Modesty Blaise
A Great work of Peter O'Donnell which i have read in tamil in Rani comics as well as lion comics in my childhood. It was fascinating to see such a comics strip to be translated and published in tamil.
Have got these lines from Peter O'Donnell himself about his creation --
In The Beginning
During the time I was working freelance and doing the other strips, I’d also been writing some stuff for women’s magazines. In a rather vague way, I’d been thinking that it might be interesting to dream up a woman who would do the same kind of things as the heroes I’d been operating for so many years, like Garth and Tug Transom. In 1962, I had a call from Bill Aitken, the Strip Cartoon Editor of the Daily Express, another UK national daily newspaper which, like the Mirror, is still going today. He said he wanted me to write a strip for him. I asked what kind of strip, and he said --- “The kind of strip you want to write.” I said it would be months before I could deliver the first few weeks of script, and he said --- “OK, take your time.” I asked for Jim Holdaway to draw it and he agreed.
So then I began to develop the character who was to become Modesty Blaise. In order to give her the kind of background that made her plausible I had to go back to an incident I’d witnessed twenty years earlier, during the war. It took a long time to get her right and to find the right name for her. Once that was done I knew she had to have a sidekick, and Willie Garvin appeared in about thirty seconds.
The strip was going to appear in the Express, and I was asked to write a five-day text serial to introduce it. Then suddenly the whole thing was cancelled. I heard later that the Chairman had seen the first weeks of the drawn strip and decided that “a woman from the underworld” was unsuitable for Express readers. Bill Aitken then offered Modesty Blaise to the London Evening Standard, which is also still going today. The then Editor, Charles Wintour, snapped it up. It first appeared on Monday 13th May 1963 and ended on my birthday, 11th April 2001. Each story ran for between 18 and 20 weeks.
It would be impossible to write a character profile of Modesty or Willie. Our characters are made up of hundreds of little things which, in themselves, are not significant but, taken together, make us who we are. It’s like an artist who uses hundreds of small brush strokes to create a picture. All of the hundreds of little things which make up Modesty’s and Willie’s characters are spread throughout the books and the strips. The same goes for the things which make their relationship unique, as it would for any of us. I want to leave Modesty and Willie as they are presented in all that I have written of them.
Writing the Strips
I would have a general idea for a story and develop it as I went along. I don’t like preparing a synopsis of a story first and then working to that because I get fresh ideas as I write. I did all the scripting first so that the whole story developed at once. I would then write the synopsis once the whole thing was complete and deliver everything two months before publication.
One copy of the synopsis would go to the Editor of the Evening Standard for approval and, once approved, the synopsis and the complete story were sent to the artist. In the case of Romero, they were sent to a lady who translated everything into Spanish before sending it on to him. The artist would do the artwork without the balloons and send the original artwork to Gerry Lip, the lettering artist at the Evening Standard, who would put in the balloons. I would walk across Fleet Street to the Standard’s office, check the originals and the lettering and it would then be sent to the Features Editor of the Evening Standard. The Legal Department probably checked it too. Once that had happened, it went to production.
It is difficult to describe for your artist the variety of actions which occur in fights. To overcome this problem, we arranged a photo session with Cyd Child, European Judo Champion, and Brian Jacks, Olympic medallist. They went through a series of action shots which were then numbered and put together in a book. They also took the opportunity to throw me around a bit on the basis that I needed to know what it felt like. I kept one copy of the book and the other was sent to the artist. Whenever I wanted a particular action scene, I could simply refer to the number of the photograph.
Writing daily continuity strips is much more difficult than text or graphic novels. You are telling a story with 300 pictures over a period of 18-20 weeks. In telling the story, you have to keep it moving, keep it interesting and, above all, keep reminding the reader of what has gone before. You also have to keep a series of cliff-hangers going, ideally at the end of each week.
I don’t deliberately include any particular ingredients into stories. I have no formula. I just tell the stories as they come into my head, and the characters come with the stories. There may be subconscious reasons for various elements in what I write, but if so I don’t want to know about them. I don’t want to try analysing what I do because I am afraid that would lead me into some kind of formula. I think formulas squeeze the juice out of stories.
