Corto Maltese in Siberia
Written and drawn by Hugo Pratt, Corto Maltese in Siberia , is the 24e ventures Corto Maltese. It succeeds the Éthiopiques and is held in 6 chapters:
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the Red lanterns
- the Prisoner of Tchang
- the romantic Duchess
- wild Division
- Ungern of Mongolia
- End of the black dragon
The action extends from November 1918 in April 1920, during the Russian Révolution. Piracy reigns as a Master but here, the armoured trains which run on the ways of the Transsibérien and of Transmandchourien replace the boats and the snow-covered grounds of Mandchourie and Mongolia, replace the oceans.
A found freedom
Released from the constraints of the pagination imposed by the drafting of the weekly magazine Conk Gadget, which limited its stories to a score of pages, Hugo Pratt returns with a long account to the historical contents dense and rich in bounces. Three years and half were necessary to carry it out and one can detect the evolution of the drawing there; becoming more controlled, more stripped.The importance of the representation of the trains in this history, encourages the author to request the contest of his/her friend, the draftsman Guido Fuga. This one also takes care of the drawing of the planes and the heavy weapons. This first collaboration, will be followed of good of others for the following albums.
The door of the adventure
Such an amount of mysterious course and small squares escape the glance with Venice! Thus in the mysteries of the lanes of the old man Ghetto, Hugo Pratt discovers a court where “the architectural elements are based harmoniously. To know the hour, Corto Maltese will have only to raise the head and to look at the sundial. ” It renames it: secret Court known as of the Mystery ( Corte sconta detta Arcana ).- “When the Venetian ones are tired authorities, they go in these secret places and, opening the doors at the bottom of these courses, they from go away for always worms of the marvellous countries and worms of other stories. ”
In the album Fable of Venice , there is a photograph of this court. Beyond the imagination of the author, this proof of his existence invites to leave to its research. With this intention, the Guide of Venice de Guido Fuga and Lele Vianello are invaluable. It reveals us that it is actually about the Corte Botera , brood not far from the Campo Santi Giovanni E Paolo .
Historical context
After the abdication (March 15th, 1917) of the tsar Nicolas II, Lénine and Trotski reversed the government places from there by a revolution of the 6 at the November 8th 1917 (from October 24th to 26th, in the Russian calendar). Dictatorship of the proletariat was founded. In Europe, the war is finished since the November 11th 1918. The admiral Alexandre Koltchak and the faithful ones of tsarism assemble a counter-revolution with the assistance of the Alliés and the Japanese. Tsarists against the Communists. White against the reds. To be opposed to its counter-revolutionaries, Trotski organizes the Red Army . Russia plunges in the civil war. It moves towards the east where 100 000 Czech soldiers (former prisoners of war), with the orders of Koltchak, seized the railroad Transsibérien. This army will occupy Siberia and the the Ural and will be beaten by the Bolsheviks in 1920. The civil war will be completed end in March 1921.
Protagonists
the historical characters- the admiral Alexandre Vassilievitch ''' Koltchak ''', supreme leader of the Russian white, it transports imperial gold by railway.
- the Ataman, Grigory Mikhaïlovitch ''' Semenov ''', chief of “wild Division”, it occupies the line of the Transsibérien with its armoured trains.
- the comrade ''' Soukhé Bator ''', organizer of the Mongolian revolution.
- the general, ''' Tchang Tso-Flax ''', powerful Lord of war, member of the sect of the “black Dragons”.
- the baron Roman Fedorovitch von ''' Ungern-Sternberg ''', called “the insane baron”. With Semenov, it fights the Bolchevik S.
- the Ataman, Grigory Mikhaïlovitch ''' Semenov ''', chief of “wild Division”, it occupies the line of the Transsibérien with its armoured trains.
characters of fiction
- Corto Maltese
- the captain Nino , Russian officer associated with the “Red lanterns”.
- Raspoutine , “friend” of long time of Corto.
- the duchess Marina Seminova , friend of Koltchak.
- Shanghai Li , member of the Chinese secret society of the “Red lanterns”.
- Wee-Lee Song , ex love of Corto, prosaically called “It”.
- the major Spasetov , Cossack of the OS area, in the Taïga, under the orders of Semenov.
- the officer Jack Tippit , pilot of the American air force.
- the captain Nino , Russian officer associated with the “Red lanterns”.
The account
- Attention: what follows, reveals whole or part of the intrigue.
Six chapters
- the Red lanterns
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In the court of the residence of Gilded Mouth, Corto Maltese is plunged in the reading of Utopia , of Sir Thomas More. A book that it successful definitely not to read until the end. Venice makes it lazy. So well, that it decides to go to find its house with Hong-Kong.
- On its arrival, it enquiert of the news of the face: the war in Europe is finished. It continues in Siberia where the admiral Koltchak has just established a dictatorship against-révolutinaire, this November 1918. The Russian white and the Alliés fight at the border of north, the Japanese in the east, in Mandchourie.
