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Appearing in "Fang Gow of China (Part XXXI)"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Ling Foo
Adversaries:
Other Characters:
- Inspector Le Grand
- Jean Le Grand
- Doctor Bonfils
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Fang Gow of China (Part XXXI)"
Barry O'Neill and Doctor Bonfils were trapped in a dungeon chamber that was quickly filling with water! In grasping one of the torch brackets for support, Barry inadvertently opens a hidden doorway in the wall which causes the water to quickly drain out, sweeping the doctor into the tunnel beyond. Barry follows him, allowing the water to carry him through the dark cavernous passage...
Meanwhile, the inspector was saying his farewells to his daughter, Jean, who was being taken to the safety of a gunboat that will escort her back to their home in France. Inspector Le Grand chooses to stay behind and wait for Barry and Dr. Bonfils to return. As the vessel sails out of sight, Fang Gow's men grab Inspector Le Grand from behind and throw him into the trunk of their car. Fang Gow waits in his hideout as the inspector is brought in. Threatening him with the life of his daughter, Fang Gow demands that he deliver the french governments secret plans for a new type of poison gas. Le Grand laughs as he tell the villain that his daughter, Jean, is far away and safe from his cruelty. However, somewhere out on the open sea, the gunboat that Jean travels in has been flanked on all sides by small fishing boats, with armed men aboard! The crew of the naval vessel is no match for Fang Gow's hired thugs, and Jean is quickly recaptured.
In an underground dock, Barry O'Neill emerges from beneath the lake with Dr. Bonfils in his grip. Luckily, Ling Foo, a man who's life Barry had saved, had been posted as a guard in the area. He sees them and calls Barry over so that he may help. After they're both standing on solid ground again, Ling takes them over to a gate set in on the side of the wall in the lake. He explains that they can escape through there as soon as he opens it, but they must hurry for he is expecting another boat to come through anytime. As he is listening, Barry notices that Ling Foo has suddenly dropped his chinese accent. Ling tells him the truth, that he is actually a government agent sent to spy on Fang Gow. That's really why he's helping Barry and the doctor. But then the gates start to open on their own, which means the launch is coming through... Barry and Dr. Bonfils will surely be killed if they are discovered!
Appearing in "The River Pirates (Part II)"
Featured Characters:
- Tom Brent
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
- Knoph (Death)
- The Chief (Single appearance)[1]
Other Characters:
- Dot Travers
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The River Pirates (Part II)"
Tom Brent has been captured by River Pirates being headed by two criminal renegades, Knopf and Barrows. The pirates were planning a native revolution, but then things changed, and they turned against the white men, killing Barrows. Tom and Knopf joined forces and with their guns, made their stand inside the largest hut. All the while, a mysterious plane was circling over the village...
One of the pirates tries to start a fire underneath the hut, hoping it will force Tom and Knopf out in the open. But then the plane above the village swoops in a dive and fires it's gun. The natives drop down dead as they are struck, those that aren't hit run off never to return. Tom and the others are saved. Or are they? When the pilot lands and gets out, he addresses Knopf by name, telling him that he failed. Knopf identifies the man as his chief, and Tom's hopes for rescue are dashed as he is tied up. However, he is in good luck, for the chief doesn't notice the sharp arrow jutting out besides Tom's bound hands... The chief sends Knopf out to round up the natives and bring them back to take part in the revolution.
- An hour passes
The chief hears a scraping noise on the door of his hut, and when he opens it the body of Knopf falls in onto the floor, an arrow piercing through his neck. Just then, another sound is heard, and suddenly Tom charges out of the shadows into the chief! He knocks him out and then rescues the woman that is tied up nearby. She introduces herself as Dot Travers. She was taken from her fathers camp, a few miles up-river. The sounds of planes are overhead. This time, however, they belong to the government agents, who have followed up on a lead that led them to this area. The chief is arrested, Dot is returned to her father, and Tom is taken back to civilization and towards his next adventure...
