October Halloween – Modesty Blaise - Romero

Adventurer, spy, smuggler, con artist and all-rounder. This is Modesty Blaise!

The London newspaper Evening Standard commissioned writer Peter O’Donnell to create a newspaper strip inspired by the secret-agent series in the style of James Bond, which were hugely popular at the time. The first Modesty Blaise strip appeared in May 1963. The initial test strips were drawn by Frank Hampson, but O’Donnell preferred the style of Jim Holdaway, an artist he had already worked with, and Holdaway remained at the helm of the series for many years, until the arrival of Spanish artist Enric Badia Romero.

Modesty Blaise was the series that brought Romero his greatest success and international recognition. He began working on it in 1970, when the newspaper asked him to continue the strip because its regular artist, Jim Holdaway, was ill. Following Holdaway’s untimely death, Romero continued drawing the strip at different stages throughout his career, for nearly 20 years.

Romero’s artwork for Modesty Blaise became forever associated with the character, and his distinctive interpretation remains one of the defining visual representations of the heroine.

The partnership between O’Donnell and Romero resulted in one of the greatest newspaper strips of all time. Original storylines that avoided repetitive formulas, combined with outstanding artwork, made Modesty Blaise an immensely entertaining series and a genuine pleasure to read.

The final Modesty Blaise strip was published in the Evening Standard on April 11, 2001. Even so, the newspaper strips continue to be published in various countries around the world.

Throughout October, we are celebrating Halloween with a special selection of original Modesty Blaise artwork, along with exclusive promotions.

Discover unique pieces featuring this legendary heroine and take advantage of our special offers throughout the month.

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