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Blake et Mortimer #13
L'Affaire Francis Blake
Le scandale éclate dans la presse londonienne : il y a une taupe à l’Intelligence Service ! Et voilà que sur une photo prise par les agents du MI 5, la taupe a, sans l’ombre d’un doute, le visage de Francis Blake ! Stupeur générale !
Mortimer s’acharne à croire que son ami a été forcé d’agir contre sa volonté, mais les premiers éléments de l’enquête balaient cette hypothèse : Blake a ouvert, sous un nom d’emprunt, un compte alimenté par des versements venant des Bahamas, d’où il a retiré 30 000 livres sterling en quelques mois, plus de dix fois sa solde annuelle ! Pour tout arranger, dans l’appartement que partagent les deux amis, Mortimer retrouve les 30 000 livres cachées dans une reproduction en terre cuite d’un "chacmool" toltèque du 11ème siècle…
Les agents du MI 5 ayant pour projet de juger Blake pour haute-trahison, ou de l’abattre s’il le faut, Mortimer décide de retrouver son ami avant eux - avec un seul minuscule indice : lors de leur dernière rencontre au Centaur Club, Blake lui a parlé de manière anodine d’un "endroit idéal pour échapper à ses soucis" : le cottage d’une cousine dans le Yorkshire…
Une longue traque commence, qui nous mènera de Londres aux Hautes Terres d’Ecosse - où Mortimer retrouvera Blake à la tête d’un troupeau de moutons - et finira à Ardmuir Castle, pour un dénouement orchestré par l’ignoble colonel Olrik…
Mortimer s’acharne à croire que son ami a été forcé d’agir contre sa volonté, mais les premiers éléments de l’enquête balaient cette hypothèse : Blake a ouvert, sous un nom d’emprunt, un compte alimenté par des versements venant des Bahamas, d’où il a retiré 30 000 livres sterling en quelques mois, plus de dix fois sa solde annuelle ! Pour tout arranger, dans l’appartement que partagent les deux amis, Mortimer retrouve les 30 000 livres cachées dans une reproduction en terre cuite d’un "chacmool" toltèque du 11ème siècle…
Les agents du MI 5 ayant pour projet de juger Blake pour haute-trahison, ou de l’abattre s’il le faut, Mortimer décide de retrouver son ami avant eux - avec un seul minuscule indice : lors de leur dernière rencontre au Centaur Club, Blake lui a parlé de manière anodine d’un "endroit idéal pour échapper à ses soucis" : le cottage d’une cousine dans le Yorkshire…
Une longue traque commence, qui nous mènera de Londres aux Hautes Terres d’Ecosse - où Mortimer retrouvera Blake à la tête d’un troupeau de moutons - et finira à Ardmuir Castle, pour un dénouement orchestré par l’ignoble colonel Olrik…
68 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 1996
12 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Jean Van Hamme
751 books184 followersJean Van Hamme, is a Belgian novelist and comic book writer. He has written scripts for a number of Belgian/French comic series, including Histoire sans héros, Thorgal, XIII, Blake and Mortimer, Lady S and Largo Winch.
More on the brilliant, Jean Van Hamme:
http://lambiek.net/artists/v/van-hamm...
More on the brilliant, Jean Van Hamme:
http://lambiek.net/artists/v/van-hamm...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 30, 2018
Edgar P. Jacobs, was a Belgian comic book creator (writer and artist), born in Brussels, Belgium. He was one of the founding fathers of the European comics movement, through his collaborations with Hergé and the graphic novel series that made him famous, Blake and Mortimer.
Jacobs finally published in 1970 the first volume of "The Three formulas of Professor Sato", which was staged in Japan. He then wrote the scenario for the second episode of "Les Trois Formules du Professeur Sato", but the artwork remained unfinished at the time of his death, 20 February 1987. Bob de Moor was drafted in to complete the album, which was published in 1990.
In 1996 a new team came up with a new story with a new creative team. The stories that were published after the death of its original writer and drawer Edgar P. Jacobs by the various comic illustrators were made, are more situated in the late '50's and the beginning of the sixties. These stories contain in comparison with the stories written by Jacobs himself more thriller aspects and less sciencefiction.
