Kalimán
Encyclopedia
Kaliman is the name of a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...

 hero very famous across Latin America. He was created by Rafael Cutberto Navarro and Modesto Vázquez González. The Kaliman comic depicts the adventures of Kaliman and his young companion Solín
Solin
Solin is a town in Dalmatia, Croatia. It is situated northeast of Split, on the Adriatic Sea and the river Jadro.Solin developed on the location of ancient town of Salona which was the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian...

, an Egyptian boy who is descended from Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...

s. Kaliman had his own radio show since 1963, which featured adventures that took place on exotic sites. The comic book was born due to the huge success of the radio show of the same name.

Origins and powers

Kaliman's origin is unknown, which helps the sense of mystery that surrounds the character. What we know is that he's an orphan adopted by prince Abul Pasha from one of the kingdoms in the valley of Kalimantan, that he's the fifth man in a dynasty of men dedicated to preserving justice in the world, and that he's the seventh man of the goddess Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...

's dynasty. He swore an oath to Kali to wander the world fighting for justice, a vow he must return to India to renew every seven years.

Kaliman wears an all-white outfit with one mark: the jeweled-encased "K" he wears in his turban. He does not use weapons, except a blowpipe with tranquilizer darts and a ceremonial dagger he never uses in a fight. He's a master of martial arts, science and arts. He also possesses extensive mental powers: levitation, telepathy, remote viewing, telekinesis, astral projection, control of the involuntary functions of the body (allowing him to fake a dead state, that he calls "actus mortis"), hypnosis, self-healing and so on. He makes clear that he does nothing that any other men would not be able to do with self discipline, study and hard work.

The radio play

The radio play of Kalimán started in 1963. It was transmitted by Radio Cadena Nacional (1110 AM in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...

, currently known as Radio Red), a station that dedicated most of its time to radio plays. In the morning they broadcast soap operas and in the afternoon action radio plays. Kalimán was a hit, and soon it was replayed along the Mexican Republic. Later the radio play was redone in Colombia, broadcast by Todelar with Colombian actors.

The voice of the Mexican version of the Kalimán radio play was done by the actor Luis Manuel Pelayo, but he was not credited; instead it was announced that the voice was done by Kalimán himself. In Colombia, Kalimán was played by Gaspar Ospina.

More than 100,000 hours of radio were produced.

Two years later it was decided to publish the story in comic book format.

As October 21, 2008 Kalimán is/was regularly played in XERL Radio Colima www.radiolevy.com at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.

The comic book

The first issue of Kaliman was published on December 4, 1965 with the first ot ten parts of the story "Los Profanadores de Tumbas", ("The Tomb Raiders"). 100,000 copies were sold out within that week, so the issue had to be reprinted. The original run of more than 1200 issues sold for 1,348 weeks until 1991. Reprints have been printed since 1998.

The comic book was done in black and white, and printed in sepia tones, like most of the Mexican comics of the time. Only the cover was done in color. Later special editions were done "Kalicolor" and "Kaliman de lujo" that were done in color, but they were not as popular as the original magazine.

The Kaliman comic-book was published in Colombia as well, but starting with the eleventh issue of the Mexican run, the beginning of the second story, "El Valle de los Vampiros" ("The Valley of the Vampires"). In Colombia, Kaliman was also very successful, and the Colombian run of the comic-book lasted for more than 1200 issues.

The Movies

Besides the radio show, two movies made in Mexico about the blue-eyed hero, with actor Jeff Cooper as Kalimán, his voice was dubbed by Luis Manuel Pelayo, who was in charge of the voice in the Radio Play.

The first movie, done in 1972,"Kalimán el hombre increible" was filmed entirely on location in Egypt. It had an international cast, from US, México, Spain, Italy and Egypt. The movie is loosely based on the first story "Los profanadores de Tumbas" (Tomb raiders), but adding a science fiction theme. For almost twenty years hold the title of the most expensive movie done in México. It was a huge successes, being in theaters for more than a year. .

The original running time was up to 180 minutes, but was cut up to 109 for TV release.

The second film was Kalimán en el siniestro mundo de Humanón (1976), based on the adventures from radio and Comic of the same title. Done on locations on Brazil and México. It was not as successful as the first. .

There are currently (2011) projects for a third movie, with a working title of "Kaliman regresa".

Kalimán's qualities and philosophy

Kalimán has no superhuman powers, he is a human at the peak of his abilities, thanks to the esoteric knowledge he has. It is assumed that Solín, a common boy, will eventually take his place as he learns from Kalimán.

Only in two adventures "El Extraño Doctor Muerte" (The Strange Doctor Death) and "El Dragón Rojo" (The Red Dragon) he gets momentary superhuman powers, thanks to the third eye, opened by the lama masters.

Kalimán never kills. He even puts his life in danger to prevent any kind of killing.

