAMIL editions in JULY 1947. The bulk of the comic books available to INDIAN READERS following the WAR would be imported from GREAT BRITAIN and the UNITED STATES by local publishers, many of whom had commercial interests in wholesale book distribution and retail bookstalls. AUSTRALIA, SWEDEN and INDIA soon became valuable markets for AMERICA'S COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY, which was now facing some unique challenges arising from its explosive wartime growth. There was an ECONOMIC DOWNTURN that was exacerbated by the DEMOBILIZATION OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS, whose comic-book purchases at MILITARY POSTAL EXCHANGES (PXs) had previously exceeded sales of mainstream magazines to service personnel by TEN TO ONE. American publishers were thus compelled to look abroad in search on untapped foreign markets. COMIC BOOKS came relatively late to INDIA and, as such locally drawn comic books did not really captivate INDIAN audiences until 1960s and 1970s, long after the postwar comic-book craze had subsided in AUSTRALIA and SWEDEN. Despite INDIA's large population, imported BRITISH and AMERICAN COMICS still only reached a relatively small readership. In 1962 one INDIAN DISTRIBUTOR said that although demand for imported comic books had grown by 25 percent in the previous decade, his company still imported a rather modest 25,000 comic magazines per month. These were miniscule sums given that, by 1966, approximately 12, 000,000 INDIANS were deemed to be "LITERATE IN ENGLISH." Domestic magazine publishing was further stymied by the scarcity of imported newsprint, the allocation of which was controlled by the OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS FOR INDIA during the 1960s. When set against this challenging backdrop, the eventual success of THE PHANTOM comic-book franchise in INDIA seems all the more remarkable. Yet just as it was with the birth of AMERICA'S COMICS INDUSTRY during the mid-1930s, economic concerns drove the birth of INDIA's comic book industry in the early 1960s.

SUPERMAN-INDRAJAL COMICS CONNECTION AND BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO.

ANANT PAI (1929-2011) was a junior executive in BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO's book publishing division at the time when his supervisor P.K. ROY, remarked that the company's printing presses lay idle after orders were met for INDIA's calendar production season. ROY thought they could be used to print comic books to keep them operating at peak capacity, and INITIALLY SUGGESTED THAT SUPERMAN WOULD BE A SUITABLE TITLE. PAI, however, recommended the company choose THE PHANTOM instead, on grounds that its "STEAMY TRIBAL MILIEU" would be more familiar to INDIAN AUDIENCES. THE PHANTOM thus became the designated "STAR" of the company's FIRST COMIC MAGAZINE, INDRAJAL COMICS, which also contained locally produced educational features (OUR NEW AGE OF SCIENCE) and humorous comic strips (LITTLE RAJA). BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO, marketed the comic in THE TIMES OF INDIA, promoting it as a "MODERN EDUCATIONAL COMIC" that was " SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR INDIAN CHILDREN." Mindful of the anti-comics furor which convulsed INDIA in the 1950s, the FIRST ISSUE also contained an editorial which emphasized its positive contribution to the NATION'S MODERNIZATION DRIVE. It is listed below:

" The truth is that the medium of comics is an EXCELLENT one, and, there are GOOD COMICS and BAD COMICS. The medium of COLOUR COMICS could be effectively employed in a variety of ways in our country and made to serve the cause of the eradication of illiteracy and of imparting education through entertainment."

INDRAJAL COMICS was launched in MARCH 1964, printed in color and simultaneously published in HINDI, ENGLISH, and MARATHI language editions. The magazine's INDIAN PROVENANCE was reinforced by GOVIND BRAHMANIA'S STRIKING COVER ILLUSTRATIONS which utilized the flat, two-dimentional aesthetic common to INDIAN CALENDAR ART to great effect. BRAHMANIA'S ILLUSTRATIONS emphasized the faux-Indian trappings common to many of LEE FALK'S stories; as FALK himself later disclosed, he invented the PHANTOM'S AFRO-INDIAN domain partly to indulge his desire to write stories featuring RAJAS and BENGAL TIGERS. The FIRST issue contained FALK'S 1954 story "THE BELT" but this had to be modified to appease local readers sensibilities. The PHANTOM'S fictional country. "BENGALI," was changed to "DENKALI" on the grounds that readers would have been confused by the presence of BANDAR PYGMIES in what they presumed was meant to be the BENGALI REGION OF NORTHEAST INDIA. Furthermore, the name of the pirate who murdered the PHANTOM'S FATHER in "THE BELT" was changed from "RAMA" to "RAMALU" in deference to the HINDU DEITY. These changes greatly enhanced the comic's appeal to local audiences. Comic books were also affordable and ubiquitous, sold at pocket-money prices, and obtainable through a variety of retail outlets, such as newsagents in AUSTRALIA, bookstalls in INDIA, and tobacconists' kiosks in SWEDEN. They were also accessible to children in ways that books were not. Comic Books' emphasis in visual storytelling appealed to children in countries like INDIA, where ILLITERACY RATES REMAINED STUBBORNLY HIGH, as one child remarked, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY WORD IN COMICS-THE PICTURES TELL YOU QUITE A LOT." The commercial success of INDRAJAL COMICS proved beyond doubt that there existed a large enough audience capable of sustaining domestic comic-book production. The popularity of AMERICAN HEROS, such as the PHANTOM and FLASH GORDON, gave BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO. the opportunity to use INDRAJAL COMICS as a vehicle to promote indigenous comic-book characters. They struck immediate success with BAHADUR (Meaning "BRAVE"), starring a reformed DACOIT (Meaning "ROBBER") who, together with his girlfriend BELA, led a CITIZENS' SECURITY FORCE to defend their village from the notorious CHAMBAL VALLEY BANDITS. The series created by AABID SURTI and GOVIND BRAHMANIA, was inspired by the crime wave then sweeping CENTRAL INDIA and met with immediate acclaim upon its debut in INDRAJAL COMICS in 1976. The success of THE PHANTOM provided BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO. with the commercial means to support locally drawn comics, just as it had done so for FREW PUBLICATIONS in AUSTRALIA in the 1940s.

This is the very first set being registered for INDRAJAL COMICS published in INDIA. These books are EXTREMELY RARE and very hard to collect. They primarily consists of:

1.PHANTOM-THE GHOST WHO WALKS (AMERICA'S FIRST UNOFFICIAL SUPERHERO)
2.MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN.
3.FLASH GORDON
4.BAHADUR-A legendary Indian hero.
5.RIP KIRBY
6. BUZ SAWYER
7. PHIL CORRIGAN
8. GARTH
9. MIKE NOMAD
10. KERRY DRAKE

This SET was created on JANUARY 26th, 2018-REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA in honor of the COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION OF THESE COMICS.

