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. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #27

Good morning, all,

It's time for me to discuss the twenty-seventh issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy and a pair of comrades crashing into a glass window while rappelling on ropes and facing a trio of guns pointed at them. The tale was titled "Chapter 2: Trial of the Golden Guns." The issue had a cover date of March 1985. 

The story started with Indiana tied by his hands and feet to a quartet of horses in a pen, with Ilya Pugachev standing in the center, about to crack his whip and send the animals off in different directions. Just when things looked dire for our hero, the silence was broken by a few well-placed rifle shots, fired by Elizabeth Cody, granddaughter of the American sharpshooter Buffalo Bill Cody. 

There was still one rope to deal with. Indy pulled a jackknife from his pocket and freed himself just before colliding with one of the wooden posts. Elizabeth and their Russian allies came to his side, and Jones explained what had just happened and why. His comrades were angered but not very surprised to learn that Pugachev was working for their foe, Count Salkovich. The Cossacks' captain, Peter Rossov, insisted that his grandfather, the czar, be informed immediately.

They returned to their camp a short while later, and the old man stressed the importance of retrieving the golden guns from the Bolsheviks. His health was failing rapidly, but the leader's grandson and his soldiers were still very committed to the cause. Indy and Elizabeth had a vested interest in retrieving the weapons, which had been given to Buffalo Bill after winning a shooting competition with the old man years before.

Two groups departed the next morning. Indiana, Elizabeth, Peter, and their crew reached the stronghold, which had been built into a large mountain. While Rossov and his subordinates set up mortars equipped with grappling hooks to scale the tall walls, the second party mounted a direct assault on the Bolshevik defense. Indy and Elizabeth were two of the four people who scaled the walls and burst into the treasure room. 

There they found the gold-plated revolvers. They also saw that the count and Pugachev were waiting for them. Salkovich demonstrated that the weapons still worked perfectly. As Pugachev sought revenge on Elizabeth, the count pursued Indiana down a flight of stairs. He swung a hefty bullwhip that eventually got caught in a chandelier overhead and shocked its wielder.

Indiana picked up the pistols right before Elizabeth defeated Pugachev by opening a nearby crate and sending a bevy of birds at him. They ran for a window and started descending the mountainside. Salkovich pointed a rifle at the Americans, but an explosion took out his perch. Peter's soldiers threw ropes down and helped Indy and Elizabeth up as the Bolshevik base was being destroyed. 

Afterward, Rossov and Elizabeth engaged in their shooting competition. It was a very even match. Elizabeth appeared to lose on purpose. The old man was pleased with his grandson's victory, which redeemed his loss to Buffalo Bill. He passed away minutes later, and Peter presented the golden guns to his worthy opponent. Cody and Jones rode off together with the prize and some valuable information for their government, as well as a few tales to tell their ancestors. 

This was one of the last multi-part stories before the title's cancellation. It was a fine storyline, but once again, the treasure wasn't something that was very historically significant, since Buffalo Bill had been gone for less than twenty years when this tale took place in 1936. Indy usually pursued historical artifacts that had been lost or misplaced centuries ago. Elizabeth proved to be a valuable ally, but this was the only time she appeared in this series. 

That's all I have for this morning. Later this weekend, I'll cover the twenty-eighth issue of this series. A college mixer is interrupted by the arrival of a guest, who brings Indiana something from one of his former instructors that piques enough of his interest to join the lad on an excursion in another country. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #26

Good afternoon,

Hope all's well. I'm rounding out the week with a summary of the twenty-sixth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by Bob Budiansky and Bill Sienkiewicz, showed a man wielding a whip between two horses, with Indy tied to them in the foreground. The story was called  "Chapter 1: Trail of the Golden Guns." The issue had a publication date of February 1985.

The tale began somewhere underwater in the Caribbean. Doctor Jones was trying to obtain what appeared to be a valuable artifact from a crevasse that was guarded by a moray. He finally distracted the animal with a shoe long enough to grab the item and resurface. However, when he rose, he found himself staring up a boat full of military personnel.

Captain Belgrade and his men were patrolling the area. Indiana stated that he'd filed all the proper permits for his search in Bimini. That wasn't satisfactory for the captain, who was obviously looking for a bribe. Jones then tossed his bag at them. Instead of a priceless treasure, the greedy soldiers had to deal with the same moray that Indy did. 

Indiana was still floating near his raft and pulled out a flare gun that he aimed at the larger vessel. His shot struck its munitions, causing an explosion. He then yelled for Short Round, who came by, driving a speedboat. They successfully evaded the soldiers' gunfire, and would live to see another day. Indy told Short Round that he'd have to go back to boarding school when they returned, which the youth didn't like, because he felt like he had a lesser chance of being shot at while adventuring with the professor.

When Jones returned to Marshall College in Connecticut, he learned that his artifact was nothing more than a plain, ordinary ballast weight that had no historical significance whatsoever. As he walked the halls, Indy was approached by a pair of guests named Efrem Decker and Elizabeth Cody. They'd been told by Marcus Brody that Jones would be there. 

Indiana had a few minutes to spare and guided the newcomers to his office. Elizabeth started by saying she was looking for assistance in recovering something that had once belonged to her grandfather, William Frederick Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill. The legendary marksman had passed away when Elizabeth was young, but she still remembered his tall tales, including one involving his victory over a czar in a shooting competition.

The prize for that contest was a pair of twin pearl-gripped, gold-plated revolvers. The weapons had since been placed on permanent display at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. A Russian named Salkoski was most interested in obtaining them and was very persistent in his efforts. A few days earlier, someone broke into the museum and stole the pistols.

Emily was convinced that Salkovich was behind the theft and wanted to travel to Russia to reacquire her grandfather's prize possessions. Jones was recommended for just such a task. Indiana was flattered, but suggested she check with the State Department first. It was then that Efrem announced that he was from that very office. He suggested that Elizabeth seek Indy out. His department wanted Indiana to embark on the mission to flesh out the political climate because of the possible connection between Nazi Germany and the Russian Bolsheviks. 

Indy agreed to join the cause, especially since the government would be paying for the expedition. Several days later, Elizabeth and Indiana were traveling together by train through southern Ukraine. The duo was talking about Indy's previous visits to the country and the changing political climate when the train was stopped by several Cossacks.

Moments later, a few of the intruders entered the train's passenger cars. Jones went to protect Elizabeth, not knowing that she was just as skilled with a rifle as her famous grandfather. One of the strangers introduced himself as Peter Rostoff. He was familiar with both Jones and Cody. They were lured to their side after being led to believe that they might know more about Buffalo Bill's golden guns.

Indy and Elizabeth mounted up and joined their hosts just as the Red cavalry arrived on the scene. They rode off as the newcomers fired at them. Elizabeth took her rifle and shot back at their attackers until Rostoff advised her that there were better ways to elude their pursuers.

The group rode on, continuing into the Dnieper River. They had an easier time crossing because the Cossacks knew where the drop-offs and shelves under the river's surface were, and their foes did not. Elizabeth, Indy, and their hosts soon reached camp. A man named Ilya Pugachev reached for the female, offering to entertain her. He soon engaged in a brief scuffle with Indiana that was broken up by Rostoff.

