The Francis Blake Affair (Blake & Mortimer)

The Francis Blake Affair, from 1996, is the first full album of Blake and Mortimer made after the death of its creator, the greatBelgican comic book artist (and occasional Herge's collaborator) Edgar P. Jacobs. Jean Van Hamme wrote the story and Ted Benoit draw it, and they both show themselves to be more than up to the task. This book has less of a sci fi ambience than other albums, concentrating on an espionage story where Blake is apparently set up as a mole by some higher up in the intelligence service. Blake decides to flee, and Mortimer is intent of proving his innocence. Being the first post Jacobs album they took the wise decision of not setting it in the present, but instead to let the action take place in a fiftyish world.

Real nice graphics , fun story

Just one word feedback for this volume "excellent", "exhilarant", "thrilling", "spellbinding", "astounding",.I ve been always a TinTin fan, until I grab one of these comics, well conceiving, good details and good story

Fast delivery, Paced fine for paperback.Nice copy.

Let's make a few things clear.While Cinebooks has this as their 4th volume in the B&M series they are printing, this is really 13th volume!!!! They even included a list of all the albums in the back of this one. And its the first one NOT done by EP Jacobs, who created the series.I really wish they would focus on reprinting the EP Jacobs volumes before moving to the post-Jacobs stuff (done after he died).This volume, while enjoyable, is more a counter-intelligence spy story, then the SF-theme stories of Jacobs. Overall good, (Van Hamme DID do the excellent Code XIII stories), but would like to read more Jacobs stuff.The next planned volume is yet another non-Jacobs story: v15 Strange Encounter. They do plan on reprinting SOS Meteor after that one, and its a Jacobs album. Here's hoping we see all 12 Jacobs B&M albums.

This is an excellent read and a real delight for the Graphic novel lover's eye. The art work is superb and well surpasses that of the master Herge. I was amazed that the author was Jean Van Hamme had carried the baton of style of Edgar P Jacobs so well (but then Jacobs did the same for Herge's Tintin so this may not be such as surprise) The artwork moves the story along well and the writing matches it perfectly. You really feel that you are in the London of 1950. The language and descriptions are spot on. Just as I remember! (Sadly) A minor detail. (But spare me my one moment of triumph) I could only spot one Americanism. Blake and Mortimer are said to walk along the `sidewalk' not the English pavement but this is the only mistake I could find in a well drawn 1950s England and Scotland. The translator has done an excellent job, Thankyou. The story flows well and has a genuine `cinematic' flow throughout.I read this in one sitting but will re read and reread again to savour the beautifully detailed landscape and characters. If anything the new artist supasses that of Jacobs. Praise indeed. Recommended.

Amazing story; criss crossing double agents; kidnapping.... Blake and Mortimer possibly in one of their best...

Blake and Mortimer are excellent late night reading for those of us brought up on W.E.John's and John Buchan. Lots of plots and counterplots and the bad guy gets his just desserts. With a glass of Madeira a good night's sleep is guaranted guaranteed.a

all very nice I am very happy about amazon service too. thank you

Good