This SET is HISTORICAL as it added the FIRST INDRAJAL COMICS ISSUES IN THE WORLD TO BE EVER CERTIFIED BY CGC namely INDRAJAL COMICS # 138 and182. Both these books will go down in COMICS HISTORY to be the FIRST EVER to be certified by CGC. I added these books to my collection on JANUARY 26th, 2018 which happens to be the REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA. REPUBLIC DAY honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26th,1949, and came into effect on JANUARY 26th, 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country's transition towards becoming an independent republic. JANUARY 26th was chosen as the Republic day because it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.

INDRAJAL COMICS

Indrajal Comics was a series launched by the publisher of THE TIMES OF INDIA, Bennet, Coleman & Co in March 1964. The first 32 issues contained Lee Falk's The Phantom stories, but thereafter, the title alternated between various King Features characters, including Lee Falk's Mandrake, Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon, Rip Kirby and Phil Corrigan, Roy Crane's Buz Sawyer, Allen Saunders' Mike Nomad, Kerry Drake, and Steve Dowling's Garth. Later it also published BAHADUR, an Indian comic hero created by AABID SURTI in 1976.The cover artwork for the first 50 or so issues of Indrajal Comics was done by B.Govind, with the back cover featuring a pin-up poster. Govind's painted covers are highly regarded amongst Indian Phantom fans, and are on par with those of George Wilson for the Gold Key series and the Avon novels from the USA. The Indrajal Comics were a full-colour production from #8 onwards, with The Phantom's costume being coloured blue for the first 10 issues in the series, but thereafter the color was changed to the more traditional purple. Several of the covers (e.g. #1, #9, #10 and #13) even dared to show The Phantom's eyes. Indrajal Comics commenced with a monthly schedule. The first 10 issues devoted 16 pages to The Phantom, so many of the stories were edited to fit this format. Twelve pages were devoted to general knowledge and other stuff. The next 19 issues were 20-24 pages. Beginning with issue #29, Indrajal standardized on the conventional 32 page format. The series switched to fortnightly publication from #35 on JANUARY 1st 1967 (released on the 1st and 15th of each month). MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN made his first of many appearances in #46 (JULY 15th 1967). Indrajal Comics changed to a weekly schedule from #385 on November 1–7, 1981(The Embers of Fury, Part I).This issue featured "The Phantom" once again.Starting with #789 on 20 Aug 1989(Vol 26 No 33), the series once again returned to a fortnightly schedule with 36 pages each. Starting in 1981, yearly subscriptions could be purchased for rupees 64.Each issue was individually numbered until JANUARY 2nd, 1983 when the editors decided to use a volume and number typical of periodical publications. Hence, #444 was identified as Vol.20 No.1 and so forth.The front cover design was also changed, with the introduction of the distinctive Indrajal Comics banner. A total of 803 Indrajal Comics were published, excluding #123 and #124 which were not printed due to industrial strike action. More than half of these issues contained PHANTOM stories. Starting with #789 on AUGUST 20th, 1989 (Vol 26 No 33),[ the series briefly returned to a fortnightly schedule with 36 pages each, before the publishers decided to cancel the series in their 27th year of production. The last issue was #805, published on April 16th,1990 (Vol 27 No 8:Dara:The Jaws of Treachery).

INDRAJAL COMICS COLLECTORS-INDIA

This set is dedicated to all the COLLECTORS of Indrajal Comics in India and fans across the globe. Many collectors have amazing collections but never brought INDRAJAL COMICS to the CGC and COLLECTORS SOCIETY PLATFORM. This set will give these comics INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION and make them at PAR will any other comic book series published within the UNITED STATES. This set is also dedicated to all the PHANTOM and MANDRAKE FANS across the globe but mostly in INDIA, SWEDEN and AUSTRALIA. This set is also dedicated to the amazing PHANTOM, ENCHANTING DIANA PALMER, MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN, KING LOTHAR, PRINCESS NARDA, CHIEF HOJO, FLASH GORDON, BAHADUR and the BEAUTIFUL BELA. Indrajal comics were among the most awaited events on a weekly basis. The Indrajal comics could be picked up from newsstands or when the paperboy/man delivered a new issue every week. Some got their hands onto these from circulating libraries which were common in all towns and cities, big or small, while many hunted around "RADDI" (old paper) stores for them. How the comics found their way to the RADDI SHOP is not a big mystery considering that these comics were either "deserted" by their readers when they grew up, or sold off by some elder person in the house who thought that the books were not worth their storage space anymore. What they didn't know is how much it must have hurt the original owner of these comics and when they saw the pain, it was usually dismissed as a childhood thing which will go away over time. In some cases the comics have passed hands from one generation to the other, with entire families still hooked onto the comics and yes, fathers who read them to their little kids. Indrajal Comics were among the books in the brown canvas bags that students took to school, and also hidden inside geography books so that parents didn't catch them reading the comics secretly. The readership of Indrajal Comics is limited to those who grew up in the 1980s and sadly, the comics were lost to many who grew up in the 1990s and the 21st century. Many forgot about their precious Indrajal comics as they grew up, but a big smile never fails to light up their face whenever reminded about it. There are those who still have the comics stored away somewhere in the attic while for some, it is nothing but a distant memory. A memory that deserves to be revived! THIS SET WILL REVIVE THE MEMORY OF INDRAJAL COMICS AND EVERY CGC CERTIFIED COMIC WHICH IS ADDED TO THIS SET WILL INCLUDE A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK, THE STORY AND THE FRONT AND BACK PICTURE.

THE TRUE STORY OF A DEDICATED INDIAN COMIC BOOK COLLECTOR

This is a true account of the COMIC BOOKS COLLECTING JOURNEY of a passionate collector of Indrajal Comics in INDIA. This story is described below in his own words and with his permission:

"Today I am sharing with you my story: Born in mid 70's and grew up in 80's and 90's, I started reading Indrajal comics from my age of 7. I used to purchase these from Railway stations and many of them from Raddiwalas at a small amount of 50 Paise to 1 Rupee each comic. I also used to take it to school and used to read them in recess time. A few years later my Mother threw most of the comics in Raddi but I still managed to get them within a year or so. Also my father gifted me No.150 on one of my birthday. I collected them till 1997. Till then I had collected around 350 to 375 comics and packed them in a box and put it on the cabinet in my bedroom (we call it as MALA in Marathi) and got busy in my job and started working as I had to support my family). Those were extremely tough days for me as we had no money left to live and nobody helped me as well. I also lost my father during that time. During this period I completely forgot about Indrajal comics. Time passed but memories remained. The story does not end here. After a huge gap of 18 long years in 2015 I removed that box while cleaning the bedroom cabinet (MALA) and opened the box. I was surprised to see the comics as it is without getting damaged for 18 years and the childhood memories came back. I was in a dilemma whether to sell them or to complete the collection. I had absolutely no idea of price or whatsoever. Initially I sold a few damaged comics at a extremely low price(only a few volumes) when I got the shock of my life when I found that the comics i used to purchase in 50 paise are being sold in thousands and lakhs of rupees. I made up my mind on that day that I will complete my collection no matter what happens and what was not possible in my childhood I did it within 2 years. I reached to a massive number from 350 to 780. Today I need only 23 comics to complete my collection and I am quite confident that I will be able to do it because God has given me the strength to fight back in life and today I have earned everything that I had lost 20 years back. I hope my daughter continues the legacy of keeping them intact at least for another 40 years or so (lets hope so) although she does not have much interest in reading but she has promised me that she will keep them in my memory. "

There are many other collectors in INDIA who have a story exactly similar to the one listed above and it is due to such COLLECTORS that the amazing art of comic book collecting is alive and well in countries like INDIA. I want to thank ALL the INDRAJAL COMIC BOOK COLLECTORS in INDIA for keeping this hobby alive and well and also for safely preserving whatever INDRAJAL COMICS still remain in INDIA.

