Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #11

Happy Friday, everyone!

Today's topic is the eleventh issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, drawn by this issue's penciller, Kerry Gammill, showed Indy clinging to the perch of a bell tower, looking up as a large, muscular figure moves to strike at him. The tale was titled "The Fourth Nail Chapter 1: Blood and Sand!" The issue had a publication date of November 1983. ]

The story started in the Gibson Desert of Australia. Indiana was fleeing from several spear-tossing Aborigines during a dust storm. Jones had arrived looking for artifacts from the Arnhelm Cult that might be good pieces for the National Museum. Little did he know that the natives were defending those items, thinking that they were rewards from their gods.

Jones finally found temporary shelter behind a rock face. He fired a few shots at his attackers, and when he ran out of ammunition, the well-traveled professor relied on his bullwhip. However, Indy was eventually brought down by a well-placed bolo that caught him off guard.

Indy fell to the ground, glancing at the angry savages who stood before him. He feared the worst and shielded his eyes until he looked again and saw a trio of men dressed in black robes wielding swords. Jones' attackers lay dead all around him. One of his saviors made a double-toned whistle, signaling a Jeep to pick them up. 

The masked man returned Indy's belongings to him and asked Jones to join them. Indiana was curious and realized that he probably didn't have any other suitable options. The vehicle journeyed to the southeastern edge of the desert before stopping in front of a cave entrance. 

Indy followed his hosts, wondering just who their master was. Jones was shocked by the opulent interior. He was then greeted by Ben Ali Ayoob. He assured the American that the treasures he saw were definitely genuine. Ayoob mentioned his soldiers, whom he called Ismailis, which were considered to be the Middle Eastern equivalent of Japanese ninjas. 

Ben then led his guest on a tour of the facility before informing him of the next item on his list. Ayoob talked about the rumored fourth nail, the one that was supposed to have administered the killing blow to Jesus' heart. Legend said that the nail had been stolen by a gypsy, and that God had since forgiven petty crimes committed by gypsies as a reward for helping his son. 

Ayoob's sources had reason to believe that nail not only existed, but that it was possessed by a gypsy shaman, or phuri dai, somewhere in southern Spain. Ben knew of Jones' history and wanted to hire him to obtain the item. Indy replied that he wasn't for hire and that he already had an arrangement with the National Museum. He pulled out his revolver and gave his host six good reasons why he couldn't force him to do his bidding.

Ben laughed and let the professor leave with his calendar ring and other belongings. Moments later, Ayoob ordered three of his men to prepare for travel. Some time later, Indy boarded a plane. He was ready to return home until something that Ben said made him change his mind.

Back in New York, Marcus Brody was talking with Marion Ravenwood about a possible job offer. She hadn't had steady work since her nightclub was burned down (chronicled in the sixth issue of this series), and was interested, even though the position wasn't quite what she'd been used to.

The conversation was interrupted by a package delivery from Jones. Marion examined the calendar ring while Brody read Indy's note. He confirmed their theory about the Arnhem Cult and said that he'd explain it all when he returned from Barcelona.

By that time, Indiana was strolling through the busy Barcelona streets. He was wondering if an old acquaintance still lived there when the attention turned to a crowd gathered around a small table playing a game of chance. The gamesman was caught cheating and ran from his gypped clients, only to run into Indy.

Indy instantly recognized his old pal Torino and asked that his chum return his wallet. Torino complied, stating that it was a force of habit. They then made a beeline to the nearest cathedral in an effort to elude Torino's upset clientele. 

Jones tried to fend the attackers off with his pistol until it was loosened from his grip by another bolo. The two friends were separated in the fracas. As Torino ducked under a pair of opponents, Indiana backed into a man who was much larger than him. Indy was thrown backward into a post and ducked his kick before scampering up a set of steps.

The larger man lost his foe temporarily, until Indy swung the bell at him. Jones got out of the tower and used his whip to swing toward another building. Unfortunately, the sculpted buzzard head broke off, and Indy started to fall. The butt of his whip stuck between two bricks, and Indiana pulled himself up.

