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

T H E M O D E S T Y B L A I S E C O M P A N I O N I I SOAMES, Soapy STORY 44 “BRETHREN OF BLAISE” STRIP 4847 One of the three heavies engaged by Gully Kincaid to put Willie in hospital. He is dismayed that he was not advised who his victim was to be. Generally apologetic and grateful not to have his neck broken. SOAMES and ANCORN STORY 57: “THE SWORD OF THE BRUCE” TEXT ONLY STRIP 6155 Firm of Solicitors. Mr. R. J. Ancorn is executor of the rather unusual will of Hamish McFee. SOLOMON STORY 16: “THE HELL-MAKERS”: STRIP 1850 One of a pair of golden eagles trained by Gus Fletcher. He uses him to take up the grapnel with the rope attached which lets Modesty and Gus climb up the sheer sides of the rock face of Glory Heights in their efforts to rescue Willie. He later works with Sheba as a spotter SOPHIE STORY 68: “THE BIG MOLE”: STRIP 7272 One of the nurses being held hostage by The Paladins. Smuggles out a note in a bottle which she drops into the river adjoining the nurses home. Held as a special hostage with a knife at her throat and rescued by Willie, who kills her captor. Promises to pay Willie a visit at “The Treadmill” soon, to express her gratitude. SOUTHERN STORY 9: “THE HEAD GIRLS”: STRIP 1010 In charge of the London branch of Superior Secretaries Limited for Gabriel. With Henry he kills Sharon Dale after she demands more money for having killed the Coirath camera team. When Modesty and Willie get involved and the operation is closed down the partnership is unilaterally dissolved by Gabriel with the aid of a gun. SPIRO STORY 56: “PLATO’S REPUBLIC” STRIP 6084A Ex-Network man who helps Willie in the rescue Modesty, Phil and Melinda Krolli from Salamander Four. Takes part in the “beating up” of Willie, takes care of the unconscious Ingrid and helps with the boat and gear Willie needs to get him to the island of Voulakis. SPITERI, Eddie STORY 80: “THE KILLING DISTANCE” STRIP 8555 Maltese crook known to Modesty from The Network days. He regularly supplies girls to Charles B. Delaney in his Atlas mountain fortress of “Zariba”. After initial hesitation he tells Modesty what she needs to know about the way the girls are transported and reluctantly agrees to substitute her for the next girl he is due to send. SPOONER, Colonel Rodney STORY 50: “A FEW FLOWERS FOR THE COLONEL”: STRIP 5425 Late of the Royal Engineers and now retired to Venezuela to grow orchids. Very old fashioned and proud of it, a stiff necked, male chauvinist and gutsy old bastard. He fights the rearguard action with Modesty to delay El Toro and his bandits. When their ammunition runs out he knocks Modesty out, orders Anselmo to escape with her then blows up the mountain. It brings an avalanche down on himself and El Toro and his men. SPURLING, Little Joe STORY 54: “SWEET CAROLINE” STRIP 5816 Reformed and retired specialist bomb maker now employed as caretaker in a London school. Being blackmailed by Sweet Caroline, who have kidnapped his wife Lucy and are holding her prisoner. It was he who made the cricket ball bomb that killed Lord Coburn. Agrees to help Modesty and Willie by feeding Sweet Caroline with false information for them to help get his wife back. 154 Drawn by Pat Wright Strip 4853 28th January, 1980 Drawn by Jim Holdaway Strip 1851 29th May, 1969 Drawn by Romero Strip 7273 8th September, 1989 Drawn by Jim Holdaway Strip 1089 31st October, 1966 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 6084A Not published in the Evening Standard Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 5466 7th July, 1982 Drawn by Romero Strip 8558 18th October, 1994 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 5914A Not published in the Evening Standard