XIII Mystery: La Mangouste by Meyer/Dorison 7.5

This series of books tell the back story of key characters in the original XIII books. In this first volume, they chose La Mangouste.

For good or bad, it gives him a motive and much more humanity than one might have anticipated. It’s a bit unbelievable, but nowhere as convoluted as the XIII series was (a refreshing change, quite frankly, even if it sort of ruins the character – whom I preferred more enigmatic, colder)

The artwork is clean and pleasing. The paneling is simple, clear, professional. The overall presentation is solid. As a whole, I’d say it’s a decent enough book. But it’s nothing especially innovative.