The first of the new series is proof of this, it is basically a story about a mole in the secret service and an attempt to kidnap the smartest scientist the British have to be used by hostile governments for their own vile purposes. Of course Mortimer the inventor of the Swordfish would be such a candidate and of course Blake will go undercover to find out more about this secret network that operates on the British isles. He and Mortimer will be branded a traitors during the course of this story even if they themselves have to stop this complot that is being overseen by nobody else than their original arch-foe Olrik.
Jacobs’ style varies greatly from one album to another. There are however many common threads, such as the theme of subterranean descent and the consistent Ligne claire drawing style. And that can be seen in the newer albums as well with the Voronov comic being the worst of the new ones so far.
As it turns out the newer albums of B&M have gathered their own new fans and continue to satisfy an old group of fans like me and a newer generation that likes this kind of story. While the Blake Affair is a spy story in the style of "the thirty-nine steps" Novel by John Buchan it does contain so much B&M elements that is unmistakable a great addition to the growing series of Blake and Mortimer comics.
Jacobs finally published in 1970 the first volume of "The Three formulas of Professor Sato", which was staged in Japan. He then wrote the scenario for the second episode of "Les Trois Formules du Professeur Sato", but the artwork remained unfinished at the time of his death, 20 February 1987. Bob de Moor was drafted in to complete the album, which was published in 1990.
In 1996 a new team came up with a new story with a new creative team. The stories that were published after the death of its original writer and drawer Edgar P. Jacobs by the various comic illustrators were made, are more situated in the late '50's and the beginning of the sixties. These stories contain in comparison with the stories written by Jacobs himself more thriller aspects and less sciencefiction.
The first of the new series is proof of this, it is basically a story about a mole in the secret service and an attempt to kidnap the smartest scientist the British have to be used by hostile governments for their own vile purposes. Of course Mortimer the inventor of the Swordfish would be such a candidate and of course Blake will go undercover to find out more about this secret network that operates on the British isles. He and Mortimer will be branded a traitors during the course of this story even if they themselves have to stop this complot that is being overseen by nobody else than their original arch-foe Olrik.
Jacobs’ style varies greatly from one album to another. There are however many common threads, such as the theme of subterranean descent and the consistent Ligne claire drawing style. And that can be seen in the newer albums as well with the Voronov comic being the worst of the new ones so far.
As it turns out the newer albums of B&M have gathered their own new fans and continue to satisfy an old group of fans like me and a newer generation that likes this kind of story. While the Blake Affair is a spy story in the style of "the thirty-nine steps" Novel by John Buchan it does contain so much B&M elements that is unmistakable a great addition to the growing series of Blake and Mortimer comics.
August 31, 2012
First of the modern Blake and Mortimer series, although still set in that mid-20th century milieu, which I approve of.
No sci-fi tropes here at all. This is just a good, solid spy tale. There's a mole in the intelligence service, and evidence points to Captain Blake, whose behavior seems to confirm all suspicions.
(Is there a car chase? But of course! There's also a motorcycle chase for good measure.)
Though answers may come a little too soon in the narrative, there are still plenty of exciting moments and surprises along the way.
The Scottish Highlands setting of the closing action seemed to me to be an homage to Hergé's The Black Island. Whether intentional or not, it certainly helped add to my enjoyment of the book.
For the first time (at least, in the currently-available English translations) we see a female character in the story -- one who takes an active part in the plot. That's certainly one indication that this is part of the new Blake and Mortimer adventures, which previously seemed set in an entirely male universe.
Jean Van Hamme and Ted Benoît not only get the Blake and Mortimer formula right, they improve upon it. There are fewer Giant Blocks of Exposition here, and the pacing is pitch-perfect. I may have missed the slightly sci-fi plots that feature in other Blake and Mortimer stories, but a spy drama is just as cool.
No sci-fi tropes here at all. This is just a good, solid spy tale. There's a mole in the intelligence service, and evidence points to Captain Blake, whose behavior seems to confirm all suspicions.
(Is there a car chase? But of course! There's also a motorcycle chase for good measure.)
