JACQUES MARTIN - Alix - The Last Spartan - Lot 299

JACQUES MARTIN - Alix - The Last Spartan JACQUES MARTIN Alix - The Last Spartan. Casterman, 1967. In-4 hardback, boards illustrated in color. Seventh album in the famous Alix historical series, originally pre-published in Tintin in 1966. The plot takes the young Gallo-Roman hero and Enak to a secret valley in Greece, where a citadel of diehard Spartans remains. The Spartans, driven by iron military discipline, are preparing a bloody revenge against Roman domination. Jacques Martin delivers a work of remarkable dramatic tension, coupled with a captivating reflection on fanaticism and the vestiges of fallen civilizations. The front cover features a particularly dynamic composition, showing Alix in chains, dagger in hand, surrounded by the red-crested helmets of the fearsome Greek hoplites. Justification page and dating: © Casterman 1967. Translation and reproduction rights reserved for all countries. Second board: "column" catalog with simplified white box listing 7 titles and ending with Le Dieu sauvage (published in 1970). This offset indicates an early 70s reprint by Casterman. Note the old handwritten notation in ink ("Christophe Collection") in the top left-hand corner of the box, as well as small pencil notches in front of several titles. Copy in used condition. Solid period boards. First board remains clean despite marked wear and rubbing at edges, notably along left spine reinforced with old, yellowed adhesive tape. Corners dulled. Second board is clean. The interior is clean, sound and complete, with a few scattered foxing spots on the justification page. A great classic of historical comics, testifying to the golden age of Ligne Claire.