Kalimán is also famous for the wise phrases he uses to teach his child companion Solín. Among these, we have "No Hay Fuerza Mas Poderosa Sobre la Tierra Que la Mente Humana, Quien domina la mente, lo domina todo" (There is No Force on Earth Greater Than The Human mind, He who masters the mind, masters everything); "Serenidad y paciencia, mucha paciencia" (Serenity and patience, plenty of patience) and "Siempre hay un camino cuando se usa la inteligencia" (There is always a way when you use your intelligence); "El miedo es mal consejero" (Fear is a bad advisor); "La Venganza es un pobre consuelo" (Revenge is a poor consolation); "No Hay Gente Mala en el Mundo, Pero Hay Buenas Gentes Que Dejan a Otros Hacer Malas Cosas (There are No Bad People in the World, But There are Good People That Let Others Do Bad Things); "Quien Nunca Se Arriesga Nunca Gana"(He who Never takes risks never wins); "Ni Una Hoja de Arbol Se Mueve Sin Permiso Del Todopoderoso" (Not even a leaf of a tree moves without the will of the Almighty); "El Ojo de la Mente Ve mas Lejos" (The Mind's Eye Sees Further); "Hasta el camino mas largo empieza con un pequeño paso" (Even the Longest Path Starts with one small step); "El Hombre No Ha Nacido Para Ser Esclavo De Otro, Soy Libre y Siempre Lo Seré" (Man is Not Born To Be Slave of another man, I am Free and Always Will Be); "Sólo el Cobarde Muere Dos Veces" (Only the Coward Dies Twice); "Libertad Es la Esencia de la Vida"(Freedom Is The Essence Of Life); "El Amor es la fuerza más poderosa en el universo" (Love is the most powerful force in the universe); "Quien trae paz abre cualquier puerta" (He who brings peace opens any door); "No busques caminos falsos, la verdad esta dentro de ti" (Do not seek false Paths, the truth is within You); "La Vida Termina y empieza con una visión de esperanza" (Life Ends and begins with a vision of Hope); "Las Drogas y Alcohol Confunden la mente del hombre, envenenan su Espiritu y destruyen su Organismo" (Drugs and Alcohol Confuse man's mind, Poison his spirit and destroy his Organism); "El Oro no compra la felicidad" (Gold does not buy Happiness); "Fumar es un placer que lleva a la muerte" (Smoking is a pleasure that leads to death).

Kalimán and popular culture

Kalimán was one of the most popular comics in Mexico and Latinamerica around 1970, his phrases were common knowledge, and it became a common alias.

Kalimán's comic-book adventures

1. "Los Profanadores de Tumbas" ("The Tomb Raiders"), issues 1-10, main villain: Eric von Kraufen

2. "El Valle de los Vampiros" ("The Valley of the Vampires"), issues 11-32, main villain: Conde Bártok (Count Bartok)

3. "Los Misterios de Bonampak" ("The Mysteries of Bonampak"), issues 33-47, main villain: Capitán Scott (Captain Scott)

4. "El Misterio de los Astronautas" ("The Mystery of the Astronauts"), issues 47-64, main villain: Van Zeland

5. "El Tigre de Hong-Kong" ("The Tiger of Hong-Kong"), issues 64-77, main villain: el Tigre de Hong-Kong (the Tiger of Hong-Kong)

6. "Las Momias de Machu-Pichu" ("The Mummies of Machu-Pichu"), issues 77-90, main villain: Comahué

7. "El Insepulto" ("The Unburied One"), issues 90-103, main villain: Sacha Moster

8. "El Extraño Doctor Muerte" ("The Strange Doctor Death", issues 103-124, main villain: Doctor Muerte (Doctor Death)

9. "La Mano Negra" ("The Black Hand"), issues 124-150, main villain: la Araña Negra (the Black Spider)

10. "Los Samurais, Mensajeros de la Muerte" ("Samurais, Messengers of Death"), issues 147-180, main villain: Doctor Kiro

11. "Los Magos del Crimen" (The Magicians of Crime"), issues 175-212, main villain: Professor Satanyk (Professor Satanyk)

12. "El Terror Blanco" ("The White Terror"), issues 201-244, main villain: Cerebro

13. "Los Mensajeros de la Muerte" ("The Messengers of Death"), issues 231-259, main villain: el Pulpo (the Octopus)

14. "Muñecos Infernales" ("Puppets of Hell"), issues 256-287, main villain: Bengala

15. "El Regreso de la Araña Negra" ("The Return of the Black Spider"), issues 280-315, main villain: la Araña Negra (the Black Spider)

16. "El Viaje Fantástico" ("The Fantastic Journey"), issues 310-351, main villain: Poseidon

17. "Cerebros Infernales" ("Brains of Hell"), issues 344-387, main villain: Humanon

18. "Los Jinetes del Terror" ("The Horsemen of Terror"), issues 378-416, main villain: Zulma

19. "Los Misterios de la Muralla China" ("The Mysteries of the Chinese Wall"), issues 411-452, main villain: el Caballero Negro (the Black Knight)