Peter O'Donnell got Haxter award for his work Bad suki
The Modesty Blaise comic strip and comic book stories
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| № | Title | Artist | Strip numbers | Number of strips | Dates | Reprinted in |
| 1 | La Machine | JH | 1-114 | 114 | 1963-05-13 - 1963-09-21 | T1, OT1, C 189-191, 193, S2 |
| 2 | The Long Lever | JH | 115-211 | 98 | 1963-09-23 - 1964-01-02 | T1, OT1, C 192-194, S2 |
| 3 | The Gabriel Set-Up | JH | 212-354 | 143 | 1964-01-03 - 1964-06-18 | T1, OT1, C 195-197 |
| 4 | Mister Sun | JH | 355-500 | 146 | 1964-06-19 - 1964-12-05 | T2, OT2, C 198-199 |
| 5 | The Mind of Mrs. Drake | JH | 501-612 | 113 (112+1A) | 1964-12-07 - 1965-04-19 | T2, OT2, F2, C 201-203 |
| 6 | Uncle Happy | JH | 613-743 | 131 | 1965-04-20 - 1965-09-18 | T2, OT8, F2, C 204-207 |
| 7 | Top Traitor | JH | 744-873 | 131 | 1965-09-20 - 1966-02-19 | T3, F1, C 208-210 |
| 8 | The Vikings | JH | 874-992 | 119 | 1966-02-21 - 1966-07-09 | T3, F1, S1 |
| [1] | In the Beginning | JH | 01-Dec | 12 | 1966-07-11 - 1966-07-23 | T1, OT1, C 188, CM, S1 |
| 9 | The Head Girls | JH | 993-1124 | 132 | 1966-07-11 - 1966-12-10 | T3, F4 |
| 10 | The Black Pearl | JH | 1125–1235 | 112 (111+1A) | 1966-12-12 - 1967-04-22 | T4, F4, S1 |
| 11 | The Magnified Man | JH | 1236–1349 | 114 | 1967-04-24 - 1967-09-02 | T4, F4 |
| 12 | The Jericho Caper | JH | 1350–1461 | 113 (112+1A) | 1967-09-04 - 1968-01-13 | T4, F3 |
| 13 | Bad Suki | JH | 1462–1574 | 113 | 1968-01-15 - 1968-05-25 | T5, OT8, F3 |
| 14 | The Galley Slaves | JH | 1575-1629 | 115 (114+1A) | 1968-05-27 - 1968-08-06 | T5, OT3, MB24 |
| 1630A-1688 | 1968-09-11 - 1968-11-16 |
| [2] | The Killing Ground | JH | A1-A36 | 36 | 1968-10-07 - 1968-11-16 | T4, OT2, F3, C 207 |
| 15 | The Red Gryphon | JH | 1689–1794 | 107 (106+1A) | 1968-11-18 - 1969-03-22 | T5, OT3, C 211-213 |
| 16 | The Hell Makers | JH | 1795–1919 | 126 (125+1A) | 1969-03-24 - 1969-08-16 | T6, OT3, C 214-216 |
| 17 | Take-Over | JH | 1920–2043 | 125 (124+1A) | 1969-08-18 - 1970-01-10 | T6, OT4, C 217-219 |
| 18 | The War-Lords of Phoenix | JH | 2044-2098 | 119 | 1970-01-12 - 1970-03-16 | T6, OT4, C 220-222 |
| ER | 2099-2162 | 1970-03-17 - 1970-05-30 |
| 19 | Willie the Djinn | ER | 2163–2282 | 120 | 1970-06-01 - 1970-10-17 | T7, OT4, C 223-225 |
| 20 | The Green-Eyed Monster | ER | 2283–2388 | 107 (106+1A) | 1970-10-19 - 1971-02-20 | T7, OT5, C 226-228 |
| 21 | Death of a Jester | ER | 2389–2507 | 119 | 1971-02-22 - 1971-07-10 | T7, OT5, C 229-231 |
| 22 | The Stone Age Caper | ER | 2508–2627 | 120 | 1971-07-12 - 1971-11-27 | T8, OT5, C 232-234 |
| 23 | The Puppet Master | ER | 2628–2738 | 112 (111+1A) | 1971-11-29 - 1972-04-08 | T8, OT6, C 235-237 |
