Part 2 of The Curse of the 30 Pieces of Silver continues the Indiana Jones theme established in Part 1, but it's still very much a Blake and Mortimer production. Given that Jacobs's original stories were part of the tail-end of the Pulp tradition that inspired Lucas's movies, Van Hamme can be forgiven (if not thanked) for this homage.

The plot nicely weaves elements of Ancient Greek and early Christian stories into its central mystery, including an undeniable supernatural twist. Oh, and is that Captain Haddock's jumper Olrik is wearing at one point?

I also like the continuing frisson of attraction between Mortimer and Special Agent Jessie Wingo, set up in The Mysterious Encounter and developed in this two-parter. I'd be interested to see if this sub-plot goes anywhere.

That, however, will clearly have to wait some time as, reading the English-language series in order of publication, I now have to hop back to the early 1950s to read the three volumes of Jacobs's original Blake and Mortimer adventure, The Secret of the Swordfish! ( )