He made it to the top, only to find his old enemy barreling toward him. The hefty man continued to run until he fell through the weakened portion of the roof. A short while later, Indy regrouped with Torino. They crept out of the cathedral and headed to a local blacksmith, who was a friend of Torino's. 

Their trek took them into the sewer. On the way, Indy told his friend why he was in Barcelona. Torino was scared of the Phuri Dai, but still wanted to help his companion. Before long, Torino ascended a ladder to see if the coast was clear. He didn't return, but Indy still went up to check things out.

Jones walked around before coming across an old dusty poster. He learned that he was in the stock pen for a bullring. Indy also found out rather quickly that the pen wasn't exactly empty, as one bull with several arrows in its back came charging right at him. 

This was a great start to this two-part storyline. It brought up a very interesting fictional historical relic and introduced a couple of brand-new supporting characters as well. I thought that the creative team of writer David Michelinie, penciler Kerry Gammill, and inker Sam Dela Rosa took the source material seriously and crafted a yarn that would keep both new and longtime Indy fans interested. 

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the second part of this story. It's covered in the twelfth issue of this series. We'll learn what happened to Indy after this issue's cliffhanger, and if the fourth nail actually exists. We'll also see what role Marion plays in this affair. 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 #10

Hello there,

It's time for me to discuss the tenth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated once again by Howard Chaykin and Terry Austin, showed Indy clinging onto the wing of an airplane as an enemy hurled the business end of a grappling hook at him. The story was called "The Gold Goddess Chapter II: Amazon Death-Ride!" The issue had a cover date of October 1983.

The tale began on one of the top levels of a New York skyscraper. A Hovito warrior was slamming his foot down upon the hand Jones was using to keep his grip on the building's ledge until the foreigner was shot from behind and fell forward to the pavement many stories below. The killing blow had been fired by Marion Ravenwood using a gun that she'd borrowed from the guard the visitors had knocked out (in the last issue).

Marion helped Indy to his feet and spied the ladder that his opponents had used to traverse between skyscrapers. Jones lunged toward the Hovito he saw before him, only to have the ladder yanked out from under him. As Indiana fell, he reached for anything that would help. As luck would have it, a flagpole was within reach. Indy held onto it for dear life before asking Marion to get a rope and pull him out. 

A short while later, Ravenwood and Jones entered Marcus Brody's office. Brody was on a call with the man who had taken the Chachopoyan idol (as seen in issue #9). He was naming the price and location where it could be found. The caller insisted that Jones make the journey alone. After hanging up, Xomec's associate confirmed that the plan was in motion. They had the idol and were confident that the American archaeologist would also be theirs.

Travel arrangements were made, and Indiana found himself on a boat that would take him across the Amazon River. When Indy reached his stop, he ventured into the jungle on foot. Jones spied an opera house in the distance before coming under attack. Indy's pistol took out a few invaders, but he was soon slowed when a poison-tipped spear was thrust into his side. Xomec then ordered his men to bring their captive inside.

When Indiana awoke, he found himself staring at a woman he'd never met before. She'd introduced herself as Ilsa Toht. She was the sister of the German spy who had perished during the Lost Ark affair. Ilsa explained that she was following in her late brother's footsteps, working to retrieve the idol, so that it could be used to lure the natives into acting against American interests in resource procurement and production in the area. 

Ilsa then demanded that Xomec take their prisoner outside for his final punishment. Jones struggled briefly, and it appeared at first that his efforts were futile. Jones' limbs were tied to posts sticking into the ground before being left to his fate. Indy noticed several hungry alligators not far away as the warriors turned to leave.

Indy's tussle had allowed his body to retain some of the moisture from the wet grass. That allowed him to wriggle just enough to free his wrists. He then untied the bonds from his legs and tied all of the ropes together. Jones turned to face an alligator and made a surprising leap at it. After a struggle, Indiana was finally able to tie the rope around the beast's mouth and convince the rest of his group to retreat quietly.

Indiana kept moving until he could hear the plane's engines. After knocking out the guards, Indy jumped onto the wing just as the plane started to take off. The vessel was in the air before Jones was spotted by Ilsa and Xomec. While Ilsa piloted, Xomec went to face their foe, taking Indy's whip with him. 