Appearing in "On the Wrong Side of the Law (Part I)"
Featured Characters:
- Steve Carson
Supporting Characters:
- Federal Men
- Ralph Ventor
- Peter Hazelton
- others
Adversaries:
- "Bash" Forelli (Final appearance)
- Forelli's henchman (Only appearance; dies)[1]
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "On the Wrong Side of the Law (Part I)"
Steve recieves a reliable tip that the racketeer chief, Bash Forelli, is hiding out in a deserted house. The F.B.I. send out their agents to surround the home, with Steve leading the charge. When all th men are in position, Steve volunteers to try talking Bash out first. Though his friend and fellow agent, Ralph, protests, Steve walks up to the front door and knocks. He shouts for the crooks to come out peacefully, so that no one will be hurt. Bash answers this by firing at the door with his Tommy-Gun. Quick reflexes prevent Steve from being torn apart by the barrage of bullets. He signals to the other agents to commence firing.
Inside the house, Bash Forelli's henchman becomes frightened and tells Bash he wants to surrender. For his cowardice, Bash turns the gun on him and kills him. But he fails to notice the still-lit cigarette the man drops near some curtains. They soon catch fire, and in seconds the fire spreads! The Federal Men see the smoke rising and hold their fire, believing that Bash will be smoked out of the hideout. A minute passes, then two, with no sign of Bash Forelli. Steve decides to go in and see what happened to him. Ralph anxiously waits for Steve to return, then begins to panic when the house starts showing signs of collapsing. Seconds later, his fears are realized as the flame-engulfed house crashes inwards, sealing Steve's fate!
Appearing in "The Plantation Uprising (Part I)"
Featured Characters:
- Dale Daring
Supporting Characters:
- Captain Don Brewster
- Ali
Adversaries:
- Blakely (First appearance)
- Assistant superintendent (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Daring
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Plantation Uprising (Part I)"
Dale is joining her father on a trip to his rubber plantation in South America. Word of trouble from the locals there have made Mr. Daring very concerned. Meanwhile at the marine barracks in China, Captain Brewster is having a hard time forgetting about Dale. He admits to Ali that he misses her company, and the times they shared together. One week later, he recieves an honorable discharge from the marines, and Don Brewster knows exactly where he wants to go. He tells Ali to pack up for a long trip. At the train station, Mr. Daring and Dale head for the plantation where the foreman is expecting him. As Dale takes a look around the area, Blakely, the foreman, and Mr Daring talk about the troubles on the plantation. Including the death of Tom Wilson, another foreman and one of Mr. Darings close friends. It seems that the natives are becoming unruly and need to be watched carefully. They were the ones, Blakely explains, that turned on Tom and killed him.
Dale notices the natives giving her angry glares as she walked along the grounds. To her surprise, she comes across a man flogging one of the natives. She steps in, saying that she is the daughter of the man that owns the plantation. The man, as it turns out, is one of the superintendants. Dale angrily fires him and demands that he leave at once, then she proceeds to tend to the wounded native... Later that evening, Dale tells her father what she has witnessed, and Mr. Daring agrees that it was time to initiate a change. As they're talking about what needs to be done, the sound of beating drums cuts them off. They go outside and follow the sound to a campfire in the woods, where drunken natives were dancing war-like, and among them were Blakely and the superintendant that Dale fired! Something strange was going on, and Mr. Daring thought he had figured out what. While he and Dale silently head back to the office, Don Brewster appears stepping out of the brush. However, could he have picked a bad time for a visit?
Appearing in Captain Desmo: "The Masked Man (Part I)"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Gabby McGuire
Adversaries:
- Captain Terhune (The Masked Man) (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Colonel McAllister
- Arthur Roos (Only appearance; dies)[1]
- Captain Kildale
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Captain Desmo: "The Masked Man (Part I)"
Captain Desmo and Gabby were relaxing in their hotel room after their brush with the Sheik and his vicious tribesmen. It wasn't long before they had a visitor in the form of Colonel McAllister. He came to Captain Desmo seeking help to clear his name, explaining that he had been put in command of protecting a large area used by caravans. Then one day, his men were attacked by a tribe of ruthless bandits, armed with rifles and machine guns. Their leader wore a mask over his eyes, and they seemed to be using military tactics. The Colonel's group was able to repel the bandits, but they didn't go far. A day later, he was visited by Captain Kildale from the Intelligence Department. The captain brought out some supply orders that McAllister had recently signed, his face was grim even though there wasn't anything odd-looking about the documents. Afterwards, McAllister was arrested and put on trial for high treason, with only his long history of service keeping him from receiving a heavy sentence.
- At one point, Desmo's sidekick Gabby asks Desmo why he wears his flight goggles at all times (even to bed). He doesn't get an answer.