THE PHANTOM (THE GHOST WHO WALKS; MAN WHO CANNOT DIE; GUARDIAN OF THE EASTERN DARK)

“I swear to devote my life to the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty, and injustice, in all their forms! My sons and their sons shall follow me.”--THE PHANTOM'S OATH

The PHANTOM was a mysterious crime-fighter clad in a skin-tight costume, cowl and mask. He used his totemic SKULL RING to brand his enemies with "THE SIGN OF THE SKULL." He was dedicated to the destruction of all forms of PIRACY, GREED and CRUELTY. THE PHANTOM was created by writer LEE FALK and illustrator RAY MOORE. The Phantom comic strip debuted in The New York Journal on February 17, 1936. A full-color version of The Phantom, produced by FALK and MOORE for Sunday newspapers' comic-strip supplements, premiered on MAY 28, 1939. Despite PREDATING the "MAN OF STEEL," THE PHANTOM was soon eclipsed in its AMERICAN HOMELAND by the unprecedented popularity of SUPERMAN and has thus endured a troubled career as a comic-book franchise since the 1930s, and has not appeared in its own mass-market comic magazine on AMERICAN NEWSSTANDS since the late 1970s. While the PHANTOM may be all but forgotten in his AMERICAN HOMELAND he has consistently enjoyed greater success and popular recognition abroad. Nowhere does the PHANTOM enjoy a more ardent following than in AUSTRALIA, SWEDEN, and INDIA, where he occupies unrivaled status as an adopted NATIONAL HERO in each of these countries. A new statue was unveiled at the RAILROAD PARK, next to STOCKHOLM'S CENTRAL STATION on September 5, 2014, but it was unlike any of the monuments one normally sees dotted throughout the SWEDISH capital's parks or thoroughfares. The ceremony was, in a way, a tribute to a SWEDISH HERO, but this was not a statue of some long-dead king, or of a valiant general slain in battle. It was, instead, a seven-meter tall aluminum figure of a man dressed in a CHECKED OVERCOAT, his face concealed by a HAT and DARK GLASSES, running in hot pursuit of some unseen, distant quarry. The work, according to the artist JAN HAFSTROM was titled "WHO IS MR WALKER?" Rendered in the style of comic-strip artist WILSON McCOY, the statue portrayed the PHANTOM'S CIVILIAN ALTER EGO, and paid homage to HAFSTROM'S youthful memories of reading "Fantomen Comics." One need look no further than this brightly colored metallic statue for proof of just how much Swedes regard the PHANTOM as their own "ADOPTED NATIONAL HERO." The PHANTOM was a SUPERHERO without superpowers, a mortal being who was destined to be killed in the line of duty. It was this sense of "NORMALITY" which allowed readers to identify with the PHANTOM in ways they simply could not do with other comic-book superheroes. Readers liked the PHANTOM because he was an uncomplicated, two-fisted action hero. THE AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION (AEC) obtained permission to use the PHANTOM in a series of educational comics intended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities which were designed to help readers understand how they could enroll to vote and cast ballots in Australian elections. THE FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA commissioned a similar educational comic book, "THE WISDOM OF THE PHANTOM" (1997) to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with information about the court's counseling services. The PHANTOM has appeared in INDIAN CINEMA as evident in "BUNDAL BAAZ (1976)," directed by SHAMMI KAPOOR. The story concerns a young daydreamer, "RAJARAM" played by RAJESH KHANNA, who longs to escape his poor village and pretends to be wealthy so that he can marry his sweetheart, "NISHA" played by SULAKSHANA PANDIT, whose father wants her to marry a famous boxer, "RANJIT" played by GOPAL BEDI. The film's remarkable opening scenes reveal RAJESH KHANNA dressed as the PHANTOM, pursuing a gang of bank robbers lead by Gopal Bedi and chasing their getaway car along a tree-lined boulevard before apprehending them in some nearby backstreets. This "DREAM SEQUENCE" ends with "RAJARAM" suddenly awakening in a student cafeteria, poring over copies of "INDRAJAL COMICS," and awkwardly explaining to his sweetheart "NISHA" why he admires the PHANTOM.

KEY ISSUES in this SET:

1. Indrajal Comics # 138-The Story of the FIRST MEETING of MANDRAKE and LOTHAR.

2. Indrajal Comics # 267-Origin and FIRST appearance of BAHADUR.

3. Indrajal Comics # 317- The wedding of PHANTOM.

The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.

Slot:	Indrajal Comics 138
Item:	Indrajal Comics 138 Universal
Grade:	CGC
Cert #:	1237016002

Owner Comments
INDRAJAL COMICS # 138 CGC 5.0-A KEY ISSUE

It is VERY TOUGH to find INDRAJAL COMICS with WHITE PAGES and WITHOUT BINDER PUNCH HOLES. This book is a rare exception. Most Indrajal Comics in INDIA were placed in binders and bear three punch holes.

THE STORY OF THE FIRST MEETING OF MANDRAKE AND LOTHAR.

JULY 1971

MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN-THE TRAIL OF DEATH

This is a beautiful copy of a rare issue. It has WHITE PAGES which is UNUSUAL for Indrajal Comics.

This book is HISTORICAL as it was the FIRST INDRAJAL COMICS ISSUE IN THE WORLD TO BE EVER CERTIFIED BY CGC along with INDRAJAL COMICS # 182. Both these books will go down in COMICS HISTORY to be the FIRST EVER to be certified by CGC. I added these books to my collection on JANUARY 26th, 2018 which happens to be the REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA.

THE TRAIL OF DEATH

Even though this book is titled " The Trail of Death" the story is titled " THE FAMOUS FRIENDSHIP." This book contains an amazing story.

