Corto Maltese: The Early Years

The protagonist of this tale, actually, is not the 18yearold 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. 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. It is, however, "the beginning of a beautiful friendship" that continues throughout the series. As a bonus, the book includes additional material that sets up the entire series, as well as several neverbefore 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. Series winner of the Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign Material. "Classic adventure comics for adults, enjoyable but with depth. Strongly recommended." Library Journal "Pratt's tales are like coming home to an entire oeuvre of fables you've never known existed but have always been waiting to read...I can guarantee that Corto Maltese will quickly become one of your most beloved protagonists." Alex Mangles, tor.com