I'm talking about Hojo- the mysterious chief of Inter-Intel(the world-wide secret secret organisation that collects information’s about crimes all over the world). Hojo's first appearance was in 1967 i.e. just in next year of the introduction of that secret bureau!! Started as Xanadu's chef-come-body guard,later he was 'revealed' as the secret chief of I-I in 1976(md-169:The Mysterious Chief).Except Mandrake ,no body was aware of his 'real' identity,included Jed - head of the NY branch of Inter-Intel !!Later Lothar also learnt Hojo's real identity,when "8" kidnapped him(md-185:Hojo and 8) unknowing who he was,and Mandrake had to tell Lothar the truth in that moment-of-crisis!!
But,here's a baffling mystery regarding whether Hojo was the "Original" chief of Inter-Intel(i.e. from the beginning) or just a late-entry by Falk??Probably he was NOT considered as the 'Original' Chief as there's a strip from 1975(md-163:The Thieves) where you can see when some thieves entered in Xanadu & tried to rob the amazing Crystal Cube,Hojo was present at that scene wid Narda & Karma.And at the SAME TIME,Mandrake was in a conference wid the secret chief of I-I!!! [you can see 'that' strip in the left side,which's the French version courtesy Peder]. So,there's two options:either Hojo had a high-tech Robot who can give prompt(& appropriate!) answers to visitors 'any' query in his absence OR Falk was then yet-to-decide a suitable person for that post(more probable!).
Between,another interesting info regarding that strip (md-163:The Thieves)is that,for some unknown reason(s),it NEVER published in either of Ijc/DC,allthough it's continuation part,md-164:Return of the Cube,was very much published by ToI in Ijc #286(Magic mantle) and that's why,Indian Mandrake fans completely missed this 'mystery' ,which you first time heard in Xanadu-site & now here!! :D
Sagnik,
ReplyDeleteNice informative post as usual. Keep it up.
A great research work! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGreat comic and very usefull info as usual. One can easilly tell that you are a die hard Mandrake fan.Wonder where you got hold of those old Madrake comics.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
Ravi Gokhale
Indeed...
ReplyDeletebut can we have the full comics please...
Nice research there....Nice post
ReplyDelete#CC: Thnaks man,IT'S a fascianting mystery for any MTM fans!ain't??
ReplyDeleteKeep coming,,
#Prabhat:
ReplyDeleteYou r welcome!
#Ravi:
ReplyDeleteAfter long time,doc?? :-)
Yes,this is really 'baffling'!When Peder told me all these and sent d Spanish version,I was thrilled!!
One can easilly tell that you are a die hard Mandrake fan
DIEEEEE HARDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!YAAY!!! :-))
You will be amazed if learn how many things I did(& will do) to GET RARE "MANDRAKE COMICS",both Physical/Scan!!
I'm born CRAZY fan of MTM(& Phantom too!),specially Falk-Fredricks creations frm '70s!!!THOSE R GEMSSSSSSSSS!!
#Mozz:
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Full comic in Spanish,,when I'll get English will post,,tht's a RARE strip! :-)
#Bala:
ReplyDeleteYou r welcome dude,,DO POST Mandrakes in your blog too!!!
Btw. the language for the Hojo strips is not Spanish. It is French !
ReplyDelete#Peder:
ReplyDeleteThanks man! Rectified!
Actully some strips I've are in Spanish & others in French,,but can't read either of these languges,so this goof-up! :(