XIII Book 16:

XIII Book 16: Maximilian's Gold, by Jean Van Hamme & Jean Giraud, Cinebook

IT's ALL in the background detail with this one: Visually Vance’s landscapes encompass photo-realistic detail from Mexican coastal ports to Washington suburbs, busy government offices to mountains in the wilderness, each working in conjunction, by way of contrast – or just looking incredibly effective – to Van Hamme’s story as plots, subtexts and some subtle potential characterisation changes take place in this latest collection of the thriller series.

XIII’s allies go in search of what could his family’s gold in South America while in the USA mafia connections prove not to be what they once were.

There’s a feeling of urgency throughout. I for one felt they were treading water for a couple of previous books in the series, this one fast tracks us back as we possibly near a resolution to the whole saga.

There’s danger and threats, but there’s hope too, for we’re even given time to pause for thought, and consider that some of the villains of this piece may actually get their comeuppance.

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