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Blake et Mortimer #17
Blake & Mortimer, Vol. 10: The Sarcophagi of the Sixth Continent, Part 2: Battle of the Spirits
Le Duel des esprits
Alors que l'ouverture de l'Exposition Universelle de Bruxelles est compromise par les manifestations surnaturelles qui ravagent les différents pavillons, Blake, Mortimer et Nasir font route vers l'Antarctique afin de découvrir l'origine mystérieuse de ces terribles déluges électriques. Mais ils ignorent encore le terrible secret enfoui dans les glaces du 6e Continent. Un deuxième tome époustouflant qui clôture en beauté l'aventure indienne des deux plus célèbres héros britanniques. Nous avions quitté Bruxelles et l'Exposition Universelle ravagée par des phénomènes électriques particulièrement inquiétants. Pressentant que la source de ce mystère pouvait être au pôle sud, Blake, Mortimer et le fidèle Nasir font route vers le 6e continent. Mortimer se demande surtout si sa route va à nouveau croiser celle d'Açoka, l'empereur indien millénaire, père de Gita, celle qui vit toujours dans le coeur du savant Écossais ? Après une courte escale en Afrique du Sud, nos héros vont monter à bord de La Madeleine, et mettre le cap vers l'Antarctique. Dans ce territoire désertique et glacial, ils vont parcourir mille épreuves, lutter contre les éléments déchaînés, subir de terribles secousses sismiques et retrouver leur vieux ennemis. Ils vont aussi découvrir la fantastique invention du Professeur Labrousse, le Subglacior, un sous-marin révolutionnaire capable de se déplacer dans la glace. Une aventure hors du commun scénarisée de main de maître par Yves Sente et superbement mise en image par le génie d'André Juillard.
Alors que l'ouverture de l'Exposition Universelle de Bruxelles est compromise par les manifestations surnaturelles qui ravagent les différents pavillons, Blake, Mortimer et Nasir font route vers l'Antarctique afin de découvrir l'origine mystérieuse de ces terribles déluges électriques. Mais ils ignorent encore le terrible secret enfoui dans les glaces du 6e Continent. Un deuxième tome époustouflant qui clôture en beauté l'aventure indienne des deux plus célèbres héros britanniques. Nous avions quitté Bruxelles et l'Exposition Universelle ravagée par des phénomènes électriques particulièrement inquiétants. Pressentant que la source de ce mystère pouvait être au pôle sud, Blake, Mortimer et le fidèle Nasir font route vers le 6e continent. Mortimer se demande surtout si sa route va à nouveau croiser celle d'Açoka, l'empereur indien millénaire, père de Gita, celle qui vit toujours dans le coeur du savant Écossais ? Après une courte escale en Afrique du Sud, nos héros vont monter à bord de La Madeleine, et mettre le cap vers l'Antarctique. Dans ce territoire désertique et glacial, ils vont parcourir mille épreuves, lutter contre les éléments déchaînés, subir de terribles secousses sismiques et retrouver leur vieux ennemis. Ils vont aussi découvrir la fantastique invention du Professeur Labrousse, le Subglacior, un sous-marin révolutionnaire capable de se déplacer dans la glace. Une aventure hors du commun scénarisée de main de maître par Yves Sente et superbement mise en image par le génie d'André Juillard.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Yves Sente
104 books29 followersYves Sente was born in Brussels in 1964. When he was little, he read La Marque Jaune, Jacobs' masterpiece, over and over again. Little did he know at that age that The Adventures of Blake and Mortimer would determine his destiny...!
In 1998, while he was working for Le Lombard, he worked with the cartoonist André Juillard on the script of La machination Voronov, a new episode of the Blake and Mortimer, a Cold War story acclaimed by critics and the public. Yves Sente then went on to write Les Sarcophages du 6e continent, where he reveals the young life of Professor Mortimer. He confirmed his writing talents with La Vengeance du Comte Skarbek (Dargaud; The Revenge of Count Skarbek, Europe Comics) and then Thorgal (Le Lombard; Cinebook/Europe Comics in English), taking over for Jean Van Hamme alongside Rosinski.