| 24 | With Love from Rufus | ER | 2739–2846 | 108 | 1972-04-10 - 1972-08-12 | T8, OT6 |
| 25 | The Bluebeard Affair | ER | 2847–2970 | 125 (124+1A) | 1972-08-14 - 1973-01-06 | T9, OT6 |
| 26 | The Gallows Bird | ER | 2971-3077 | 107 | 1973-01-08 - 1973-05-12 | T9, MB2 |
| 27 | The Wicked Gnomes | ER | 3078-3197 | 120 | 1973-05-14 - 1973-09-29 | T9, OT7 |
| 28 | The Iron God | ER | 3198-3309 | 111[10] | 1973-10-01 - 1974-02-09 | T9, OT7 |
| 29 | "Take Me to Your Leader" | ER | 3310-3428 | 119 | 1974-02-11 - 1974-07-01 | T10, MB3 |
| 30 | Highland Witch | ER | 3429-3548 | 120 | 1974-07-02 - 1974-11-16 | T10, MB4 |
| 31 | Cry Wolf | ER | 3549-3638A | 106 (90+16A) | 1974-11-18 - 1975-03-25 | T10, MB5 |
| 32 | The Reluctant Chaperon | ER | 3639-3737 | 120 (99+21A)[11] | 1975-03-26 - 1975-08-14 | T11, MB6 |
| 33 | The Greenwood Maid | ER | 3738-3829A | 111 (92+19A) | 1975-08-15 - 1976-01-02 | T11, MB7 |
| 34 | Those About to Die | ER | 3830-3931A | 123 (102+21A) | 1976-01-05 - 1976-05-28 | T11, MB8 |
| 35 | The Inca Trail | ER | 3932-4031A | 120 (100+20A) | 1976-06-01 - 1976-10-20 | T11, MB10 |
| 36 | The Vanishing Dollybirds | ER | 4032-4141A | 132 (110+22A) | 1976-10-21 - 1977-03-28 | T12, MB11 |
| 37 | The Junk Men | ER | 4142-4241A | 120 (100+20A) | 1977-03-29 - 1977-08-19 | T12, MB9 |
| 38 | Death Trap | ER | 4242-4341A | 120 (100+20A) | 1977-08-22 - 1978-01-20 | T12, MB12 |
| 39 | Idaho George | ER | 4342-4447A | 126 (106+20A) | 1978-01-23 - 1978-06-16 | T13, MB13 |
| 40 | The Golden Frog | ER | 4448-4542A | 114 (95+19A) | 1978-06-19 - 1978-10-31 | T13, MB14 |
| 41 | Yellowstone Booty | JB | 4543-4647A | 126 (105+21A) | 1978-11-01 - 1979-03-30 | T13, MB16 |
| 42 | Green Cobra | JB | 4648-4737A | 108 (90+18A) | 1979-04-02 - 1979-08-10 | T14, MB15 |
| 43 | Eve and Adam | JB | 4738-4767A | 120 (100+20A) | 1979-08-13 - 1979-11-24 | T14, MB17 |
| PW | 4768-4837A | 1979-11-25 - 1980-01-04 |
| 44 | Brethren of Blaise | PW | 4838-4932A | 114 (95+19A) | 1980-01-07 - 1980-05-23 | T14, MB18 |
| 45 | Dossier on Pluto | NC | 4933-5032A | 120 (100+20A) | 1980-05-27 - 1980-10-14 | T15, MB19 |
| 46 | The Lady Killers | NC | 5033-5127A | 114 (95+19A) | 1980-10-15 - 1981-03-03 | T15, F5, C 238-240 |
| 47 | Garvin's Travels | NC | 5128-5229A | 120 (102+18A) | 1981-03-04 - 1981-07-27 | T15, F5, C 241 - 243 |
| 48 | The Scarlet Maiden | NC | 5230-5329A | 120 (100+20A) | 1981-07-28 - 1981-12-16 | T16, F5, C 244 - 246 |
| 49 | The Moonman | NC | 5330-5424A | 114 (95+19A) | 1981-12-17 - 1982-05-07 | T16, F6, C 247 - 249 |
| 50 | A Few Flowers for the Colonel | NC | 5425-5519A | 114 (95+19A) | 1982-05-10 - 1982-09-24 | T16, F6, C 250 - 252 |