Though answers may come a little too soon in the narrative, there are still plenty of exciting moments and surprises along the way.
The Scottish Highlands setting of the closing action seemed to me to be an homage to Hergé's The Black Island. Whether intentional or not, it certainly helped add to my enjoyment of the book.
For the first time (at least, in the currently-available English translations) we see a female character in the story -- one who takes an active part in the plot. That's certainly one indication that this is part of the new Blake and Mortimer adventures, which previously seemed set in an entirely male universe.
Jean Van Hamme and Ted Benoît not only get the Blake and Mortimer formula right, they improve upon it. There are fewer Giant Blocks of Exposition here, and the pacing is pitch-perfect. I may have missed the slightly sci-fi plots that feature in other Blake and Mortimer stories, but a spy drama is just as cool.
June 23, 2015
Clearly inspired by John Buchan's The Thirty-nine Steps, this adventure sees Captain Blake on the run, accused of being a spy and a murderer, whilst Professor Mortimer pursues him across the north of England and into the Scottish Highlands in an attempt to aid and exonerate him.
Rather than one finger too few, as in the case of Hannay's nemesis, Blake and Mortimer must beware the man with six fingers!
When will Colonel Olrik learn not to stand so close behind Mortimer when covering him with a gun? It always ends with an elbow to the solar plexus and a right cross to the chin! Despite some predictable elements, the plot delivers some deft misdirections regarding the identity of the mole in the upper echelons of the intelligence service.
Rather than one finger too few, as in the case of Hannay's nemesis, Blake and Mortimer must beware the man with six fingers!
When will Colonel Olrik learn not to stand so close behind Mortimer when covering him with a gun? It always ends with an elbow to the solar plexus and a right cross to the chin! Despite some predictable elements, the plot delivers some deft misdirections regarding the identity of the mole in the upper echelons of the intelligence service.
November 15, 2022
I enjoyed Van Hamme far more than EPJ because, even though he similarly packed the pages thickly with words, there weren't the constant sentences describing what we could plainly see through the art that I've hated in the other titles that I've read of this series. I also needed only three reading sessions instead of five->plus.
I'm fairly certain that I even liked Benoit better!
I'm fairly certain that I even liked Benoit better!
October 24, 2020
L’Affaire Francis Blake est une bonne et solide histoire d’espionnage dans le style des "trente-neuf étapes". Il y a une taupe dans le service de renseignement, et les preuves indiquent le capitaine Blake, dont le comportement semble confirmer tous les soupçons. On tente de kidnapper le scientifique le plus intelligent que les Britanniques pour utiliser par des gouvernements hostiles. Mortimer, le cher ami du capitaine Black, est une des cibles de la tentative. Deux amis sont marqués comme des traîtres au cours de l’histoire et ils doivent arrêter ce complot et blanchir leurs noms. J’aime l’histoire, les personnages et les images et je vais lire les autres livres de la série.
February 18, 2020
Já não lia BD há bastante tempo e este foi o primeiro livro da saga que li mas fiquei fã. Só tenho pena de ter sido tão curto. Uma história de espionagem à moda antiga.
February 28, 2026
Very enjoyable!
June 24, 2019
Medan jag som vuxen har kommit att uppskatta Hergés Tintin fastnade jag aldrig riktigt för den som barn, och kanske är det en anledning till att Edgar P. Jacobs serie Blake och Mortimers äventyr aldrig riktigt hamnat på min radar. Förrän nu. Det kan eventuellt ses som något ironiskt att min första kontakt med kapten Francis Blake och professor Philip Mortimer inte är via någon av Jacobs klassiska äventyr.
Affären Francis Blake kom ursprungligen ut i Belgien 1996 och var det första albumet i serien som Jacobs vare sig skrivit eller tecknat (den avslutande delen av Les 3 Formules du Professeur Satō var det första som Jacobs inte tecknade, eftersom det färdigställdes postumt av Bob De Moor efter Jacobs manus 1990). Istället är det Jean Van Hamme (författaren bakom serier som Thorgal och Largo Winch) som står för manus och tecknaren Ted Benoit som tecknat. Hur resultatet förhåller sig gentemot Jacobs material kan jag givetvis inte säga något om, men det är ett underhållande och välkonstruerat äventyr som definitivt har fått mig att uppskatta karaktärerna.
