Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #34

Well, folks,

We made it! It's time for me to talk about the thirty-fourth and final issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover showed Ian Soames using his sorcerous powers to blast bolts of energy at Indiana and Amanda Knight. The story was named "Something's Gone Wrong Again!" The issue had a cover date of March 1986.

The tale began on Estry Island in the Orkneys in 1937. Jones and Knight were at the mercy of the wizard who'd conjured long-dead soldiers to rise from their graves and protect him. I know this sounds more like something out of a Conan the Barbarian comic book, but please bear with me. The sorcerer wore an amulet around his neck that Knight had stolen from Marshall College's National Museum in Connecticut (in issue #32), but Amanda observed its ineffectiveness in moonlight as she tore it from Soames' neck. 

As she ran off, the skeleton warriors who'd attacked Jones disappeared back into the ground. A few minutes later, Indiana ran into the hermit Angus once more (they met last issue). He claimed to have sent the undead back to their resting spots. Indy assumed that Soames was using the ley lines to wreak havoc. 

The duo returned to Angus' cabin on the beach and soon realized they were not alone. Amanda had been hiding in a trunk. She'd been unable to get to her plane, saying that Soames was preventing her escape. Indiana took the amulet back from her, which was also referred to as the Eye of Shamash, the Sumerian sun god. The eye was supposedly used to eradicate the legendary seven sorcerers by using the sun's power. That gave Indy an idea.

He figured that Soames had no defense against radiation that was produced by light going through the amulet. As he pondered, Knight prepared to slip out, only to find Soames waiting for them just outside the small cabin's door. Indiana used a lantern to project light through the amulet as his foe, damaging the amulet in the process. Soames claimed that only natural light could be used without destroying the Eye of Shamash, and he was determined that his opponents would never see sunlight again.

Angus then rose to the challenge. He was powerful, but not enough to defeat Soames. Indy and Amanda fled on foot, heading toward the town. When they arrived, a man named Sinclair confronted Jones, holding the American's whip in one hand. He and his followers claimed that the professor was looking for the treasures of Mangus Redhand, a Viking pirate who had stolen valuables from Mediterranean ships in the tenth century. Jones recounted the tales told about him, but hadn't thought about that historical figure until just then.

By then, Soames had returned to the town and made accusations against the newcomers. He demonstrated his destructive powers, which allowed Jones and Knight to escape and reach the lighthouse. The two then quarreled about what to do next. Amanda wanted to depart via her plane, but Indy asserted that the lighthouse should be destroyed. She reluctantly agreed, right before more skeleton soldiers popped up from underground. 

The duo ran up to the lighthouse's tower and were safe for a short while. Indiana tossed the amulet out the window and had Amanda point the tower's beacon toward it. The light shone on the icon and caused Soames and his forces to weaken. The beam also started to damage the building, which began to collapse. Jones reached for his trusty whip and flung them to safety before the top portion of the lighthouse fell apart.

Soames had made one last incantation before the destruction. The next morning, Jones awoke on the beach, with Amanda standing over him, holding the amulet in one hand. They argued once more before Knight left for her plane. Indy was left with the cracked amulet, wondering what happened to Soames. As he walked away, we saw a skeleton dressed in what appeared to be Soames' garb lying amidst the rubble. 

As you can likely guess, I wasn't very impressed with this storyline. It ended without accomplishing very much, and the title's cancellation left several plot threads dangling. I wondered what happened to Angus. Indy and Amanda heard a piercing scream as they ran to the village, but we don't know the old man's final fate. This was another example of a Marvel book that struggled to find continuity and regular readership when it changed writers and artists frequently. No writer/penciler/inker combo stayed on this series for more than three issues in a row. Comic book fans want to immerse themselves in stories that appeal to them and relate well to the main and supporting characters. There were many new characters introduced during this title's run, but far too often, the more memorable ones were forgotten as soon as a new writer and/or artist jumped on board. At least, that's my observation. You may have differing opinions on the matter. Feel free to let me know what you think. 

Tomorrow, I'll begin my recap of Marvel's adaptation of the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This was chronicled in a Marvel Super Special and a four-part limited series, and they were the first Indiana Jones comics published in three years. I'll cover the first part in my next blog post. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #33

Good afternoon,

We're halfway through the week! Time for me to recap the thirty-third issue of Marvel's The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy battling skeleton warriors while an unnamed man and woman stood in the background. The tale was titled "Magic, Murder and the Weather!" The issue had a cover date of January 1986. 

Doctor Jones had just arrived at Croydon Aerodrome in England when he was questioned by Scotland Yard detectives Clyde and Percy. They knew that the professor was there to find Amanda Knight, a professional thief who had stolen an amulet from the National Museum at Marshall College in Connecticut (as shown in the previous issue).

Knight was a British citizen, and the detectives wouldn't allow the archaeologist to tromp all over their nation in search of her if there were no charges against her that could be verified. They advised Indy to take a holiday. None of them knew that Knight was meeting her contact on an island in the Orkneys, just north of Scotland.

She supplied the shadowed figure with the amulet she'd purloined and added that she was unable to find the tablet she'd been told about. Her mysterious benefactor was angered by the news, stating that the tablet had to be destroyed because if anyone else found one of the tablets and learned about its legend, it could spell the end of the seven sorcerers and their towers. 

A few days later, Indiana was guided toward a boarding house on Estray Island. He stopped at the local watering hole before checking in, and soon learned that archaeologists weren't welcome there. Jones was surprised to hear that his old rival Belloq (whom we remember from Raiders of the Lost Ark) had once visited but found nothing. 

Jones was then greeted by Ian Soames, keeper of the local lighthouse. He welcomed the guest and sent him on his way. Outside the tavern, townspeople expressed their disdain. Soames tried to convince them that the American knew nothing about their secret and that he wasn't a significant concern. 

Indy made it to his room and thought that the bottle of Scotch that Soames had gifted him would make a nice present for his board trustee, Tavistock. He peered out the window and saw several citizens wielding shovels and heading toward the moors. Jones decided to follow them until he was struck with a dowsing rod by an old man.

The resident accused Indiana of theft, but ceased his ranting when his stick was taken from him. Something had clearly scared the white-haired man, and Jones wanted to know the cause. However, he decided it could wait. The man said that the lines could be traced by someone who knew how to use a dowsing rod correctly. 

Indiana returned to his room and talked to Soames over breakfast the next morning. Soames told him that the man he'd encountered the night before was named Angus, and he was thought to be a crazy old witch who lived on the beach. Indy didn't take everything he'd just been told as truth, but was still curious enough to want to know more.

He returned to the area later in the day and gave the dowsing rod back to Angus. The old man was thrilled, but started to panic when he felt that evil was afoot. He walked off with the dowsing rod and explained leylines to his guest. He said they were hidden lines spread across the planet that ancient people knew of and constructed places of worship where the lines crossed, like the one they had just reached.

Angus was spooked once more and ran off. Indiana had almost begun to believe his words, and he saw a light in the near distance that sent him running to the cliffside. The light had been reflected from the front propeller of a plane. Inside the cockpit was an ID card with Knight's photo. 

It seemed apparent that the locals were trying to keep Knight's whereabouts a secret, so he retired to his room that evening. Jones drew the attention of a few residents, who started a scuffle with the American. Indy was tossed out a window, and his attackers started searching for him. Indiana grabbed one of their shotguns and made a beeline for the lighthouse. 

A piercing scream came from the building before Jones entered. He soon found a trapdoor that led him to Knight, who was bound and gagged, tied to a chair. Indiana removed the gag. Knight confessed that she'd given the amulet she'd stolen to the sorcerer and begged for help. Indy was initially hesitant, but had a change of heart and released her.

Knight threw the chair at Jones before running off. Indiana followed her and found the sorcerer, who revealed himself as Soames. He tossed the amulet to Indy, but Jones wasn't about to leave without the girl. Soames admitted that he was a spiritual brother of the wizard in Iran (shown in issue #28), one of the legendary seven sorcerers from the seven towers.

Soames had the eye of Shamash. He'd given Indiana a fake amulet, and it seemed that the old tales were true. The winds whipped around the chamber, and the bodies of warriors long dead started to rise from the earth Jones and his companions stood on. 

 It's obvious to me that writer Linda Grant didn't fully understand Indiana Jones' background. The stories she crafted usually dealt with supernatural items or plots that weren't related to the kinds of things that fans of his movies were typically accustomed to. It didn't seem like Marvel cared very much either, probably since they were planning to cancel the book anyway. I understand why people lost interest. If you're not going to stick to the main character's core concepts, diehard fans will find something else to occupy their time with. 

Knight had potential, but the mystic nature of Soames just didn't sit right with me. I would have preferred a tale that delved into the history of artifacts that more people knew about, or even something that was just made up but could be convincing enough to persuade readers of its possibility. Penciler Steve Ditko was good at stories like this that involve magic, but once again, his artwork seemed rather dated for the 1980s. I know that fans were clamoring for Marion Ravenwood's return, but the book was cancelled before that could happen. 

Tomorrow I'll recap the thirty-fourth and final issue of this ongoing series. We'll find out what happened to Indy and Amanda, and learn a bit more about Soames' true intentions. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #32

Good afternoon,

Today's focus will be on the thirty-second issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy clinging to the tail of one airplane while being pursued by a second. The story was called "Double Play!" The issue had a cover date of November 1985.

The tale began at Marshall College in Connecticut. Professor Jones was wrapping up a lecture when Alec Sutherland caught Indy's attention. The recent transfer student had been going through Jones' former teacher Arthur Hecht's notebooks and came across something that he thought Indiana should be privy to. Marcus Brody intervened, informing Indy that board trustee Tavistock was looking for him. 

Tavistock appeared moments later with his guest, Victoria Keith. The beautiful blonde captured the professor's interest, and the two set out together, leaving the rest of the party behind. Jones gave Keith a special tour of the National Museum's exhibits. She was particularly interested in the flying exhibition.

Afterward, they talked about what they'd just seen over dinner. Jones saw Keith to her hotel and was in great spirits until he ran into Alec again. The youth said he had proof that Professor Hecht had indeed discovered seven towers that contained magicians. He'd located a passage in one of the late teacher's notebooks that indicated a Sumerian tablet, but Alec couldn't translate the language.

Jones then realized that his keys were missing. Thinking that Victoria might have them, he ran back to her hotel. However, the front desk clerk informed him that there was no one by the name of Victoria Keith staying there. He then called Tavistock to clue him in to the ruse. 

Indiana made a beeline for the museum after calling the authorities. He found a guard who had been knocked out, which wasn't a good sign. The sound of breaking glass gave Indy a good clue as to the intruder's whereabouts. He rushed in and saw that the urn he'd brought back from Crete was gone.

Jones then narrowly evaded being crushed by a falling Mayan calendar stone, the first of several traps that the thief had set up. He then saw "Victoria," with the urn in her hand. Jones ran through projectiles fired in the next room before being asked where the Sumerian tablet was. He had no idea, but the saboteur wasn't convinced.

The sight of police officers made her flee, but she wasn't caught. It was assumed that she used glider wings to escape after crashing through a window. Jones knew where she was heading and drove to the local airport. Sure enough, his dinner guest was about to steal a plane. Indy drove next to the craft, trying to prevent it from taking off.

He was unsuccessful in that venture, but Jones managed to convince a crop duster to follow her. Indiana eventually started walking across the plane wing and jumped, catching a wing strut after a short fall. Jones climbed into the rear seat and was forced to choose between the urn and his pilot. 

Jones opted to save the urn, and "Victoria" jumped ship. Indy had to take the plane out of a barrel roll, and he caught up with the crop duster. He noticed his foe landing on an ocean liner before he jumped back to the rented plane and returned to the museum.

The next morning, Jones caught up with Brody and learned that the only item missing from the museum's inventory was an amulet from the Sumerian exhibit. It was listed on a tablet in the storeroom. Indiana assumed that it must have been the tablet that "Victoria" had referenced. The duo then entered the room where Alec had been working. Indiana took the tablet and started reading the Sumerian language.

He spoke aloud, referencing the seven sorcerers, adding that the sun god had opted to break the sorcerers' abilities by throwing down his eye, which was made into an amulet. The amulet's creator, El-Al, then used the bauble to destroy the wizards. One wizard escaped and planned to resurrect his brothers at some point. It seemed that all the sorcerers had to be eliminated if their threat was truly to be at an end.

Tavistock entered the room and informed the group that "Victoria Keith" was actually Amanda Knight, a professional thief for hire. She'd been paid to obtain the amulet. After a brief argument, Indiana decided to pursue her, knowing the potential dangers that could occur if he didn't. 

This was the first of the series' final three-part storyline. Apparently, more stories had been planned, including the return of Marion Ravenwood to these pages, but the title was cancelled before they could be produced. I didn't really care that much for Tavistock as a character. I felt he was rather unnecessary. Alec was pushed to a very minor supporting role, and I thought that Marvel wasted an opportunity there. It was an okay issue, but the villain's background could have been expanded upon a bit more, as I've said before, quite a bit recently. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow I'll discuss the thirty-third issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The middle part of this tale tells us if Indiana caught up with Amanda, and we're introduced to a new character who has an association with someone we met back in issue #28. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #31

Good afternoon,

Today's topic is the thirty-first issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by regular series cover artist Keith Pollard, depicted a red-haired man smiling as he watched Indy fall from a cliffside. The tale was titled "Big Game." The issue had a cover date of September 1985.

The story began on a plane flying near the coast of Washington State. Indiana was concerned about the pilot Smitty's attentiveness (not to be confused with the German pilot Schmidt, aka "Smitty," from issues 4 and 5), but was assured that things would be fine. However, a downdraft soon forced them to make a rough landing.

Jones removed the unconscious pilot from the vehicle afterward, and soon collapsed himself. The pair was found by a couple driving a Jeep. The woman offered assistance, which Indiana gladly accepted. As her companion drove, she explained they'd been looking for Bigfoot. Jones scoffed at the revelation, but changed his tone when he realized that his host was "Congo Kate" Crawford.

Kate knew of Indiana's reputation as well, and confessed that she was in the area because of reports of recent Bigfoot sightings. Those reports were supported by her driver/guide, Robert Thundercloud. The trio stopped at a hotel in Canyon Creek that evening. Kate asked Indy if he wanted to join her expedition, but he replied that he'd rather go home. Their conversation was interrupted by local officials, who were concerned about Kate's disruptions.

While Crawford was trying to calm the townspeople, Jones followed Thundercloud to the bar. He tried to have a friendly conversation, but ended up participating in a fight that was started by a few patrons. A shot fired into the air from Kate's pistol ended the confrontation. Indy went to bed that evening questioning her guide's motives.

The two parties made their separate ways the next morning. Thundercloud and Crawford were about to drive off, but were soon approached by more townspeople. The bartender that Robert had quarreled with last night had been found dead, and the American Indian was perceived to be a prime suspect.

Thundercloud drove off after town mayor Clayton Dunn and others made their accusations. Jones and Crawford followed on foot, careful not to cross paths with the angry townspeople. Robert finally made it to a cabin in the woods, where he found a multi-tailed whip that might have been used by the person responsible for the citizens' deaths.

Indy and Karen were roused by the sound of gunfire, but eventually separated. Jones later heard the mayor plotting something that sounded rather sinister. Meanwhile, Thundercloud was engaged in a fight with one of the locals, that spilled outside of the cabin and ended when Indiana stepped in. Richard wasn't about to let anyone interfere, and knocked the professor out before moving on.

By then, Karen had reached the shore and spotted a submarine in the water that had Japanese markings. She had inadvertently witnessed part of the mayor's plan, as she learned when Dunn arrived. He and his associate then fought Thundercloud, and during the fracas, Crawford was knocked from the cliff. 

Jones came to the rescue moments later. He had reason to be wary of both Thundercloud and Dunn. The mayor disclosed his alliance with the Japanese government before flailing at the professor with the multi-braided whip. Richard stepped in once more to defeat the mayor.

He then explained that the cabin he'd visited belonged to Sheriff Hyatt, the man he'd fought earlier that evening, Thundercloud was an FBI man, and his partner was the bartender from town. The bar brawl had been staged as a way to convey to Richard that the sub was coming. The Bigfoot rumors were intended to keep the townspeople away from the shore, so that they wouldn't see the sub's arrival. Its lights were the same ones that Indiana's pilot Smitty saw during their approach.

Hyatt also used the monster hoax to cover up his murders of the people who'd intervened. Richard served as Kate's guide to get closer to the truth. Just then, Kate returned. She'd been thrown from the cliff, but said that something had lifted her up. Her story brought more credence to the Bigfoot rumors. 

The next morning, Indiana bid Richard farewell. The authorities were aware of the Japanese sub, and it was time for Jones to return home. Kate joined him on the plane, noting that she'd wanted ro visit Africa, but fist she was interested in seeing the Natural Museum. She heard there was a handsome archaeologist who worked there.

This wasn't your typical Indiana Jones tale. There were no historical artifacts to find, just a mythological creature that may or may not be real. Karen was a possible love interest, but sadly this title would only see three more issues, and she never appeared in this series again. 

