Modesty Blaise

Rating:
Summary: The first Modesty novel is worth the search.
Review: I've been slightly Modesty-obsessed for about ten years now, so I was thrilled when Amazon found me a copy of this out-of-print gem. Modesty and Willie's first caper for Sir Gerald has suspense, drama, and wit. The novel fills in details not in the comic version of this adventure, making it even more fun to read. A great addition to any pulp fiction lover's collection.

Rating:
Summary: Modesty's First Novelized Adventure
Review: Lots of 'firsts' in this novel. The first appearance of Sir Gerald Tarrant, the father-like head of British Intelligence, and Gabriel, a ruthless and ancient adversary of Modesty Blaise. We are also privvy to Modesty's past as a young girl and as head of the criminal organization The Network ... not to mention the origin of her friendship with Willie Garvin.

Though the book is cumbersome at times with technical descriptions involving an elaborate heist, the action and excitement outweighs it. Look for a spectacular hand-to-hand battle between Modesty and Mrs. Fothergill, one of Gabriel's eccentric bodyguards.

Don't believe the hype that Modesty Blaise is just another female 007. Modesty Blaise is far from an ordinary 'spy'. In fact, she's an exceptional woman way ahead of her time!

Rating:
Summary: Modesty Blaise Is Someone You *Ought* To Know About!
Review: Modesty Blaise & Willie Garvin. This novel introduces these two, as well as Sir Gerald Tarrant, and their all-time nemesis, Gabriel. Peter O'Donnell has imagined the *ultimate* independent and competant woman in this series. However, I feel a bit at a loss that I can only review the *novels* based on these characters. Yes, they're good...sometimes GREAT! But this was also a *very* long-running British newspaper comic strip, which is incredible, remarkable, and HIGHLY recommended!!! By far, the BEST of these (the earliest) were illustrated by the late, great Jim Holdaway. Holdaway died in 1970, but he illustrated *numerous* Blaise stories from 1963 until then.

Great graphic novels are something half-way between novels and movies. When they truly are GREAT, there's a fascinating tension that develops between the story being told by the writing, and the story being told by the illustrator (not necessarily the same thing). You'll find that here! A more contemporary master of this art form is Frank Miller, who's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS is simply *the* best thing *ever* done in "comic book" form! The collected editions of the Modesty Blaise newspaper strips are often *equally* as good! They've appeared in two different versions in this country, both out of print. Ken Pierce originally published many of these in his "First American Edition" series. Titan Books later published a more extensive collection in a larger format, which I prefer. If only...if only...! Some of the later strips (not illustrated by Holdaway) still occasionally appear in The Comics Review. Not to be missed, I think (as O'Conner is still right on target with this series). But, the *classic* stuff appeared *many* years ago, as described above.

Still, O'Connor's novels are a worthy substitute, in the meantime. Many have described Blaise as a kind of female James Bond....and I actually *do* agree with this (what other comparison is possible?). But, I also agree that this analogy really does *cheapen* her a bit. I say this somewhat reluctantly, as I do think Fleming's early Bond novels were remarkable feats of imagination. (Did you know he was a *big* follower of Carl Jung?) Modesty Blaise, however, is an *original* character! There was a *very* bad movie based on her a number of years ago---ignore that! If you are a man, you will utterly fall in love with this woman! If you are a woman, she will become your serious role model. The relationship she has with Willie (non-sexual) is both intimate and powerful...*way* ahead of it's time!

Interested? I hope so....

Rating:
Summary: Modesty Blaise Is Someone You *Ought* To Know About!
Review: Modesty Blaise & Willie Garvin. This novel introduces these two, as well as Sir Gerald Tarrant, and their all-time nemesis, Gabriel. Peter O'Donnell has imagined the *ultimate* independent and competant woman in this series. However, I feel a bit at a loss that I can only review the *novels* based on these characters. Yes, they're good...sometimes GREAT! But this was also a *very* long-running British newspaper comic strip, which is incredible, remarkable, and HIGHLY recommended!!! By far, the BEST of these (the earliest) were illustrated by the late, great Jim Holdaway. Holdaway died in 1970, but he illustrated *numerous* Blaise stories from 1963 until then.

Great graphic novels are something half-way between novels and movies. When they truly are GREAT, there's a fascinating tension that develops between the story being told by the writing, and the story being told by the illustrator (not necessarily the same thing). You'll find that here! A more contemporary master of this art form is Frank Miller, who's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS is simply *the* best thing *ever* done in "comic book" form! The collected editions of the Modesty Blaise newspaper strips are often *equally* as good! They've appeared in two different versions in this country, both out of print. Ken Pierce originally published many of these in his "First American Edition" series. Titan Books later published a more extensive collection in a larger format, which I prefer. If only...if only...! Some of the later strips (not illustrated by Holdaway) still occasionally appear in The Comics Review. Not to be missed, I think (as O'Conner is still right on target with this series). But, the *classic* stuff appeared *many* years ago, as described above.

Still, O'Connor's novels are a worthy substitute, in the meantime. Many have described Blaise as a kind of female James Bond....and I actually *do* agree with this (what other comparison is possible?). But, I also agree that this analogy really does *cheapen* her a bit. I say this somewhat reluctantly, as I do think Fleming's early Bond novels were remarkable feats of imagination. (Did you know he was a *big* follower of Carl Jung?) Modesty Blaise, however, is an *original* character! There was a *very* bad movie based on her a number of years ago---ignore that! If you are a man, you will utterly fall in love with this woman! If you are a woman, she will become your serious role model. The relationship she has with Willie (non-sexual) is both intimate and powerful...*way* ahead of it's time!

Interested? I hope so....