Berättelsen är förlagd till 1950-talets England och är en spionhistoria om en högt uppsatt mullvad inom den brittiska säkerhetstjänsten. Miljöerna och karaktärerna är vältecknade och det visuella berättandet är mycket välfungerande.
På det hela lämnar jag detta introduktionsmöte med Blake och Mortimer bakom mig med en förhoppning om att återse dem snart, både i denna nyare tappning och i Jacobs original.
Affären Francis Blake kom ursprungligen ut i Belgien 1996 och var det första albumet i serien som Jacobs vare sig skrivit eller tecknat (den avslutande delen av Les 3 Formules du Professeur Satō var det första som Jacobs inte tecknade, eftersom det färdigställdes postumt av Bob De Moor efter Jacobs manus 1990). Istället är det Jean Van Hamme (författaren bakom serier som Thorgal och Largo Winch) som står för manus och tecknaren Ted Benoit som tecknat. Hur resultatet förhåller sig gentemot Jacobs material kan jag givetvis inte säga något om, men det är ett underhållande och välkonstruerat äventyr som definitivt har fått mig att uppskatta karaktärerna.
Berättelsen är förlagd till 1950-talets England och är en spionhistoria om en högt uppsatt mullvad inom den brittiska säkerhetstjänsten. Miljöerna och karaktärerna är vältecknade och det visuella berättandet är mycket välfungerande.
På det hela lämnar jag detta introduktionsmöte med Blake och Mortimer bakom mig med en förhoppning om att återse dem snart, både i denna nyare tappning och i Jacobs original.
May 18, 2018
This is the volume taken over by other authors - and let me say, they did an excellent job of this one!
Can Blake really have turned traitor to his country? Mortimer can't believe it despite all the evidence stacked against his friend so he takes desperate action to find Blake before it's too late!...
Can Blake really have turned traitor to his country? Mortimer can't believe it despite all the evidence stacked against his friend so he takes desperate action to find Blake before it's too late!...
March 17, 2019
John Buchan interpreted with panache by Belgians! Edgar P.Jacobs would be proud of the artwork...thoroughly recommended.
July 17, 2019
O primeiro volume da série que não foi escrito por Edgar P. Jacobs, é uma bela e entusiasmante aventura de espionagem, sobre uma traição ao mais alto nível dos serviços secretos ingleses.
May 8, 2025
This is the fourth volume in the UK sequence. In it, Captain Blake is accused of being a spy and a mole in the Intelligence Service. He escapes arrest and finds his way up to an isolated Scottish castle, where the true web of spies is uncovered. While this is happening, Professor Mortimer is following the trail of clues laid by Captain Blake so that they both arrive at the same place at the same time.
There are a number of familiar characters, such as Colonel Olrik, and some new ones to add to the list of villains. Much of the plot is involved in the chase and pursuit of Blake, along with Mortimer chasing the clues that have been laid down. All is righted in the end, but, as we would expect, Olrik escapes. This will allow us to encounter him in future volumes.
I quite enjoyed this book. It is very light, very easy to read, and has just about the right pace to keep the reader interested. Some won't like the comic format, but if you like child like adventure stories in a comic format, this is the book for you.
There are a number of familiar characters, such as Colonel Olrik, and some new ones to add to the list of villains. Much of the plot is involved in the chase and pursuit of Blake, along with Mortimer chasing the clues that have been laid down. All is righted in the end, but, as we would expect, Olrik escapes. This will allow us to encounter him in future volumes.
I quite enjoyed this book. It is very light, very easy to read, and has just about the right pace to keep the reader interested. Some won't like the comic format, but if you like child like adventure stories in a comic format, this is the book for you.
May 23, 2019
De eerste Blake & Mortimer strip zonder inbreng van Edgar P. Jacobs. Het verhaal zit heel goed in elkaar, spionage en contraspionage, en het is strak getekend. Jean Van Hamme (scenario) en Ted Benoit (illustraties) hebben fantastisch werk geleverd.
