The Grand Duke (Volume 29) (Lucky Luke, 29)

Good old classic.One of the best of the series.

Very funny story of a Russian nobleman on the loose in the Old West, with Lucky Luke trying to take care of him. Great story and characterizations by Goscinny. Two technical quibbles: the English translation, like many from this publisher, is adequate but not brilliant, and occasionally incorrect when dealing with French idioms. Frederick W. Nolan, a true specialist in Western history (and an expert on Billy the Kid in particular), did a great job with the few Lucky Luke volumes he translated back in the 1970s, and it's nice to see that the current publisher has retained his translations in reprinting those particular titles (Jesse James, The Tenderfoot, etc.). Still haven't decided if I like the computerized lettering in the speech balloons -- it duplicates Morris's letterforms exactly, but with an inhuman consistency and occasional lack of clarity (periods disappear and sentences appear run-on). A more hand-lettered approach might have been preferable.

J'aime bien les version étrangère des bd que j'aimesurtout quand je peux les (re)lirepar contre il s'agit d'une couverture souple (déposée en vrac avec les autre objets de la commande, ça l'a légèrement corné)

I like it a lot as this was by Morris and Goscinny.. Generally I like Lucky Luke.. Too bad, the English versions are usually published much later..

Cinebook have published 29 Lucky Luke books over the past few years but this one has to be one of the best ever. It is VERY funny, fast paced and has lots of ridiculous situations that have all the hallmarks of the wonderful Rene Gosciny's writing style. It was originally written in 1973 when arguably some of the best books were created from this series. I imagine it was a pig to translate because of the cod English spoken by the colonel. Essentially Lucky Luke takes the Duke and his translator colonel around various wild west scenarios which have to be artificially altered or enhanced by Luke in order to keep the Duke out of danger. The danger is real because an assassin is also following them everywhere but his efforts are constantly thwarted by the crazy stunts which Luke has to pull off to make things look "cowboy" authentic.I can't recommend this book enough.

Thanks