Modesty Blaise

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
№	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

 The Proudest moment of the great legend is when he recieved the following letter from his reader.... as mentioned by him..