Virus (Spirou et Fantasio)
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Spirou et Fantasio #33 Virus | |
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Janry | |
Original publication | |
Published in | Spirou magazine |
Issues |
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Date of publication | 1982 |
Language | French |
ISBN | 2-8001-1036-8 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Les faiseurs de silence, 1984 |
Followed by | Aventure en Australie, 1985 |
Virus, written by
Story
An
Looking extremely ill, Helena explains that following his release from prison he got a job working at Isola Red where tests are conducted on some of the deadliest diseases known to man. One day, however, one such disease became loose and the staff at the base all fell ill. The disease appears to be only transmitted by actual physical contact. Helena fled, got aboard a ship bound for Europe and now intends to contact
The Count knows of a cure to the virus affecting Helena and the men at the base but requires an extra toxin to make it effective, and it is only available at the base itself. Spirou and Fantasio set off for the South Pole along with Spip and Helena who are dressed in special outfits which reduce the risks of infection. They arrive at a Russian base where they are given guides and snowcats for the journey to Isola Red. They set off, unaware that some men are tracking them from a distance with the intention of killing them before they reach the base.
Meanwhile, back in Europe, Champignac goes to the Ministry for Research in order to organise a larger-scale rescue operation. However, an adviser at the ministry, Basile de Koch, blocks his attempts to see the minister. At that moment a horde of reporters led by the editor of the monthly current affairs magazine Action bursts in. One of the Action's journalists has been working undercover in de Koch's company which owns the polar base.
Isola Red has actually been used to produce illegal
Meanwhile, Spirou and his friends are attacked by de Koch's killers but are saved by Volene, the undercover journalist. They then proceed to Isola Red where they find the toxin needed to complete the cure. The killers also arrive, but Spirou and his friends fight back using the very weaponry they were not supposed to discover. The biological weapons cause those affected to go crazy and engage in disco-like dancing.
At that moment, the Count and the editor of Action also arrive, along with military commandos. The remaining killers thus flee. It appears that the virus does not affect animals — animals used for testing are found to be fine, so it is with great relief that Spip the squirrel is freed from his outfit. Helena and the other patients are cured. Isola Red is then destroyed by bombers and some time later Helena becomes a tour guide, showing the remains of the base off to tourists.
Themes
The story raises the issue of
The Marsupilami
The Marsupilami had been part of Spirou and Fantasio's adventures since the early 1950s, but was taken out when André Franquin, who created him, would not allow other authors to use him. However, a stuffed toy of the Marsupilami can be seen in Spirou's bedroom.
Softcover edition
Most
References
- Tome publications in Spirou and Janry publications in Spirou BDoubliées (in French)
External links
- Spirou official site album index (in French)