By Morris & Goscinny
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-104-4
This is the first collaboration on Lucky Luke between Morris and his creation and the man that would go on to be one of the most successful comic writers in the business, René Goscinny. Originally published over fifty years ago, this early stab at Luke's adventures is still a long way from the style and look of the books in their heyday, but, like the railway tracks in the tale, lays down the essential elements that later brings it so much success.
Luke himself is a far cry from the look he settles into in later years, switching between a butch Hollywood cowboy and a much more simplified cartoon as Morris attempts to pin him down (if you look online you can see pictures from the 1940s where he's different again), but there are hints and suggestions as to where Morris is going with him. I've certainly found it interesting watching his style develop.
The Transcontinental Railway's construction has been at a dead stop for months, so the board decide action has to be taken to get the line complete, but what they don't bargain for is a shady member of their own group, with shares invested in stagecoaches, aiming to derail them at every turn. He sets a band of ne'erdowells on the construction workers, but their activities come under the watchful eyes of Lucky Luke who decides to balance the scales. After a brief demonstration of precision shooting work can begin again, but the villains remain a thorn in the side for the rest of the journey.
There's plenty of western cliches here (and rightly so) but usually turned on their heads or given an absurd spin to make you smile. I really enjoyed Luke being challenged to a fist fight, where the challenger swings and punches away at a Luke who ducks and rolls while rolling – and lighting – a cigarette. Then there's East City and West City battling over which town should house the station for the coming railway line to ensure its chances to prosper. Luke sorts this one by creating Central Station slap bang in the middle. For a cartoon creation over fifty years old, these pages are still fresh and funny, testament to the skills of their creators, and I'm enjoying every one.
And if you liked that: There are still plenty more Lucky Luke books to come
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