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 BEAMER STORY 57: “THE SWORD OF THE BRUCE”: STRIP 6143 Named for his falsely benign expression he is the thug employed by Marcus to break the legs of Jennie Dunbar so that Marcus can recover the gambling debts due to him from Hugh Craigie. Is not happy when the first attempt fails due to Modesty’s intervention. During the second attempt to injure Jennie he is knocked out of a hang glider by Modesty about which he was even less happy. BEAN, Hector STORY 35: “THE INCA TRAIL”: STRIP 3932 An exchange student staying in the palace of President Calvasco in the South American Republic of Maluque to help the President’s children with their English. When a military coup takes place during the President’s absence he attempts to lead the children to safety, but they are captured by a patrol of rebel soldiers. Rescued by Modesty, he and the children are once again trapped because Modesty had to leave them in order to free Willie from a rebel prison. Rescued for a second time by Modesty, this time with Willie, he and the children finally reach safety. When the President is restored to power he is awarded the Grand Cross of Maluque for his gallantry. BEATTIE According to Willie, his auntie. STORY 37: “THE JUNK MEN” TEXT ONLY STRIP 4241A According to Willie always saying “you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs” STORY 48: “THE SCARLET MAIDEN” TEXT ONLY STRIP 5271 According to Willie the acting of Rick, Barney and Lisa was so poor it wouldn’t even have frightened her. BEAU STORY 53: “THE ALTERNATIVE MAN” STRIP 5798 Member of the drug smuggling gang supervised by Roqua. Captured by Modesty he loses his distinctive shirt to Willie who uses it to deceive Roqua. BEAUMONT, Sir Robert STORY 90: “THE HANGING JUDGE”: STRIP 9551 Husband of Martha, father of Hannah. As Home Secretary he increased the sentence given to Simon Vance for a vicious robbery in which he murdered two security guards from twelve years to twenty years. When his party lost the election he became Shadow Home Secretary and retired after being badly injured in a riding accident. Now lives in Benildon and is a neighbour of Modesty. Vance vowed to be revenged and having been released, is doing so by promising to ritually hang Hannah. With his wife seeks the aid of Modesty and Willie to save the life of his daughter. BEAUMONT, Lady (Martha) STORY 90: “THE HANGING JUDGE”: STRIP 9548 Wife of Sir Robert, mother of Hannah. Makes contact with her neighbour Modesty and with Willie who just happens to be staying in Benildon. Shows them the video she and her husband have received from Simon Vance. She knows about Modesty from Sir Gerald Tarrant and together with her husband thinks Modesty and Willie may be the only hope they have of saving Hannah’s life. BEAUMONT, Hannah Leslie STORY 90: “THE HANGING JUDGE”: STRIP 9535 Daughter of Sir Robert and Martha. Hated her parents’ political views and left home at seventeen. Qualified as a nurse and spent time working in third world countries. Was a member of the Halford Arctic expedition which got into difficulties and when voice contact was lost, improvised by tapping out a message in Morse code. Kidnapped, imprisoned and degraded by Simon Vance as the first stage of his revenge on her father who has been told that she is to be hanged by Vance on the twentieth day of her captivity. BELIAL STORY 83: “THE MAORI CONTRACT” STRIP 8870 A mamba belonging to Diaz. Illegally imported into New Zealand for the murder of Carol Nash. Devenomed by Willie. BELINDA STORY 53: “THE ALTERNATIVE MAN” TEXT ONLY STRIP 5770 According to Willie one of his four wives. Used as an excuse when Lois Denton suggests marriage. 9 T H E M O D E S T Y B L A I S E C O M P A N Drawn by Romero Strip 3954 2nd July, 1976 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 5798 4th November, 1983 Drawn by Romero Strip 9595 30th November, 1998 Drawn by Romero Strip 9614A Not published in the Evening Standard Drawn by Romero Strip 9565 19th October, 1998 Drawn by Neville Colvin Strip 6144 20th March, 1985 Drawn by Romero Strip 8870 12th January, 1996