20. "El Asesino Invisible" ("The Invisible Assassin"), issues 447-485, main villain: Barón de Kruger (Baron of Kruger)

21. "El Faraón Sagrado" ("The Sacred Pharaoh"), issues 478-522, main villain: Nefris

22. "El Dragón Rojo" ("The Red Dragon"), issues 513-572, main villain: Karma

23. "La Bruja Blanca del Kilimanjaro" ("The White Witch of Kilimanjaro"), issues 563-633, main villain: Tac-Tac

24. "El Triángulo de la Muerte" ("The Triangle of Death"), issues 622-698, main villain: la Araña Negra (the Black Spider)

25. "El Ojo de Satán" ("The Eye of Satan"), issues 685-752, main villain: Kardo

26. "La Venganza de Karma" ("The Revenge of Karma"), issues 742-817, main villain: Karma

27. "La Sombra del Terror" ("The Shadow of Terror"), issues 806-887, main villain: Conde Bártok (Count Bartok)

28. "La Séptima Muerte" ("The Seventh Death"), issues 880-944, main villain: Namilak

29. "Magia Negra" ("Black Magic"), issues 935-989, main villain: la Araña Negra (the Black Spider)

30. "Las Panteras de Estambul" ("The Panthers of Istanbul"), issues 978-1018, main villain: Príncipe Sakiri (Prince Sakiri)

31. "El Buda Negro" ("The Black Buddha"), issues 1009–1070, main villain: Ramar

32. "Las Máscaras de la Muerte" ("The Masks of Death"), issues 1061–1101, main villain: Lukas Hunt

33. "El Terror Chino" ("The Chinese Terror"), issues 1092–1153, main villain: Lin-Poo

34. "La Ciudad de los Muertos" ("The City of the Dead"), issues 1144–1194, main villain: Doctor Hill

35. "Terror bajo Tierra" ("Terror Underground"), issues 1186–1236, main villain: Nefris

36. "Los Guerreros Rojos" ("The Red Warriors"), issues 1227–1273

37. "El Hombre que cayó de la Luna" ("The Man who fell from the Moon"), issues 1264–1308, main villain: Cosman

After this, stories started to be repeated.

Kaliman´s Mexican Radio Adventures

1. "Profanadores de Tumbas" ("The Tomb Raiders")

2. "El Misterio de los Astronautas" ("The Mystery of the Astronauts")

3. "El Tigre de Hong Kong" ("The Tiger of Hong-Kong")

4. "Los Misterios de Bonampak" ("The Mysteries of Bonampak")

5. "El Valle de los Vampiros" ("The Valley of the Vampires")

6. "Las Momias de Machu Pichu" ("The Mummies of Machu Pichu")

7. "La Reina de los Gorilas" ("The Queen of the Gorillas")

8. "El Extraño Doctor Muerte" ("The Strange Doctor Death")

9. "Atlántida, la Ciudad Perdida" ("Atlantis, the Lost City")

10. "Los Brujos Diabólicos" ("The Diabolical Warlocks")

11. "La Araña Negra" ("The Black Spider")

12. "Los Cadáveres Vivientes" ("The Living Corpses")

13. "El Terror Invisible" ("The Invisible Terror")

14. "Las Panteras Negras de Estambul" ("The Black Panthers of Istanbul")

15. "Los Asesinos de la Máscara Roja" ("The Assassins of the Red Mask")

16. "El Genio de Ultratumba" ("The Genius from beyond the Grave")

17. "El Juego de la Muerte" ("The Game of Death")

18. "Los Lobos Humanos" ("Werewolves" [Literal translation : "The Human Wolves"] )

19. "Los Hijos del Sol" ("The Sons of the Sun")

20. "La Venganza de los Ídolos" ("The Vengeance of the Idols")

21. "La Bruja Blanca del Kilimanjaro" ("The White Witch of Kilimanjaro")

22. "Los Hijos de Satán" ("The Sons of Satan")

23. "Los Piratas del Espacio" ("The Space Pirates")

24. "Los Samurais, Mensajeros de la Muerte" ("Samurais, Messengers of Death")

25. "El Terror del Planeta Gris" (Terror from the Grey Planet")

26. "Mas allá del mas allá" ("Beyond the Beyond")

27. "El Castillo de los Monstruos" ("The Castle of the Monsters")

28. "La Invasión de los Satánicos" ("The Invasion of the Satanics")

29. "El Pulpo de los Tentáculos Dorados" ("The Octopus of the Golden Tentacles")

30. "Muerte en la Cuarta Dimensión" ("Death in the Fourth Dimension")

31. "Los Magos del Crimen" ("The Magicians of Crime")

32. "El Terrible Miklos" ("The Terrible Miklos")

33. "El Demonio del Tíbet" ("The Demon of Tibet")

34. "El Sinestro Mundo de Humanón" ("The Sinister World of Humanon")

35. "El Poder Maligno" ("The Malevolent Power")

External links


Kaliman is trademark.
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