1445 ( )

I grew up without superhero comics of the Marvel/DC sort; instead, we read Modesty Blaise, Rip Kirby, and various Sergio Bonelli editions. Having re-read Modesty after 20 years, I'm glad to find that it is indeed as smart and fun as I remember. ( )

I first came across Modesty Blaise back in the early 80's with the paperback re-issues of the novels. I was immediately hooked and Modesty was the bar by which all other female operatives were judged. I love Honey West, Emma Peel, Nikita and Sydney Bristow. But first and foremost is Modesty Blaise for me.

That being said, these graphic novels compiling the daily strips that ran in the London Evening Standard are excellent. If you like this type of thing, get these and read them immediately. You'll be immersed in a time and place unlike any other. This is escapism at its finest! ( )

Fun, like all Modestys. It's interesting what does and doesn't differ between this and the book version of how Tarrant first recruits her - the screw is entirely different, Tarrant's action and Modesty's reaction are the same. 'How did you know I'm compulsive payer of debts?' Though here he doesn't mention having met Willie, either. The caper - La Machine - is relatively small-time, though the monastery setting is interesting and so is the way they set it up. And Modesty's reaction at the end, and Willie's ears - there's a lot of good stuff packed into that one story. The second one - The Long Lever - is rather depressing at the end. It explains more about Modesty's past, and shows off how she and Willie work together - and for that matter, shows how they handle a job that goes sour. Though I almost expected them to go after her.... The third story is the title one, The Gabriel Setup. Again, we learn a lot about Modesty and Willie's partnership here - through Marj and through Willie's reaction to Gabriel's scam. Gabriel is interesting - another one I know from the books, and he shows up twice there (neither one this story). Since he gets away here, I expect we'll see him again in the strip too - I don't remember if it's so, though. And the 'intro' strip at the end is neat - the panel with Willie makes me really want to see the whole story of that! That and O'Donnell's introduction to the book give interesting insight into the roots of Modesty. ( )

"Modesty Blaise" is one of the best-written action/suspense strips out there. It also has two of my all-time favorite characters in the title character and Willie Garvin. The strip is remarkable for its characterization and excellent continuity. The strips in this book are illustrated by the wonderful Jim Holdaway, who worked with O'Donnell until his sudden death in 1970. The first episode in this book begins the series, introducing Gerald Tarrant and Fraser, and sets up the basic premise. The best episode in this book is "The Long Lever", which expands a bit upon Modesty's childhood, and puts her in a difficult ethical dilemma. The final one, "The Gabriel Set-Up", is intriguing mainly for the situation in which Willie believes Modesty has been killed. The book also includes an origin story, for those newspapers coming into the middle of an episode. I also love the fine element of humor that permeates the strip, balanced by an appreciation for the more sobering elements associated with violent adventure. ( )