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.
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