Het is het dertiende verhaal in de reeks en het eerste getekend zonder inbreng van de bedenker Edgar P. Jacobs die gestorven is in 1987. Ondertussen zijn er al evenveel strips verschenen door andere auteurs als Edgar P. Jacobs er zelf gemaakt heeft, maar die springen soms terug in de tijd. In het Blake & Mortimer universum zou dit in feite album 10 moeten zijn. Een aanrader, maar niet als je eerste Blake & Mortimer strip.
Het is het dertiende verhaal in de reeks en het eerste getekend zonder inbreng van de bedenker Edgar P. Jacobs die gestorven is in 1987. Ondertussen zijn er al evenveel strips verschenen door andere auteurs als Edgar P. Jacobs er zelf gemaakt heeft, maar die springen soms terug in de tijd. In het Blake & Mortimer universum zou dit in feite album 10 moeten zijn. Een aanrader, maar niet als je eerste Blake & Mortimer strip.
May 25, 2023
Disclaimer: Ningún problema en que otros autores sigan las aventuras de mis personajes favoritos siempre y cuando hagan algo distinto y aporten su visión del personaje.
¿Cumple esos requisitos Blake y Mortimer de Van Hamme y Benoit? No.
¿Es entonces un álbum continuista? Sí
¿Y las cinco estrelles? Son el resultado de aplicar los bonus de la aparición de un villano con seis dedos (+1) y de una base secreta de submarinos (+1).
Vivan los 39 escalones.
¿Cumple esos requisitos Blake y Mortimer de Van Hamme y Benoit? No.
¿Es entonces un álbum continuista? Sí
¿Y las cinco estrelles? Son el resultado de aplicar los bonus de la aparición de un villano con seis dedos (+1) y de una base secreta de submarinos (+1).
Vivan los 39 escalones.
March 4, 2025
Même s'il s'agit d'une bande dessinée, ce livre est une histoire d'espionnage solide et intéressante qui fonctionne très bien grâce à une bonne combinaison de l'écriture de Jean Van Hamme et du dessin de Ted Benoit.
Cet ouvrage respecte et donne une suite appropriée à l'héritage de l'oeuvre d'Edgar Pierre Jacobs.
Cet ouvrage respecte et donne une suite appropriée à l'héritage de l'oeuvre d'Edgar Pierre Jacobs.
March 18, 2023
Anche se non può avvalersi del lavoro del buon Jacobs, questo episodio della serie di Blake e Mortimer è degno dei migliori del grande maestro. Spionaggio puro, una storia degna del miglior Fleming, omaggiato dal nome di uno dei co-protagonisti della storia stessa. Imperdibile, come tutta la serie.
August 23, 2018
‘Ik geef me aan je over, Virginia. En hoewel ik m’n koffertje kwijt ben, heb ik gelukkig mijn pijp nog. Dus de rest komt ook wel goed...’ (p. 42)
November 16, 2019
This is my favourite I think of the four I have read. I love the Tintin drawings and this story had meat to it and genuine suspense.
May 29, 2021
Interessante aventura de agentes especiais numa boa homenagem ao autor original da série...
June 16, 2021
Good story
May 28, 2023
Het eerste verhaal na de originelen van Jacobs. Van Hamme en Benoit leveren degelijk werk dat goed aanleunt bij dat Jacobs met een goeie spionagethriller dat zich situeert over heel de UK.
July 17, 2023
The first I've read of this author and although cute imo it doesn't have much memorable content. The art is in the classical style of a lot of bande dessine.
December 20, 2014
Ein Freund, ein guter Freund, das ist das beste was es gibt auf der Welt!
Das ist schon gemein - nun gibt es einen Band, der "Die Affaire Francis Blake" heißt, und eigentlich spielt wieder mal Mortimer die Hauptrolle. Man sollte trotzdem froh sein, wenn man so einen Freund hat; trotz ein paar Zweifeln zu Beginn, die man jedem zugestehen muss, glaubt er fest an seinen alten Kumpan Blake, obwohl der in einen schlimmen Verdacht gerät...
