Calamity Jane by René Goscinny

Why read the book?

Calamity Jane strides into the series chewing tobacco and out-shooting every man in sight. She pulls Lucky Luke out of an Apache ambush, then invites him to El Plomo, where guns are being sold to the Apache chief Gomino. She even wins a saloon from its crooked owner, August Oyster, in an arm-wrestling match.

Luke uncovers the weapons cache in a lead mine that tunnels straight to the bar, and breaks up the racket. A subplot has the town's women trying, and failing, to make Jane a lady. When the dust settles she chooses the open road over the parlour, and rides off her own way.

Favourite quote

What I Loved

Jane is one of the great guest stars, loud, blunt and impossible to tame, and the album lets her be exactly that.

The running joke of the respectable women trying to civilise her never lands, which is the whole point. Morris clearly enjoys drawing her swagger, and her farewell with Luke has a quiet, mutual respect that lingers after the gags.

Key Takeaway

Some legends of the West refuse to be fitted for a corset.

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