In 1998, while he was working for Le Lombard, he worked with the cartoonist André Juillard on the script of La machination Voronov, a new episode of the Blake and Mortimer, a Cold War story acclaimed by critics and the public. Yves Sente then went on to write Les Sarcophages du 6e continent, where he reveals the young life of Professor Mortimer. He confirmed his writing talents with La Vengeance du Comte Skarbek (Dargaud; The Revenge of Count Skarbek, Europe Comics) and then Thorgal (Le Lombard; Cinebook/Europe Comics in English), taking over for Jean Van Hamme alongside Rosinski.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 18, 2016
Review N° 1000! Danke! Danke! Danke!
Tatsächlich ist dies meine eintausendste Rezension auf Goodreads. Ich hoffte, dass so ein Anlass nicht für einen Verriss eines unterdurchschnittlichen Werks herhalten muss - und tatsächlich, Nummer 1000 ist für das für mich beste Teilabenteuer von Blake und Mortimer reserviert.
Das Erbe von Edgar Jacobs ist nun endgültig in die Hände würdiger Autoren übergegangen. Dieser zweite Teil des Antarktis-Abenteuers hat alles, was ich mir von so einer Geschichte erwarte: Spannung, Humor, Action und ein Schuss SciFi, und vor allem Charakterentwicklung bei Blake und Mortimer. Besonders spektakulär: Die wunderbar kinematisch angelegte letzte Panelreihe, einem Epilog ähnlich, mit einem kleinen Schockeffekt.
Dass die Autoren allerdings mit Jacobs innerer Continuity brechen, sieht man daran, dass die normalweltliche Geogeschichte die jacobssche Fantasiehistorie (mit 3. Weltkrieg und "gelber Gefahr") verdrängt hat; man sah in den früheren Bänden, dass dies immer wieder zu erzählerischen Schwierigkeiten bei globalen Abenteuern führte, daher vermisse ich dieses Element nicht.
Wenn die Autoren nun noch ein klein wenig weniger laberig werden könnten...
Tatsächlich ist dies meine eintausendste Rezension auf Goodreads. Ich hoffte, dass so ein Anlass nicht für einen Verriss eines unterdurchschnittlichen Werks herhalten muss - und tatsächlich, Nummer 1000 ist für das für mich beste Teilabenteuer von Blake und Mortimer reserviert.
Das Erbe von Edgar Jacobs ist nun endgültig in die Hände würdiger Autoren übergegangen. Dieser zweite Teil des Antarktis-Abenteuers hat alles, was ich mir von so einer Geschichte erwarte: Spannung, Humor, Action und ein Schuss SciFi, und vor allem Charakterentwicklung bei Blake und Mortimer. Besonders spektakulär: Die wunderbar kinematisch angelegte letzte Panelreihe, einem Epilog ähnlich, mit einem kleinen Schockeffekt.
Dass die Autoren allerdings mit Jacobs innerer Continuity brechen, sieht man daran, dass die normalweltliche Geogeschichte die jacobssche Fantasiehistorie (mit 3. Weltkrieg und "gelber Gefahr") verdrängt hat; man sah in den früheren Bänden, dass dies immer wieder zu erzählerischen Schwierigkeiten bei globalen Abenteuern führte, daher vermisse ich dieses Element nicht.
Wenn die Autoren nun noch ein klein wenig weniger laberig werden könnten...