Xomec thought he could wield the weapon just as well as its owner. He was proven wrong, as Indiana jerked the whip, which made Xomec lose his footing and fall to his native land. The plane turned, but Indy continued to hold on and gradually made his way to Ilsa. The duo struggled with the wheel until the plane went into a dive.

Jones jumped moments before the plane crashed into the river. He swam to the surface and slowly swam to shore. As he did so, we saw the idol was in his hands, hopefully for the last time.

I remember receiving this issue for my eleventh birthday. I'd been hooked from issue #1, and I liked the idea of Toht having a vengeful sister. It wasn't quite clear whether or not she survived the plane crash, and I thought that it would have been interesting to have her return. After all, if Boba Fett could survive the Sarlaac pit, why couldn't Ilsa survive this scenario? Unfortunately, we never saw Ilsa or Xomec return to this title. I want to clarify that it appeared as if Xomec was the one stomping on Indy's foot at the end of the ninth issue, but the writers must have changed that to one of his lackeys at the beginning of this part of the storyline. All in all, this was a satisfying storyline, one that kept loyal readers and followers wanting more. 

Well, that's it for this article. Next time, I'll talk about the eleventh issue of this series. The creative team of David Michelinie, Kerry Gammill, and Sam Dela Rosa returns to craft a yarn that has Indy embarking on another solo excursion overseas to retrieve another highly sought-after historical treasure. 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 #9

Good afternoon, everyone,

Hope all's well. It's time for me to talk about the ninth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by Howard Chaykin and Indiana Jones, depicted Indy barely hanging onto a city rooftop, as a man wielding a spear and shield and dressed in a leopard skin appeared ready to lunge. The tale was titled "The Gold Goddess Chapter 1: Xomec's Raiders." The issue had a cover date of September 1983. 

Who remembers the idol from the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark? That very item was the subject of Indy and Sallah's quest in Marrakesh in Northwestern Africa. Sallah was slowly lowering a rope that Jones was descending into a building where the treasure was contained. However, the two friends weren't the only ones after it. 

Indiana saw a body before him as he hit the floor, and looked out to see a pair of robed strangers attempting to make off with the idol. Indy put his whip into action and lashed the business end onto a tall statue, bringing it toppling in front of the nearest door. Jones grabbed the idol once more and tossed it up to his comrade.

As Sallah sang happily, Indy evaded the strangers' gunshots and burst through the door, only to find a truck heading his way. Jones ducked into a dead end and used his whip to snag the top end of a drainpipe that, unfortunately, began to sag toward him.

Just then, Sallah pulled on the whip and helped his friend up. Their foes were now also on the roof, and the colleagues were forced to run across rooftops in an effort to escape. They finally reached the top of the building where Sallah's truck was parked. They had no choice but to leap into the back of the vehicle, which was full of camel straw. As the heroes drove off, their attackers cursed and unmasked. The man called Xomec was told by his female companion that she knew of Jones and that there might just be a way to regain possession of the idol and eliminate their foe.

The scene then shifted to an exclusive club in New York three days later. Marion Ravenwood and Marcus Brody were guests and were wondering about the whereabouts of their associate when the press made a beeline for the elevator. Indy stepped out with the idol, explaining his tardiness was due to his difficulty with bow ties.

Indiana placed the icon in Marcus' hands. There was a special room reserved for it, one whose guard had been knocked unconscious. Brody soon learned who was behind such an act after turning to leave and finding an arrow that was fired at the same door that he'd just entered from.

Xomec and a pair of his tribesmen wanted the idol. He was a descendant of the Chachapoyan warriors and was reclaiming what was theirs. The Hovitos that flanked Xomec were armed with blowguns and an array of poison darts. Marcus willingly handed over the idol after being asked if he wanted the toxin's effects described to him.

On the dance floor, Marion and Indy were catching up until the professor noticed a crowd gathering outside the exhibition room. Xomec took out a revolver and fired a few shots, hitting a couple of men who had gathered. Indy ran to the roof and dropped down so he could carefully make his way to the display room.