- Its presence in Hong-Kong does not pass really unperceived. Hardly it entered at his place, that a letter awaits it already. It is an old history. He believed it part and yet “it” is in the city… But where? … Raspoutine, also, is to him in the city. Moreover, it is not long in appearing at Corto to try to make team with him because there is what to become rich with the trade of the weapons and the transport of the mercenaries…
- There are also mysterious people who supervise her actions. Apparently, they do not want any evil to him; would protect on the contrary because they opportunely draw it from a bad step. It is the occasion to present itself: “the Red lanterns greet you, Corto Maltese. ” and to propose an important business to him, if however he wants to help them well. The train of the admiral Koltchak transports the imperial treasure. It seized some in the name of against revolutionists with Iekaterinbourg, after the massacre of the deposed tsar, Nicolas II and of his family, last July. Since, this treasure is coveted by many people and exacerbates the tensions: the counter-revolutionaries who, not linked enough, hate themselves or scorn themselves and are used; the Seigneurs of the war Chinese which dispute. The Manchu gangsters, the sects and other secret societies are not in remainder. The “red lanterns” also have the ambition to seize some. If possible with its assistance. The concluded agreement, Raspoutine is essential authority like associated near his/her friend…
- On its arrival, it enquiert of the news of the face: the war in Europe is finished. It continues in Siberia where the admiral Koltchak has just established a dictatorship against-révolutinaire, this November 1918. The Russian white and the Alliés fight at the border of north, the Japanese in the east, in Mandchourie.
-
the prisoner of Tchang
- the romantic duchess
-
wild Division
- the ataman Grigory Semenov, chief of “wild Division”, accommodates Marina Séminova as of her arrival at the border. It knows that it will meet the admiral Koltchak to take care of the transport of gold in Mandchourie. It presents Corto Maltese to him and asks him to help it so that it be able to go to Kharbine while it continues its voyage with major Tippit…
- January 1920. Corto crosses the Russo-Manchu border and reaches the village of Mandchouli… Là, it renews contact with the “Red lanterns” and re-examines the young woman who had lent strong hand to them on the jonque one. She says to be called Shanghai Li. The gold train is with Verkhneudinsk, on the side of the Lac Baïkal. The attaman will attack it with the rail junction of Karymskoï. Time ago to lose, they should pass by again the border to go to the station and to jump in the train of Semenov. It snows, time is with them. They leave accompanied by a Russian officer associated with the “Red lanterns”: the Nino captain. It will be their safe conduct near the ataman. They are followed to the trace by two men of the “black Dragons”, sent by the Tchang general. And here is that in way, a ghost emerges: Raspoutine which is invited again in the round.
- In the armoured train of the ataman Semenov, our four accomplices roll towards Tchita… Arrived at the railway junction of Karymskoï, the confrontation is close because here is already the engine to the admiral who engages on the parallel way. Seeing the ambush into which it falls, Marina Séminova must face this treachery and bitterly regrets the absence of her friend Koltchak. Semenov gives the order to open fire. Under the heavy shooting of the Machine-gun S and guns, the train is promptly paralyzed. Raspoutine and Corto, go voluntary to detach the coaches. Short-nap cloth “then deals” with the duchess…
- After having hung its loading, the train is turned over from there to Mandchouli with its spoils. It is now necessary to eliminate Semenov. The Nino captain is about to undertake some when suddenly, the “black Dragons” emerge to remove all these beautiful people. The response is fast. In too small number, the account of the two men is quickly regulated but the general escapes at the head convoy. Corto leaves to its continuation with the objective, to stop the train. The runaway is caught up with and, at the price of a body with baited body, Semenov is precipitated out of the train.
- During this time, Shanghai Li takes down the coach so much coveted. On a slope, the car takes speed and starts to descend the railway. Not being able to control nor to stop its mad dash, it jumps on the ballast, just before it runs off the line and is damaged downwards in cold water of the lake of the Three Borders.
- January 1920. Corto crosses the Russo-Manchu border and reaches the village of Mandchouli… Là, it renews contact with the “Red lanterns” and re-examines the young woman who had lent strong hand to them on the jonque one. She says to be called Shanghai Li. The gold train is with Verkhneudinsk, on the side of the Lac Baïkal. The attaman will attack it with the rail junction of Karymskoï. Time ago to lose, they should pass by again the border to go to the station and to jump in the train of Semenov. It snows, time is with them. They leave accompanied by a Russian officer associated with the “Red lanterns”: the Nino captain. It will be their safe conduct near the ataman. They are followed to the trace by two men of the “black Dragons”, sent by the Tchang general. And here is that in way, a ghost emerges: Raspoutine which is invited again in the round.
-
Ungern of Mongolia
-
end of the black Dragon
- the Tchang general, as for him, rolls on board “black Dragon” to the meeting of the train of Semenov, when a message of its secret services of Beijing informed failure of its 2 agents and loss of the invaluable loading. It then decides to make a halt at the border before entering to Mongolia. Arrived at the border, Corto, his/her companions and their escort are hailed by Mongolian revolutionists. Changaï Li is presented to them like the personal friend of their chief, Soukhé Bator. The meeting again take place at the general headquarter of Bolkang.
