Good afternoon,
Hope all's well with everyone. It's time for me to talk about the seventeenth issue of The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones. The cover depicted Indy and Marion Ravenwood fleeing on horseback from several opponents firing at them from a pair of vehicles. The tale was titled "The Search for Abner, Chapter 1: The Grecian Earn." The issue had a cover date of May 1984.
The story started on the island of Crete, in an underground labyrinth, where Indiana and Marion found themselves staring at a legendary Minotaur who was blocking their path. The figure then swung his club at the strangers. His second blow struck a support pillar that brought part of the roof down on the room's occupants.
While the mystery man was preoccupied with trying to dislodge his weapon from the hole it made in the wall facing it, Jones and Ravenwood took the opportunity to escape. As they did so, Indy thought back to how they got into the predicament in the first place.
It all started with another incident that brought the former couple closer together. Things changed when Marion received a telegram that turned her white as a sheet. Indiana thought about her reaction even as he embarked upon another mission (that was recounted in the previous two issues).
When Indy returned, Marcus Brody informed him of Marion's decision to take a leave of absence from her public relations duties for the National Museum and head to Greece to pursue the possibility that her father, Abner Ravenwood, may still be alive. Indiana went after her, even though it meant he'd miss the opening ceremonies for the Arnhem ring display.
After a quick flight to Athens, Indiana started asking the locals if they'd seen Marion. He eventually found her on a bridge just outside of Heraklion. Jones wasn't too surprised by Marion's less-than-pleasant reaction to his arrival.
Unfortunately, neither of them had much time for conversation, as they soon found themselves boxed in by New Dorians, people who followed the original Dorians, who made life very difficult for residents following the Trojan war. Jones explained what they were up against before they opted to jump from the bridge and swim to safety.
As they fled, Indiana went on to say how Dorians made sacrifices to the Minotaur, the half-man, half-bull son of King Minos, and that he'd encountered several members of their group years earlier in an operation that drew scrutiny from local law enforcement. The duo eventually made their way to Minos' former home of Knossos, and their hiding spot turned out to be where the Dorians once made blood sacrifices to their deity.
Jones and Ravenwood appeared to be trapped, but the walls had weakened somewhat over the years. Indy took out a pocket knife, but before he could attempt to dislodge a few tiles, the Minotaur returned. As the foe attacked, his helmet fell off, revealing an ordinary man beneath it. His club swung once more, this time knocking a hole in the floor that our heroes fell through.
Indiana lit his torch, and the pair were stunned by the appearance of bats flittering around them in the chamber. They hightailed it to the nearest door, slamming it shut behind them. A short while later, Marion lured their opponent toward the doorway. Jones was hiding and knocked the larger man into the room full of bats. They departed after hearing their former foe's screams cease.
Some time later, after Indy and Marion had escaped the complex, they talked about the telegram. Ravenwood said that it had been sent from Bill Kershaw, a former colleague of her father's. They found Kershaw in the back room of a local watering hole. Kershaw had worked with Abner Ravenwood for a man named Lafonte. Abner walked away from the partnership after he'd caught both of them cheating on invoices.
As Kershaw sobered up, he explained that he and Lafonte had found a map before dissolving their partnership. The map talked about Ra-Lundi, a city in Tibet. The city's god was a white man. Abner set out for that destination, which Bill was willing to disclose for a price.
Jones handed over the money, even though he and Ravenwood knew that Kershaw would probably have drunk the $500 before he even reached the airport. The duo then took a train to Constantinople. Indy wanted Marion to be realistic about how slim the odds were that her father was alive, but it was still a chance that they were willing to see through together.
Following the train ride, Indiana and Marion continued on foot to the grassy area known as the Kara Kavan, where Lafonte had set up camp. The two Americans soon entered his tent and met with the adventurer. Marion cut to the chase, stating that she wanted the map to Ra-Lundi. Lafonte pulled out a small carved map that he immediately pocketed. He said that he had need of that particular item, noting that his camp was being used to train Mongols for the trek to that rumored location.
Marion suggested that they could work together, but Lafonte already had a business partner, who emerged from the shadows. His familiar voice confirmed that it was none other than Indiana's old rival, McIver (last seen in issue #8). McIver explained that the Nazis were funding this venture. He talked about his anticipated bonus before mocking Marion's father. That comment incensed her, and Lafonte's men had to restrain her before taking their unwanted guests away.
On the way out, Jones chastised Marion for her display of anger. She opened her coat to show him that she'd taken the map medallion. Pickpocketing was a skill that she'd learned during her years in Nepal. The pair then engaged in a fight with the guards behind them. The noise drew Lafonte and McIver's attention, but they were too late to prevent them from escaping on horseback.
They rode on, but their horses were soon followed by Lafonte's guards in a pair of trucks. The grenades stolen from the camp were enough to cause the vehicles to crash in a narrow passageway. Indiana and Marion soon donned winter gear as they prepared to ascend mountains.
When they reached the summit, Indy nearly fell into a hole covered by snow, with a fabric net over the top. That confirmed that people were nearby. The only question was who such a trap was intended for.
Jones and Ravenwood eventually came across Talon Rock. The structure looked like a large, ancient claw. As they were halfway through a wooden bridge, they noticed someone shaking the structure on one end. The movement was enough to cause the bridge to break, sending the adventurers tumbling to their fate.
This issue was the end of the first half of this series. It was an interesting tale, and I think it was the first time that the same writer, penciler, and inker were used for three consecutive issues. The story plodded along a bit at times, but it was good for regular readers to see the return of McIver and entertain the possibility that Abner Ravenwood might still be alive.
Tune in next time for the conclusion of this storyline. I'll recap the eighteenth issue of this title, and we'll learn what happened to Indiana and Marion. We'll also see if Ra-Lundi actually exists and what new concerns await both of them when they return home. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
No comments:
Post a Comment