Marion saved Jones from being knocked over by a Hovito dart, but Indy insisted on going alone the rest of the way. He ducked as he rounded the corner and used his jacket to catch his opponent off balance. As he fell, the warrior grabbed the jacket, pulling Indy as well. Indiana finally managed to get his balance and held onto the edge for dear life. Xomec arrived shortly thereafter and began stomping on the archaeologist's hand, bringing him ever nearer the pavement several stories below. 

This was an entertaining story by Archie Goodwin and David Michelinie. I liked Sallah's return, and although it probably isn't considered canon, there was a good follow-up to the idol from the first film's whereabouts. I didn't know much about penciler Dan Reed, but inker Danny Bulanadi's work kept the art consistent from beginning to end. 

If you're still asking who the mystery woman in Marrakesh was, that and more will be revealed in the next issue. I'll cover that one in tomorrow's blog post. The tenth issue of this series will show us what happened to Indy as we find out why the idol was so important and just who was behind the plot against Jones' life. 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 #8

Good afternoon, all,

How's your Tuesday going? 

The focus of today's article is the eighth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy and Marion Ravenwood pointing their pistols at off-screen attackers, as arrows flew around them and a giant skull appeared in the background. The tale was titled "Africa Screams! Chapter 2: Crystal Death." The issue had a publication date of August 1983.

Jones and Ravenwood had been hiding from a Nazi regiment in a cave in Western Africa when a roar behind them alerted them to the fact that they weren't alone. Indy lit a match to get a closer look and saw a panther staring back at them. He turned the match toward the dry grass on the cave floor and used it to create distance between them and this new threat. 

A German soldier spotted the two Americans, but before he could get a clear shot, the panther lunged at him. Indy and Marion were talking about the rumored Shintay tribe that was supposed to have split off from Atlantis that both factions were looking for when an arrow buzzed past Indiana's head and landed on a tree behind them. It had been fired by an eight-foot-tall man with fair skin. Their attacker had loaded another arrow in his crossbow and was about to fire again when he was felled by a bullet from behind.

The killing shot had been fired by one of the Nazis, whose group had now caught up with the Americans. Among their party was Indy's rival McIver, who examined the corpse and knew that the crystal arrows and ornamentation could fetch a pretty penny. He realized that he must have been looking at a blood relative of the Shintay. 

Colonel Vogel, the leader of the German military group, knew they had to be close to the Shintay colony and the power source that, according to legend, the Atlanteans had owned. He had just ordered Indy and Marion's deaths when the entire group was surrounded by more Shintay warriors. No one understood the words the tall men spoke, but it was quite obvious that they wanted the visitors to follow them.

Before long, the group arrived outside a complex crafted of mud, dirt, and bones. The entrance looked like a human skull (and was somewhat reminiscent of Castle Greyskull from the Masters of the Universe). The captives were brought inside to face the leader named Vyperion.

Vyperion claimed the travelers as his. Indy asked if they were indeed Shintay, to which Vyperion replied that they were descended from that Atlantean offshoot. They were outcasts because they worshipped death while their brothers worshipped life. They were deemed a threat to Atlantis and were shunned, banished, and never allowed to return to their homeland ever again. 

When asked by Marion why Vyperion spoke English like a British butler, the leader pointed to a skull that once belonged to another visitor, a British missionary who had come across their tribe many years before. Vogel then asked about the rumored source of power. Vyperion explained that it came from the crystal orbs that were contained in the room. They had been raised in Atlantean soil and could focus elemental energy from the planet itself. 

The tyrant then provided a demonstration of that power. He pointed to a Nazi soldier who had been tied to a post, the same person who had gunned down their brother. The soldier apologized and pleaded for his release, but that was not to be. Vyperion grabbed the orb nearest him and slightly moved the bone limb that it rested in. The soldier began to writhe in pain. Marion and Indy observed in horror as their foe started burning up from the inside. Afterward, Vyperion ordered his men to imprison their guests to be dealt with the following day. 

As dawn began to break the next morning, the sun's rays brought light to the crystals that were embedded in the roof of the complex. Some of those light rays were concentrated into deadly beams, including one that was nearing the Americans until a German soldier yawned and moved his arm, only to have that appendage burned. His terrified scream woke the rest of the chamber's occupants, who soon found themselves being bombarded by the beams from above.