| 51 | The Balloonatic | NC | 5520-5619A | 120 (100+20A) | 1982-09-27 - 1983-02-18 | T17, F6, C 253 - 255 |
| 52 | Death in Slow Motion | NC | 5620-5719A | 120 (100+20A) | 1983-02-21 - 1983-07-15 | T17, F7, C 256 - 258 |
| 53 | The Alternative Man | NC | 5720-5814A | 114 (95+19A) | 1983-07-18 - 1983-11-28 | T17, F7, C 259 - 261 |
| 54 | Sweet Caroline | NC | 5815-5914A | 120 (100+20A) | 1983-11-29 - 1984-04-19 | T18, F7, C 262 - 264 |
| 55 | The Return of the Mammoth | NC | 5915-6014A | 120 (100+20A) | 1984-04-24 - 1984-09-14 | T18, F8, C 265 - 267 |
| 56 | Plato's Republic | NC | 6015-6114A | 120 (100+20A) | 1984-09-17 - 1985-02-06 | T18, F8 |
| 57 | The Sword of the Bruce | NC | 6115-6214A | 120 (100+20A) | 1985-02-07 - 1985-07-02 | T18, F8 |
| 58 | The Wild Boar | NC | 6215-6314A | 120 (100+20A) | 1985-07-03 - 1985-11-20 | T19, MB20 |
| 59 | Kali's Disciples | NC | 6315-6414A | 120 (100+20A) | 1985-11-21 - 1986-05-16 | T19, MB21 |
| 60 | The Double Agent | NC | 6415-6519A | 126 (105+21A) | 1986-05-17 - 1986-09-15 | T19, MB22 |
| 61 | Butch Cassidy Rides Again | ER | 6520-6624A | 126 (105+21A) | 1986-09-16 - 1987-02-12 | T20, MB1, MB25 |
| 62 | Million Dollar Game | ER | 6625-6724A | 120 (100+20A) | 1987-02-13 - 1987-07-08 | T20, C 26-29 |
| 63 | The Vampire of Malvescu | ER | 6725-6829A | 126 (105+21A) | 1987-07-09 - 1987-12-03 | T20, A2, MB23 |
| 64 | Samantha and the Cherub | ER | 6830-6934A | 126 (105+21A) | 1987-12-04 - 1988-05-06 | T21, C 31-36, LB |
| 65 | Milord | ER | 6935-7034A | 120 (100+20A) | 1988-05-09 - 1988-09-27 | T21, C 40-42, LB |
| 66 | Live Bait | ER | 7035-7134A | 120 (100+20A) | 1988-09-28 - 1989-02-17 | T21, C 44-46, LB |
| 67 | The Girl from the Future | ER | 7135-7239A | 126 (105+21A) | 1989-02-20 - 1989-07-21 | T22, C 47-49, LD |
| 68 | The Big Mole | ER | 7240-7339A | 120 (100+20A) | 1989-07-24 - 1989-12-11 | T22, C 50-52, LD |
| 69 | Lady in the Dark | ER | 7340-7439A | 120 (100+20A) | 1989-12-12 - 1990-05-08 | T22, C 53-56, LD |
| 70 | Fiona | ER | 7440-7544A | 126 (105+21A) | 1990-05-09 - 1990-10-09 | C 57-60 |
| 71 | Walkabout | ER | 7545-7649A | 126 (105+21A) | 1990-10-10 - 1991-03-11 | C 61-63 |
| 72 | The Girl in the Iron Mask | ER | 7650-7749A | 120 (100+20A) | 1991-03-12 - 1991-08-02 | C 64-66 |
| 73 | The Young Mistress | ER | 7750-7854A | 126 (105+21A) | 1991-08-05 - 1992-01-06 | C 67-73 |
| 74 | Ivory Dancer | ER | 7855-7959A | 126 (105+21A) | 1992-01-07 - 1992-06-05 | C 73-77 |
| 75 | Our Friend Maude | ER | 7960-8064A | 126 (105+21A) | 1992-06-08 - 1992-11-02 | C 78-83 |
| 76 | A Present for the Princess | ER | 8065-8174A | 132 (110+22A) | 1992-11-03 - 1993-04-08 | C 84-88 |
