By Jean Van Hamme & Ted Benoit
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-905460-63-2
I've already mentioned the (obvious) similarities between Edgar P. Jacobs Blake & Mortimer and Tintin, and nothing wrong with that, in a previous review. At first glance The Francis Blake Affair seems to promise more of the same period adventure until, that is, you notice the front cover. Tucked up in the right-hand corner is a short piece of text, Based on the characters of Edgar P. Jacobs. But is looks exactly the same, I thought. Surely an error! The book's illustration looks absolutely no different to the previous editions in the series, the setting is still the same post-war era and there's not a clue that this was created by somebody else, until, that is, you turn to the inside back cover. It turns out this book was created in 1996, which is amazing when you consider the amazingly detailed period illustrations of 1950s' Britain, the wonderful crisp dialogue, and the fact that the creators who have captured this quintessential Britishness aren't even British themselves. Now this achievement alone should be enough to warrant a glance through the pages, simply the appreciate the effort that has gone into it, but what makes this a must-read is that the story canters along like a loving blend of boys own adventure and a John Le Carre novel. It's a cleverly crafted tale of espionage, spy networks, subterfuge and danger that borrows from the films and books of the period and yet is able to stand on its own two feet. It really feels as if it's heart is in that classic age of thrilling spy capers. There may be one or two liberties with geography and the time to travel to them, but these are minor quibbles in what is an otherwise superbly crafted book, and certainly one you deserve to take a look at.
And if you liked this: There are many to come!
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