Indy and Marion stood against the pillar where they had rested until Jones asked for Marion's compact. He used the mirror to reflect one of the rays at the door lock. They hightailed it out of the room and overtook the guard outside as they continued to search for an exit. While Vogel, McIver, and the soldiers made a beeline for the throne room, Indy and Marion continued to descend until they stumbled into an archery range. 

As the heroes were dodging arrows, the villains were gunning down Vyperion. Vogel then grabbed one of the crystals and continued to move it. As he did so, the lights went out in the room, and several of his subordinates started to heat up inside, but Vogel continued his machinations. 

Jones and Ravenwood were making their final stand as McIver was begging his ally to cease his activities. Vogel finally wrenched the crystal free from its mooring. Immediately afterward, the building started to fall apart. Indy and Marion burst through the closest wall before it collapsed behind them.

Vogel realized that he might just have made a mistake, but before he could do anything about it, he was impaled by a large tusk that fell from the ceiling. Indiana and Marion were a safe distance away when they watched the complex disintegrate in a spectacular explosion. Indy pulled a small souvenir he'd taken from his jacket, noting that it would be a fine conversation piece for the museum, and Marion added that she'd have a fine story for the Sunday supplement. Several yards away, McIver crawled out of a pile of rubble. He was thankful to have survived, since he'd have a chance for revenge against Jones someday. 

For a two-part story, I thought that this was a satisfying conclusion. David Michelinie's story and Kerry Gammill and Sam Dela Rosa's artwork kept me hooked throughout. I just wish we had learned a bit more about the backstories of the villains and the Shintay tribe. Maybe if another Indiana Jones title surfaces, that could eventually happen. This is still one of my favorite storylines from this series. I'm glad that McIver survived, although he now reminds me a bit of the triple agent that was featured in the Crystal Skull film. 

That's it from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the ninth issue of this title. A popular character from Raiders of the Lost Ark makes their debut in this series and joins Indy on another foreign adventure. 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 #7

Good afternoon,

I'm starting this week with a summary of the seventh issue of Marvel's Indiana Jones title. The cover showed Indy grabbing Marion Ravenwood's arm to save her from alligators, not knowing that snakes were near the branch his whip was tied around. The story was called "Africa Screams! Chapter 1." The issue had a cover date of July 1983. 

The tale began in a French vineyard, where Indy was holding a gun to his old rival, McIver. Jones admired how the monastery was being used as a front for international artifact thieves. Indiana was there to retrieve the Piute Summoning Stone for the National Museum. He spotted the globe and grabbed a nearby piece of parchment to cover it. Meanwhile, McIver stood against a doorway and pressed a button that silently summoned several gunmen.

Indy ducked in time before his foes started firing. They missed their target, but one of the shots broke the door lock, making it easier for the American professor to escape. He tossed off his robe as he fled and used his old reliable bullwhip to bring a tapestry hanging from a wall down on some of his pursuers. Jones returned fire as he ran up a set of stairs. He continued to run until he ran into a dead end. The only way out was through a fourth-floor window. 

Jones had no choice but to jump, right into a barrel filled with grapes. He got up, punched one of the villains, and hightailed it to a truck to make his getaway. Indy escaped that time, but McIver was sure they'd meet again before long.

Some time later, Indy returned home. He was telling Marcus Brody about his adventure as his friend examined the map that Jones had wrapped the stone in. Brody explained that it might be worth more than a hundred summoning stones. The map supposedly showed the movements of a clan of people around 1600 B.C. known as the Shintay, a group that was rumored to have split off from the legendary Atlantis. 

Brody knew that any artifacts recovered from that tribe would be masterful finds. He encouraged Indy to set a course for Africa. That thought was echoed by Marion, who entered the house by picking the lock with a bobby pin. She thought that the Times would pay well for an exclusive and eventually convinced the two associates to let her join Jones on the adventure.

Marion and Indy arrived in a small village in Cameroon, Western Africa, several days later. It was the last civilized outpost before entering the Congo. They headed for the trading post to acquire supplies. Indiana inquired with the shopkeeper and learned that a Dutch expedition had come through a few days before in search of a rare orchid for medical research and had hired every able body available. Indy thought that was too much to just be a coincidence and decided that they would continue on alone. 