Rostoff brought his guests to a tent where their leader sat. The older gentleman informed the trio that the guns in question were not a gift, but rather a prize in a shooting match between him and Elizabeth's grandfather. Buffalo Bill won on the final shot, and the Czar was still hungry for a rematch. He said that the golden pistols were being kept by Count Salkovich in an estate that was guarded by a private army. The old man was willing to lend the heroes resources to help obtain them, on the condition that once that happened, he would have a rematch between himself and Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth accepted the terms, and the parties headed off separately to retire for the evening. Jones had just left Elizabeth's company when he was hit on the head from behind. When he woke, he found himself tied by his hands and feet to a quartet of horses. Pugachev stood in the middle of the pen, stating that he had set up their initial fight, and admitted that he was one of Salkovich's spies. He then cracked the whip in his hand, which set the horses off and made Indiana start to scream, anticipating the danger that would come next. 

This was the one and only time that Short Round appeared in Marvel's ongoing Indiana Jones title. I was a bit surprised by his addition, since the events in the Temple of Doom movie happened a few years before those in the Raiders of the Lost Ark. It was good to see him, but I felt that the plot wasn't something that Jones would usually go after, since Buffalo Bill had only been gone for less than twenty years by that point. His golden guns weren't an ancient treasure, and he'd already been tied by the hands and feet by another foe in South America a year earlier in this magazine. 

Well, that's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the conclusion of this storyline with a synopsis of the twenty-seventh issue of this series. We'll learn what happened to Indy, and if he and Elizabeth were able to journey to the Salkovich compound and obtain her grandfather's prize weapons. We'll also see if the Czar was able to have the rematch he'd waited decades for. 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 #25

Good afternoon,

It's time for me to discuss the twenty-fifth issue of Marvel's ongoing series The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy holding onto an artifact with one hand while clinging to the rail of a train caboose in the other arm, with an unidentified woman behind him and a trio of men chasing them on horseback behind them. The tale was titled "Good as Gold." The issue had a cover date of January 1985. 

The story started at a cabin in the Peruvian Andes in 1936. Indy arrived to translate an artifact that was written in an obscure Quechan dialect that only twelve men in the world knew. He was one of those experts. Indiana was greeted at gunpoint by his old colleague Jessie. She had asked Indy's employer for help, not knowing that he was the one who would be dispatched.

They caught up for a bit before Jessie brought out a stone that she felt might be the key to uncovering El Dorado. Jones started soon thereafter, and their work was interrupted by a knock on the door. They weren't expecting any company, and Jessie's associates were still at the dig site 

A large man named Ivar Reiss and his three associates barged in moments later. Indy and the strangers were at a stalemate, with each side pointing their guns at the other until Jessie dashed for the rifle in her quarters. She was knocked down by one of Ivar's soldiers, and Indiana gently reminded her that they were outnumbered at the moment.

Reiss and his contacts had been observing Jessie's activity. He also knew of Jones' impending arrival and wanted the treasure for himself. Indy's reputation preceded him, and he replied that he was flattered, wondering where Marion Ravenwood was.

Marion was about to host a speech at Marshall College in Connecticut at the time, and the only thing missing was her guest speaker, Indiana. Marcus Brody informed her that the professor had been called away to Peru. Marion was incensed by the news, noting that she'd cut her trip to Chicago short because Jones had wanted her to be there. She stormed off angrily, leaving it up to Brody to handle matters there.

Back in Peru, Jones was still working on the translation, while under constant watch by Reiss and his men. He learned that Ivar's father was the industrialist Edgard Reiss, and that the son was trying to make up for the fact that his father had deemed him unworthy to inherit the family fortune. It seemed he was looking for a bit of revenge by seeking the rumored treasure of El Dorado. 

Indiana eventually rose from the table, stating that he'd successfully completed the translation. He tossed the papers in front of him at the unwelcome guests, and tossed the fresh pot of coffee at one of them, giving he and Jessie enough of a distraction for them to exit. 

As they ran, Jones confessed that the actual translation had only taken him five minutes. He delayed acting because he was waiting for the next train, which was about to arrive. They jumped on as it passed, evading Reiss and his lackeys on horseback. 

Indy and Jessie got off the train when it stopped at Estarca. It was a slow but scenic journey. Indiana said they should look for the mountains that faced the rising sun, and pointed them in the correct direction. They then searched for the standing stones, which they found just before Ivar and his goons arrived. 

The soldiers opened the passage, and Ivar insisted that Indiana lead the way inside. They examined what appeared to be a sizable bounty, but Indy wasn't certain about its authenticity. A brief skirmish revealed that most of the treasure was fake. The only real artifact was the gold mask that Jones pulled off the wall and handed to Ivar. 

A few moments later, the roof started to shake and crumble. Everyone ran for cover, except Ivar. He was convinced that there was still treasure inside. As the room collapsed, Jones figured that it must have been a trap set for Spanish conquistadors, which had been triggered when he removed the mask. Jessie was a bit peeved when she learned that Indy had set the trap on purpose, but he was already set on heading home. 

Several days later, Jones returned to Marshall College. Brody was waiting for him with the news that Marion had moved on. She'd left a note saying that she had to get away, and asked Indiana not to come after her. She left voluntarily, and Indy wished her well, hoping she'd stay out of trouble. 

This was Marion's last appearance in this series. I figured that something like this might happen, since her appearances became fewer and there was a bit of tension after she caught Jones kissing another woman in issue #23. There were plans for her return, but the title was cancelled before they could be published. It's unknown if those tales will ever see the light of day. 

I felt that this was an okay story. Jessie would return as another fellow archaeologist and potential love interest for Indiana. Personally, I would have preferred Marion or the British scientist from issues 4 and 5, but I guess it's kind of hard to go back that far on a book whose creative teams kept changing rather regularly. It was another script where a new villain was introduced, only to meet their demise before the issue had concluded. If the writers hadn't continued this pattern, they'd probably have had more material to draw from for future stories. 

Well, that's all I have today. Tomorrow, I'll recap the twenty-sixth issue of this series. David Michelinie returns to pen a two-part story that begins with Indiana being recruited to assist in the recovery of a fairly recent American 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 #24

Good afternoon,

It's time for me to talk about the twenty-fourth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy and an unidentified female up against a wall with light emitting from its cracks. The story was called "Revenge of the Ancients." The issue had a cover date of December 1984.

The tale began with Indiana in San Francisco, having taken some extended time from his teaching duties after having returned to the U.S. last issue. He'd been contacted by an epigrapher named Reeko, claiming to have some information that Jones would be interested in. Indy knew from past experience to be wary of him, but was still intrigued nonetheless. 

As he walked down the rainy streets, Jones thought about the information on this lead that he'd received from Marcus Brody, and the unfortunate news that the crown of Rurick (which Jones retrieved from South America last issue) was fake. A whisper from a nearby alley alerted Indy to Reeko's presence. The man begged for help before keeling over, with a knife sticking out of his back.

Just then, a telephone from a booth on the corner started ringing. Indiana went to answer it, but didn't receive an answer on the other end. Indy tried to exit the booth but found that he was trapped inside, just as a semi truck headed right for him. He had no choice but to push the booth over, and it broke apart as the heavy vehicle sped by. 

