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 RAMON, Father STORY 12: “THE JERICHO CAPER”: STRIP 1350 Padre of the village of Luquerres on the Pacific coast of Central America. When, during his absence, three desperados from the neighbouring state of Calia raid the village, Rosa’s father Jose is murdered and three local girls abducted, he sees it as his duty to his flock to try to get the girls back. Supported in his task by Modesty and the local blind sculptor, Torres, he is not well received by Sabo de Mar, the new President of Calia, but he relies on Modesty to perform miracles, which she does. RAMON, The Fantastic (and Dolores) STORY 36: “THE VANISHING DOLLYBIRDS” TEXT ONLY STRIP 4045 The resident knife throwing act in Gogol,s Circus, with Dolores Ortiz the target. He is reported by Willie to have broken his arm and is never seen. Willie stands in for him and at the same time Modesty has to stand in for Dolores who is busy trying to find her sister. There is no drawing of Ramon but this one is of Willie disguised as him for the performance. RAMOS STORY 85: “DURANGO”: STRIP 9018 Member of the guerrilla band led by Durango. He is on patrol in the jungle with the boy whose lucky shot forces the helicopter in which Dinah and Steve Collier are surveying for oil to make a forced landing. Also on guard with the same boy on the night that Modesty and Willie break out and rescue Dinah and Steve. The boy is not named. RANAVALONA, Queen STORY 77: “BLACK QUEEN’S PAWN”: STRIP 8175 An historical flashback. The early 19th century Queen of Madagascar. Mad and sadistic, she slaughtered many tens of thousands of her subjects. Left behind a buried treasure and a scroll that has since been partly destroyed. It indicated a location close to the tiny village of Mandofo. Everyone with anything to do with burying the treasure was killed on the spot. RANCE, Superintendent STORY 52: “DEATH IN SLOW MOTION” TEXT ONLY STRIP 5664A Boss of Sergeant George Sutton who had worked with Inspector Brook to help put Paul Aquilna in prison. Not thought to be a fan of Modesty. RANCE, Mr. STORY 70: “FIONA”: STRIP 7470 Chemist in charge of the heroin processing plant set up by Wu Smith in the ruined temple of Manasa in the jungle near the hospital run by the Latham’s in Bangladesh. When things start to go wrong he supervises a strategic withdrawal but still ends up in a snake pit. RANCE, the Hon. Lady Jo STORY 81: “THE ARISTO” TEXT ONLY STRIP 8634 False name invented by Modesty for Jo Camacho when the “Porto Alegre” is captured by the pirate Guy de Rafford. It makes her more valuable as a hostage than as a woman who can be given to the crew for their fun. RANCE, Sir Bernard STORY 81: “THE ARISTO” TEXT ONLY STRIP 8634 Imaginary husband of the equally imaginary Hon. Lady Rance. All part of Modesty’s fevered imagination and the person who will pay a very good ransom for his wife. RANDLE, Victor STORY 87: “FRASER’S STORY”: STRIP 9237 Defected to the Russians during the Cold War he betrayed scores of British agents including Mary Dainton, an agent held in high esteem by Jack Fraser. Forced to flee to Russia just ahead of the police and with a large criminal fortune, he has a new base in Panama. Now that he is out in the open he is certain that Fraser will take the first chance he can get to try to kill him. He is using his mistress, Sonia Kolchak and one of his criminal associates, Dr. Yago, to deal with the threat. Yago has predicted that Fraser would be helped by Modesty and Willie so he has had Sonia issue a contract with Union Corse for their murder. Union Corse have reported the job done so when Fraser is captured near his villa he thinks he is safe. Fraser recognises Sonia as the brainwashed Mary Dainton and things start to fall apart and when the very much alive Modesty and Willie intervene it turns our rather badly for him. 132 Drawn by Jim Holdaway Strip 1351 5th September, 1967 Drawn by Romero Strip 4051 17th November, 1976 Drawn by Romero Strip 9090 26th November, 1996 Drawn by Romero Strip 8175 13th April, 1993 Drawn by Romero Strip 7524A Not published in the Evening Standard Drawn by Romero Strip 9316 22nd October, 1997