The story starts out at MANDRAKE'S XANADA where the beautiful NARDA is taking a dive into MANDRAKE'S private pool in a swimsuit. Lounging on chairs by the pool are MANDRAKE and JED. After watching NARDA take a perfect dive into the pool, LOTHAR also wants to follow in her tracks and dives into the pool perfectly. NARDA is amazed at how perfect he is. MANDRAKE explains that LOTHAR is the finest athlete that he has ever seen and once dared to enter "THE OLYMPIC DECATHLON TRIALS." He has never even heard of most of the events but just by observing others he performed those events and had broken THREE world records on that day. Another time he wandered into a football game and pulverized the other team. After a hundred-yard punt which had never been seen before or since that time, he won
" THE ALL-STAR PRO GAME." Once in a crowd a man shoved him and then cursed him. LOTHAR struck the man once and knocked him cold. That man happened to be the heavyweight champion of the world. LOTHAR tried playing baseball once and he hit the ball so hard that it was flat as a pancake after that and broke the bat too. A week before a karate expert had come to XANADU to give them lessons and LOTHAR cracked a WALL with one karate chop. The karate expert refused give him his lesson saying that it would be safer to teach a "BULLDOZER." JED and NARDA ask LOTHAR about his amazing feats and he just blows it off as exaggeration by MANDRAKE.

MANDRAKE then tells LOTHAR that its time for his ANNUAL VISIT with "VISITORS FROM THE JUNGLE" and asks him what his answer will be to them this time. NARDA is puzzled and wants to know what MANDRAKE means. Meanwhile at the gates of XANADU a convertible with FOUR individuals and a driver appears requesting entry. They are granted access and drive on the FANTASTIC DRIVEWAY OF XANADU. They are amazed and reach the top of XANADU. NARDA wants to know who these people are and MANDRAKE informs her that each year chiefs of "THE TWELVE NATIONS" come to ask LOTHAR to return as he is their king. The people ask LOTHAR to return and he tells then that he has given up the throne but they refuse to accept his decision. They tell him that he is the "TRUE KING" and that they are creating a new nation with no kings but a PRESIDENT and want LOTHAR to be the "FIRST PRESIDENT." He informs them that he will think about it and let them know. JED is curious about why LOTHAR is here if he is king. MANDRAKE and LOTHAR decide to tell him the story of their friendship. MANDRAKE tells LOTHAR that he was trying to remember and LOTHAR reminds him that it was "THE MAD DOG FELLA" and JED asks how "MAD DOG DILL" was involved? MANDRAKE takes him to "MANDRAKE'S ROGUES' GALLERY" and explains that "MAD DOG DILL" was Public Enemy Number one at that time. MANDRAKE explains that "MAD DOG DILL" was a cold blooded killer who destroyed everything in his path. He had shocked the nation by his bank massacre. He was captured by the police but incredibly 24 hours before his execution time he broke out of the death house. He was the first and last to escape from that escape proof prison. He takes children as hostages and using them as a shield he had escaped. MANDRAKE used his magic to recapture him but he escapes agin killing MANDRAKE'S policeman friend "TOM." This lead to a Nationwide Search. Dill leaves a deadly trail which was not hard to follow and MANDRAKE follows him from the Southwest to the Northern Woods. MAD DOG DILL hijacks a "TRANSOCEAN PLANE" and lands in the deepest part of AFRICA. Two weeks later MANDRAKE reaches AFRICA and heads to a trading post to rent a car. He is worried that in this part of the world there is NO GOVERNMENT or AUTHORITY. He was wrong as this was in the "12 NATIONS" governed by a "KING," the father of mighty "PRINCE LOTHAR." Once MANDRAKE reaches the trading post he finds out that MAD DOG DILL has stolen the only car within 500 miles. The man at the trading post agrees to give MANDRAKE a horse and he follows MAD DOG DILL'S trail who continues to shoot and kill all people including the natives in his path. Word of this criminal from across the sea comes to "THE GREAT COURT OF THE 12 NATIONS" and PRINCE LOTHAR is summoned. His father the king explains to PRINCE LOTHAR that he must find this dangerous killer with " BLACK HAIR AND BALCK MOUSTACHE." While narrating this story MANDRAKE Reminds JED that he also has a lack moustache. JED is impatient to hear the story and NARDA reminds him that MANDRAKE cannot be rushed from a shower room. NARDA then emerges wearing a "BIKINI" and tells JED that MANDRAKE likes to tell a story in his own words even if it takes all night. MANDRAKE pushes NARDA playfully into the pool. MANDRAKE then continues his story.

PRINCE LOTHAR is sent out with a group of his warriors to find the "FOREIGNER WITH A BLACK MOUSTACHE RIDING A HORSE" and they spot MANDRAKE on the horse and think that he is the criminal. They set a trap for MANDRAKE. It was an ancient trap they used for mounted men. First-DOWN with the horse, then UP with the man using jungle vines. MANDRAKE is upside down when he FIRST meets LOTHAR. LOTHAR had a knife in his hands to cut the ropes but MANDRAKE makes the knife burn red hot and hypnotically makes the entire party float upside down. He then creates the image of a fiery dragon and that still does not stop LOTHAR, then a wall of fire is created but undaunted LOTHAR leaped through it and finally MANDRAKE turns into a 50 foot giant and hold LOTHAR in this palm but LOTHAR keeps fighting and calls him a "KILLER." MANDRAKE starts laughing. He explains to LOTHAR that there has been an misunderstanding and that he is also seeking MAD DOG DILL. LOTHAR apologizes and introduces himself to MANDRAKE and they agree to hunt for the "EVIL MAN" together. The reach a body of water and find the ferry boatman dead. LOTHAR explains that the evil one has taken the boat to "ZODUM." He explains that "ZODUM" is a city of sin, "THE MOST EVIL CITY ON EARTH." This city was founded by pirates in the 17th century as a smugglers haven and killers hideout. Whoever was strong enough to take over ZODUM became ruler. The present ruler is "KING ZOON" and he hears gunshots and asks his goons about it. He is told that men with machine guns have arrived. It turns out that MAD DOG DILL and KING ZOON are old friends. MANDRAKE and LOTHAR reach ZODUM via a canoe and their arrival is reported to KING ZOON. MAD DOG DILL wants to shoot PRINCE LOTHAR but KING ZOON does not want to take a risk. He sends a beautiful and enchanting girl named "TAMUR" dressed seductively in a veil to talk with PRINCE LOTHAR. She tells PRINCE LOTHAR that she knows the whereabouts of the foreigner with a black mustache and asks him to follow her. PRINCE LOTHAR is lead into KING ZOON'S trap. After fighting over 10 men PRINCE LOTHAR is flat on the ground. MAD DOG DILL has a sword and is just about to kill PRINCE LOTHAR when the beautiful girl "TAMUR" screams "BEWARE WIZARD-GENIE." MANDRAKE had followed her in invisible mode. He gestures hypnotically, MAD DOG DILL and ZOON seem to sink into the solid stone floor as in quicksand. Then, MANDRAKE turns into a FIFTY FOOT GIANT filling the palace, one great hand seems to cover PRINCE LOTHAR and the other fist appears to tear the castle apart. Terrified the thugs run away. Suddenly, the spell is broken and all returns to normal. MANDRAKE captures MAD DOG DILL and KING ZOON at gun point.