Van Hamme und Benoît übernehmen die Reihe hier von Edgar Jacobs. Dies ist auf allen Ebenen spürbar: Die Zeichnungen Benoîts sind einheitlicher und eine Spur eleganter als die Jacobs, ohne die Ausreißer an Hässlichkeit, die mich früher ab und zu zur Verzweiflung brachten. Und auch das Szenario ist nun frei von diesen Absurditäten und seltsamen Einfällen, die Jacobs manchmal haarsträubend präsentierte.
Ein vielversprechender Neuanfang also. Wenn den beiden "Neuen", die ja eigentlich alte Hasen sind, nun noch eine Spur mehr Mut zufliegt, mit den beiden Charakteren etwas spannenderes anzufangen als die altbekannte James-Bond-Kiste runterzurattern und altbekannte Bösewichte einzubauen...
Wie man sieht, kann man es mir nicht recht machen. Ich bin schon ungerecht, meckere bei Jacobs an, dass er zu abgefahren war (Dinosaurier, Zeitmaschine, Außerirdische, alternative Weltkriege), und nun meckere ich bei Van Hamme an, dass er zu konventionell ist. Vielleicht würde die Mischung es machen? Ich bin gespannt.
Das ist schon gemein - nun gibt es einen Band, der "Die Affaire Francis Blake" heißt, und eigentlich spielt wieder mal Mortimer die Hauptrolle. Man sollte trotzdem froh sein, wenn man so einen Freund hat; trotz ein paar Zweifeln zu Beginn, die man jedem zugestehen muss, glaubt er fest an seinen alten Kumpan Blake, obwohl der in einen schlimmen Verdacht gerät...
Van Hamme und Benoît übernehmen die Reihe hier von Edgar Jacobs. Dies ist auf allen Ebenen spürbar: Die Zeichnungen Benoîts sind einheitlicher und eine Spur eleganter als die Jacobs, ohne die Ausreißer an Hässlichkeit, die mich früher ab und zu zur Verzweiflung brachten. Und auch das Szenario ist nun frei von diesen Absurditäten und seltsamen Einfällen, die Jacobs manchmal haarsträubend präsentierte.
Ein vielversprechender Neuanfang also. Wenn den beiden "Neuen", die ja eigentlich alte Hasen sind, nun noch eine Spur mehr Mut zufliegt, mit den beiden Charakteren etwas spannenderes anzufangen als die altbekannte James-Bond-Kiste runterzurattern und altbekannte Bösewichte einzubauen...
Wie man sieht, kann man es mir nicht recht machen. Ich bin schon ungerecht, meckere bei Jacobs an, dass er zu abgefahren war (Dinosaurier, Zeitmaschine, Außerirdische, alternative Weltkriege), und nun meckere ich bei Van Hamme an, dass er zu konventionell ist. Vielleicht würde die Mischung es machen? Ich bin gespannt.
May 1, 2016
Francis Blake un traditore della corona britannica? impossibile. Lo sappiamo noi come il suo socio Mortimer. Appurato che alcuni colpi di scena sono telefonati per un lettore di lungo corso come me, devo dire che la trama è decisamente ben scritta e la storia, nel complesso, decisamente godibile e ben riuscita.
May 8, 2016
Fun adventure tale of Captain Francis Blake, head of MI5, and his flat mate the physicist Professor Philip Mortimer. In this volume there is a spy-ring in Britain with a suspected mole in the intelligence service. It seems that nole is Francis Blake, but Prof Mortimer wonders if everything is at it appears. He sets out to investigate...
March 19, 2016
Altro albo che vuole tornare al ritmo de "Il marchio Giallo" e ci va parecchio vicino. Bei paesaggi, colpi di scena, un intrigo che tiene fino alla fine, che chiedere di più?
January 23, 2017
Traditional thriller
Beautifully draw, and the dialogue is thrilling. Especially the old English term. For fans of tin tin. A nice comic book which is also educational
Beautifully draw, and the dialogue is thrilling. Especially the old English term. For fans of tin tin. A nice comic book which is also educational
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews