EXTRACTS: The Modesty Blaise Companion Expanded Edition © 2018 The Book Palace (425 PAGES in Full edition)

E X P A N D E D E D I T I O N SALEM STORY 83: “THE MAORI CONTRACT”: STRIP 8834 Boss of the Levantine group hired by Martin Hayne for the kidnap and murder of Carol Nash in New Zealand. He takes the job even though he knows that Modesty and Willie are involved. He very nearly comes unstuck before he gets to New Zealand when one of his men, Luki, tries to murder Modesty in the transit lounge of Karachi airport. Led into thinking that Modesty is over confident he is lured into the open. During what was intended as the final chase when Carol is to be killed he accidentally mortally wounds Hayne with a meat hook. As Hayne draws his final breath he kills him. SALIM STORY 77: “BLACK QUEEN’S PAWN”: STRIP 8195 A Lebanese crook, he has obtained an ancient map which tells of a treasure hidden by Queen Ranavalona, the early 19th century ruler of Madagascar. His men, led by Koch, have taken over the village of Mandofo, near the ruins of a former summer palace of the Queen to search for the treasure. Meanwhile he is cruising in his yacht off the nearby coast. When Modesty offers to find the treasure for him he accepts. When she and Willie locate the secret burial chamber but the only thing they find is a large aepyornis egg they are buried alive by Koch. Believing that Modesty and Willie are dead he is lured ashore and captured. SALLY STORY 62: “MILLION DOLLAR GAME”: STRIP 6625 Newest recruit to Modesty’s donkey sanctuary bringing the number up to ten. She had been cruelly treated by her master, Omar, who is being taught the value of good animal husbandry by Willie. According to the vet she had been flogged, overworked, overloaded, starved and even had loads sewn to her hide. Rescued by Modesty who is initially blamed by the vet for her condition.Seen in flashback. SAM (1) STORY 1: “LA MACHINE”: STRIP 30 Proprietor of “Sam’s Gym” in the East End of London. An old friend of Modesty and Willie who uses the gym for general work outs and training. When Modesty arrives to collect Willie he tells her that he has warned the lads to stay decent, like. She, in turn, warns him not to let Willie con any of his boys into a no holds barred bout because he fights Thai style it isn’t very nice when he gets serious. SAM (2) STORY 21: “DEATH OF A JESTER”: STRIP 2389 Taking a short cut across the grounds of Saint-Maur Castle with his girlfriend Betsy they witness the murder of Roger Clay, one of Sir Gerald Tarrant’s agents, by a mounted knight dressed in black armour. As they get out of the castle grounds, frantic, Betsy is almost run over by Modesty and Willie in their car. After Willie has had a look around inside the castle grounds, he tells him he could not find anything to support their story. He and Betsy are given a lift to the next town. . SAM (3) STORY 37: “THE JUNK MEN”: STRIP 4153 Actor for whom Willie doubles and does stunts on the film being used by The Junk Men as a cover for the operation to recover a shipment of drugs in a plane that has crashed in the remote area around the Turkish village of Kuborli. There is only so much that Willie can do. When he is being chased by aliens or falling off cliff he simply does not look scared enough. Sam has to do the acting. SAM (4) STORY 61: “BUTCH CASSIDY RIDES AGAIN”: STRIP 6521 Tour guide for Western Tours Inc. and their wild west show in the former ghost town of Cordite. He is giving his usual running commentary when Matt Parker is shot with a real bullet and Modesty goes to his aid. Tells his group that she is ruining the show when in fact what she is doing is saving Matt’s life. 143 T H E M O D E S T Y B L A I S E C O M P A N I Drawn by Romero Strip 4154 18th April, 1977 Drawn by Romero Strip 6525 23rd September, 1986 Drawn by Romero Strip 8834 20th November, 1995 Drawn by Romero Strip 8256 6th August, 1993 Drawn by Romero Strip 6627 17th February, 1987 Drawn by Jim Holdaway Strip 31 17th June, 1963 Drawn by Romero Strip 2392 25th February, 1971