- Barded guns and machine-guns, the “black Dragon” of the Tchang general, makes his entry in station of Bolkang for the stop envisaged. Soukhé Bator wants to benefit from aubaine, to stop it at all costs. Changaï Li and Corto Maltese propose to help it. Under new uniforms, Short-nap cloths and Corto, are introduced into the armoured train before it sets out again. On the way, they seize a turret of shooting and methodically destroy defenses of the “Dragon”. Ground, dominating and controlling the situation on a headland, Changaï Li waits the favourable moment to start the final operation. As soon as the “black Dragon” engages on the stuffed bridge of Dynamite, it gives the order to make it jump…
- the heroes never die. In February 1920, Corto and its friend Raspoutine are transported until Kharbine. Major Jack Tippit comes to visit him to the military hospital where it is neat. The March 15th it is seen in HongKong. It would have also passed in the province of Kiang-If, one morning of April… After having vainly awaited Corto, Wee-Lee Song is turned over to Europe.
- the absorbed coach will be recovered. Gold will be used for construction of an important powerplant which will profit in China, Mongolia and the Soviet Union.
- Barded guns and machine-guns, the “black Dragon” of the Tchang general, makes his entry in station of Bolkang for the stop envisaged. Soukhé Bator wants to benefit from aubaine, to stop it at all costs. Changaï Li and Corto Maltese propose to help it. Under new uniforms, Short-nap cloths and Corto, are introduced into the armoured train before it sets out again. On the way, they seize a turret of shooting and methodically destroy defenses of the “Dragon”. Ground, dominating and controlling the situation on a headland, Changaï Li waits the favourable moment to start the final operation. As soon as the “black Dragon” engages on the stuffed bridge of Dynamite, it gives the order to make it jump…
Anecdotes
- Hugo Pratt makes some winks with the film Shanghai Express (1932), of Josef von Sternberg:
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Jack Tippit is the homonym of a draftsman, chair National Cartoonists Society , met at the time of a congress on the cartoon with New York, in 1972. It was a former colonel of the American air force.
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Roy Song, (niece of Tchang Kai-shek) a friend that known Hugo with Paris in 1972, was used as model for the character of Changhaï Li. Pratt also borrowed its name to name Wee-Lee Song, alias “It”, the ex love which haunts Corto.
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the singer Nino Ferrer lent its features for the character of Nino, the Russian officer.
Curiosities
- Corto Maltese is without cap since it lost his during the combat on the jonque one. When the duchess presents it to Semenov, it carries from there one again but with 2 badges of round form. In the armoured train therefore with the attack of the gold train, the two badges yielded the place to a macaroon. Later the baron Ungern-Sternberg is astonished that it carries this officer's cap of artillery of the guard. “It is a gift”, answers Corto. It is only on its return to HongKong that the escutcheon of the English merchant navy is visible (except for the final conclusion).
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In Court of the mysteries - the novellisation of the data base -, the aviator Jack Tippit receives the instruction to go to monitor the train in which the duchess is. This mission is implicit in the album. It initially takes two days of plane to go to Kharbine and let us see we it, 3 days after its departure, outside its road, to fly over the train of Semenov.
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“That somebody will detach the coaches of gold! ” Semenov orders. The order carried out, Raspoutine announces: “Commander Semenov, the coaches are hung! ” On one of the following images there are indeed two coaches, which are different from the others, in tail of the armoured train of Semenov. However, Shanghai Li takes down one coach on both. In the novel, it is question only of one coach containing gold.
First publications
In Italy: Corte sconta detta Arcana , is published in Italian monthly magazine, Linus , of January 1974 at July 1977.In France: Corto Maltese in Siberia , appears in the monthly magazine (TO BE FOLLOWED) of the n° 1 with the n° 8 from February to September 1978.
Albums
Published at Casterman-
1979, stitched edition, black and white in 6 Chapters: Red lanterns - the Prisoner of Tchang - the romantic Duchess - wild Division - Ungern of Mongolia - End of the black dragon.
- 1982, edition square large size, colors with watercolours of Hugo Pratt.
- 2000, edition connected, colors with documents and watercolours of Hugo Pratt.
- 2001, stitched republication, black and white in 6 Chapters: Red lanterns - the Prisoner of Tchang - the romantic Duchess - wild Division - Ungern of Mongolia - End of the black dragon.
Books
- Court of the mysteries . (adapted novel of the drawn account) Denoël, 1997/Collection Folio, Gallimard, 1999.
- Corto Maltese “secret Court of the mysteries”. The book of the film . Olivier Delcroix, 2002.
- To read and include/understand Corto Maltese in Siberia . Geraldine Jeffroy, ED. The alarming specter, 2002.
The cartoon film
Feature film- Corto Maltese “secret Court of the mysteries”
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