March 16, 2015

BOB MORANE: COMICS


Bob Morane week continues! The original action hero by Henri Vernes spawned over 200 novels since 1953 (the same year Ian Fleming introduced James Bond!). And with stories ranging from spies and master criminals to pulp-style science fiction, restless natives, and dinosaurs, you know comic book adaptations weren't far behind! Dargaud published twelve volumes between 1967 and 1974. The most interesting in terns of design is issue #3, Operation Chevalier Noir, printed in January, 1969. The cover art is pure Spy Vibe, featuring a model (at right) dressed in space fashion inspired by Pierre Cardin. I'm certain her outfit and pose originated from a movie poster or fashion shoot, but I can't quite place it. Do any readers recognize the image? The cover also sports visored helmets that remind me of our banner-photo from Danger Diabolik. More below.




The comic covers from the early 1970s began to resemble illustration art from Sci-Fi paperbacks, employing finer detail, wispy backgrounds, and bright colors.  Issue #6 from January, 1971, Eyes in the Fog, featured Morane and his female companion on a secret service mission and on the run from super creepy baddies (reminiscent of something from City of Lost ChildrenDark City, or Hellboy!). The City of Nowhere from January, 1973, included a very Emma Peel-inspired outfit on the cover, complete with black catsuit, wide purple belt and oversized buckle. The original series was continued by Le Lombard with forty-seven new issues of Morane adventures between 1975 and 2011. The later issues rebranded the "Bob Morane" name in a wavy red font- Spy Vibers will recognize the style as reminiscent of Doc Savage publications. In fact, Doc Savage had joined the roster at Marabout, publisher of Bob Morane books, in 1967. The early Morane comics were reprinted twice, by Lefrancq (1989 to 1997) and by Dargaud (2002-2005). The cover of Atom and Fog, L'Integrale Bob Morane from 1995, harkened back to the wonderful Space-Fashion days of the 1960s. See below for some notable covers. Stay tuned for more Bob Morane, including a classic Spy Vibe design doppelganger! Spy Vibe's Bob Morane series: IntroComicsToys, Pilote Magazine, RecordsScreen. Learn more at Cool French Comics. Enjoy!





Selected Spy Vibe posts: New Saint PublicationsThe Saint Complete box setGerry Anderson Box SetsBond LEGODeadlier Than the MaleSpectre ReportMusic For SpiesThai Bond DesignBrian Clemens RIPBond vs ModernismImitation GameNew Avengers BooksRoad to Hong KongInside Gerry AndersonRingo Does GoldfingerSixties Beat WearSPECTRE AnnouncedPopular SkulltureNew Gerry Anderson SetsNew SECRET AGENT setArt of ModestyAvengers Blu-ray updateTokyo Beat 1964Polaroid SpyModesty MondayFeraud Mod FashionFlint Scores!Bond DanishHome MoviesNew Richard Sala BookNew 007 ComicsDesigning Bond BooksGreen Hornet MangaMargaret Nolan ArtNo 6 FestivalBarbarella Returns007 Audio Books ReturnDesigner: Gene WinfieldAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy OlsenRare Avengers ScriptsMan From Uncle UK ComicsMattel X-15Thunderbirds ComicsShakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers InterviewAvengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky BootsGeorge Lois Design & Mad MenRichard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese BooksThe 10th Victim German EditionThe Saint books returnTrina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

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