May 28, 2019
(French version) I bought this about 15yrs ago, read a bit, gave up, read a bit more some years later, gave up, and unearthed it again recently. Determined to read it all properly this time, I plugged away through the 56 pages of quite dense text and speech bubbles in fairly eloquent 1950s-style sci-fi French. Blake & Mortimer looks very much like Tintin in the style of art, with a story more like a bad James Bond film, with a dash of Biggles and Dan Dare thrown in. This is the second part of two, so I guess this finale is more exciting than the first half, and it did rush from crisis to catastrophe every few panels. None of the science makes much sense and Açoka's whole evil plan to destory the Brussels Expo from Antartica is just crazy talk. Like anyone cares anyway? Rather attractive retro artwork, but otherwise, very verbose and very meh indeed. 3/5
April 1, 2014
The second and last album in this miniseries, made by Yves Sente and André Juillard as part of the continuation of the classic series by Edgar P. Jacobs.
Just like with the first chapter, this was an OK, traditional adventure story. The ending got a bit too much of a predictable "and now the evil villain has to explain everything in page after page of too much text." Still, a solid effort by both Sente who managed to get all the loose ends connected in the end and Juillard who has Jacobs stiff drawing style and rigid panel structure down pat.
Reading these two volumes, I find I have a bit of a problem deciding if they were done with a straight face, or if there is an element of pastiche involved, both in the way the story is told, with extraordinary, otherworldly inventions and over-the-top plot developments, and in the skewed combination of words and images which feels anachronistic to say the least.
Strangely, even though I constantly had to fight the urge to skip ahead of all these panels with, in my opinion, too much text - reading these two albums got me seriously interested in the whole concept of Blake and Mortimer. So, I will try to find the time to fill the few gaps that exist in my collection of this series and then re-read them from start to finish. I still feel I need to understand why new albums in this series outsells just about everything on the French comics market. Is it just nostalgia, or is there more to it?
Just like with the first chapter, this was an OK, traditional adventure story. The ending got a bit too much of a predictable "and now the evil villain has to explain everything in page after page of too much text." Still, a solid effort by both Sente who managed to get all the loose ends connected in the end and Juillard who has Jacobs stiff drawing style and rigid panel structure down pat.
Reading these two volumes, I find I have a bit of a problem deciding if they were done with a straight face, or if there is an element of pastiche involved, both in the way the story is told, with extraordinary, otherworldly inventions and over-the-top plot developments, and in the skewed combination of words and images which feels anachronistic to say the least.
Strangely, even though I constantly had to fight the urge to skip ahead of all these panels with, in my opinion, too much text - reading these two albums got me seriously interested in the whole concept of Blake and Mortimer. So, I will try to find the time to fill the few gaps that exist in my collection of this series and then re-read them from start to finish. I still feel I need to understand why new albums in this series outsells just about everything on the French comics market. Is it just nostalgia, or is there more to it?
February 18, 2019
This was the second part of story that started on the world exposition in Brussels (that is Belgium for those who do not know) were the exposition was plagued by sabotage Blake and Mortimer once again confronted by the everlasting nemesis Colonel Olrik have found out from where the attempts come and are set to travel to the southern region of the world Antartica (hence the sixth continent). Were previous new adventures were soundly set into a thriller like setting we now return to the roots of this comic on the border of scifi and it really works for the book.
We get a conclusion to the story of the younger years of Philip Mortimer and the confrontation in colonial India with the mysterious Emperor Asoka whose daughter died and who blames Mortimer and wants to have his revenge.
On the plains and under the ice floor of Antartica we find our hero's together with their allies in a battle of wits and violence against Asoka who wants to take revenge on the colonial usurpers of before and make them pay.
An exciting and well written entry into the new adventures of Blake and Mortimer that is well worth your time. As always great drawings and plenty of text balloons. A decent read nonetheless.
We get a conclusion to the story of the younger years of Philip Mortimer and the confrontation in colonial India with the mysterious Emperor Asoka whose daughter died and who blames Mortimer and wants to have his revenge.
On the plains and under the ice floor of Antartica we find our hero's together with their allies in a battle of wits and violence against Asoka who wants to take revenge on the colonial usurpers of before and make them pay.
