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Kalimán

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File:Kaliman.jpg
Kalimán.

Kalimán is the name of a very famous Mexican comic book hero created by Rafael Cutberto Navarro and Modesto Vázquez González. Kalimán comic book depicts the adventures of Kalimán and his young companion Solín, an Egyptian kid who is descended from Pharaohs. Kalimán even had its own radio show since 1963, which also presented adventures that took place on exotic sites. It is important to mention that the comic book was born due to the huge success of the radio show of the same name.

Kalimán's origin is unknown, which helps the sense of mystery that surrounds the character. What we know is that he's an orphan, he's been adopted by prince Abul Pahsa, from one of the kingdoms in the valley of Kalimantan and he's the fifth man in a dynasty of men dedicated to preserve justice in the world, and he's the seventh man of the goddess Kali's dynasty.

Kaliman wears an all-white outfit without marks, except the jeweled-encased "K" he wears in his turban. He doesn't 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, sports, science and arts. He also possesses extensive mental powers: levitation, telepathy, telekinesis, astral projection, control of the involuntary functions of the body (allowing him to fake a dead state), hypnosis, self-healing and so on.

The first issue of Kalimán was published in December 4, 1965 with the first ot ten parts of the story "Los Profanadores de Tumbas", ("Tomb Raiders"). 100,000 copies were sold out within that week, so the issue has to be reprinted. Original edition of more than 1,000,000,000 sold copies remained for 1348 weeks until 1991. Reprints have been done since 1998.

Besides the radio show, there were two movies made in Mexico about the blue-eyed hero, with Jeff Cooper as Kalimán. Both of them being huge successes, the first one (1972) being in theaters for more than a year.

Kalimán is also famous for his wise phrases he uses to teach his child companion Solín. Among these, we have "Quien domina la mente, lo domina todo", Who masters mind, masters everything; "Serenidad y paciencia, mucha paciencia (Serenity and patience, lots of patience)" and "Siempre hay un camino cuando se usa la inteligencia (There's always a way when you use your intelligence).