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 Children, Dark 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: Intro, Comics, Toys, Pilote Magazine, Records, Screen. Learn more at Cool French Comics. Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe posts: New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Bond LEGO, Deadlier Than the Male, Spectre Report, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Road to Hong Kong, Inside Gerry Anderson, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, SPECTRE Announced, Popular Skullture, New Gerry Anderson Sets, New SECRET AGENT set, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Modesty Monday, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, Home Movies, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, 007 Audio Books Return, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Mattel X-15, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Danger Diabolik Soundtrack, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The 10th Victim German Edition, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.