The Secret of the Swordfish
First Blake and Mortimer story set in an alternate 1950s Third World War.
The Secret of the Swordfish launched the Blake and Mortimer comic album series, created by Edgar P. Jacobs. The story follows a far eastern empire that conquers the globe, and centers on two British protagonists who work to develop a weapon that can counter this invasion. The trilogy draws on World War II and the early Cold War, taking place in an alternate 1950s where a Third World War unfolds.
The story first appeared in Tintin magazine, starting with its debut issue in September 1946. In 1950, the opening 18 pages were redrawn and shortened to 17, adding more background to the events leading into the main plot. The first half was then released as a comic album by publisher Lombard, part of the later-famous Collection du Lombard—though it was not Lombard's very first album, as they had previously published others such as the 'Corentin' series. A second part followed in 1953. This two-part edition was reprinted nine times between 1955 and 1982. A single-volume edition came out in 1964. In 1984, the story was reissued in three parts, featuring new lettering and coloring, and including several full-page illustrations that had run in the magazine but were left out of the earlier albums.
The first volume, "Ruthless Pursuit," begins on the eve of a world war. The enemy is an Asian superpower called the Yellow Empire, ruled by Emperor Basam Damdu. The free world and the empire have been in a cold war for three years. Within the opening pages, the Yellow Empire launches a global offensive using modern rockets, bombers, and paratroopers, quickly overwhelming other major powers. Meanwhile, the British military has secretly been developing a super-weapon called the Swordfish. Warned of the attack by a traitor within the Yellow army, Captain Francis Blake and Professor Phillip Mortimer, the scientist behind the Swordfish, escape with the weapon’s plans. Their goal is a secret base in the Middle East where they can complete their work. The rest of the episode follows their flight from pursuing Yellow forces, led by the cunning Colonel Olrik, the emperor’s security chief. They flee Britain in a jet-powered plane called the Golden Rocket but are shot down over Iran. Captured by a defecting Iranian major, they escape and steal a truck, only to be chased by Yellow tanks. They crash the truck into one tank, and another tank is captured by resistance fighters and given to
- first_published
- September 1946
- publication_venue
- Tintin magazine
- first_album_publisher
- Lombard
- series
- Blake and Mortimer
- creator
- Edgar P. Jacobs
- genre
- Comic album series
Lore & Background
The Secret of the Swordfish was first published in Tintin magazine from the very first issue in September 1946. In 1950, the first 18 pages were redrawn and reduced to 17 pages, giving more details on the background of the events leading up to the main plot, and the first half of the story was published as a comic album by publisher Lombard, in the later famous Collection du Lombard—though it was not Lombard's very first album, as they had previously published other albums such as those in the 'Corentin' series. A second part followed in 1953. The two part edition was reprinted 9 times between 1955 and 1982. A single volume edition was published in 1964. In 1984, the story was republished in three parts, with new lettering and colouring, and with the inclusion of a number of full page illustrations that had appeared in the magazine but were omitted from the comic albums.
The plot follows Captain Francis Blake and Professor Phillip Mortimer as they escape
Reader's Guide
The Secret of the Swordfish is significant as the foundational entry of the Blake and Mortimer series, establishing the alternate-history Cold War setting and the recurring characters of Blake, Mortimer, and their nemesis Colonel Olrik. Its publication history—from serialization in Tintin magazine to multiple album editions—reflects its enduring popularity in European comics. The story's themes of resistance against a totalitarian empire and the development of a super-weapon draw directly from World War II and early Cold War anxieties. The trilogy's legacy includes influencing later adventure comics and remaining a classic of the Franco-Belgian bande dessinée tradition.
Did You Know?
- The Secret of the Swordfish was first published in Tintin magazine from the very first issue in September 1946.
- The first half of the story was published as the very first comic album by publisher Lombard in 1950.
- The two part edition was reprinted 9 times between 1955 and 1982.
- In 1984, the story was republished in three parts with new lettering and colouring, including full page illustrations omitted from earlier albums.
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