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XIII (comics)

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Code XIII
(XIII)
Le jour du soleil noir, original cover
Date1984
Page count19 albums (44pg each) pages
PublisherDargaud
Creative team
WritersJean Van Hamme
ArtistsWilliam Vance

XIII (Thirteen) is a Franco-Belgian comics series written and drawn by Belgians Jean Van Hamme and William Vance, revolving around an amnesiac protagonist who seeks to discover his concealed past. With its plot inspired by Robert Ludlum's book The Bourne Identity,[1] XIII was initially serialised in 1984 in Spirou, and was later published by Dargaud. In 2003, the storyline of the first five volumes was adapted into a video game, also titled XIII, that was released on several platforms. A XIII TV miniseries starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff was released in 2008.

Volumes

Only the first three volumes were translated to English in the initial 1989 run by Catalan Communications. In 2005, Alias Comics started publishing it as a monthly comics edited for U.S. audiences, but stopped after 5 issues. In 2007, Dabel Brothers Productions in association with Marvel Comics published an uncensored XIII Volume 1 TP collecting the first three albums, and previously released issue #6 online for free.[2][3] English titles in the below list are translations of the original titles, and may change for the actual albums if and when they are released in English.

Most volumes consisted of three individual issues during the initial run, not otherwise named or numbered.

  1. The Day of The Black Sun, 1984 (Le jour du soleil noir) ISBN 0-87416-061-8
  2. Where the Indian Walks, 1985 (Là où va l'Indien...) ISBN 0-87416-081-2
  3. All the Tears of Hell, 1986 (Toutes les Larmes de l'Enfer) ISBN 0-87416-092-8
  4. SPADS, 1987 (SPADS) ISBN 0-87416-130-4
  5. Red Alert, 1988 (Rouge Total, "Full Red Alert")
  6. The Jason Fly File, 1989 (Le Dossier Jason Fly)
  7. The Night of 3rd August, 1990 (La Nuit du 3 Août)
  8. Thirteen Against One, 1991 (Treize Contre Un)
  9. For Maria, 1992 (Pour Maria)
  10. El Cascador, 1994 (El Cascador)
  11. Three Silver Watches, 1995 (Trois Montres d'Argent)
  12. The Verdict, 1997 (Le Jugement)
  13. The XIII Mystery: The Inquiry, 1999 (L'Enquête)
  14. Danger to the State, 2000 (Secret Défense, "Top Secret")
  15. Unleash the Dogs!, 2002 (Lâchez les Chiens !)
  16. Operation Montechristo, 2004 (Opération Montechristo)
  17. Maximilian's Gold, 2005 (L'or de Maximilien)
  18. The Irish Version (La Version Irlandaise), November 2007, drawn by Jean Giraud, to accompany The Last Round[4]
  19. The Last Round, November 2007 (Le Dernier Round). Last one of this cycle

Storyline

Volumes 1-5

The series starts when a man washes up on a shore in Peacock Bay in the East Coast of the United States, suffering from amnesia, with only a 'XIII' tattoo to link him to his past. Volumes one through five deal with XIII searching for his identity and his past, only to find himself confronting the "conspiracy of the XX" which aims to a coup d'état in the United States. They form a closed story arc, ending with the destruction of the "conspiracy of the XX".

In the first volume XIII washes ashore, and soon finds himself hunted by a contract killer known as the Mongoose for reasons unknown to him. XIII departs to the city of Eastown, where he is recognised by many as Steve Rowland. Once again hunted by the Mongoose's men, XIII manages to escape with the help of Colonel Amos, a government agent in charge of the investigation of the murder of American President William Sheridan, a crime XIII seems to have committed. XIII first manages to escape the Mongoose with Amos' help, and then flee Amos' hands.

In the second volume XIII's search for his identity leads to his capture by army General Carrington, who confirms XIII's identity as Steve Rowland, and reveals to XIII Rowland was an operative working under Carrington. "Rowland" is returned to his home in Southbourg by Carrington's aide Jones. XIII does not recognise anyone, but he is recognised by his father Jeremie Rowland and others. However Rowland's wife Kim is nowhere to be found. After an encounter with Amos, who still considers XIII his prime suspect but is willing to let him go for now, XIII is tricked by Jeremie Rowland's young wife Felicity: Felicity kills Jeremie Rowland and Steve's uncle Matt, implicating XIII for the murders. He escapes with Carrington's help, and meets with Kim at Kelownee Lake in the north. Kim reveals to him she is tattooed as well, wearing tattoo number XVII. Kim then betrays XIII to the police and disappears again, and XIII, "Steve Rowland", is tried and found guilty for the murder of the Rowlands, and sentenced to maximum security prison.

The third volume finds XIII in a facility for the criminally insane. Meanwhile Amos and Carrington meet up, and they begin to realize that XIII is not Rowland and not the murderer of president Sheridan, but a body double. Carrington provides the papers of a Ross Tanner, who fits XIII's physique, and is likely his true identity. Nevertheless Amos decides to leave XIII in prison. Carrington and Jones hatch an escape plot, and manage to free XIII, after an encounter with one of the Mongoose's killers.