Jones emerged from the booth and followed the truck on foot. He finally caught up and jumped on board. Indiana crawled to the top of the tanker and saw a portly man wielding a wrench. He had Jones until the larger man was knocked down by a low bridge. 

The vehicle arrived at its destination a few blocks away. Jones jumped off and decided to investigate the warehouse. He came across a young woman who was being held hostage in one room. Indy worked to free her before he was hit on the head from behind. 

When Indiana awoke, he saw a pistol pointed at his head. He gave his opponent a quick shove in the stomach and disarmed him. Jones then grabbed the gun and coerced his foe into telling him what happened to the girl. A short taxi ride later, and Indiana reached the pier. He made a short dive and swam toward the Capricorn Queen, which was already floating away from shore. 

As he climbed the side of the boat, Jones heard a pair of men talking. He identified one of them as Sigfriend Klexx, a man who was known for paying off authorities to break international rules and laws regarding antiquities and was wanted for crimes in more than a dozen nations. Klexx clearly played by his own rules and talked to his companion about Reeko's demise. He was on his way to obtain another historical treasure.

Right before dawn, Indy found the room where the girl was being held. He promised to help her once they landed, and left from sight before a guard arrived. Three days later, Jones returned and helped the woman escaped before the boat neared the shoreline.

She introduced herself as Julia Valdez right before the two of them were apprehended by Klexx and his men. Their leader pointed out how Indy had left the porthole open during his first sojourn, something that the woman who'd had her arms tied behind her back couldn't accomplish by herself. The group was then transported via chartered plane the following morning to a temple where a tablet had been found earlier. Reeko had been in charge of deciphering it, until his untimely end. Klekk's associate Flaggart now had that responsibility. 

The tablet had been written in a language that predated any known human civilizations. It supposedly said that the tomb before them held a trove of valuable items. Indiana listened to all of this while being bound to a pillar and watched helplessly as Julia was strung to the top of a structure connecting two walkways. The rays of the sun would shine through the eye atop the temple and strike the rope holding the human sacrifice, dropping her down onto the pedestal below and subsequently open the vault.

Klexx explained that he'd chosen his victim because it had to be a female full-blooded Indian native to the area. He'd tracked Julia down after months of research. As the rope continued to burn, Indiana fumbled reaching for his pocket knife. He finally found it and started slicing his binds, freeing himself before the beam cut through Julia's rope.

Indy jumped to save the woman, knocking Flaggart onto the slab in the process. His body weight moved the slab which slid down the ramp and knocked into the vault, opening it. A powerful stench arose from it. Jones moved to protect Valdez from Klexx's men right before a blinding light emerged from the temple. 

Those who weren't able to evade the light were instantly set afire. Indy took Valdez to safety, and protected them both from the explosion that followed. When the dust settled, the two looked at the carnage around them. They wondered why ancient people would have such a devastating weapon. Jones promised to return another time and search for the sites. For now, he was focused on getting Julia back home and return to normalcy for a while. They were leaving when we saw what appeared to be one of Klexx's hands breaking free from a pile of rubble. 

This was another serviceable single-issue story that could have used a bit more background material. Danny Bulanadi's inks kept the art together, and had me interested in seeing the tale through to its end. It would have been nice to have learned more about Valdez, Klexx, and the temple legends. It appears that Klexx survived the destruction, but I don't believe that he or Julia return to this magazine again. More wasted potential, which I suppose is one reason why some readers lost interest over time. 

That's all I have for now. Tomorrow, I'll cover the twenty-fifth issue of this series. Indiana travels to help an old friend while another supporting character bids adieu. 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 #23

Good afternoon all,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend. Today's article will recap the twenty-third issue of Marvel's The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover showed Indy jumping over a waterfall with a golden crown in one hand, as a trio of strangers opened fire on him. The tale was titled "The Secret of the Deep." The issue had a cover date of November 1984.

The story started at a movie theater, where Indiana was leading Marion Ravenwood out of a showing of the film "Jungle Drums." He could take the poison arrows, headhunters, and lions, but Jones was still deathly afraid of snakes. The couple continued to argue on the cab ride home.

At Marshall College, the next morning, Marcus Brody asked Indy for a few moments before his next class. Brody brought Jones to his office and talked about Professor Hildebrand, who had left his letters and papers to the National Museum when he passed away. The late professor once led an expedition to a small jungle island named Kaloo in the South Pacific, where the crown of Rurick was supposed to be at the bottom of a large waterfall. The island was now the property of a drifter and his associates. 

Indiana asked for a ticket to the West Coast. He then informed Marion of his upcoming excursion and stressed that it was something he had to do by himself. He thought about his mission on the train ride the following day.

Jones reached Hollywood, California, a week later. He met with film director Samuel Greeley and offered to be the stunt diver for his movie for free, on the condition that Indy could choose the location of his dive. The director gladly accepted and introduced him to his costars, Alphonse Dumarr and Stephanie Windslow.

The group flew to the South American film location a couple of days later. During the trip, we saw how jealous Dumarr got when Windslow cozied up to their stuntman. 18 hours later, the plane reached its destination. The crew was welcomed to the island by its leader, Lord Harry. He provided accommodations, but wasn't above trying any way he could to profit from their arrival.

Greeley and his crew drove to the waterfall the next morning. They began rehearsals once things were set up. Dumarr took the opportunity to let out his frustrations on Jones. Indy had no interest in the leading lady and was more concerned about his overall objective and staying alive in general. 

The director broke up  Jones' and Dumarr's scuffle, and he led his star away for a bit to set him straight. Later that evening, Dumarr had a few drinks at the local tavern, and his loose lips disclosed information to a fellow patron who listened to every word intently. The crew started filming at the top of the waterfall the next day. Indy played his part, although a blow on the head from a floating log had him fighting to stay conscious. He still performed the dive, located the crown that he hid inside his shirt, and resurfaced.

He didn't expect Lord Harry to hold him at gunpoint. The island's "lord" knew Indy's background and had Jones hand over the crown before he herded the rest of the crew into a truck. Indiana soon joined them, knowing he would have to wait a bit for the right moment to strike.

The truck had been driving for a while when Jones jumped out of the back, heading toward the tank that followed it. He eventually commandeered the military vehicle, but wasn't able to free his colleagues just yet. They were brought to the old Dutch military prison and placed in a cell. Dumarr then realized how foolish he'd been to share what he'd disclosed at the bar the night before.

After Lord Harry left, Jones burst through the compound with the truck. He ordered his comrades to climb on, and they fought their way to the dock after Jones stopped briefly to retrieve the crown. The crew escaped via plane as Harry's men continued to shoot at their vessel. 

On the journey home, Windslow got closer to Dumarr as Indy thought about what was waiting for him. When they landed on the West Coast the next day, Windslow showed Indiana her appreciation to Jones, not knowing that Marion was standing right behind them. Indy tried to run after her to explain, but they were eventually separated by the crowd. Jones walked away alone, knowing their next encounter wouldn't be easy.

I felt that this was a satisfactory single-issue story written and illustrated by Herb Trimpe, who's probably best known for his art on titles like G.I. Joe and the Incredible Hulk. It didn't delve too much into the history of the crown or its location, but Lord Harry was a fine foe for a one-shot, I guess. I would have liked a bit more background on him, but that's a problem that usually happens in a title that changes its creative staff on a regular basis. 

