Louis Albert (1931–1999)

It must be almost 20 years since I read Bruno Brazil for the first time. First volume introduces us to Bruno Brazil, James Bond-like spy while trying to obtain the Nazi gold for his government from the jungles of South America.

Story is very much Ludlum-like (ex-Nazi's, subplots, assassins chasing each other for the money - everything is here :)) so it flows very naturally and is a great (albeit short - 48 pages) read.

Recommended for spy-fiction fans.

After shady organization tries to impose its will through pirate TV signal Bruno Brazil is called to handle the situation. To achieve the goal he creates a team (Commando Caiman) and goes after the criminals.

While there are elements here that are over-the-top at the time this was expected (and might seem outdated now). Team of ragtags no official likes (not unlike dirty dozen), Bruno Brazil as extremely capable team lead encountering crazy villain in the depth of the jungle.

Although use of show more TV as a hypnotic media might sound preposterous there are elements here that do have footing in reality - constant bombardment of information or suggestions through commercials come to mind, would not you agree - maybe hypnosis would not work on everyone in populace but very large number is susceptible to publicly spun stories.

So, in short story is again very Ludlum-sque but with elements of reality (it was interesting to see exclusion of one team member because he is not fit enough for task and limits to which some team members are ready to go to and casualties taken during the parachute infiltration - all the things that are not so common in comics).

Art as always is excellent, I am very much fan of William Vance's work both here and in XIII series.

Recommended for spy-fiction fans. show less

Professor Calculus has developed a 3D photocopier, but fears that unidentified crooks, related to a series of art forgeries, are planning to steal it. To prevent this, he has hired the detectives Thomson and Thompson as bodyguards, and also invited his friends Tintin and Captain Haddock to his rented villa in Syldavia, on the shores of the artificial Lake Flechizaff. Soon enough, mysterious things start to happen...

It is hardly surprising that this album, with competent but uninspired art by show more Bob de Moor, was one of the reasons why Hergé decided not to let anyone continue Tintin after his death. The story in all its silliness just about works as a film; as a comic strip, it's flat, much too clearly adapted from another medium, and slightly wooden. show less

I’ve read this a number of times over the years, and enjoy it every time. It’s got subtle nods to other books in the series, and is just plain entertaining. Shorter than the “regular”/canon books, but amusing nonetheless.