That's it for this article. Tomorrow, I'll cover the thirty-second issue of this title. It's the beginning of a three part story arc that shows us what happened when Professor Jones returned home and was introduced to a special guest who had her eye on one of the museum's prize possessions. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #30

Good afternoon,

I'm closing out this weekend with a recap of the thirtieth issue of Marvel's The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover showed Indy trying to revive a companion, as an unidentified man aimed a pistol at them in front of a casket that was resting on a pedestal. The story was called "Fireworks!" The issue had a cover date of July 1985.

The tale began on a boat navigating across the Hwang River in China in 1936. Jones and IRA member Michael Cobb were searching for Weng Ho, who had betrayed Cobb (last issue) by delivering a crate that was supposed to contain weapons for Cobb's cause. Instead, the crate housed the corpse of their agent in that country. Indiana had tagged along because he was looking for a mummy that was supposed to have been delivered to the National Museum.

Cobb proclaimed himself the leader of the expedition, and that he'd only allowed Indy to tag along because he knew the country. Jones knew the language well enough to convince a military group that they met to back off. Indiana thought that he was threatening them with explosives that didn't work, not knowing that Cobb was carrying waterproof dynamite until the soldiers had passed, and Jones casually tossed the sticks in his hand behind them, which detonated upon impact with the ground.

As the feuding colleagues ventured further, Alec Sutherland asked Marcus Brody at Marshall College for a meeting. The scholar had transferred to the university and was eager to start learning under Doctor Jones. Brody explained that the professor was still seeking the museum that he'd been dispatched to San Francisco to find, at the behest of museum trustee Bradley Travistock. Travistock himself joined the meeting, peeved that Jones had not returned yet. Brody suggested that his friend could be anywhere in the world at the moment. 

Jones came across several of Weng Ho's lackeys, some of whom took his fedora and revolver. An explosion in the near distance distracted them long enough for Indiana to escape. He eventually found a disguise and made his way to Cobb, who was now being held at gunpoint by the same military leader they'd just run into. 

Indy watched for a few moments before exposing himself by firing the sergeant's machine gun that he'd just been handed. Jones and Cobb then let the military leader guide them to Weng Ho's hideout until he commandeered a Jeep. The duo followed and took control of the vehicle. The sergeant had been knocked unconscious but could still be used as a decoy, which allowed them to enter their foes' stronghold. 

Once inside, the trio met the mastermind of the operation. Weng Ho admitted to Sean McManus' murder and knew about the ruse as soon as his guests had entered the perimeter. He got away as Jones and Cobb fought their way further inside the compound. Indiana followed Weng Ho to the coffin of his ancestor. Cobb had been wounded in the skirmish, but still had enough ammunition to deal a deadly blow to Weng Ho before succumbing to his injuries.

Cobb asked Indy with his last words to honor his promise to make sure the guns were delivered to his homeland. Jones' life had just been saved, so he made good on his commitment. Indiana found a weapons cache, which contained enough dynamite to destroy the base. 

Afterward, Jones was in Tsingtao, overseeing the shipments to Ireland and America. He had accomplished his goals and opted to take a boat back home. Indy decided that he'd had enough of coffins for a while and wished his unwanted accomplice well. 

This was another two-parter that felt a bit rushed. If enough background details were supplied, this could have been extended to three issues. I think that the Sutherland subplot was intended for a larger story, but we would only see one more minor appearance of the young college student before this title was cancelled. Only four more issues would be published, and the last three were part of the same storyline. 

If you're wondering what happened to Indy when he returned home, you'll have to wait just a bit. The thirty-first issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones is a bit of a filler story. A plane crash off the coast of Washington State puts Jones in contact with a striking young woman who enlists his aid in her search for a legendary creature. Until tomorrow, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #29

Good morning, all,

Hope everyone's enjoying this nice weekend. I'm starting the day with a discussion of the twenty-ninth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover showed Indy and several others standing in a cemetery next to a grave that was being dug up and a coffin being brought to ground. Several onlookers appear poised to attack. The tale was titled "Shot by Both Sides." The issue had a cover date of May 1985.

The story started in San Francisco's red light district. Indiana was about to learn more about the angry mob that had assembled around him. They made driving down the street rather difficult for the professor from Connecticut. Several of the men even tried to grab Jones in efforts to accost him. 