The duo constructed a raft and floated down a tributary of the Sankuru River until their peace was broken up by an attack from an angry hippopotamus. They were surprised, knowing how docile this kind of animal usually was. Indy prevented the hippo from making a meal out of them, but when they turned around, the Americans saw crocodiles entering the water and heading their way.

Jones tossed his bullwhip at the nearest tree and kept it from the crocodile's reach. However, what he didn't see was a large boa constrictor that had wrapped itself around that very branch. Anyone who saw the Raiders of the Lost Ark knows how Jones is deathly afraid of snakes, and he sat there in shock as Marion grabbed Indy's revolver and fired at the animal. Her shots took out the constrictor, as well as the branch that the whip was attached to.

Indy came to in time to examine their predicament and swung them away, right into a pit of quicksand. As the pair started to sink, with the whip now out of reach, Doctor Curt Vogel of the Dutch pharmaceutical expedition threw a rope their way. While one of his porters helped them get to solid ground, his suspiciously German-sounding soldiers shot the crocodiles to eliminate that threat.

Vogel scolded the gunmen for using violent force before inviting his guests to join them at their camp. The trio enjoyed a hearty dinner that evening, but Indy and Marion were still a bit wary. Traveling with such heavy weapons and using the same route as theirs was a bit much. Jones opted to fish things out on his own. He crept into one tent and found a crate of ammunition marked with the Nazi swastika.

He'd just learned that fact when he was alerted to the sound of Vogel's voice from behind him, except that his host was now dressed in a Nazi colonel's military uniform. Vogel then brought out his partner, who was none other than McIver. The Scot explained that he'd planned the trip using a copy of the map Indy had made off with and that his German counterparts had financed the excursion. 

Vogel was about to execute the intruder when Jones kicked a lamp into one of the open ammunition crates. The resulting discharges allowed Indy to exit the tent. He soon caught up with Marion, and the duo ran for the mountains. They tried to stay as quiet as possible while staying out of sight of the Nazis, but a loud growl from neither of them indicated that they weren't alone. 

I was familiar with penciler Kerry Gammil's work from the seventieth issue of Star Wars and a few Marvel Team-Up stories, and I felt that his artwork really fit in with Sam Dela Rosa's inks and David Michelinie's plot. I just wish that Gammill had stayed on beyond this storyline. This was another issue full of action and well-placed humor. 

This story concludes next issue, which I'll discuss in more detail tomorrow. We'll find out just who was in the hiding place with Indy and Marion, and whether or not the Shintay actually existed. We'll also see just what the Nazis were planning to do if and when they found the rumored tribe. 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 #6

Good afternoon, folks,

Hope everyone's been having a nice, relaxing holiday weekend. I'm closing out the day by recapping the sixth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by the issue's artists, Howard Chaykin and Terry Austin, depicted Indy jumping from one boat driven by a woman to another, and grabbing the hand of the pilot of the other boat, who was firing a pistol wildly with that same appendage. The tale was titled "Club Nightmare!" The issue had a cover date of June 1983. 

The story started just outside the Raven's Nest, a new nightclub in New York that was preparing for its grand opening. Its proprietor, Marion Ravenwood, was stepping toward the entrance when she was nearly run over by a car that seemed hellbent on ending the young lady's life. Only Indiana's timely intervention saved his friend from a gruesome fate.

Marion thanked Indy for the rescue and had a good idea of who was behind such an act. The pair was greeted by a local antiquities dealer named Jamal, who had provided some of the decorations in return for Indy's help in settling matters with authorities in regard to a few items in Jamal's shop that were found to be illegal. The two friends let Jamal resume his work before retreating to the manager's office. Both of them settled into more formal attire before returning to the concert area.

Marion was certain that the crime lord Emil Marko was behind her near fatality. He'd expressed interest in partial ownership of the club, which she feared would be used as a front for gambling activities. A short while later, Marion took to the mic to introduce the featured artist of the evening, while several onlookers observed how a tall column was about to fall right on the emcee.