Later at the court of 12 nations the king thanks MANDRAKE for saving PRINCE LOTHAR'S life. The king says that DILL and ZOON will be punished but MANDRAKE insists on taking them with him. This upsets LOTHAR'S father who is not used to hearing the word "NO." PRINCE LOTHAR intervenes and asks his father to trust MANDRAKE and he agrees. MANDRAKE AND LOTHAR say goodbye to each other but PRINCE LOTHAR could not forget the excitement of MANDRAKE'S life, his magic and his life seemed dull and boring. PRINCE LOTHAR suddenly makes up his mind to leave with MANDRAKE. They explain to JED that that's how they met and that they have been together ever since. NARDA says "THANKS TO MAD DOG DILL."

HENRY'S PAGE: Henry's uncle is shown having a headache. He reaches for the pill box in the cabinet which is empty. He tells Henry to "TROT DOWN TO THE STORE AND GET UNKY A BOTTLE OF HEADACHE TABLETS" and gives him cash. Henry runs to the drugstore and finds "Headache pills for all occasions" in "Many convenient sizes." He buys a small bottle and is walking home when he sees a sign that says "MEN WORKING." He sees man kneeling down holding a large bolt and another man with a large hammer who is just about to hit the bolt. He quickly runs back to the drugstore and buys a "LARGE" bottle of headache pills and runs to the men and waits for the man to be hit on the head.

Slot:	Indrajal Comics 182
Item:	Indrajal Comics 182 Universal
Grade:	CGC
Cert #:	1237016001

Owner Comments
INDRAJAL COMICS # 182 CGC 4.0

It is VERY TOUGH to find INDRAJAL COMICS with WHITE PAGES and WITHOUT BINDER PUNCH HOLES. This book is a rare exception. Most Indrajal Comics in INDIA were placed in binders and bear three punch holes.

MAY 1973

PHANTOM-THE GOLDEN PEOPLE

This is one of my most favorite covers and issue of Indrajal Comics. This amazingly rare book has WHITE PAGES. It would have graded higher than 4.0 had it not been for a detached cover.

This book is HISTORICAL as it was the FIRST INDRAJAL COMICS ISSUE IN THE WORLD TO BE EVER CERTIFIED BY CGC along with INDRAJAL COMICS # 138. Both these books will go down in COMICS HISTORY to be the FIRST EVER to be certified by CGC. I added these books to my collection on JANUARY 26th, 2018 which happens to be the REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA.

THE GOLDEN PEOPLE

This wonderful story begins with TOMM and REX going to the "TREASURE ROOM" in the PHANTOM'S SKULL CAVE. For those who are not familiar with these terms, inside the Skull Cave are TWO TREASURE ROOMS namely THE MAJOR TREASURE ROOM-where through centuries the Phantoms have placed their trophies, gifts from kings and potentates! Ancient things beyond belief. The other chamber is called the MINOR TREASURE ROOM that contains tons of precious jewels and gold. Another space holds "ANCIENT COSTUMES OF THE PHANTOMS" and some of them were women. Then there are the "BURIAL VAULTS OF THE PHANTOMS" where twenty generations lie. The MOST PRECIOUS VAULT to the PHANTOM is "THE PHANTOM CHRONICLES" that hold four centuries of adventures.

REX and TOMM meet the PHANTOM outside the skull cave and walk into the minor treasure room first and then into the MAJOR treasure room. In this room they are amazed to see treasures like, THE SWORD OF KING ARTHUR-EXCALIBUR, THE IVORY HORN OF ROLAND, and THE DRINKING CUP OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. Tomm notices a bottle with a little snake and a ring. The PHANTOM explains to TOMM and REX that this is THE ASP THAT BIT CLEOPATRA AND HER WEDDING RING FROM MARK ANTHONY. REXX notices a pretty large FLOWER OF GOLD and the PHANTOM seems puzzled by this flower and has to refer to the "PHANTOMS CHRONICLES." He seems to remember something about a gold flower in the chronicles over 400 years ago. The entry in the chronicles reads " APRIL 1735-- I returned from THE GOLDEN PEOPLE with only a gold flower to remember. I promised to say no more." REX asks the PHANTOM about what this means and he is not sure.

Its now time for the PHANTOMS STALLION-HERO and MOUNTAIN WOLF-DEVIL to go on their routine exercise outside THE DEEP WOODS. They leave the DEEP WOODS and do not return even by nightfall and that worries the PHANTOM. He asks REX to get JOOMBA-THE ELEPHANT and KATEENA-THE LIONESS and they all leave the DEEP WOODS in search of HERO and DEVIL. After many hours they hear thundering hooves and see HERO and DEVIL. When DEVIL gets closer the PHANTOM notices something in his mouth and it is a GOLD FLOWER like the one in his SKULL CAVE. The PHANTOM asks his MOUNTAIN WOLF-DEVIL to show him where he found this GOLD FLOWER. He instructs REX, JOOMBA and KATEENA to go to the DEEP WOODS.

DEVIL and HERO take the PHANTOM to a cave which he had never noticed before and which may have opened up secondary to a recent avalanche. There he finds "A GOLDEN BOAT" on an "UNDERGROUND LAKE." The PHANTOM gets onto the golden boat with DEVIL and steers with a GOLDEN PADDLE towards a waterfall and notices a sheer shiny cliff. Suddenly a GOLDEN ARROW strikes the Golden Boat. High above he sees gold flashing in the sun and he instantly overturns the boat. Multiple GOLDEN ARROWS are shot at the overturned boat. The PHANTOM and DEVIL swim away and moments later a great boulder crashes down on the boat. The PHANTOM instructs DEVIL to wait in the cave and climbs the slippery cliff inside the cave. As he reaches the top he sees a garden like place and A GOLDEN WARRIOR swinging a heavy GOLDEN BATTLE AXE at the PHANTOM who catches it in an iron hand. For a moment the GOLDEN WARRIOR and THE PHANTOM stare at each other and the GOLDEN WARRIOR says"You the one." The PHANTOM moves and strikes him and knocks him unconscious. The PHANTOM is puzzled as the warrior seemed to know him. He hears drums ahead and through shrubs sees an amazing sight. A RACE OF BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN PEOPLE AND A BEAUTIFUL ENCHANTING BARBARIC QUEEN RECEIVING RICH OFFERINGS. Suddenly there is a blare of A GOLDEN HORN. A closer look and THE QUEEN IS TIED TO HER THRONE. Other GOLDEN WARRIORS start laying firewood around her throne and light up fire torches. Another GOLDEN MAN is noted tied to a wooden mast. THE GOLDEN WARRIORS set fire to the wood and the tied up GOLDEN MAN breaks loose to save the beautiful GOLDEN QUEEN but is no match for the GOLDEN WARRIORS. Hidden the PHANTOM having seen enough jumps out with his GOLDEN AXE and combats the GOLDEN WARRIORS. He works fast to save the GOLDEN QUEEN but not before a GOLDEN SPEARMAN hurls a GOLDEN SPEAR at him. He then hurls the GOLDEN BATTLE AXE at the GOLDEN WARRIORS and sets the beautiful GOLDEN QUEEN free by cutting the ropes that were binding her to the throne. The PHANTOM then removes his guns and is about to shoot when the GOLDEN WARRIORS seem to recognize him as "THE ONE WHO HAS RETURNED." They then greet him as the "MIGHTY MESSENGER OF GOD" who has returned. The PHANTOM is puzzled in his mind. The GOLDEN MAN who was trying to save the GOLDEN QUEEN thanks the PHANTOM and tells him that they waited for ages for him to return. He takes the PHANTOM to a GOLDEN WALL that has the drawings from ages ago wherein the PHANTOM had rescued their ANCESTOR GOLDEN QUEEN and FORBID THE CEREMONY OF THE QUEEN. He then explains that the ceremony was ended but they slipped back into bad ways. The PHANTOM now understands that the paintings on the GOLDEN WALL are of his ANCESTOR when he had visited the GOLDEN PEOPLE in 1735 and the current GOLDEN PEOPLE think that he is him. In the back of the crowd are two GOLDEN WARRIORS who do not appear to believe this story and look suspiciously at the PHANTOM. The PHANTOM is not sure what this CEREMONY OF THE QUEEN is and does not comprehend the concept of burning her at the stake. He asks the GOLDEN QUEEN about the CEREMONY and wants her to refresh his memory.