Well, that's all from me for now. Tomorrow, I'll cover the twenty-fourth issue of this series. Trimpe returns to craft a tale that has Indy staying on the West Coast for a bit, but soon finds himself on a boat bound for South America to save a damsel in distress and discover another archaeological 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 #22

Good afternoon,

Hope you've been having a nice, relaxing holiday. Today's topic is the twenty-second issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy facing a bear in a castle, as Ben Ali Ayoob and Marion Ravenwood looked on. The tale was titled "End Run." The issue had a publication date of October 1984.

The story began right after the events in the previous issue. A man in a suit pointed a gun at Jones, claiming that the responsibility for his death lay with him, per his orders from the Führer. Indiana tried to reason with his foe, who was undeterred, even after Austin Coleridge's second in command, Tarrant, tried to attack him from behind. The stranger simply moved his arm backward, knocking Tarrant down the hill.

Indy was given 24 hours to stop the matter with Ayoob. If he didn't adhere to that timeline, his opponent would have no choice but to take matters into his own hands. By then, Marion and Marcus Brody had arrived on the scene. Marcus recognized the man as Hans Degen, an agent of Scotland Yard. 

The quartet later departed on a train bound for Switzerland. During the journey, they talked about their mission, which began with Indy's acquisition of the real Arnhem ring (in issue #11 of this title), which began his rivalry with Ayoob. They discussed the fake version of the artifact that had been discovered in the National Museum, and Brody ascertained from Coleridge where Ayoob now was. 

After reaching their destination, Jones and Degen moved on foot toward Ayoob's hideout. It didn't take long for the pair to be met with several of Ayoob's Ismaili assassins. The sword-wielding soldiers put up a brave fight as their leader was informed of Indy's arrival. He was convinced that he must be the victor of their contest.

 Meanwhile, Brody and Ravenwood had breached the compound by jumping from the hot air balloon that they'd acquired. While they were meeting more Ismailis, Degen and Jones were busy creeping into the palace via a sewer grate after having defeated their own foes. The duo argued over their perspectives long enough not to initially notice a trio of Ismailis behind them.

Jones and Degen were soon brought before Ayoob, who showed off the Devil's Heart, along with the real Arnhem ring and other artifacts from his collection. He swore that his opponent would die, and moved to bring that possibility closer to reality. Ayoob had Degen and Brody tied to a tree in a pit where Indy would have to face off against Ben's pet grizzly, while he and Marion ate together. 

Indiana threw a few rocks at the animal, thinking that he was probably doomed. Marion was less than cordial to her host and threw a drink in his face. She then tossed Indy a bottle of champagne. He popped the cork at the bear and broke the bottle to use it as a tool to cut the ropes that bound Brody and Degen.

Marion escaped and descended a set of stairs leading to Ayoob's animal pen. She decided to free the creatures, who ran toward the grizzly and took its attention away from Jones. While Degen was using the rope to keep the bear at bay, Indy and his friends ran back into the compound.

Ayoob was prepared for their arrival and pointed his pistol at his rival. Degen crept behind him and took a bullet meant for the American professor. As Degen fell, he tossed the Devil's Heart into the fireplace. Ayoob leapt after it and was instantly consumed by the flames emitted by the icon. 

Degen admitted to Brody that he'd engaged in a battle of wills with Indiana and lost with his last dying words. The trio left the complex and headed for home. When they reached Marshall College, they celebrated the return of the genuine Arnhem ring, and Indy asked for a bit of a hefty advance on his salary to cover his travel costs. 

The art in this issue was better than the one before it, but the constant change of creative teams on this title is one reason why regular readers may have found it difficult to stay interested. I was a bit surprised to see Ayoob's demise, thinking he was a clever opponent who could have stayed around to cause more trouble in the future. 

That's all for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the twenty-third issue of this series. Indy takes part in a Hollywood production as he tries to get closer to a legendary treasure in a foreign land. 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 #21

Good afternoon,

Hope everyone's been having a nice, relaxing holiday weekend. It's time for me to talk about the twenty-first issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover showed Indy at the edge of a cliff, being attacked by several large birds. The tale was titled "Beyond the Lucifer Chamber!" The issue had a cover date of September 1984.

The story began just above the small town of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, England. Indiana, Marion Ravenwood, and Marcus Brody were there to find Brody's old college classmate Austin Coleridge, a man who might know the location of Indy's old rival Ben Ali Ayoob and possibly assist their friend in clearing his good name.

Their car arrived in town a few minutes later, and its presence was noticed by a stranger who spoke to someone via a microphone. The trio entered the Cat and Fiddle pub and soon learned how not all of its patrons were friendly with Coleridge. At Brody's mere mention of his name, a dart was thrown at his cigar by a one-eyed man behind them.

The patron said that Coleridge's livelihood cost him his lost eye, as well as the coal mine that shut down, which had employed many of the village's residents. A bar broke out soon thereafter. Indy and his friends left the establishment and were surprised to see dozens of hawks, who scared away the townspeople.

After the skirmish, the Americans were introduced to Coleridge's second in command, Tarrant. The birds were his pets, and the visitors were now his prisoners. Marion watched Tarrant's Jeep speed away, but before she could seek out help, she was approached by several participants of the bar fight. They apologized for their actions, now that they knew that they were not involved in Coleridge's activities. One noted that the vehicle was bound for the coal mine and the Lucifer chamber.

Meanwhile, at Cardiff Airport, a stranger was asking a woman at the front counter if she'd seen a visitor and produced a photo of Jones. She remembered the face, adding that she'd rented a car to him and his companions. When asked if her customer was a friend, the man replied that they had some business together. 

It didn't take very long for Tarrant's Jeep to reach the mine entrance. He ordered Jones and Brody inside, leading them along the lighted passageway. Coleridge eventually stood before them. He greeted his old classmate, and Marcus brought up Coleridge's prior transgressions, including extortion, theft, and manipulating people for political purposes. Austin remarked that he was in control now and that his guests would only live as long as they entertained him.

He then gestured to a doorway that was rumored to lead to the gateway to Hell. Coleridge had been hired by Ben Ali Ayoob years ago to find the legendary Devil's Heart amulet, a trinket that was rumored to contain the heart of Satan. It was buried inside Lucifer's chamber, an area where they now stood. He then showed a photograph to his visitors of a box that had been discovered there. 

Coleridge went on to say that coal had been found in the mine years later, and the chamber was closed off once the mining operation began. Indy tried to finagle Ayoob's current location from Coleridge, but got nowhere in that effort. He then created a diversion that allowed him to escape. 

Tarrant whistled to his hawks, who pursued the American, but a rock tossed at the villain's arm prevented Coleridge's assistant from firing at the fleeing Jones. He continued to run until Marion caught up with him. She had several of the villagers with her. They were willing to help.

At the Cat and Fiddle pub, the man from the airport was asking questions about Doctor Jones. The barkeep was told by the one-eyed patron to disclose nothing, but a blade from the stranger's ring might have changed his mind. As Jones and his new companions were descending the stairs to where Marcus was being held, Brody and Coleridge were engaged in a private conversation.

Coleridge was trying to convince his old college classmate about the virtues of his campaign. He then removed the glove from his left hand, which had been turned to solid gold. Coleridge explained that he'd held the philosopher's stone, which was supposed to turn items into gold.