An exciting and well written entry into the new adventures of Blake and Mortimer that is well worth your time. As always great drawings and plenty of text balloons. A decent read nonetheless.
November 26, 2019
Estamos em 1958, onde Blake e Mortimer ajudam pessoas quer para a Exposição Universal de Bruxelas, quer para a o Ano Cientifico Internacional, com uma expedição à Antártida. Contudo, depois de terem visto estranhas coisas a acontecer no recinto da exposição belga, decidem seguir os indianos até à Antártida, onde descobrem que existe uma base secreta onde lançam os seus ataques. E eles são lierados por um misterioso "principe Asoka". Assim sendo, eles terão de agir.
"Os Sarcófagos do 6º Continente", dividido em duas partes, poderão ser os melhores livros escritos pós Edgar P. Jacobs. São livros que falam sobre um período da história do século XX, fala sobre diversos acontecimentos que ocorriam então, desde a Guerra Fria, a emancipação de diversas nações asiáticas, como a Índia, as ameaças de independência em África - neste livro, temos um ativista pela independência do Congo como personagem - e tecnologias como o nuclear como meio de paz. No segundo tomo mostra-se uma espécie de submarino nuclear, ao que não estranha o facto que nesse ano, os americanos tinham lançado o "Nautilus", o seu primeiro submarino desse tipo.
Em suma, é uma excelente aventura, e a sua divisão em duas partes está plenamente justificada.
"Os Sarcófagos do 6º Continente", dividido em duas partes, poderão ser os melhores livros escritos pós Edgar P. Jacobs. São livros que falam sobre um período da história do século XX, fala sobre diversos acontecimentos que ocorriam então, desde a Guerra Fria, a emancipação de diversas nações asiáticas, como a Índia, as ameaças de independência em África - neste livro, temos um ativista pela independência do Congo como personagem - e tecnologias como o nuclear como meio de paz. No segundo tomo mostra-se uma espécie de submarino nuclear, ao que não estranha o facto que nesse ano, os americanos tinham lançado o "Nautilus", o seu primeiro submarino desse tipo.
Em suma, é uma excelente aventura, e a sua divisão em duas partes está plenamente justificada.
November 10, 2025
This volume contains two conclusions. This first is a conclusion of the attempt to disrupt the Brussels Exhibition. Needless to sat, it involves a bit of science fiction that I didn't understand, but also felt that I didn't need to. The villains tried, the villains failed, Blake & Mortimer prevailed against the odds. This is what I would have expected from the book. The second conclusion wraps up the back story of Mortimer's early life. He finds that the guilt he has carried for most of his life is misplaced and that he has suffered for nothing. I have to say, he seemed to have taken that quite well, but we are left feeling that justice is ultimately served. The plot to disrupt the Brussels Exhibition fails and Olrik is placed in limbo - for a while, anyway.
There seemed to be a lot of text in this volume, which made it hard to read. It was interesting enough, but the small print wasn't too good for my eyes. I quite liked the story. I think that covering two parallel plot lines over two volumes worked quite well. It was quite an enjoyable read.
There seemed to be a lot of text in this volume, which made it hard to read. It was interesting enough, but the small print wasn't too good for my eyes. I quite liked the story. I think that covering two parallel plot lines over two volumes worked quite well. It was quite an enjoyable read.
June 13, 2019
Tweede en laatste deel van de sarcofagen van het 6e continent. Blake, Mortimer en Nasir reizen naar Antartica om een terroristische aanslag op Expo 58 door keizer Asoka te verhinderen. Zowel Blake als Mortimer moeten elk afrekenen met iemand uit hun verleden en dan is er nog hun gezamelijk vijand Olrik die deze keer niet de touwtjes in handen heeft. Goed verhaal, maar wat druk. Ze proberen teveel te vertellen in 56 pagina's.
