Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Le jour du soleil noir, original cover
(code) XIII
Original Title XIII
Series Title Code XIII
Writer(s) Jean Van Hamme
Artist(s) William Vance
Publisher Dargaud
First published 1984
Publication frequency Yearly
Pages 19 albums (44pg each)

XIII (Thirteen) is a Franco-Belgian comics series written and drawn by Belgians Jean Van Hamme and William Vance, respectively, revolving around an amnesiac protagonist who seeks to discover his concealed past. A writer is anyone who creates a written work although the word usually designates those who write creatively or professionally as well as those who have written in many different forms Jean Van Hamme (born January 16, 1939) is a Belgian Novelist and scenario Writer of Comic books He has written scenarios A comic book creator is any one of a number of people working to create a Comic book or Graphic novel. William Vance, the pen name of William van Cutsem, born August 9, 1935, is a Belgian Comics artist  widely known throughout a long Les Éditions Dargaud is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics series Franco-Belgian comics are Comics that are created in Belgium and France. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Jean Van Hamme (born January 16, 1939) is a Belgian Novelist and scenario Writer of Comic books He has written scenarios William Vance, the pen name of William van Cutsem, born August 9, 1935, is a Belgian Comics artist  widely known throughout a long Amnesia (from Greek) is a condition in which Memory is disturbed 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. Robert Ludlum ( May 25, 1927 New York City  – March 12, 2001 Naples Florida) was an American Author The Bourne Identity is a 1980 Spy fiction thriller novel by Robert Ludlum about a retrograde amnesiac who must discover who he is and Spirou magazine is a Belgian comics magazine. First published April 21, 1938 as Le Journal de Spirou, it was an eight page weekly comics Les Éditions Dargaud is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics series In 2004 the storyline of the first five volumes was adapted into a video game, also titled XIII, that was released on several platforms. A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XIII (pronounced Thirteen) is a First-person shooter video game released for PlayStation 2, GameCube, A XIII film starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff is currently in production with a planned release in 2008. XIII The Conspiracy is a Franco-canadian upcoming 2009 TV Mini-series based on the comic book series of the same title by Jean Van Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American Actor. Stephen Dorff (born July 29, 1973) is an American Actor, best known for portraying Stuart Sutcliffe in Backbeat

Contents

Volumes

Only the first three volumes were translated to English in the initial 1989 run by Catalan Communications. Catalan Communications was a New York Publishing company operated by Bernd Metz which mainly focused on English-language translations of European 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. Dabel Brothers Productions (also known as DB Pro, DBPro, and sometimes Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc [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. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States

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). Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (born May 8, 1938) is a French comics artist. Last one of this cycle

Storyline

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. The East Coast of the United States, also known as the "Eastern Seaboard" or "Atlantic Seaboard" refers to the easternmost coastal states in the central and northern Amnesia (from Greek) is a condition in which Memory is disturbed A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of Skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons 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". The XX or simply The 20 are a fictional Organization in both the XIII comic and game.

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. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by 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, letting XIII take the blame. 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. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force

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. Body Double is a 1984 film directed by Brian De Palma. Starring Craig Wasson, Melanie Griffith, and Dennis Franz. 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.

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. Mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a Mountain range in western North America. McCarthyism is a term describing the intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States in a period that lasted roughly from the late 1940s to the late 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. Ku Klux Klan ( KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states that are A journalist (also called a newspaperman) is a person who practices Journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events trends 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 sequestrated, XIII and Jones, along with Kim, are caught by the Mongoose who traps them on a yacht, and explodes it. A yacht is a recreational boat It designates two rather different classes of Watercraft, sailing and power yachts XIII has to chose between rescuing Kim or Jones, and choses 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 nation.

In the following volumes the action takes place in and around Costa Verde, a small nation in Central America where XIII once led a revolution under the identity of "El Cascador". A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turnaround" is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively XIII gets involved after revolutionary Maria de Los Santos claims to have been his wife. XIII's belief in his identity is shattered: he learns that El Cascador was known as "Kelly Brian", and possibly an IRA operative. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Eventually Maria becomes president of the country, despite a plot by the National Security Agency, led by Frank Giordino, to have her and XIII killed. The National Security Agency/ Central Security Service ( NSA/CSS) is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States government

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. The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century 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. An ambassador is the highest ranking Diplomat who represents their country

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 fourteen to seventeen continue the storyline. 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. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Meanwhile Giordino fabricates evidence revealing XIII as one Seamus O'Neill, an IRA operative who trained under Fidel Castro. Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (born August 13 1926 is a Cuban revolutionary leader who was prime minister of Cuba from December 1959 to December 1976 and then president until 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. Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (born May 8, 1938) is a French comics artist. Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (born May 8, 1938) is a French comics artist. [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".

Popularity

First released in 1984 as a serial in the popular Belgian magazine Spirou, XIII was an instant hit among Spirou readers. Spirou magazine is a Belgian comics magazine. First published April 21, 1938 as Le Journal de Spirou, it was an eight page weekly comics The first three issues were released as a single hardback volume by Dargaud the same year, a trend continued for later issues. Les Éditions Dargaud is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics series 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. Soda is a Franco-Belgian comics series by Philippe Tome (writing and Bruno Gazzotti (art New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous 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. is a Japanese Manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Yabuki with an Anime adaptation The main character, Train Heartnet, is known as Chronos Number XIII in his job as a Sweeper or assassin. Train Heartnet (トレイン＝ハートネット Torein Hātonetto) is the one of the four primary Protagonists in the Anime and Manga Train fails a mission in Bourne Identity-like fashion, winds up in conflict with Chronos, and must stop a massive conspiracy. The Bourne Identity is a 1980 Spy fiction thriller novel by Robert Ludlum about a retrograde amnesiac who must discover who he is and

Translations

Originally in French, XIII was simultaneously translated into Dutch, and translations in other languages such as German, Polish and Italian quickly followed. Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy.

In English

Other languages

Portuguese

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.

Tamil

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

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. XIII (pronounced Thirteen) is a First-person shooter video game released for PlayStation 2, GameCube, A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The, often abbreviated as GCN, is Nintendo 's fourth home Video game console and is part of the sixth generation console era. The Xbox is a sixth-generation Video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. A personal computer ( PC) is any Computer whose original sales price size and capabilities make it useful for individuals and which is intended to be operated Macintosh, commonly nicknamed Mac is a Brand name which covers several lines of Personal computers designed developed and marketed by Apple Inc The plot of the game is an adaption of the first five volumes of the comic series.

Film

Main article: XIII (film)

A XIII film is currently in production starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff, with a planned release in 2008. XIII The Conspiracy is a Franco-canadian upcoming 2009 TV Mini-series based on the comic book series of the same title by Jean Van Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American Actor. Stephen Dorff (born July 29, 1973) is an American Actor, best known for portraying Stuart Sutcliffe in Backbeat

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

External links

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic