Cinebook Ltd: BEFORE BLAKE & MORTIMER - THE U RAY

 

PAPERBACK
Author: Edgar P. Jacobs
Age: 10 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 56 colour pages
£10.99 inc. VAT

ISBN: 9781800441057

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/before-blake-mortimer-the-u-ray-p-4518.html

Before Blake & Mortimer, Edgar P. Jacobs had created a first comic that has now attained mythical status – The U Ray. Here it is now, finally translated into English.

The nation of Norlandia is in conflict with its powerful rival Austradia. The eminent Professor Marduk is tasked by the High Council of Norlandia with militarising a major scientific discovery: the U Ray. However, doing so will require finding a deposit of Uradium, the ore needed to power the ray. And the only known deposit is in an unexplored volcanic archipelago. An expedition is quickly put together, but in the shadows, the Austradian intelligence services are waiting for the moment to act …

Ahh. I never thought I would see The U-Ray let alone in English. Very dramatic sequence above and no cutting to the opening of a James Bond movie!  In fact, written and drawn during the German occupation of France this must have been true escapism for not just kids but adults with an adventurous imagination.

If you have ever watched the old Republic serial Flash Gordon then mix that up with Professor Challenger and The Lost World. No ray guns but machine guns. Giant snakes, dinosaurs, ape-men and so much more in vibrant colour and the entire story in one book. This was great fun to read and also look over the art pages a few times.

Guess what? None other than Jean Van Hamme has penned a sequel -The Fiery Arrow and drawn in a similar style. Something to get excited about!