By that time, Tarrant and his subordinates were battling Jones and the townspeople. An alarm alerted Coleridge, and that distraction was enough for Brody to knock his former ally's gun aside. Another shrill note from Tarrant's whistle brought more hawks into the mine. Indiana used an old accordion to draw the birds away, but he still had their master to deal with.

Their fight resumed outdoors. It wasn't until Jones was able to bat Tarrant's whistle around that the professor finally had the upper hand. At the same time, Brody was holding his own against Coleridge. Austin was about to make a swipe at Marcus when the glint of his golden eye attracted one of the hawks, who moved to swoop in on his prey.

The bird pushed Colerige back against a wall. He accidentally pushed aside part of the door that had been weakened earlier, and created an opening. A strange purple mist emanated from the interior chamber and overtook the villain. Soon, the mist was all that was left of Coleridge. 

Marcus was fascinated briefly by the apparition, but as soon as it started igniting blasting caps, Brody knew he had to leave immediately. He got out in time and ran to find Marion and the villagers holding Tarrant and his men at gunpoint. Neither of them knew where Indy was at the time.

Jones was kneeling over Tarrant's unconscious form, relieved that their struggle was finally over. As he turned around, he saw a shadow behind him. It was the man from the airport, who now pointed a Luger at the American, saying that his direct leader, the Führer, had ordered him to kill the archaeologist. 

This issue was penciled by Steve Ditko, and his artwork was very easy to distinguish. The scenes with the apparition were reminiscent of some of his Doctor Strange stories from the 1960s. Ditko was the primary penciler for Strange Stories and the Amazing Spider-Man until he abruptly left Marvel and worked for companies like DC and Charlton before returning to Marvel in the 1980s as a freelancer. He worked on titles like this one, ROM: Spaceknight, a few Incredible Hulk tales, the Micronauts annuals, Machine Man, and other series. I wasn't a big fan of his work at the time, because it felt kind of dated when compared with other contemporaries, but I grew to appreciate his legacy over time. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the twenty-second issue of this title. The final part of this storyline will tell us where Ayoob was, who the mystery man from this issue was, and what happened to the real Arnhem ring. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom #3

Good morning,

I hope everyone's been enjoying the holiday weekend. I'm kicking off the day with a discussion of the final issue of Marvel's adaptation of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This adaptation was also released in a single-volume Marvel Super Special. The cover of this issue showed Mola Ram forcing Indy to taste the blood of Kali as Short Round watched on, as he was restrained by a Thuggee guard. The issue had a cover date of November 1984. 

Indiana had just been captured by the Thuggees and taken to Mola Ram (in the previous issue). With Pankot Palace's maharajah and Short Round observed, Ram forced Jones to drink from a cup that supposedly contained the blood of the Thuggee god Kali. Meanwhile, Willie Scott had returned to her room and reported what she'd seen to the maharajah's aide, Chattar Lal. She soon learned that the assistant had already been converted.

A short while later, Willie was placed in the cage, about to be the cult's next sacrifice. Jones and Lal stood on the stage and watched. In the slave pit under the temple, Short Round was put to work. He noticed an injured guard and ran to his aid. There was a change in the man's eyes that Short Round recognized immediately. As the guard was taken back to Mola Ram, Indy's young friend knew that if pain made the guard wake up, the same could happen to Doctor Jones.

He eventually broke free from his chains and ran toward the temple. Short Round neared his friend and grabbed a torch to protect himself. He waved it at the brainwashed professor, who soon insisted that he be left alone to deal with the child. Indy gave a wink, and Short Round knew that everything was okay. Together, they fought off the guards and worked to free Scott.

Indiana grabbed the Sankara stones before the trio went to rescue the children in the mine. He came across one of the larger guards, and their struggle was made more difficult for Indy because of the voodoo doll that the maharajah had been using. Short Round climbed up to face him, and the young leader soon realized the error of his ways.

The maharajah promised to alert the British military (whom we saw last issue) while Short Round, Jones, and Scott escaped in a mine car. Their journey was perilous, but finally ended moments before they were faced with a tidal wave from the water container that had been knocked over during their trek. The trio finally left the cavern right before the waters burst through the stone walls.

Indy led his friends up to a bridge, only to find their foes waiting on the other side. He gave Short Round a signal, and he and Willie started wrapping their arms around the ropes so that they would be tethered when Indiana brought the structure down. A swift slice of Jones' machete brought everyone who stayed on, clinging on for dear life.

Everyone made a mad dash for the top. Mola Ram tried to surpass Indy and grabbed for his bag. He found some of the Sankara stones, but fell to his death leaping after them. By then, the British military had arrived and was busy picking off the remaining Thuggee cultists. Jones made it to the top, with one of the stones still in his possession.

A few days later, the adventurers returned to the small village (shown in the first issue). Indiana returned the stone to the shaman and embraced Willie as Short Round pondered the motives of grown-ups. That marked the end of this excursion.

I felt like this final issue was a bit rushed at times, but it wasn't bad for a three-issue limited series. Once again, some more violent and gory parts of the film understandably weren't included. There were also a few short scenes in the adaptation that didn't make the movie's final cut. We would see Short Round in an issue of the regular title, but as far as I know, we never saw Willie Scott again, unless she appeared in some of the Indiana Jones comics published by Dark Horse. I don't have any of those titles in my collection, so I don't know about that as of this writing. 

That's all for this article and adaptation. Later today, I'll resume my coverage of the ongoing Marvel Indiana Jones series with a recap of the twenty-first issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. Indy, Marion Ravenwood, and Marcus Brody continue their quest to clear Marcus' name. They travel to another location where they run into one of Brody's old colleagues, and we learn that another party is most interested in their exploits. Until then, have a great day and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom #2

Good afternoon,

Hope everyone's been enjoying the holiday weekend thus far. The focus of this article will be on the middle part of Marvel's adaptation of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The cover, illustrated by the limited series' penciler, Butch Guice, showed Indy nearly being strangled by a miscolored Thuggee. The issue had a publication date of October 1984.

This issue began with Jones, Short Round, and Willie Scott walking to Pankot Palace in India. After entering the grounds, they were greeted by Chattar Lal, the new maharajah's prime minister. The trio was offered lodging for the night after being led inside. They were also introduced to another guest, British Captain Phillip Blumburtt.

The British military man and his troops were there on an inspection tour. He chatted with Indiana for a while before dinner began. Willie then learned why the maharajah had not taken a wife, as the leader, Zalim Singh, appeared to be around the same age as Short Round. 

During the unusual dinner, conversation began, revolving around Indiana's observation that some of the pieces in Singh's collection looked like images once used by the legendary Thuggee cult to worship their goddess Kali. Lal replied that the group had been extinct for almost 100 years. Blumburtt added that the Thuggees had been eliminated by his nation's forces during the mutiny of 1857. 

Indy talked about the parchment he'd been given by a boy in a small village (in the previous issue), noting that he saw what he thought was a Thuggee shrine underneath the palace. Singh said that he had heard those stories and was ashamed of the ancient evil. He swore that such atrocities would never happen again. 

Later that evening, Jones checked in on Scott and provided her with a bowl of fruit. She was relieved to finally see food that she recognized, and the pair planned for some amorous activities later on. However, those plans were put on hold due to Indiana being attacked by a Thuggee guard. The villain met his untimely end after he was snagged by Indy's whip and drawn upward to the overhead fan in the room.

Short Round woke up just in time to see the end of that act, and he followed Jones to Willie's room. Indiana wondered where their attacker came from, and soon found the entrance to a hidden passageway. The friends wandered into the passageway and soon entered a trap. Willie waited for a while before running after them. She was forced to find a lever to free them, and the trio continued on.

They stopped before the light continued to illuminate the passageway. Indiana was stunned to see a Thuggee ceremony honoring Kali, in what we now know as the Temple of Doom. A man was locked in a cage about to be lowered into a pit, offered as a sacrifice to the deity. 

Jones saw three of the Sankara stones placed in the eye and nose spaces of a large skull, and knew he had to determine if they were real. He climbed down, not knowing that Willie and Short Round were attacked moments later. As Indiana investigated, he peered into a hole in the chamber floor that revealed a mine that used children as slave labor. 

Indy threw a large stone at one of the guards who was about to whip a small child. He was soon outnumbered and awoke in a cage, hearing Short Round rousing him. He explained that their cellmate was from the village. The cult brought in children to work the mines because they were small. The youth preferred that Kali's evil take him. He said that they made people drink the blood of Kali. Those who consumed it would still be alive, but it would seem as if they were in a nightmare. 

The new captives were then taken before the cult leader, Mola Ram. He accused Jones of trying to steal the Sankara stones. Indy remarked that one of them had been stolen from a local village. Ram replied that there had originally been five stones, and that he was sure that the remaining two were somewhere in the tunnels. That explained their need for young laborers.

Once the Thuggees had all five stones, they would be all-powerful. Mola Ram was about to make Indy a convert and have the maharajah witness his conversion. Singh had already been converted and used a voodoo doll to prevent Jones from protesting further. He was then held in place and about to partake in the blood of Kali.

This was a rather dark story, and I fully understand why certain parts of the film were omitted from the comic book adaptation. I was surprised they showed the chilled monkey brains segment. There were also additional parts of the story that were not in the final cut of the film, which led me to believe that writer David Michelinie had to be working from the film script. This was still a good bridge between the first and last parts of the adaptation, and it kept the story moving along, covering the key parts of the secrets uncovered in Pankot Palace. 

That's all I have for you today. Tomorrow morning, I'll wrap up my coverage of this film with a recap of the third and final issue of this limited series. We'll find out what happened to Indy and his friends, and learn if the final Sankara stones were recovered and if the shaman and his fellow villagers that we met in the first issue had any retribution. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom #1

Good morning,

Hope everyone's having a relaxing holiday weekend. It's time for me to talk about Marvel's adaptation of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This was released as both a Marvel Super Special and a three-part limited series. Since I only have the limited series in my collection, I'll discuss that and begin today by covering the first issue. The cover was a montage of images, including Indy in a white tux, an airplane, a mountain range, and a village in India, that Jones, Short Round, and Willie Scott rode past on elephants. The issue had a cover date of September 1984.

After the title/splash page, the story began in Shanghai, 1935. Professor Jones was about to enter the Club Obi Wan for a rendezvous with Lao Che. He was there to deliver the remains of Che's ancestor, Hurachi, in exchange for a diamond. The exchange was a bit more complicated than initially anticipated, and it involved Scott's introduction to the American professor, a few threats, the death of Indiana's associate Wu Han, poison, and an antidote.

After a scuffle, Jones searched for the antidote that had made its way to the dance floor while Willie went after the large diamond. The two Americans eventually used a large gong that had been shot free from its mooring on a wall as cover as they jumped out of a nearby window and into the back of the car that Indy's young ally Short Round was driving.

As the car left the club, Jones fumbled for the antidote and briefly returned fire against their pursuers before the trio reached the airport. A British associate (played by Dan Akroyd in the 1984 movie) guided them to their plane. Indy thought he was one step ahead of his foe, not knowing that the vessel they departed in was owned by Lao Che.

Indiana was weary, and he and Short Round decided to take a nap en route to what they assumed would be their trip to Siam. Willie eventually fell asleep, but was awakened by the sounds of the pilots exiting the plane. She ran to the cockpit and found it empty. Scott hurriedly woke Jones, who did his best to keep the plane level.

They finally realized they couldn't dodge the mountains before them. The pilots took the only parachutes, so Indiana had to grab a raft and inflate it as they fell to earth, moments before the plane they were just on crashed into the mountainside.

The raft served as a makeshift sled when the trio touched ground, and they rode it all the way to a large body of water. After descending a waterfall, they learned that they were in India, which was made apparent by the native shaman who stood before the foreigners. The man led his guests to his village and provided them with food as he explained the need for the travelers to stop at Pankot before heading to Delhi.

Pankot Palace had a new maharajah, and it was rumored that its power had risen again. The shaman wanted the adventurers to retrieve a sacred stone that had been taken from their village that they trusted to protect them. After the stone disappeared, their village wells dried up, the river stopped, crops and animals died, and their children were taken.

Later that evening, Indiana thought about what the old man had told them. His musing was interrupted by the entrance of a weakened young boy, who was gasping for breath. He placed a piece of parchment in the professor's hand and said one word: sankara.

The next morning, Indy, Short Round, and Willie embarked on their mission. They rode elephants until finding a good spot to set up camp for the evening. Willie bathed in the river until a large snake wrapped around her. Indy stood there, still terrified of snakes, until the animal started dozing off, and slithered away.

As Short Round tended to the elephants, Indy explained to Willie how he'd found the lad trying to pick his pocket. His parents had been killed during the bombings of Shanghai. Scott told him how she'd made her way to Shanghai after the American Depression effectively killed her nightclub career.

Jones told her about the parchment the young boy had given him back in the village. It showed a priest named Sankara who lived many generations ago. He once climbed Mount Kalisa and encountered Shiva, the Hindu god. Stories said that Shiva had given Sankara five stones that had magical powers to use to combat evil. One of those stones might have been the same as the one that had been taken from the small village they were in the day before.

The next day, the group resumed their quest for "fortune and glory," and pressed on. They could see Pankot Palace in the near distance, but had to proceed the rest of the way on foot. Their guide, Sanju, would take the elephants after a statue was uncovered that appeared to have frightened the native away. 

Although there were a few scenes (like Indy's entering Club Obi Wan and the extended snake scenario) in this adaptation that were not in the final cut of the film, I still felt like this was a fine adaptation. I was familiar with writer David Michelinie from his work on the regular Indiana Jones title, penciler Butch Guice from the Micronauts books, and inkers Akin and Garvey from their work on ROM: Spaceknight. This movie was the darkest of the five Indiana Jones flicks, and I know that there were certain depictions that they couldn't completely portray because of the average ages of the comics' target audience. The story still moved along at a decent pace, and it included most of the fun parts from the big screen blockbuster.

Well, that's all I have for the moment. I'm going to go see the new Star Wars film. When I return, I'll cover the second issue of this limited series. We'll find out what happens to the crew once they reach Pankot Palace and the secrets they uncover inside. 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 #20

Good afternoon, folks,

Happy Friday! Today's topic is the twentieth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy running in a field from an airplane that was firing at him, in a scene that was reminiscent of that from an old Alfred Hitchcock movie. The tale was titled "The Cuban Connection!" The issue had a cover date of August 1984. 

The story started at Marshall College in Connecticut, as Professor Jones was examining the fake Arnhem ring, just before the National Museum's new curator, Osborn Sloams-Hagen, walked in. Indy was certain he'd brought back the genuine article, and didn't take too kindly to Osborn's jabs at his friend, Marcus Brody. Indy was certain that Brody had nothing to do with the swap.

Meanwhile, Marcus was cleaning out his old office when Marion Ravenwood entered. Moments later, Indiana arrived, asserting that the ring must have been switched out before the exhibit began. Marcus remembered that the only people who had been cleared to move large objects at the time were the crew assigned to install the new boiler. Indy and Marion then set off to find those workers.

A short while later, they arrived at the warehouse. Indy brought a folder containing a fingerprint that had been left behind on the fake Arnhem ring. The man Jones accused then lashed out at him before making a run for his truck. Marion followed and managed to climb on for a while in an effort to stop the thief. She was eventually knocked off the vehicle, but only after the suspect ran back into the warehouse.

Jones and Ravenwood followed, until they were pinned into a corner by a forklift. Marcus came to the rescue, knocking out the man named Al with the business end of his umbrella. Al confessed that he'd been hired by a man named Juan Soto. The trio wasn't convinced that the confession would be enough to restore Marcus' good name, and they soon set off to find Al's employer in Cuba. 

They learned that Soto had a sugar plantation outside of the city of Havana, and arrived at its outskirts not long after their plane landed. Indiana entered the plantation, inadvertently setting off a silent alarm in the process. A plane swooped down on the newcomers, guns blazing. Jones shooed his friends away as he crept toward a nearby tractor. He lit the fuel and waited for the plane to collide with it.

Soto witnessed the crash from the safety of his office and assumed that Indy had to have been involved somehow. The explosion was enough of a distraction to allow Jones, Ravenwood, and Brody to reach the compound's outer wall. However, when they scaled it, they saw a trio of hungry wolves waiting for them on the grounds.

The heroes were prepared for battle until a shrill whistle called the beasts off. Soto then approached his guests. After they were disarmed, the Americans were given a tour of the facility. Soto supplied weapons to local rebels and assisted the white slave trade in the area. He admitted that his men had taken the real Arnhem ring, but he was not about to disclose the name of the client who had hired him to accomplish that goal.

During the conversation, Soto realized that Brody no longer had his cigar in his mouth. Moments later, some of the ammunition in the hallway went up in flames. Marion and Indy took guns from some of their captors, and the trio followed Soto by boat. Indy was finally able to toss a rope onto Soto's craft and pull himself back into harm's way.

While Marcus and Marion were driving alongside the larger boat, Soto and Indiana were engaged in a fist fight. Marion moved to save her friend, but she would not interfere with the scuffle. Jones was the victor and got Soto to whisper the name of the mystery client to him before Juan jumped into the water, not realizing that he was heading straight for several very hungry sharks.

It was too late to save the villain, but Indy had a much greater concern at the moment. He'd learned that the client was none other than his old rival, Ben Ali Ayoob. In Guatemala, Ayoob was being informed of his lackeys' failures and knew they meant that Jones was on his way. He was pleased with the news, knowing that their game would resume until reaching its inevitable end. 

It was good to see Ayoob again, although Marvel's colorists have been very inconsistent with his skin tone coloring in most of his appearances in this series. It seemed like the villain had hideouts in multiple corners of the globe. Despite another change of penciler (Luke McDonnell this time), inker Danny Bulanadi kept David Michelinie's script moving right along at a steady pace.

I'm going to take a brief break from the regular series to cover Marvel's adaptation of the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, starting tomorrow morning. I'll discuss the first of that three-part limited series before resuming with issue #21 of this title. We'll see Indy embark on an unexpected quest with an ally and an unwanted guest as they delve deeper into a centuries-old legend. 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 #19

Good afternoon, everyone,

Hope all's well. Today's topic is the nineteenth issue of Marvel's series The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by Bret Blevins, showed Indy holding onto what I assume is his bullwhip with the shadow of a winged creature underneath him. The story was called "Dragon by the Tail!"  The issue had a cover date of July 1984.

The tale began in an airplane flying above the mountains of Nepal. Jones was preparing to parachute down into the icy conditions. He found a cave that would serve as shelter from the snow and wind a short while later and began reading a letter from a Japanese colleague that piqued his interest.

His friend thanked Indiana for saving him two years before, noting that his missive served as payment for that debt. He explained how his party had found the descendants of prehistoric cave dwellers in the northwestern portion of Mount Dhubri. Their modern weapons scared off the attackers, and when the group pressed on, they were astonished to find stone carvings that formed a sort of temple or barrier around what appeared to be a dragon encased in ice. The archaeologists agreed not to disturb their discovery and chose to leave.

News of their discovery eventually reached military leaders in their home country. There was some discussion about whether or not what had been found was real. If the creature could be revived, it might be used as a weapon against the country's enemies. The professor would not bring the militia to the site, but now informed Indy that the general's men were en route to the Himalayas, guided by others from the professor's group.

Indy considered the debt paid in full, and the next morning, he set out to investigate. Jones was amazed to see the monster had already been dug out and was being carted off via sled, still encased in ice. Indiana took out a guard and grabbed his grenades, hoping to set off an explosion that would send the mountain above them toppling down to interfere with their activities.

However, Jones was spotted by another soldier and fired upon. He suffered a flesh wound and had to use his whip to latch onto a peak to prevent a violent collision with the ground. By the time the soldiers arrived, Indy lay down and made it look like he'd been grievously injured. The men were convinced that their secret was safe and moved on.

Indy watched the Japanese military fly away with their prize in a zeppelin, and soon came across several of the prehistoric locals that his friend had mentioned in his letter. They had observed Jones' actions and determined that he was an ally. His shoulder wound was tended to, and Indiana was given an incantation that would, when spoken, make the dragon return to his worshippers. It was written in a pre-Indic language that Indiana was confident that he could translate. 

Several weeks later, Indy arrived at the home of Professor Kobayashi in Japan. He was greeted by a woman who knew his name and moved to attack. Jones disarmed the female, who explained that she'd failed, adding that her father refused to help his nation's military. Feeling like he betrayed his country, Kobayashi decided to take his own life. 

The professor didn't blame Indiana, but his daughter did. Jones talked about her father's devotion to peace and that he was trying to warn his friend. His debt to the American professor made it easier for Indy to do the right thing. He wanted to know as much about the dragon as possible. Indy knew that Kobayashi would have helped him, and his daughter eventually realized that. She led Indiana to a local temple that was large enough to be used as a military base. It could also contain the information that Jones sought.

He thanked the woman, who opted to wait outside for Jones. The first two men that Indy encountered told him that foreigners were forbidden to enter the facility. Indy apologized for his lack of knowledge, claiming to be a tourist. Neither man believed him, and a fight soon broke out.

Indiana took out each opponent individually. His pouch fell down an incline, and Jones went after it, figuring that the incantation it contained might be the only way to stop the beast. More soldiers arrived before Indy could accomplish that task. He used his whip once more to climb up to a safe hiding place as the guards rushed past.

