Modesty Blaise: The Puppet Master

(Titan, 2006)
™ and © 2006 Associated Newspaper/Solo Syndication

The promotional ads for a recent Modesty Blaise collection featured a quote from Neil Gaiman saying the fictional, reformed thief turned almost-crimefighter was his first crush. It’s not hard to see why. Enric Badia Romero’s art is that perfectly slashed inks-only style that looks better in black and white than it probably would in color, granting dignity to brawn and beauty in these strips from the early 70s that, to their greatest credit, don’t look dated at all. The characters are fashionably depicted, but weather time better than most contemporaries.

In most of Peter O’Donnell’s stories, trouble seeks Blaise out, but she has that rare characteristic in youth-suitable adventure: a dangerous reputation we actually believe. Modesty is probably the only real counterpart to James Bond in the history of female adventure: 100% lady, but with a vicious streak of action. She’s completely capable and comfortable in the cut-throat atmosphere O’Donnell scripts. Nor does he waste half a strip recapping the story each day. A true delight to read, and a good addition to any collection.

— Brendan McGinley

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