Colonel McAllister tells Captain Desmo that he was told to seek him out for help. Desmo believes in the colonel's innocence and he and Gabby agree to help. McAllister shows them a letter he recieved from his friend Captain Ross, saying that he would be meeting him in the hotel lobby today with evidence of his innocence. However, when they get downstairs, all they see is a car parked out front. Within it, the body of Captain Arthur Ross...
Appearing in "Hot Money (Part I)"
Featured Characters:
- Ace Diamond
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
- Rags Willer
Other Characters:
- Marvin Prentiss
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Hot Money (Part I)"
This is Part One of a two-part written short story. Inside a bank, two men with guns had the tellers filling their bags with money while the customers cowered in fear on the floor. Keith, the banks cashier, had been in the back room when the robbers had entered preventing them from seeing him. In a moment of courage, he grabbed a handgun from under his desk, opened the door and fired a shot. The bullet had whizzed past one man's ear, he turned quickly and fired his Tommy Gun in the direction of the shot. Keith was hit several times in the chest and slumped back in his chair, dead! His bravery hadn't gone unoticed, though, as one of the tellers grabbed a pistol and fired a round directly at the man who had fired. One of the rounds went straight into his shoulder. His partner panicked and ran for the door, firing his shotgun into the crowd to warn any more wanna-be heroes. The wounded gunman followed his cohort outside, where his hand had suddenly gone numb and made him drop his gun. There was no time to retrieve it, so he just kept running to a waiting car that drove off as soon as he was inside.
Marvin Prentiss, a director of the F.B.I., had called in Ace Diamond to tell him about the recent robbery. The fingerprints found on the gun that was dropped revealed the bandit to be Rags Willer. That wasn't all they had either, the director brought out a list of serial numbers. The numbers on the bills they had taken could be tracked every time they spend it. Ace was tasked with following the leads as soon as they started to appear, and arrest Willer and his gang. A week later, Ace had his first lead, and he rushed out to the area only to find the gang had already left. Days passed with Ace following each lead only to arrive too late, until one day he noticed the Willer gang had started to spend the money in a single town. Each transaction point was different, and it formed an imaginary circle on the map that Ace was sure had the gang's hideout somewhere in the middle. He questioned people in the area about any suspicious activity, but came out with no new lead.
Ace Diamond had alway blieved in luck, and he was optimistic that something would point him in the right direction soon enough. One night in the town, he went out to a small convenience store to pick up a pack of cigarettes, when Ace noticed the customer inside buying a bag of groceries. There was something funny about his clothes and his posture, he didn't look like a normal small-town citizen. The man almost reminded Ace of the big-city type, short with a toughness asbout him. As the two of them passed each other, Ace pretended to be disinterested in the man in order to stave off any suspicions. When he got in the store, Ace flashed his badge and asked the clerk to show him the bill the previous customer had just paid with. Sure enough, the serial number on the bill matched the number of the one from the bank... Ace Diamond ran outside just as the man had driven off in his car, so he quickly started his own vehicle and took off after him...
Appearing in "The God and the Ruby (Part VI)"
Featured Characters:
- Tod Hunter
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
- Hassim
- Paul Manners
Other Characters:
- Gail Duncan
- Mr. Duncan
- Hawkins
- Tommy Withers
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The God and the Ruby (Part VI)"
Tod Hunter and his friends have been captured by a fierce Arab tribe and sentenced to torture, unless they handed over Tod's rubies which had been stolen the previous night. Gail's fiancee, Paul Manners, had also disappeared that night, only to be seen again speaking with the Arabs leader, Hassim. Inside the stockade, Tod and Hawkins are tied to wooden posts and whipped, while Gail is sent to wait in the prison area, shackled to a stake jammed into the ground. That night, while the others are sleeping trying to recover from their lashes, Paul appears and starts to untie her. He apparently made a deal with the Arabs to give the rubies in exchange for his and Gail's freedom. But she objects, appalled that he would so easily abandon the others. He tries to silence her, but her yells wake up Tod, and it doesn't take long for him to figure out what was happening. He called Paul a traitor and a coward, pointing out that he now knows that he was the one who took the rubies. Paul ignored the accusations and forced Gail onto the saddle of a horse with him.
