Review by Ian Keogh

The Sea Wolves completes the first outing for Jean-Charles Kraehn and Stefano Carloni on what in France has been a series running since the early 1960s. As this is the first English translation there may be a few too many references to earlier volumes for the liking of Cinebook’s readers, but then until a major misjudgement at the end A Short Drop and A Sudden Stop! was thrilling period adventure.

As this conclusion begins, Redbeard has been out-manoeuvred by an old foe, and to save the lives of his son and best friend he must lead a fellow pirate to his treasure stash. That’s only one part of a complicated plot incorporating the political priorities of the 1730s. Technically England, France and Spain are no longer enemies, and the rulers are keen to observe the fragile peace, but lower down the hierarchy there are fewer concerns about prodding old enemies, and pirates are hardly known for their loyalty.

Kraehn characterises Redbeard as above the petty concerns that motivated him when younger. If not entirely enlightened, and still merciless if there’s no other option, Redbeard comes across as the most decent of the cut-throats other than his son. Whether inherited from earlier volumes, or Kraehn’s addition to the cast, it’s obvious here that assorted characters could be seen as more realistic versions of the pirates regularly plaguing Asterix, underlined by one of them with a peg leg regularly spouting Latin phrases.

Despite Carloni ensuring people look very different, it takes some following to keep assorted small groups and their allegiances straight as The Sea Wolves covers a large cast with different intentions, all of them endangered to one degree or another. This includes pages devoted to the activities of villains, a sequence with one escaping his captors well handled. Because Redbeard is a new character to English language readers the possible downside of his part being very small until after halfway through may not occur.

As with the first book, there’s no predicting where Kraehn’s taking the story, yet with so many players the surprises are logical. And as before Carloni’s art has a vitality and a presence, convincing with people and settings. This time there’s no moment of disbelief before the satisfactory ending and anyone who enjoys a rollicking pirate adventure ought to be satisfied.