The GOLDEN QUEEN-DARRA and her LOVER explain that EVERY THIRD YEAR they pick one GIRL-THE PRETTIEST TO BE THEIR QUEEN AND FOR THREE YEARS SHE IS THEIR RULER. For three years she is honored, her word is law, she is given all the riches-ANYTHING SHE DESIRES. At the end of three years SHE MUST DIE so that a NEW QUEEN can reign. This the GOLDEN PEOPLE were told is THE WISH OF THE GODS. Suddenly a SPEAR IS THROWN and wounds the PHANTOM slightly causing him to bleed. The GOLDEN WARRIORS now turn against the PHANTOM claiming that HE IS NOT A GOD BUT AN ORDINARY MAN and want to KILL HIM. The GOLDEN QUEEN and her LOVER try to protect the PHANTOM. All the GOLDEN WARRIORS point their SPEARS at the PHANTOM. The PHANTOM draws and fires as rapidly as a machine gun with deadly aim at the spears. Before they can move he is among them with his IRON FIST on their jaws. He strikes FASTER THAN THE EYE CAN SEE. The GOLDEN PEOPLE have seen enough. The GOLDEN QUEEN is convinced and says that "Only a true messenger of God could that done that." The PHANTOM then says "Obey me,I COMMAND YOU TO STOP THIS CEREMONY FOREVER."

Slot:	Indrajal Comics 267
Item:	Indrajal Comics 267 Universal
Grade:	CGC
Cert #:	1268348001

Owner Comments
INDRAJAL COMICS # 267 CGC 4.0-A KEY ISSUE

ORIGIN AND FIRST APPEARANCE OF BAHADUR

DECEMBER 1,1976

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE "BAHADUR" (BRAVE) VICTIMS OF THE BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY AND THEIR FAMILIES.

I added this book to my collection on April 18, 2018. This book is the VERY FIRST ISSUE OF BAHADUR TO BE EVER GRADED BY CGC. It is a VERY TOUGH ISSUE to find in ANY GRADE. This book is very special as it was found in UJJAIN DISTRICT of the STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH in INDIA and comes from a SINGLE OWNER collection. The name of the original owner is unknown at this time.The STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH is where the dacoits menace was most prevalent in INDIA. The STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH is located in CENTRAL INDIA and nicknamed "THE HEART OF INDIA." Madhya Pradesh literally means "CENTRAL PROVINCE" and its capital is the CITY OF BHOPAL. In addition to the DACOITS, the STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH is known INTERNATIONALLY for "THE BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY OF 1984." On the night of December 2-3, 1984 over 500,000 people were exposed to the HIGHLY TOXIC METHYL ISOCYANATE (MIC) GAS at the UNION CARBIDE INDIA LIMITED (UCIL) PESTICIDE PLANT in BHOPAL. The MIC leaked from "TANK E610" at the plant. This disaster has been called "THE WORLD'S WORST INDUSTRIAL DISASTER."

It was EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to obtain this book. It is an UNRESTORED COPY.

BAHADUR-A LEGENDARY INDIAN HERO

"It is said that CHAMBAL is the valley where the lions breed."

The word "Bahadur" means "Brave." This legendary Indian superhero was created in 1976 by AABID SURTI. The presence of dacoits, the absence of individuality and the general atmosphere of the country was ripe for the birth of a superhero. "BAHADUR" made his FIRST APPEARANCE on the cover of INDRAJAL COMICS # 267 in DECEMBER 1976. The book was titled "THE RED BRICKS HOUSE." Bahadur's appearance in 1976 coincided with the dacoit menace which was at its worst in NORTHERN INDIA especially in the STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH. The focus of most of the earlier Bahadur stories is on the issue of dacoity. Bahadur was the son of a ferocious "DAKU" known as BHAIRAV SINGH who was killed in an encounter with a police officer named VISHAL. A "DAKU" is another name for a dacoit. When Bahadur was a young boy he was raised by his widowed mother, who instilled details of inaccurate events about his deceased father in his mind in order to prepare him as an adult to take revenge and kill Vishal-the police officer who had killed BHAIRAV SINGH. After Bahadur becomes a young grown man Vishal-the police officer shows up at his home one day unarmed. He then takes Bahadur on a trip in his JEEP and shows him the devastation caused by BHAIRAV SINGH. Bahadur realizes that his father was a cold blooded murderer and a horrible "DAKU". Bahadur then singlehandedly defends his village from another notorious "DAKU" using a home made gun from "THE RED BRICKS HOUSE". Bahadur is awarded the bounty money for the capture of the "DAKU". He then forms the CITIZENS SECURITY FORCE-CSF to defend his village and also helps the police to track down criminals hiding in CHAMBAL VALLEY. Interestingly, in 1975 a very popular HINDI MOVIE named "SHOLAY" was released. This movie focussed on the issue of dacoits in INDIA and featured "AMJAD KHAN" as a notorious "DAKU" called "GABBAR SINGH". The movie was written by "SALIM-JAVED", directed by RAMESH SIPPY and produced by his father G.P. SIPPY. The movie also featured Bollywood superstars- DHARMENDRA and AMITABH BACHCHAN. The female actresses were HEMA MALINI and "JAYA BAHADURI" (Whose name matches with "BAHADUR" and she went on to become the wife of Superstar AMITABH BACHCHAN). "SHOLAY" is considered a classic and one of the best Indian films. It was ranked first in the British Film Institute's 2002 poll of "Top 10 Indian Films" of all time. In 2005, the judges of the 50th annual Filmfare Awards named it the Best Film of 50 Years. Interestingly, ONE YEAR after the release of this movie, in 1976 BAHADUR made his FIRST APPEARANCE on the cover of INDRAJAL COMICS # 267 and also addressed the issue of dacoity in India. Top Bollywood personalities like SHAH RUKH KHAN were interested in making a film based on Bahadur, but there were copyright issues regarding the ownership of the character. The ravines of Chambal cover the areas of three INDIAN states - UTTAR PRADESH, RAJASTHAN and MADHYA PRADESH. But Madhya Pradesh's MORENA and Uttar Pradesh's Bundalkhand have produced dacoits who would give Gabbar Singh, the famous dacoit in Sholay, a run for his money. The following dacoits are the MOST NOTORIOUS and DANGEROUS "DAKU'S" in the history of INDIA.