Paul attempted to escape with his fiancee before the deal is completed. As they reach the stockade gate, Hassim and his guards block their way. Searching the two of them, they find the rubies stuffed into Paul's satchel. Hassim grows furious at the attempted double-cross, and orders his men to bring the girl to his chamber. Paul is dragged away screaming, pleading with Hassim for mercy, even offering his lover, Gail, in exchange for his own life. Gail tries to bargain, saying her family owns quite a bit of money and that they can hold her for ransom. Hassim tells her that she and her friends may still be valuable to them alive, but that her fiancee Paul Manners must die. Gail shows little concern for the man who just tried to sell her for his own life. An attack out of the blue by Tod Hunter sent the Arab leader sprawling to the ground. How did Tod get free? And will he win the fight with Hassim?
Appearing in "Golden Dragon (Episode 27)"
Featured Characters:
- Ian Murray
Supporting Characters:
- Pan Chi-Lou
Adversaries:
- Torgadoff
Other Characters:
- The Abbot (Single appearance)[1]
- Jim Reilly
- Ken Cockerill
- Ja Lama
- Doris Willis
- Chho-Timba (Final appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Golden Dragon (Episode 27)"
What remains of Ian Murray's expedition take refuge inside a large, mysterious monastery for the night. He and Pan Chi-Lou meet the Abbot there, who had foreseen their arrival. He believes Ian to be the Maitreya of legend, and knows that they are seeking the treasure of Genghis Khan. The Abbot warns that there is still a living relative of Khan's whom the treasure rightly belongs to, however, Ian will still be the one to eventually find it. A messenger arrives bearing a note for Ian. It was written by Ken Cockerill, who is currently in Torgadoff's evil grasp. He pleads with Ian to come and bargain for his and Doris' life, saying that the messenger will lead him to where they are being held. Ken also wrote that if Ian brought anyone else along, he and Doris would be killed! Ian tells the Abbot that he must leave to help his friends, and he is given the Abbot's blessing. The messenger brought a spare camel. Without a word, he waits for Ian to mount, then he leads him off into the darkness...
Meanwhile, Torgadoff has the Ja-Lama, still believing him to be one of his Generals, summoned into his chambers. He confronts the Ja-Lama about his attempts to hoard the caravans weapons all to himself. While Ja-Lama argues that he has paid for them, Torgadoff interrupts that he has only paid for ownership of half. But because of how over two-thousand of his men are under the "General's" influence, he does not wish to break their friendship, but simply says that his grand scheme requires the power the guns would give him. The fact that the area they occupy now is in the center of a three-way asian trade route means he will soon rule over any caravans and make them pay a high fee to cross safely. The Ja-Lama is shocked at this, but shows no sign of emotion. He then asks Torgadoff if he may have the woman, Doris. He replies that she is to become the bride of the Golden Dragon, and he can have her only if the Golden Dragon refuses her...
Doris waits in her cell for whatever fate may bring. Will she be forced to marry the mysterious Golden Dragon, or will Ian find a way to save her?
Appearing in "The Pirate Ship (Part VII)"
Featured Characters:
- Rusty
- Specs
- Tubby
Supporting Characters:
- Stephen Carter
Adversaries:
- Ichabod Slade
- Omar
- "Hunch" (First appearance)
- Dr. Kurtz (First appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Pirate Ship (Part VII)"
Rusty and his three friends escape from the hijacked pirate ship and swim to a remote island where they are "greeted" by a native giant of a man. He takes them to a house where they are locked up as prisoners. Steve attempts to create an escape with the boys, but the large man finds them and fights with Steve, attempting to kill him. A voice calls out suddenly, and the big man stops and steps back. Steve is face to face with an older gentleman smoking a cigar. He offers Steve his apologies for Omar's actions, saying that he was suspicious of strangers. When Rusty and his pals rush in to see if Steve was alright, the man offers them his hospitality within his home, introducing himself as Ichabod Slade. After a shower and a change of clothes, Ichabod invites them to dine, much to Tubby's delight. Seated at the table with them was Dr. Kurtz and Hunch, two of Ichabod's friends. Steve and Specs talk about how they were washed ashore on the island's beach. Then they ask Ichabod how his group came to the island, Ichabod seems anxious to change the subject, making Steve a bit suspicious...