Indy was one of those observers, and he acted quickly by tossing a sandbag attached to a rope around the heavy pillar, so that it would fall away from his friend. As a result, that night's performance was cancelled. Marion offered rain checks and complimentary drinks to patrons when they reopened in a few days. She spied Marko and insinuated that he had a hand in the affair. Marko said nothing to incriminate himself. Although Indy didn't much care for Emil, they had no evidence as of yet linking him to any wrongdoing. 

Before Indy and Marion departed for the night, Jones stopped to take a closer look at the pillar that had fallen. He noticed some rather unexpected fragments, one of which he pocketed before calling it a night. A few days later, Jones and Ravenwood enjoyed an inexpensive lunch of hot dogs while riding in the back of a horse-drawn carriage. Marion was still seething about the opening night disaster, but neither of them knew that more trouble lay in store very soon.

A shadowed figure fired a dart, which struck the horse and set the animal off in a frenzy. The carriage seemed to be out of control. Jones used the coach whip to lash onto a nearby tree branch. He pulled himself and Marion up just before the carriage collided with the icy waters a few meters away. Marion was now more convinced than ever that Marko had to be behind the attempts on their lives.

Later that evening, Marion paid a social call to Marko, while Indy leapt over a wall and took care of the guard dogs waiting inside the perimeter. As Jones went to peruse the crime lord's files, Marion admired her rival's collection of rare music. Indy read through a few files before a guard entered the room. He left through a window after trading shots with the guard. The noise of gunfire forced Marion to threaten one of Marko's precious recordings before tossing the record and fleeing on foot.

Ravenwood ran to their boat, and the duo sped off. On the way, both of them compared notes. Marion said that Marko had given up on ownership of the club, stating that it wasn't worth the trouble. Indy added that the files he'd read indicated that Emil had ordered gambling equipment but had cancelled that order several days before. 

Their boat came out of a narrow passage and was soon fired upon by the driver of another similar vessel. Indiana fired a few shots before giving Marion the wheel and jumping to their attacker's craft. He tossed his foe overboard and steered carefully to return to Marion and caught her just before their original boat exploded against rocks near the shoreline. 

Indy now knew that Marko wasn't behind the violence. He held up a strange-looking knife, which seemed to confirm his suspicions. The friends returned to the club, and Indy spied a box of blasting caps. He rushed to the stage and found Jamal placing explosives. He ordered him to stop and turn around slowly. 

Jamal explained that his business had been faltering and that he agreed to take care of some unregistered artifacts. He couldn't accomplish that at his physical store because of the police scrutiny, so he'd had those items shipped in some of the decorations for the club. Jamal knew of the rumors about Marko's interest in the nightclub and used that to his advantage in setting up disruptions. He'd hoped that he could recover the controversial items and destroy all evidence in another incident that Marko would be blamed for.

The angered businessman then struck Indy, still determined to go through with his plan. In the scuffle, a lit candle started a fire. Indy eventually knocked his foe unconscious by striking Jamal with a stick of TNT to the back of his head, and grabbed Marion before everything went up in flames. 

Sirens sang loudly, and the fire department would soon be there. Marion lamented the fact that she'd forgotten to take out an insurance policy, to which Indy replied that it was a good thing, as her business partner, that they'd just have to use the policy he took out on the club. He remembered from Nepal what happened to some of her business ventures, and prepared accordingly. Marion thanked him once more, noting that he was quite a guy.

This was a fun single-issue story. I was familiar with Chaykin's art from the first seven issues of the original Star Wars title, and Austin inked his pencil work very well. I enjoyed the humor that was interspersed and the clues that led away from the crimes being committed by the obvious suspect, Marko. This was Marion's first appearance in this series, and she would be featured intermittently throughout the rest of the title's run. 

That's all from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the seventh issue of this series. Kerry Gammill and Sam Dela Rosa take their turn on the art chores for the first of a two-part storyline that sends Indy and Marion to western Africa in search of another artifact for the university museum. 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 #5

Good morning, everyone,

Happy Mother's Day! 

I'm starting the day by summarizing the fifth issue of the first Indiana Jones comic book series. The cover, "featuring the hero of Raiders of the Lost Ark," showed Indy observing a strange phantom that emanated from a crystal wielded by an enemy, with his associate watching from behind. The issue had a cover date of May 1983.