| 77 | Black Queen's Pawn | ER | 8175-8279A | 126 (105+21A) | 1993-04-13 - 1993-09-10 | C 89-93 |
| 78 | The Grim Joker | ER | 8280-8384A | 126 (105+21A) | 1993-09-13 - 1994-02-09 | C 94-99 |
| 79 | Guido the Jinx | ER | 8385-8484A | 120 (100+20A) | 1994-02-10 - 1994-07-05 | C 100-104 |
| 80 | The Killing Distance | ER | 8485-8589A | 126 (105+21A) | 1994-07-06 - 1994-11-30 | C 105-109 |
| 81 | The Aristo | ER | 8590-8694A | 126 (105+21A) | 1994-12-01 - 1995-05-03 | C 110-114 |
| [3] | Modesty Blaise | DS & DG | 141 pages | 1994-12 | |
| 82 | Ripper Jax | ER | 8695-8799A | 126 (105+21A) | 1995-05-04 - 1995-10-02 | C 115-119 |
| 83 | The Maori Contract | ER | 8800-8904A | 126 (105+21A) | 1995-10-03 - 1996-03-01 | C 120-124 |
| 84 | Honeygun | ER | 8905-9009A | 126 (105+21A) | 1996-03-04 - 1996-08-02 | C 125-130 |
| 85 | Durango | ER | 9010-9114A | 126 (105+21A) | 1996-08-05 - 1997-01-03 | CS, C 131-133 |
| 86 | The Murder Frame | ER | 9115-9219A | 126 (105+21A) | 1997-01-06 - 1997-06-06 | C 134-138 |
| 87 | Fraser's Story | ER | 9220-9324A | 126 (105+21A) | 1997-06-09 - 1997-11-03 | C 139-143 |
| 88 | Tribute of the Pharaoh | ER | 9325-9429A | 126 (105+21A) | 1997-11-04 - 1998-05-03 | C 144-148 |
| 89 | The Special Orders | ER | 9430-9534A | 126 (105+21A) | 1998-05-06 - 1998-09-04 | C 149-152 |
| 90 | The Hanging Judge | ER | 9535-9644A | 132 (110+22A) | 1998-09-07 - 1999-02-10 | C 153-158 |
| 91 | Children of Lucifer | ER | 9645-9749A | 126 (105+21A) | 1999-02-11 - 1999-07-13 | C 159-163 |
| 92 | Death Symbol | ER | 9750-9859A | 132 (110+22A) | 1999-07-14 - 1999-12-15 | C 164-169 |
| 93 | The Last Aristocrat | ER | 9860-9964A | 126 (105+21A) | 1999-12-16 - 2000-05-19 | C 170-175 |
| 94 | The Killing Game | ER | 9965-10069A | 126 (105+21A) | 2000-05-22 - 2000-10-17 | C 176-181 |
| 95 | The Zombie | ER | 10070-10183 | 135 (114+21A) | 2000-10-18 - 2001-04-11 | C 182-187 |
| [4] | The Dark Angels | ER | 46 pages | 2002-06-13 - 2002-07-11 | C 200, 208 (cover) |
| The special stories |
| 1. Numbered SP1 or more common 8a. An introduction to the history of Modesty Blaise. |
| 2. Numbered SP2 or more common 14a. Produced to Scottish newspapers after an industrial dispute in England. |
| 3. Numbered SP3 or more common not numbered. A graphic novel from DC Comics based on the first novel with Modesty Blaise. |
| 4. Numbered SP4 or more common 96. A comic book version of the short story in Cobra Trap. Originally published in the Swedish magazine Agent X9 #7-8, 2002 |
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The Proudest moment of the great legend is when he recieved the following letter from his reader.... as mentioned by him..
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