Hostilities were finally broken up by a shot fired by a derringer pistol belonging to Jessie Hale (who we last saw in issue #25). The two caught up for a while. While Indy was wondering why the Chinese Tong were after him, he noticed Hale walking toward the Ocean Pearl which was about to dock in the harbor. 

She called out to a crewman named Peter, who was her brother. He greeted Jessie and Indy warmly. Peter wasn't expected the professor until the next day, since his ship had arrived a day early. He made sure that the proper crate was loaded into a waiting truck and Jones was ready to depart until the trio found themselves surrounded by members of the Irish Republican Army.

The gun-toting gentlemen were less than friendly, but before most of them could react, the truck took off. A short while later, Peter let Jones and his siister out. The duo were going to create a distraction before meeting for a celebratory dinner later that evening. 

It didn't take very long for Indy and Jessie to catch up with their attackers, and surprise them from behind. The gunmen forced them to split up, but Indiana was still alone when he arrived at Chang's restaurant at midnight. More minutes continued to pass before Shin To and his subordinates arrived. They had Peter, and Indiana made an offer to trade the man for the mummy that had been offloaded earlier. 

Afterward, Indy walked alone when he was accosted by the same IRA members he'd just evaded earlier. One of them showed him a lock of hair that he claimed was Jessie's. Jones needed a couple of hours and was told where their leader could be reached. When Indiana returned to his hotel, he was handed a telegram by a bellboy. The message was from Tavistock back at Marshall College, informing him that his employment contract would be terminated if he didn't bring the mummy back in one piece. 

Jones had a lot to think about. He took a walk and caught up with the Tong who had been tailing him. He forced the man to take him to the building where Peter was imprisoned. He found Jessie's brother who lied about having the mummy to save his sister. He then told Indy where the mummy was being held, and gave him directions and instructions on how to reach the cemetery where it now rested. 

Indy reached the cemetery an hour later, and expected the IRA members to meet him, after he'd called them. Sure enough, they were just inside the front gates and were most interested in the crate, which actually contained weapons. Their leader said that the mummy was still back in China. 

Jones slowly realized Peter's role in the deception, and how he'd thrown a wrench in the plan by arriving a day early. He was about to leave with Jessie before a fight broke out between the IRA and the Chinese Tong. Peter had been freed and brought his captors to the gravesite with him. 

Even though Peter had double-crossed them, Jessie still didn't want any harm to come to her brother. They went back for him just as the two warring factors' leaders were about to open the crate. What they found inside was something that neither of them expected.

Inside the box was the fresh corpse of Patrick McManus, the IRA's contact in China. Peter swore that he'd loaded the correct cargo, and the IRA leader figured out that Weng Ho had stolen their money and killed McManus. Shin To and his lackeys left, because the fact that the mummy of their ancestor was back in their homeland meant they had no reason to continue the fight.

This left the IRA members in a quandary. They still wanted their missing cargo, but they couldn't just let the Americans go to the police. Jessie had never been to China and Peter was certain that he'd be shot on sight if he returned. Indy had been to that country before, and decided to join their group, but by that point, he wanted nothing more to do with Peter. 

This was the last monthly issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The series was published on a bi-monthly basis for the rest of its run. That was a common practice for Marvel books that were selling poorly, and happened to other titles like Star Wars before its eventual cancellation. It was also the last appearance of the Hales in this series. The subterfuge was interesting, but writer Linda Grant didn't really seem to be a big fan of providing much background material on her characters. That and the changing art teams on this title probably contributed to its loss of regular readers. 

That's it for this article. Later today, I'll talk about the thirtieth issue of this series. Indy and the IRA leader will return to China to find the missing weapons and the ancient mummy. We'll also see what Alec Sutherland (introduced in issue #28) has to say when he meets with Marcus Brody. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #28

Good afternoon all, 

Hope everyone's been enjoying this weekend so far. I just returned from visiting family on what would have been my late grandmother's birthday, so I guess it's time for me to talk about the twenty-eighth issue of Marvel's ongoing series The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy using a parachute and tossing his whip with one hand to help a comrade who had jumped from the same plane as our hero. The story was called "Tower of Tears." The issue had a cover date of April 1984.

Things began at a Marshall College cocktail party. Indiana was mingling with his colleagues when a young man tried to enter. Indy heard the fevered pleas and heard the student out. He introduced himself as Alec Sutherland and explained that he was there to provide Jones with a book from Indy's former teacher, Doctor Arthur Hecht. Hecht insisted with his last breath that the tome be supplied to Indiana. 