1. PHOOLAN DEVI
2. PAAN SINGH TOMAR
3. MAN SINGH
4. NIRBHAY SINGH GUJJAR
5. JAGJIVAN PARIHAR

A number of archaeologically significant places exist in MORENA DISTRICT of the STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH. In Morena district, there is an 8th Century Shiva temple, Mahabharat-era remnants at Sihoniya, prehistoric script written in caves of Pahargarh and a number of Mughal and Scindia-era buildings. It took CHAMBAL , consisting of the MORENA, BHIND and SHEOPUR districts of Madhya Pradesh nearly 40 years to cleanse itself of its home-grown marauders. The last major police encounter in which nine bandits including Jagjivan Parihar with a bounty of Rs 9 lakh on his head were killed took place in Morena district in March 2007. Interestingly, MORENA is also the name of a neighborhood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA in the United States.

INDRAJAL COMICS # 267-STORY BY ABID SURTI

A few misguided are lured by the call of the ravines. They take the law in their own hands. While most of them live an honest life, "SHAITAN SINGH" is the one who had embraced the ravines when he was just sixteen. Soon he came to be known as one of the most notorious dacoits of "THE CHAMBAL." Within 7 years he killed more than 32 people, kidnapped at least 20 kids for ransom and crippled many police officers. SHAITAN SINGH decides to raid the most prosperous village of the valley-JAYGARH.

SHAITAN SINGH is seen riding a white horse and while perched upon a mountain he tells "LAL SINGH" that he will attack JAYGARH after sunset. "LAL SINGH" and "JAGGA" are his henchmen. He tells LAL SINGH to cover the village from the right. He also tells JAGGA to cover the village from the left and instruct them that he will march straight. He tells them that they will rob every house in the village except one. LAL SINGH and JAGGA ask him which one and he replies " THE RED BRICKS HOUSE." LAL SINGH asks him about whose house is it and SHAITAN SINGH replies " BAHADUR'S." JAGGA his other henchman recognizes BAHADUR as the son of "THE TERROR-BHAIRAV SINGH" who was shot by the police chief. It is now sunset and the gang of dacoits move into JAYGARH riding their horses. At that very moment BAHADUR was busy making a gun from the bicycle pipes and talking with his mother. He informs his mother that he has good news for her and tells her that his gun will be ready within a day or two. She asks him what his plan is after the gun is ready. He responds by saying that he will avenge his father by blasting "THAT RAT'S" head off. He asks his mother whether she desires this action and she responds in the affirmative. She tells him that she has waited for years for this moment to arrive and is extremely pleased. Suddenly, a shepherd boy's cry fills the air "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! BOLT THE DOORS! SHAITAN IS THE GUEST!" The mighty three- SHAITAN SINGH, LAL SINGH and JAGGA attack the VILLAGE JAYGARH from three sides. They start shooting their rifles randomly at the villagers. The birds cooing in their nests flutter their wings. Thus the orgy of loot and murder begins. SHAITAN SINGH grabs a packet of loot from a couple and is not satisfied with the contents and asks JAGGA to put the barrel of his rifle in the mouth of the villager and blast his head off. The villager pleads for his life and tells SHAITAN SINGH that he had surrendered all the loot that he had. "JAGGA" then shoots the villager in his open mouth and the bullets exit from the back of the villagers head. JAGGA then grabs a necklace from a young girls neck and her father asks him to leave her alone. He is instantly shot dead by SHAITAN SINGH. LAL SINGH is about to take a wrong step and he is instantly stopped by SHAITAN SINGH. He asks him where he intends to go and LAL SINGH tells him that he intends to go to "THE RED BRICKS HOUSE." SHAITAN SINGH gets angry and tells LAL SINGH that he had warned him earlier about going to "THE RED BRICKS HOUSE." LAL SINGH tells him that he was just curious and is informed by SHAITAN SINGH to "forget it." Inside THE RED BRICKS HOUSE, Bahadur's mother is worried but Bahadur assures that nobody is going to touch them. She looks out of the window and the whole village is on fire and terrified she informs Bahadur about this. He again reassures her that their house will not be touched as the dacoits still respected his father BHAIRAV SINGH. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door and Bahadur's mother clings to him. Bahadur responds by saying "who's there" and the response is "SHAITAN SINGH! Open the door." His mother looks terrified and tells Bahadur "See they have come." From inside his house Bahadur asks SHAITAN SINGH about what he wants and the response is "A CHAT." Bahadur opens the door and welcomes SHAITAN SINGH in and asks him what he can do for him. SHAITAN SINGH wants to know about his future plans as Bahadur is now all grown up. Bahadur tells him that his gun is almost ready and that within this week he plans to shoot that " POLICE DOG CALLED VISHAL." SHAITAN SINGH wants to know Bahadur's plans after he shoots VISHAL. Bahadur asks to join SHAITAN SINGH'S gang. SHAITAN SINGH tells him that he had expected this and wishes Bahadur the very best. Soon SHAITAN SINGH with his henchmen LAL SINGH and JAGGA gallop away over the dead and into the ravines.

Slot:	Indrajal Comics 317
Item:	Indrajal Comics 317 Universal
Grade:	CGC
Cert #:	1268348002

Owner Comments
INDRAJAL COMICS # 317 CGC 3.5-A KEY ISSUE

THE PHANTOM WEDS

JANUARY 1, 1979

This book was printed and published for the proprietors, BENNETT, COLEMAN & CO., LTD., by T.P. PITHAVALA at MODERN ART PRINTING WORKS, Patanwala Building, E.S. Patanwala Marg, Bombay-400027, India. The EDITOR was ANAND JAIN and the GENERAL MANAGER was DR. RAM S. TARNEJA.

I added this book to my collection on April 18, 2018. This was the VERY FIRST ISSUE of Indrajal Comics # 317 to be ever certified by CGC. This book was found in JAIPUR in the STATE OF RAJASTHAN. This is a KEY ISSUE in which the PHANTOM WEDS. The cover of this book depicts very beautiful artwork. This book was EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to find. This is an UNRESTORED copy.