November 12, 2023
Deel 2 van een tweeluik. Aanvankelijk lijkt het een beetje zoeken naar de verhaallijn me daarbij behorende karakters. Ik moest meeven door het begin heen worstelen. Het einde is enigszins open met Olrik die ontwaakt. Ik vond deel 1 beter en boeiender.
May 18, 2018
Please see my review for this two part story at Part 1.
I must say this second volume is even weirder than the first!
I must say this second volume is even weirder than the first!
September 11, 2019
Voir Tome 1.
Des insights dans l'année expo 59.
Des insights dans l'année expo 59.
April 30, 2020
Nice story..Although did not like the depiction of India..hence giving a 3 *
June 3, 2023
Het vervolg dat goed aansluit, al is het einde redelijk traag met veel tekst en uitleg.
3 sterren.
3 sterren.
August 31, 2023
Una lunga avventura alla maniera di Jacobs. Eccellente, davvero, come tutte le altre. E neanche James Bond avrebbe avventure come quelle di Blake e Mortimer… 😊
March 6, 2025
Rating: 2,5.
April 16, 2013
The second part is far better than the first part, owing largely to the unique setting (Antarctica). The techno-gizmo is nonsensical sci-fi, but exists merely as a macguffin to draw Our Heroes to Antarctica. Likewise, Olrik's presence seems to be here more out of habit than anything else, given how poorly he's used. (Though from a certain point of view, it's nice to see him used -- misused, actually -- in this fashion.
The Brussels exposition, the techno-whatsis, the Antarctic bases -- these are all just the side-issues in what is basically a story of a figure from Mortimer's past, driven by tragedy to seek revenge. The action does step up quite a bit in this second half, and the antagonist's motive does get revealed in a flurry of exposition, but thankfully there was enough of a set-up that it doesn't feel like a cheat. I guessed at the big reveal before it actually happened so -- yes, I'm proud of myself for anticipating it.
In spite of the usual pulp sci-fi adventure trappings, what we have here is a far more personal story than we're used to from Blake and Mortimer. And it appears from the final pages that there will be after-effects from this particular adventure.
Anyway, it's worth making it through the plodding first book to get to the far more exciting second book, although I admit the first part nearly ended my Blake and Mortimer reading streak. I feel like I'm back on track again. On to the next.
The Brussels exposition, the techno-whatsis, the Antarctic bases -- these are all just the side-issues in what is basically a story of a figure from Mortimer's past, driven by tragedy to seek revenge. The action does step up quite a bit in this second half, and the antagonist's motive does get revealed in a flurry of exposition, but thankfully there was enough of a set-up that it doesn't feel like a cheat. I guessed at the big reveal before it actually happened so -- yes, I'm proud of myself for anticipating it.
In spite of the usual pulp sci-fi adventure trappings, what we have here is a far more personal story than we're used to from Blake and Mortimer. And it appears from the final pages that there will be after-effects from this particular adventure.
Anyway, it's worth making it through the plodding first book to get to the far more exciting second book, although I admit the first part nearly ended my Blake and Mortimer reading streak. I feel like I'm back on track again. On to the next.
March 9, 2013
Like the first book it's been a bit difficult to cope with the French conversation, but I could follow the plot line. It's a good story and the drawing are similar to the original ones of Edgar P.Jacobs. Yves Sente has done a nice job continueing the adventures of Blake and Mortimer. I'm looking forward reading more of his books.
September 16, 2016
Un colpo di scena incredibile che rende increduli, un macchinario stile retrò che fa poco ma lo fa bene, un altro scontro tra Olrik e Mortimer. Tutto fantastico a parte che non viene svelato niente sulle scimmie di Açoka, saranno immortali anche loro? Come sono state addestrate?
December 22, 2012
This one really ramps up the action to a James Bond movie level.
August 28, 2016
La seconda parte dell'avventura presenta diversi colpi di scena e un ritmo migliore rispetto alla prima parte, per il resto una più che buona lettura.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews