VAN HAMME (Jean) and TED (Benoit). The Adventures of Blake & - Lot 256

VAN HAMME (Jean) and TED (Benoit). The Adventures of Blake & Mortimer. The Francis Blake Affair. Blake and Mortimer / Studio Jacobs First edition Legal deposit: 1996 ISBN : 2-87097-043-9 Printed and bound by Partenaires Fabrication Published in 1996, L'Affaire Francis Blake marks a major turning point in the history of the Blake and Mortimer series. For the first time since Edgar P. Jacobs, the characters were taken up by a new tandem of authors, Jean Van Hamme and Ted Benoit, in an eagerly-awaited official continuation. The plot is set in post-war England, at the heart of a hushed, ominous universe, where a mysterious organization is directly attacking Captain Blake's entourage. Mortimer finds himself drawn into a complex investigation involving espionage, psychological manipulation and state secrets. Faithful to the Jacobsian spirit, the story favors a dense, elegant and cerebral atmosphere, while infusing it with an assertive narrative modernity. Ted Benoit's drawing pays homage to classic ligne claire, while asserting a more refined, contemporary style. The London settings, cinematic mise-en-scène and meticulous atmospherics give the album a strong identity, now recognized as an essential milestone in the series. This album has become an essential reference for Blake and Mortimer collectors, as much for its historical importance as for its editorial quality.