After the soldiers departed, Jones jumped back down and found a door that led him to what he sought. The creature was still encased in a glass cylinder, as scientists were operating equipment around it. Indy learned that the military men had moved from ice to sleep gas to keep the dragon dormant. He was spotted by a soldier right before Indiana ran to one of the valves. Jones tugged on it to try to reduce the gas's flow.

Moments later, the creature awoke. It broke out of its prison and engaged in a battle between itself and its captors. Jones used his whip to draw the monster's attention as he ran toward his pouch that had the ancient inscription inside. The dragon's fiery breath caused some damage, and Indy was forced to grab the parchment and leave the pouch behind.

The dragon soon spread its wings and burst through the temple, with Indy attached via bullwhip. It reached the village before Indiana could climb onto its back, but Jones finally managed to get a secure spot and read the chant. When he finished, the dragon changed direction and started to fade from sight.

Indiana leaped before the creature vanished. Those who had seen it guessed that it might have been a part of the city's festival. None of them knew that the dragon had actually returned to its resting place in the Himalayas. It resumed its lengthy slumber as worshippers gave thanks and Indy returned to Kobayashi's daughter. She thanked him for his efforts and hoped that they'd meet again someday. As the American professor sailed away, he thought that war between their countries seemed likely, but at least without the dragon, it wouldn't happen as quickly.

Longtime Marvel readers may have thought that the dragon in this issue was the same or similar to Fin Fang Foom. There were definitely similarities, but unless those rumors are ever confirmed, this tale will probably be seen as non-canon. As filler issues go, this was an interesting yarn, one that would probably fit in with stories like the plot of the Crystal Skull movie.

Well, that's all that I have for you today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the twentieth issue of this title. The regular storyline will resume, as Indiana and Marion Ravenwood dig a little deeper into the fake Arnhem calendar ring and meet the National Museum's new curator. We'll also see the return of another popular villain. 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 #18

Good afternoon, folks,

Well, we made it halfway through the week! Time for me to talk about the eighteenth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover, illustrated by Herb Trimpe and Jack Abel, showed Indy and Marion teetering as someone in the background was shaking the wooden bridge that they stood upon. The tale was titled "The Search for Abner Chapter 2: The City of Yesterday's Forever!" The issue had a publication date of June 1984.

The story started in the Himalayan Alps, as Jones and Ravenwood found themselves falling as the bridge they'd been on had just given way. Indiana grabbed one of the ropes that had held the structure together and managed to snag it on a nearby slope. Marion held on for as long as she could. Jones presumed the worst after she lost her grip.

After he could no longer see her, Indiana continued to climb and moved on until his body needed rest. He thought about the journey so far, until his reverie was broken up by the arrival of several strangers who ordered him to join their party. Indy agreed and was amazed when he saw the legendary city of Ra-Lundi before them.

The domed village was much warmer than the mountains outside. Jones was soon greeted by Chen Sha, who guided him to quiet quarters. On the way, the old man explained that F'han Tal gave them heat and energy. They reached the F'han Tal temple, and Indiana was offered food. 

Indy was more concerned about Marion, who he was informed was still alive. Indiana saw her moments later and wanted to be by her side immediately. However, that was not to be. Chen Sha reached out to his guest's face, and Jones was out like a light.

When Indiana awoke, he found Marion standing in front of his eyes. She explained that she'd remembered the fall, and the next thing she knew, she was in a room that had a glowing entity in the middle. Chen Sha had told her that she'd been healed by something called a fantail. 

The couple was still concerned about the possibility that Marion's father, Abner, might still be alive, but before they could contemplate that further, they were instructed to attend the village's life celebration. By the time that Jones and Ravenwood arrived, all of the townspeople had gathered in the square, with Chen Sha sitting on a throne in the center pavilion. 

Marion guessed that the silent man wearing a gold mask who sat to Sha's right might be her father. Indiana calmly suggested that they watch the proceedings. The crowd started making noise before a large cage was brought inside. Sha ordered the cage be opened, and that its occupant, a large, hairy, humanoid beast, be brought forth. 

The creature picked through the residents until it selected one that it dragged outside. Sha offered the outsiders an explanation of their ritual. He began by stating how fire had fallen from the skies many years ago melting and freezing the structure referred to as Talon Rock. His people discovered the fire's healing properties, which also slowed aging and offered near immortality. 

They called this resource "F'han Tal," or "life giver" and built their town around it. However, they were largely able to avoid death. Finding the nearby beasts offered some hope in that regard, and over the generations, outsiders, like the one Marion and Indy had observed, had been tasked with digging traps to capture the monsters and bring them inside for their ceremonies. 

The assistants were given a golden mask and a place of honor, like their current associate, who Sha said had been found wandering without memory or voice in the snow. He added that the townspeople who had gone off to die eventually had to be replaced, insinuating that his new guests would be those replacements. 

Meanwhile, not very far away, LaFonte and McIver and their crew were nearing Ra Lundi when they came across several of the same creatures that Jones and Ravenwood had just been introduced to. They pressed on as the animals became deterred by the rifle shots, as Indy and Marion broke free from their cell. Jones made a detour to the temple to see F'han Tal for himself before they went to find the man with the golden mask.

Marion was still convinced that the stranger was her father, but was unable to rouse him from his slumber. The duo then heard the noises of battle outside. Indiana saw that their old opponents had finally reached the city, and were doing their best to take it over by force. He took Marion's hand and led her out of the room, making sure that they grabbed their supplies and return to the temple.

Jones was setting sticks of dynamite near the F'han Tal when Sha struck at him with his sword. The ruler cared more about power than the will of his people. He was about to cast a deadly blow, when the man in the golden mask intervened. He tossed a small statue that knocked Sha out cold. He then pointed toward the exit.

As Indy and Marion were departing, they were noticed by McIver. They were crossing another wooden bridge when they heard and witnessed the explosion in the city. The destruction was also observed by LaFonte and McIver, who had left their soldiers behind to fight on their behalf. Neither party was particularly interested in returning to Ra Lundi at the moment.

Some time later, Jones and Ravenwood returned to Marshall College in Connecticut. They were suprised to see that the National Musem was closed on a Wednesday. They made their way to Marcus Brody's office. Their old friend was delighted to see them, but had some bad news to share. He showed them a newspaper article about the Arnhem ring Indy had brought back from a previous expedition, which was found to be a fake. Indiana was certain that he'd retrieve the genuine article, to which Marcus replied that he could take the matter up with the museum's new curator the next day.

This issue felt a bit rushed to me. It didn't really answer the question of whether or not Abner Ravenwood was still alive, and the villains didn't really accomplish much of what they'd set out to do. We didn't learn much about the strange creatures that apparently live outside the domed city, either. The twist on the last page was enough to keep me interested, but I really felt like this storyline could have been expanded on with more details, even if it meant stretching things out for another issue or two. There were three inkers on this story, and after enough time, I could correctly identify which pages had been worked on by Vince Colletta, Ernie Chan, and Danny Bulanadi over Herb Trimpe's pencil work.

That's it from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the nineteenth issue of this series. It's a bit of a fill-in issue, as Lee Lieber (Stan Lee's real-life brother) joins Jack Abel and Vince Colletta on a story that has Indy returning to Nepal to start another solo adventure. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.