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 VIC STORY 62 “MILLION DOLLAR GAME” STRIP 6662 One of Scoular’s poaching party. He is guarding the truck and is warned that a friend of Modesty is in the area. Very suspicious when Willie turns up. Bluffed by Willie, distracted by Modesty and finished off by Willie with a water bottle. VICTOR STORY 5: “THE MIND OF MRS. DRAKE”: STRIP 548 Driver for V.N. Korzon. He is at the wheel taking Korzon and Mrs. Drake and their prisoner, Modesty, to their hideout. Willie is following behind when Modesty starts to create havoc in the back seat of the car. Nearly looses control and almost ends up in a cul-de-sac before Modesty jumps clear and he is able to get away. His final fate is uncertain. VIDEGHA, ex-Prince STORY 59: “KALI’S DISCIPLES”: STRIP 6318 Polo playing former ruler of the Indian State of Kodhabad. Husband of Sita, father of Ranjit, at whose request he is playing host to Modesty and Willie, who are on their way to answer a summons from the holy man Sivaji. The area of Kodhabad is suffering a revival of the Thuggee, who steal and commit ritual murder for their goddess Kali. This outbreak is being investigated by Inspector Chatterji of the Indian Police. An attempt by the Thuggee to steal a valuable statue from his palace is foiled by Modesty and Willie. VIGO, Dr. STORY 42: “GREEN COBRA”: STRIP 4648 Doctor employed by Salamander Four to brainwash Jack Fraser and extract information from him. So far both his psychological methods and drugs have failed. Fraser is using Modesty as his mantra and as a mental barrier. Also acts as advisor to Pandora who is in overall charge of the operation. Very upset when she disobeys the orders to kill Modesty and Willie. Thrown over a balcony by Fraser and suffers a broken arm and blurred vision. VECCHI STORY 66: “LIVE BAIT”: STRIP 7091 Member of the new gang assembled by Malik after his release from prison. He is one of the crew of the boat at the ransom money handover but not separately identified. VELLA, Joe STORY 74: “IVORY DANCER”: STRIP 7938 Head Groom at Ringwell’s Circus and old acquaintance of Willie. When Ivory Dancer is stolen and then Samantha Brown goes missing he is able to help Willie, telling him about the extra horse box that had a sick horse and asked to travel with the Circus for a while in case they needed a vet. He thought the horse was a chestnut. VENUS STORY 45: “DOSSIER ON PLUTO”: STRIP 4933 One of the dolphins being studied by Steve Taylor. Shot by Gaspar to force Steve to hand over dossier of research he has compiled. With the help on the telephone from Dr. Harvey at the U.S. Navy R e s e a r c h Centre in San Diego he is operated on by Steve to remove Gaspar’s bullet. Recovers and helps to carry equipment to and from Gaspar’s ship when Modesty and Willie scuttle it. VERNE, Paul STORY 26: “THE GALLOWS BIRD”: STRIP 2974 A professional scuba diver, he placed the explosive charges that now enable General Laporte to hold the city of New Orleans to ransom. Later had second thoughts about what he had done and had nightmares about it. He is chased through the docks, caught by Laporte’s men and hanged on the jib of a crane to please Blanche Laporte. She is most upset when Modesty and Willie cut him down and try to revive him. Regrettably they were too late to save his life. VERNE, Sarah, STORY 26: “THE GALLOWS BIRD” STRIP 3005 Widow of Paul Verne. Tells Modesty and Willie that her husband was really scared. He had got into something bad and was having nightmares about a hangman coming to get him, but he did not tell her what it was about. 179 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 7938 6th May, 1992 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 4942A Not published in the Evening Standard Drawn by Romero Strip 2982 20th January, 1973 Drawn by Romero Strip 3005 16th February, 1973 Drawn by Jim Holdaway Strip 548 2nd February, 1965 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 6318 26th November, 1985 Drawn by John Burns Strip 4674 11th May, 1979 Drawn by Romero Strip 6700 4th June, 1987