Closing on to Indrajal 803

 

Self printed these Dara's issues of Indrajal comics.

AFI Comics

Sometime in the late 1970's or early 80's - during my weekly walks in search of second-hand comic shops or 'Raddiwallahs' -  I chanced upon some issues of AFI Comics at a Library/Old books shop on Station Road, Malad East. It was I think No. 115 - The Smugglers, featuring Secret Agent Corrigan.
AFI print run may have started with No. 101 and not No. 1 - this is my surmise - as there are no issues to be seen prior to No. 101. and ended within a year (+ some months probably) with the last issues in 130s.
I had managed - in the ensuing 7-8 years - to collect 19 issues - and some doubles as well. But most of them were rather elusive and I finally gave up on them (and comics collecting as a whole) even as the Indrajal Comics era ended and responsibilities of life had suddenly loomed upon me.
Over the last few years, I have disposed all off the doubles and also bartered away all but 2 issues, to fund the reprints of my missing Indrajals which was my dream as a child and into my youth and even now.
I was left with only 2 AFI issues when I thought of giving a last shot - at least to find out if I can get a look of the covers of all the English issues of this rather unknown, elusive comic publisher on the internet. Here is the result of that persevering year long search and the enjoyable hours in photoshop...
Some covers were from a different language - I made it in English. Some are a project I gave myself to create comic covers from the panels inside (as was done for the originals).
Needless to say I would like to think I now have all the AFI English issues ever printed - I have managed to reprint all the books.

I discovered Laurel & Hardy Featured in Comics too!

I had seen several Laurel & Hardy Short Films.Doordarshan used to air these on some lucky Saturday evenings. I would always look forward to as to when it would be scheduled again.
As it happened, one film (I remember it was BLOTTO) was scheduled on one such Saturday when I had to go to Thane for a house warming ceremony. I was adamant that I won't go - I did not want to miss the L&H short film. Somehow I was coaxed by my Mom to come along by promising me a comic.
I had rushed out of my house - 50p with me - delighted that I would get my hands on yet another earlier Indrajal.
When I got to the same footpath vendor opp Jagadamba Stores - a few minutes walk from my home - among Indrajals was this comic - Laurel & Hardy Gold Key No. 2.

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070 Specter From Space - First Mandrake comic that I bought.

I bought it from a footpath vendor - just across Jagdamba General Stores, Daulatnagar, Borivli (East). It was not in very good condition. In a few years it had shredded to pieces. I no longer have that issue with me - I have self printed a copy for my collection.

Sharing with you a very clean scan.

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