Late that night, Rusty had gotten up to get a drink of water, when he overheard voices talking. He stopped and listened intently. The voices belonged to Ichabod Slade and Hunch, and they were discussing what to do with the newcomers. Ichabod felt that Steve was too smart to be allowed to move about freely, and he orders Hunch to end his life tonight! Quickly and as quietly as he can, Rusty goes back upstairs to the guest room and wakes Steve. He tells him of the plot, and Steve thinks fast. Using pillows from the boys beds, he sets up a decoy, covering it with blankets. Then the boys and Steve hide themselves behind the credenza and waits. Soon enough, the assasin climbs through the window, raises his blade, and brings it down into the figure on the bed. Satisfied, the murderer exits the room through the doorway, using a key he had in his pocket to lock the door behind him. What Rusty had heard was confirmed, but what were they supposed to do now?
Appearing in "Anchors Aweigh! (El Diablo Part V)"
Featured Characters:
- Lt. Commander Don Kerry
Supporting Characters:
- Red Murphy
Adversaries:
- El Diablo (Herr von Stolz)
- Martinez (Single appearance)[1]
- Pedro Santora (Final appearance; Dies)
Other Characters:
- Admiral Allen
- Mr. Marshall
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Anchors Aweigh! (El Diablo Part V)"
While in disguise, Red Murphy has been captured by El Diablo's men. Don Kerry just recieved a phone call from Red after attempting to search for him. A name was dropped just before the line was disconnected.... Martinez. Mr. Marshall tells him that Martinez was a rich coffee planter. Don tells him that if he does not return to go warn the Admiral, then leaves the Embassy and heads for Martinez's home. A spy dressed as a beggar watches Kerry go, then gets on a phone and speaks in spanish to whoever was on the other end... Taking extra caution, Kerry first travels to the marine barracks to speak with the captain about something. When the captain gives his understanding, Don continues onward to find his friend.
Finally arriving at the secluded mansion of Martinez, Don Kerry steps up to the front door and rings the bell. A well dressed man answers, and bids him to enter. No sooner does Kerry cross the threshold when he is grabbed on both sides by a pair of thugs. And there, standing before him, is the hooded El Diablo in the flesh! He is taken into a room where Red Murphy is tied to a chair, and at El Diablo's orders, the thugs pull out their blades and prepare to strike the two men down. A bullet flies through the window and into the thug's back. A detachment of U.S. Marines burst into the room and order the rest of El Diablo's men to surrender. El Diablo himself is nowhere to be found, and Don quickly organizes a search. A phone line tapped into the embassy gives them a clue where to start. Inside Mr. Marshall's office there were apparent signs of a struggle, and the window was left open...
Back onboard the flagship, the Admiral worries that Marshall may actually have betrayed them and be working for El Diablo, but Don Kerry isn't so sure. Red Murphy points out to Don that the whole time El Diablo never revealed his face or said a word. Perhaps afraid he'd be recognized by them? As they are considering the possibilities, a sailor hands Don a sealed envelope addressed to him. It was written by Marshall, and tells him how he was being framed by El Diablo. He was kidnapped and set loose in Montero, where he was jailed by the police. Kerry tells Red to grab a few weapons and clothes they can use for a disguise. He planned on getting to Montero as soon as possible.
Red and Don reach the shore via launch, and hirea taxi to take them to Montero. From there, they travel on foot through town until they find the jail at the far end. Sneaking past the guards, Don finds Marshall's cell window and calls to him. Marshall appears relieved at the sight of help, but cautions Don that the guards are all working for El Diablo. A nearby steam engine gives Kerry an idea. Red and Marshall wait by the window while he climbs into the engine and searches the tool chest. Taking what he needs, Don starts up the engine and drives it back on it's tracks until it's close to the cell. He tosses one end of a chain to Red, telling him to tie it around the bars of the window, while he ties the other end to the front of the train... Will Don's plan work?
Notes
- Premiere issue; series continues the numbering sequence from New Adventure Comics.
- Last "Dot & Danny" humor strip.
- Last "Ol' Oz Bopp strip.
See Also
- Write your own review of this comic!
- Discuss Adventure Comics Vol 1 32 on the forums
- Images from Adventure Comics Vol 1 32
Links and References
- Adventure Comics article at Wikipedia
- Adventure Comics series index at the Grand Comics Database (creator credits)
- Adventure Comics #32 index entry
- Adventure Comics #32 spoilers 1
- Adventure Comics #32 spoilers 2
Footnotes
Try Your Luck
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