The volume was more than just a mere diary. It was a journal of the late professor's excursions. He wanted his former pupil Indy to continue his work. Sutherland pointed to the passage in question, which mentioned the Tower of Tears in Iran, one of seven towers on the planet that were rumored to contain sorcerers that could bring about the end of life as we know it.

Professor Tavistock laughed when Jones read the entry aloud. Sutherland lashed out, noting that he wanted Indy to restore Hecht's good name by determining if the towers were real. Indiana was up to the challenge, especially since the semester break had just begun. He and Sutherland departed by plane and arrived in the skies above central Iran a couple of days later. Jones had to utilize his whip to guide the lad down, who had been terrified to pull his own ripcord after their jump.

Once the duo was on the ground, they made tracks for Tehran on foot. They eventually came across a caravan that seemed friendly until Jones mentioned the purpose of their quest. The strangers were then proclaimed to be looking for evil and were attacked before they could properly explain. Indy managed to free himself and Alec. When arrows were fired the professor's way, it was Sutherland's turn to ride to the rescue. He'd commandeered a horse and asked his companion to join him.

The pair galloped to safety after jumping a cliff. Sutherland admitted that he was on his college steeplechase team, which explained his familiarity with their ride. They made camp for the evening until the threat of heavy rains disrupted their slumber. Jones then pointed to their objective: the Tower of Tears.

Now all the adventurers had to do was to figure out how to gain entrance. They ducked behind one side when Alec noticed a woman from the caravan they'd encountered earlier, who seemed to be entranced. She found the entrance and was followed by a colleague, warning her of the potential danger lurking inside. Jones and Sutherland dashed in right before the door slammed behind them.

The Americans followed the caravan members up a spiral staircase until they saw a sorcerer chanting before a fire pit. The magician was pleased by the woman's arrival. Her companion threatened the sorcerer, but his knife was quickly taken from him by his opponent. The young man braved the flames and emerged from them unscathed. 

This didn't seem to faze the sorcerer, who took a pouch from his belt and tossed some of the powder it held on the lad. The woman's protector was quickly turned into a stain on the stone floor. A bit of clumsiness announced Jones and Sutherland's presence, and the sorcerer then turned his attention to them. Indy fought the wizard, and in trying to protect him, Sutherland inadvertently snuffed out the flames.

This enraged the sorcerer, because the flames had not been extinguished in two decades. Indiana reached for his opponent's pouch and tossed some of the powder at him as a distraction. The foes fought for Indy's pistol, and Indiana smelled a whiff of natural gas. He advised his opponent of the problem, but he didn't believe him and fired anyway.

The shot caused an explosion that blew up the top of the tower. Indy emerged a bit sore but otherwise okay. The pair extracted information from the sorcerer, who had been thrown from the structure in the blast. He said that the hypnotized woman had been with child, and that he'd planned to take the baby and raise it as his successor. They learned that the tale of the seven sorcerers plotting evil was merely a fairy tale. 

He went on to say that Hecht was imaginative. Indy insisted that Hecht was honest. The sorcerer gasped that there was only one tower before succumbing to his mortal injuries. Indiana and Alec were about to face retribution from the caravan until the woman stepped in, declaring the newcomers' heroic acts. 

Both men recounted their experiences in Iran to Tavistock several days later, back at Marshall College in Connecticut. Tavistock found little credibility in what he was told, particularly the portions regarding sorcerers and magic. After he left, Indy tried to impress upon Alec the importance of telling the truth about their discoveries. The lad understood and expressed an interest in transferring to the school because he felt that he still had a lot to learn. Indiana replied that they both had much to learn. 

This was a fine issue, but I would have appreciated a bit more background on Hecht, Tavistock, and Sutherland. As far as I know, this was the only story where they were featured or even mentioned in much detail. I still wonder what Sutherland's career was like, and if he transferred to Marshall College to study under Doctor Jones. It could have made for some interesting stories, or at least back-up tales in this series. Just another example of wasted potential, I guess. FYI, he did appear again, but the subsequent stories weren't enough to establish him as a very strong supporting character or one that would be worthy of backup stories or even a miniseries. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the twenty-ninth issue of this series. Indy returns to the West Coast and runs into another familiar face as they embark on another adventure across the pond. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another.