This book, the first of 12 volumes, launches the definitive English language edition of Hugo Pratt's masterpiece, presented in the original oversized B&W format with new translations made from Pratt's original Italian scripts.

Pratt was inspired by Conrad, Stevenson, and London, but even more directly by Henry de Vere Stacpool's Blue Lagoon, from which the author got the idea of a small island in the Pacific which he named 'Escondida.'Ģnd and later printings. The Ballad of the Salty Sea is also hailed as the first example of the literary comic strip. It is here that we also meet the young and beautiful Pandora, her brother Cain, the mysterious criminal mastermind Monk, the grim and ferocious Rasputin, Lieutenant Slutter of the German Navy, and the natives Skull and Tarao. Corto is but one of a strong ensemble cast of characters whose lives permeate the entire 12-book series. Originally serialized beginning in 1967, this book is universally acknowledged as Hugo Pratt's masterpiece, in which he introduces Corto Maltese to the world. Strongly recommended.' - Library JournalĬelebrate this milestone in the history of graphic novels, winner of the world's first-ever 'Best Graphic Novel' award, taking the prize in 1976 at the Angoulême Fesitval. NOTE: 'Classic adventure comics for adults, enjoyable but with depth. As a bonus, the book includes additional material that sets up the entire series, as well as several never-before published pages that Pratt intended for a continuation of the tale, in which Corto and Rasputin were to embark on a search for King Solomon's mines. It is, however, 'the beginning of a beautiful friendship' that continues throughout the series. London is already friends with Corto and introduces the sailor to the unpredictable Russian, who even as a young man kills with disconcerting ease and is ready to lie and betray without hesitation. The protagonist of this tale is not the 18-year-old Corto but Rasputin, a deserter from a Siberian rifle regiment, and the writer Jack London, who was a war correspondent in the region at that time. This short adventure tells the backstory of Corto Maltese first meeting Rasputin at the end of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. If you use the 'Add to want list' tab to add this issue to your want list, we will email you when it becomes available.

Corto maltese collection