Reader views (12)

 Add your view

I was as devastated to hear of Peter O'Donnell's death as I was when I read The Cobra Trap. He created an enduring pair in Modesty and Willie who have never been done justice in film; maybe someday there will be a director who brings them to life the way Peter Jackson did Tolkien's massive work--with respect for the author and the characters!
If a proper Modesty Blaise film is ever done, she will take her proper place among the pantheon of filmic heroes and heroines--at or near the very top!
So long, Peter--you did good.

- Steve Fahnestalk, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 19/05/2010 05:43
Report abuse

Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell, for all you've given me. Your Modesty Blaise comics and books have been with me from childhood, I've reread them many times, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.
As the maintainer of the Modesty Blaise mailing list (an online e-mail fan forum), I know that you touched people all over the world. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten.

- Thomas Gramstad, Oslo, Norway, 08/05/2010 23:03
Report abuse

So very sad to hear this news, as a passionate Modesty Blaise/Willie Garvin fan I was fortunate enough to meet Mr O'Donnell at a book signing in London about 10 years ago. He was very gracious and generous to his fans, a true gentleman.
I re-read his books and comic strips frequently and always find something different to enjoy, he was a very inventive writer and creator of two of the best fictional characters I've ever encountered.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Sleep well, Peter O'Donnell, and thank you for so many hours of pleasure.

- Emma Wheeler, Hampshire, UK, 05/05/2010 19:03
Report abuse

A fabulous story teller with integrity and realism.
He managed to touch so many people with his fantastic stories, well composed plots, intriguing characters and with the reality within reach.
You will be missed Peter.
Good bless you on your journey.

- Bo Schlichting, Vallensbæk Strand, Denmark, 05/05/2010 07:40
Report abuse

Thanks for Modesty and Willie - RIP.

And there is no way I could ever read the Cobra Trap either.

Wish his family the best.

- Alan, Santa Monica CA / Fukuoka Japan, 05/05/2010 07:35
Report abuse

One of the last of the adventure comic strip creators. A great loss to the world. Hopefully he will not be forgotten. Fromn an antipodean admirer.

- Trevor Clark, Melbourne, Australia, 05/05/2010 05:28
Report abuse

I loved Modesty Blaise since it first appeared in the Standard, which my mother always brought home from work - when I went off to university I made her clip out the strips and save them for me, and she had to describe the latest plot developments in her weekly letters to me! Later I collected all the Modesty novels and short story collections, and have re-read them many times. Mr O'Donnell was a fine storyteller, mixing suspense and humour most adeptly, and the relationship between his two lead characters, Modesty and Willie Garvin was superbly developed. There truly has never been a newspaper cartoon strip to rival Modesty Blaise - were there one it would certainly make me a devotee of that newspaper!

- Paul Woods, Long Ashton, near Bristol, North Somerset, 04/05/2010 20:12
Report abuse

This is very, very sad news. He was the author of some of the best escapist thrillers ever written and the creator of two of my favourite fictional characters of all time.

Blaise and Garvin are right up there with Holmes and Watson in my estimation, in that I find myself re-reading their adventures over and over again, not for the stories, but simply because I love spending time in their company.

Hopefully Titan books will continue to publish the cartoon strip compilations until they are all in print.

If you only know them from the cartoon strips, then seek out the novels. You are in for a treat.

RIP Mr O'Donnell, and my condolences to your family and friends. And thank you again.

- Kevin Wilson, Christchurch, England, 04/05/2010 20:10
Report abuse

I loved Modesty Blaise since it first appeared in the Standard, which my mother always brought home from work - when I went off to university I made her clip out the strips and save them for me, and she had to describe the latest plot developments in her weekly letters to me! Later I collected all the Modesty novels and short story collections, and have re-read them many times. Mr O'Donnell was a fine storyteller, mixing suspense and humour most adeptly, and the relationship between his two lead characters, Modesty and Willie Garvin was superbly developed. There truly has never been a newspaper cartoon strip to rival Modesty Blaise - were there one it would certainly make me a devotee of that newspaper!

- Paul Woods, Long Ashton, near Bristol, North Somerset, 04/05/2010 18:14
Report abuse

I had the extreme good luck to have met Mr. O'Donnell when I visited London in 1987. He came up from Briighton to his old studio to meet me when the current occupant of the studio let him know I had stopped by. He spent time talking with me and signed a copy of Pieces of Modesty for me. Upon my return to the USA, I sent him a copy of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight and received in return a wonderful note from Mr. O'Donnell.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

- Robert, New Jersey, USA, 04/05/2010 18:13
Report abuse

I have been a fan of Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise since the early 1960's. I flew to London in 1996 for the release of "The Cobra Trap" and to meet Mr. O'Donnell. To this day, I have never read the final book. Sorry, CAN'T DO IT.

My condolences to Mr. O'Donnell's family and to all his fans around the world.

- Georgia Navarro, Reno, Nevada, USA, 04/05/2010 17:19
Report abuse

We loved them, escapism (or, er, not) every evening. Now where do I buy the full compilation?

- Steve, London, England, 04/05/2010 17:00
Report abuse

Add your comment