Volume four begins with XIII, using the name of Ross Tanner, in a training facility of the SPADS. Amos learns that Carrington invented the Tanner identity, and finds that XIII's true identity was Jason Fly. Shortly after this discovery he reveals Judge Allenby, a member of Amos' agency, as one of the conspirators. Meanwhile XIII is nearly killed by SPADS head Seymour MacCall. Together with one of the SPADS, Betty Barnowsky, Rowland once again escapes with the help of Jones. Barnowsky is taken along as she has evidence linking Rowland with MacCall, and can thereby prove the conspiracy.

At the start of volume five XIII, Jones, and Barnowsky meet up with Marquis de Préseau, a rich land owner. Préseau helps them return to the USA. Meanwhile Carrington has been arrested by the conspirators, as they prepare to take over the country during a large-scale military operation. XIII and the women meet with Colonel Amos, who brings them into contact with Walter Sheridan. Sheridan helps XIII infiltrate the military centre of operations, and together with President Galbrain they manage to stop the conspiracy at the last moment.

At the end of the story arc XIII believes he has found his old identity as "Jason Fly", and is prepared to continue his life normally, even if his memories have not yet returned. The entire conspiracy, with the exception of the illustrious Number I, has been killed or captured, and XIII has the support of new President Walter Sheridan.

Volumes 6-8

In the following volumes XIII takes up the investigation about his past. Volumes six and seven bring XIII to Greenfalls, a snowy town in the Rocky Mountains, where the story revolves around the fate of his father in the McCarthian 1950s. XIII learns that his father, "Jonathan Fly", was murdered by the local Ku Klux Klan chapter, after they found out Fly's real identity was Jonathan MacLane, a "red" journalist who had to flee after suffering under McCarthy's witch hunt. Despite another murder attempt by the Mongoose, XIII leaves Greenfalls after having taken revenge on the murderers of his father, and with a good idea that he has finally found his true identity as Jason MacLane.

In volume eight, XIII is approached by President Sheridan to become a special agent, charged with finding the still at large Number I. XIII uses the presidential backing to track down Kim Rowland, and learns she is General Carrington's daughter. Meanwhile, Jones investigates further, and discovers that Kim Rowland had a love affair with Sheridan. After transmitting this information to XIII, they become convinced that Wally Sheridan was, in fact, Number I. After trying to release Kim Rowland from an island where he believes she is sequestered, XIII and Jones, along with Kim, are caught by the Mongoose who traps them on a yacht, and explodes it. XIII has to chose between rescuing Kim or Jones, and chooses the latter. Kim Rowland is lost and presumed dead. XIII is now convinced that he has learned the identity of Number I, and confronts Walter Sheridan with this. Although he cannot prove it, XIII swears he will make Sheridan pay, and leaves the country.

Volumes 9-12

In the following volumes the action takes place in and around Costa Verde, a small fictional nation in Central America where XIII is led to believe he once led a revolution under the identity of "El Cascador", although El Cascador is supposedly dead. XIII gets involved with revolutionary Maria de Los Santos, who claims to have been his wife. During the 10th episode, after freeing her from a prison from which she was awaiting execution, she confirms him to be her husband.

During the revolution XIII met up with Irish-American expat Sean Mullway, who claims to be XIII's real father. However, he also confirms XIII's identity as "Jason MacLane". The history of XIII's Irish descent is revealed, and XIII learns that his mother was the sister of Giordino, who accidentally murdered her. The Giordinos are revealed as a Mafia family. At the end of the volume XIII is offered amnesty by the American ambassador, who explains that XIII's help is needed: Carrington has apparently gone insane.

In volume twelve XIII finds himself once again confronted by his old enemy, the Mongoose. The corrupt American president Sheridan is kidnapped by General Carrington, who blames Sheridan for Kim's death. In a televised "trial" Sheridan is revealed to the American public as a conspirator, with XIII and the Mongoose testifying. In the aftermath of the event the NSA director Giordino accidentally kills Sheridan, after Sheridan has killed the Mongoose.

Volume thirteen (XIII) is a special issue, where two journalists retrace the first twelve issues, clarifying and expanding the storyline.

Volumes 14-19

While in exile in Costa Verde, XIII and his father Mullway decide to attempt to find a treasure hidden somewhere in Mexico by their ancestors. Meanwhile Giordino fabricates evidence revealing XIII as one Seamus O'Neill, an IRA operative who trained under Fidel Castro. As O'Neill XIII is wanted by the USA, but again manages to escape. He also survives an assassination by Irina Svetlanova, who has taken over the Mongoose's operation. After many setbacks the treasure is found, and then lost again. Meanwhile Giordino is finally removed from duty by the new President, who has received evidence from XIII and Mullway revealing Giordino as not only a capo of the Mafia, but also as the true killer of Walter Sheridan.