The tale began on London Bridge in 1936, as the commandeered car containing Indiana and British Professor Karen Mays was about to plunge into the river below. It was hanging on by the rear bumper, which was gradually starting to give. Jones opened the front passenger door and tossed his whip at the bridge. With Mays grasping his torso firmly, Indy lunged outside, mere moments before the car fell.

Jones carefully climbed up, only to see the German named Hauptman pointing his pistol at the pair. Indy decided to drop rather than face this threat. His foes were stunned until they observed the professors drifting away on a garbage scow that was sailing by. Hauptman opted against firing on his prey, fearing the possible retaliation from onlookers. 

Some time later, in a flat occupied by Karen's mother, mother and daughter talked about the American archaeologist and how he brought a shine to the younger woman's eyes. Indiana emerged from his shower refreshed and thankful for his host's hospitality. The trio talked about their plans to bring the crystal cylinder back to Stonehenge by midnight, unaware that their every word was being picked up by Hauptman and his crew.

The professors boarded a train at London's central railroad station, not knowing that a familiar face was already on that same train. Some time later in a dining car, Indy and Karen's conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Jones' former pilot, Smitty, aka Schmidt. The villain held the two at gunpoint and escorted them into an empty sleeping compartment, where he demanded the crystal cylinder.

Indy pulled the emergency brake, only to realize that his foe had cut the cord earlier. Jones then took the plastic handle that had snapped off in his hand and threw it at Schmidt. before engaging the Nazi in a fight that allowed Mays to escape. 

Indiana was eventually able to exit the window, but was followed by Smitty soon thereafter. Indy finally handed the shaving kit over to Schmidt right before the train entered a tunnel. The German realized that obstacle far too late, and that was the last of him.

Karen stood by a car rail anxiously waiting for Indy, who dropped down from above. He pulled the cylinder from his jacket pocket, stating that he'd pocketed it before handing the shaving kit over to Smitty. The train was later stopped by authorities who looked remarkably non-British. As the "officers" began their rounds, Jones took one of them out and borrowed a motorcycle with a sidecar, evading Hauptman and his forces once more.

The duo stopped short of a rickety-looking wooden bridge. Indy chose to gun the motor before speeding across the bridge. Several planks fell to the waters far below after they crossed successfully. However, the cycle was now out of gas after one of the Nazi bullets clipped its fuel tank. 

Jones and Mays continued to proceed further on foot until they landed in quicksand. Indy tossed his whip to a nearby tree, right before he was forced to surrender the cylinder to Hauptman and his men. The villain cut the whip, leaving our heroes helpless.

Mays pulled out a service revolver from her bag, which she'd been issued but had never used before. Jones took it and fired at the branch. Nothing happened until he threw the empty pistol at the branch, which then fell and allowed them to escape.

The weary adventurers then walked slowly toward Stonehenge. As they neared the historic monument, they noticed a pair of guards who had been knocked out. Indy and Karen looked up and were astonished by the faces of bizarre creatures floating in the sky above them. 

Indy was mesmerized by the sight for some time, until reason got the better of him. While Mays fought off one of the German soldiers, Indiana lunged for Hauptman, knocking the cylinder from his grasp. The crystal cylinder spun around for a time before crashing to the ground and breaking into many pieces. 

Without the cylinder, the apparitions ceased, and the portal behind them collapsed. Indy and Karen were able to convince an astounded bobby to apprehend the Nazi. The professors knew they did the right thing that evening, but Jones still wondered if what they'd given the world made up for what they'd taken from it. 

This was another enjoyable issue. I felt that it wrapped up the storyline rather well, although I would have liked to have known more about the mysterious beings that predated man who had placed the cylinder at the site of the monument centuries ago. A follow-up story would be rather interesting, in my opinion. The artwork from Ron Frenz and Danny Bulanadi was steady, and writer David Michelinie took the characters just as seriously as he did the ones in the Star Wars title that he'd moved from.

That's all I have for this morning. Later today, I'll cover the sixth issue of this series. Howard Chaykin and Terry Austin join Michelinie to craft a yarn involving Indy and a popular character from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Find out then what kind of trouble the archaeologist gets into. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another.