THE PHANTOM WEDS

This was a SPECIAL ISSUE presented for the Phantom fans about the memorable, long awaited wedding of the Phantom when at last he decides to marry DIANA PALMER, his long time sweetheart, to continue the unbroken Phantom line in fighting for good against cruelty and injustice. And this is how it began:

The Phantom first met DIANA PALMER when she was 8. When she was 10 he saved her from an escaped zoo panther with a bow and arrow. Next when she was 18 he met her as a football hero. Finally, at his ISLE OF EDEN, he asks her to marry him while they are riding DOLPHINS and she says "YES." She says that she wants to keep her job but does understand that the Phantoms mother and 20 generations of Phantom wives stayed in the "SKULL CAVE." She tells him "This is 1978." The Phantom was not expecting this and has to think deeply. He tells Diana Palmer that he does not want to lose her and that the tradition can be curbed. While on a flight to the US, DIANA tells the Phantom who is dressed as "Mr WALKER" that she is "old fashioned" and wants him to ask her "mama" for her hand. The Phantom responds by saying that he would rather face a "SABER-TOOTHED TIGER" with his bare hands. Finally, one day, he gathers courage and goes to DIANA PALMER'S house before her mother. Diana tells her "Mama, KIT has something to ask you" and her mother wants to know what his last name is? The Phantom explains that he uses "WALKER" for "THE GHOST WHO WALKS." Diana explains that its a title and that he is also called "GUARDIAN OF THE EASTERN DARK" (She personally loves this title). Diana whispers into to Phantoms ear "Don't be afraid, pretend she's a tiger" and the Phantom ask's her for Diana's hand in marriage. Diana's mother is upset and tells Diana that her worst nightmare has come true and she was afraid of this. She asks Diana how she can be happy living in a cave with savage pygmies. Diana tells her mother that the pygmies are sweet and not savage. Her mother is very upset and starts sobbing and tells Diana that her father must be "rolling in his grave" and that she is glad that he is not alive to see this day. Diana takes this as an affirmative answer and the Phantom tells her that her mother has a strange way of saying yes. Diana's mother LILY PALMER talks is her brother DAVE PALMER and tells him that she had hoped that Diana would have married a nice man like "SVEN" or "Dr HENRY" and "Not that Ghost--that Guardian." DAVE PALMER explains to her that Diana has loved the Phantom since she was a child. LILY PALMER is worried about the wedding and cannot imagine the Phantom walking into church in his outfit. She asks the Phantom if he expects to marry Diana dressed "like that." The Phantom tells her that it does seem strange but he has to wear his outfit. She is upset again and tells the Phantom it will be ridiculous to have the weeding here. The Phantom informs her that he must me married before the "Skull Throne," in the presence of the council of chiefs, "THE PYGMY BANDAR", and special guests. LILY PALMER faints.

The Phantom tells Diana that he must go to the DEEP WOODS to prepare for the wedding in 1 week. Diana thinks she needs more time than 1 week but the Phantom cannot even wait 1 week and thinks even that is too long. The Phantom reaches the DEEP WOODS and preparations for the wedding start. "THE MONKEY MAIL" delivers invitations over the great swamp to the mighty jungle chiefs, "LLIONTO OF LLONGO", "WAMBATTA OF WAMBESI", "PRINCE OBIJU OF OONGAAN", and "MUGATTA OF MORI." Invitations are also sent to "PRESIDENT LUAGA OF DENKALI", "PRESIDENT GORANDA OF IVORY-LANA", MANDRAKE AND LOTHAR, "DR AXEL-HEAD OF DANGALLA'S HOSPITALS" and COLONEL WOROBU OF THE JUNGLE PATROL HEADQUARTERS. Later the invitations go out to the "PRINCES OF THE MISTY MOUNTAINS" (who are still living in the 15th century).

Diana Palmer flies to DENKALI with her mother and uncle Dave. They are welcomed by PRESIDENT LUAGA OF DENKALI. Diana's mother is impressed Meanwhile the MISTY MOUNTAIN PRINCES (TIRANA, CORAN, MOLANDA) ride down on their "ELEPHANTS." A rare sight of the feared "BANDAR-THE PYGMY POISON PEOPLE" is seen and they lead the wedding party to "THE DEEP WOODS." The bride and her mother are lead through a secret waterfall to "THE SKULL CAVE." There they are greeted by "MISS TAGAMA" who informs them that the bride must not see the groom until the ceremony. LILY PALMER gets to see the Skull Cave and the Treasure Rooms and is amazed. The wedding guests are ushered in and most notably include "PRINCE LOTHAR OF THE SEVEN NATIONS AND FRIEND MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN" and "HZZ-THE CAVE MONSTER."

Diana is dressed in a very beautiful wedding dress by Miss TAGAMA and then the Phantom and Diana are pronounced "MAN AND WIFE" by PRESIDENTS LUAGA and GORANDA. The Phantom weds Diana with an "ALL DIAMOND RING" carved from a "SINGLE JEWEL", made for the "BRIDE OF THE ROMAN EMPEROR AUGUSTUS" and then worn on many imperial fingers. After that there is a huge feast, free of alcohol per tradition as narrated by "OLD MAN MOZZ"-THE TELLER OF TALES--KNOWS ALL AND FORGETS NOTHING. All toasts are with fruit juice or spring water. Time flies and soon according to the tradition the couple leaves for "THE JADE HUT AT KEELA-WEE." The Phantom and Diana riding "HERO THE HORSE" leave along with "DEVIL-THE MOUNTAIN WOLF." They reach the beach at KEELA-WEE. Per tradition they take a dip in the sea and then roll in the "GOLDEN SAND" (Which is half pure gold) and get all gold colored. They sit before the "JADE HUT" and the Phantom explains that "THE JADE HUT" was given to the 7th Phantom by "EMPEROR JOONKAR." Diana thinks that it is beautiful. The Phantom explains that since then every Phantom has spent his wedding night in the "JADE HUT." The Phantom and Diana spent the night in the "JADE HUT" while HERO AND DEVIL stand guard.

In the morning they take a dip in the sea and plan to go to "EDEN." On the way the Phantom has to tackle a "Hungry Pride of LIONS" and bandits with rifles. They reach the "ENCHANTING ISLAND OF EDEN" where all the animals are waiting. They can only access the by swinging over a cable that carries them safely over a "RIVER FILLED WITH PIRANHAS." Diana is able to meet all the animals namely, HZZ-THE CAVE MONSTER, "STEGY-THE STEGOSAURUS", "BALDY-THE APE", and "SOLOMON AND NEFERTITI-THE DOLPHINS. Diana is able to ride a lion and a tiger simultaneously. The couple then say goodbye to all the animals and ride on "HERO" past "THE WHISPERING GROVE" and back to the deep woods. The Phantom then takes Diana to "MAWITAAN AIRPORT" and she boards her flight to the UNITED STATES. Diana looks at her wedding ring on the plane and thinks "Did it really happen or was it a dream", she looks at her diamond ring again and says "ITS REAL! I'M MARRIED!"