Volumes eighteen and nineteen are the last albums written by Van Hamme. Volume eighteen "The Irish Version" was drawn by Jean Giraud otherwise known as Mœbius.[4] It figures as a story within the story, and it is referred to as part of the plot in volume nineteen "The Last Round". This story is the prequel to the initial story arc, and finally solves all mysteries surrounding XIII's identity.

Popularity

First released in 1984 as a serial in the popular Belgian magazine Spirou, XIII was an instant hit among Spirou readers. The first three issues were released as a single hardback volume by Dargaud the same year, a trend continued for later issues. By the time of the eighth issue, Thirteen against one, sales of the hardback had reached 140,000 copies, and the publisher belatedly realized that they had a bestseller on their hands. Promotion started, including a special drawing by the French national lottery in 2000 with 1,500,000 tickets and a €13,000 grand prize.

Influence

Also published in Spirou was the series Soda about a New York cop. An adventure published in 1999, Dieu seul le sait (God Alone Knows), also has the titular character losing his memory, albeit for just a short time. References to the number "13" and other connections to the series appear throughout the story.

The Black Cat manga series, first published in 2000, has numerous similarities with XIII. The main character, Train Heartnet, is known as Chronos Number XIII in his job as a Sweeper or assassin. Train fails a mission in Bourne Identity-like fashion, winds up in conflict with Chronos, and must stop a massive conspiracy.

Translations

Originally in French, XIII was simultaneously translated into Dutch, and translations in other languages such as German, Polish and Italian quickly followed.

In English

  • In 1989, XIII was first released in English as Code XIII, but after the first three volumes, publication ended in 1990 when the publisher (Catalan/Comcat) went out of business.
  • In 2005, Alias Comics started publishing the title as a series of 32-page monthly comics edited for U.S. audiences. Five issues were released, but #6 was "Cancelled by Publisher" in February 2006. [5] Each issue covered half an album.
  • In 2006, the series went to Dabel Brothers Productions. They released the #6 online for free, and the first 144-page volume was released on February 7, 2007 with Marvel Comics.[3] It's unclear when volume 2 will be released, following the split from Marvel.

Other languages

Portuguese

  • In 1988, XIII began publication in Portugal by Meribérica-Líber. The first three volumes were published over a two-year period, and the series returned in 1997 with the fourth album, after a seven-year hiatus. Meribérica published the first nine albums until it went out of business in 2004.
  • In 1990, Portuguese newspaper Público (Portugal) started publishing 'XIII' in its sunday supplement 'Publico Junior'. Eventually, the first 3 books were published in this manner, before 'Publico Junior' was discontinued in 1992.
  • In 2006, XIII is being published in Brazil by Panini Comics.[6] Panini is publishing XIII as a monthly series, with two episodes in each issue. Previously available in Brazil were the Portuguese editions published by Meribérica-Liber.

The first issue The Day of The Black Sun was named O Dia do Sol Negro, the literal translation. The first issue also included a second episode, named Onde Vai o Índio... (Where the Indian Walks), published in May 2006. All Brazilian issues are composed of two albums, except for issue 7, which included the original thirteenth volume, a double-sized album, alone.

Serbian

  • In 1980s first 3 volumes in monthly Super magazine from publisher Dečje Novine.
  • In 1990 first 6 volumes in monthly Gigant magazine from publisher Dečje Novine.
  • 2002-2008 first 18 volumes from the publisher Marketprint

Croatian

  • In 1990s volume 7 by Bookglobe
  • In 2008 Integral #1 by Bookglobe

Tamil

The series is released in Tamil by Lion Comics. In June 2008, the company plans to release the 18 volumes in one book.[citation needed]

Future

Jean Van Hamme has declared that he will not continue to write the series, but William Vance is interested in continuing it with another writer. Yves Sente, who has already taken over writing Thorgal from Van Hamme, is interested to continue the series. He was contacted by William Vance and said he'd propose a story to Van Hamme, but no agreement has been reached yet.[7]

Spin-off

A separate comic series called "XIII Mystery" was released by publisher Dargaud on October 3, 2008.[8] Its stories follow and elaborate on some of the supporting characters from the XIII comic series with The Mongoose the subject of the first issue.

Video game

Main article: XIII (video game)

XIII was adapted as a 2003 video game released for PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, the PC, and the Apple Macintosh. The plot of the game is an adaption of the first five volumes of the comic series.

Film

Main article: XIII (TV Mini-series)

A XIII 2-part TV mini-series, called XIII: The Conspiracy and starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff was shown on French premium television channel Canal+ in October 2008. It will be shown in other territories in 2009.

Sources

Footnotes
  1. ^ Biography of the author, Van Hamme
  2. ^ PR announcing DB Pro's uncensored volumes of XIII
  3. ^ a b PR announcing DB Pro's free online XIII #6 and separate 16MB PDF file
  4. ^ a b French newspaper L'Express
  5. ^ Diamond's cancel list for February 2006
  6. ^ Panini Comics' list of available titles
  7. ^ Bodoï, 10 October 2008
  8. ^ XIII Mystery: La Mangouste album 10-03-2008
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