For this eleventh episode of season 2 of his adventures, Michel Vaillant abandons the official circuits to embark on a crazy illegal race crossing the United States from side to side. A new “great challenge” for the indestructible pilot, born in 1957 in the pages of the weekly Tintin.
POG’s, both famous youtuber in the automotive field and car collector, launches a completely crazy challenge to Michel Vaillant: to face him at the wheel of his Ferrari, during a crossing of the United States coast to coast, from New York to Los Angeles, in the car of his choice. A famous race, but banned by the authorities, the Cannonball Run requires drivers to drive at more than 200 km/h… on a road open to traffic!
4,506 kilometers to be covered in 24 hours, without arousing the attention of the American police, under penalty of losing his pilot’s license. Encouraged by his wife Françoise, who sees this as a great marketing opportunity to launch the new Vaillante Montlhéry, Michel — after much hesitation… — ends up accepting the challenge. Surrounded by his son Patrick, his nephew Jean-Michel and his old friend Steve Warson (now a senator), the pilot set off from New York at one o’clock in the morning, followed by his rival.
The infernal race will be disturbed by the blackmail of a band of terrorists, who threaten to detonate a bomb within Bellevue Hospital in New York, if the speed of Michel’s car drops below 100 miles per hour. … Sustained suspense, until the final twist that opens the doors to a sequel that promises to be dramatic for our heroes. 
Far from the usual Formula 1 circuits, this adventure renews with originality the series which is celebrating its 65th anniversary, without neglecting the racing cars which are its brand image. Denis Lapière offers a scenario rich in twists and turns, taking pleasure in granting a fugitive role to some good old protagonists that we always find with a certain nostalgia.
Marc Bourgne, designer with Benjamin Benéteau of the first albums of this season 2, is back, this time alongside Olivier Marin. They are assisted by Tomas Moron Aranda for the sets. The trio is doing quite well, keeping the graphic charter of the series while modernizing it.
The first edition of this eleventh episode is enriched by a frontispiece by Marc Bourgne, printed on Rives Shetland 250 gram paper. Still for collectors, we should also note the publication of a limited edition of 800 copies, intended for the Bulles du Mans bookshop. This exclusive print is enriched with an unpublished graphic notebook of 18 pages, a numbered/signed frontispiece and an equally unpublished cover, produced by Benjamin Benéteau.
Henri FILIPPINI
“Michel Vaillant season 2 T11: Cannonball” by Marc Bourgne, Olivier Marin and Denis Lapière
Graton editor (€16.50) — EAN: 978-2-390601O74
Bubbles Le Mans version (€25) — EAN: 978-2-390601470.
Publication June 10, 2022
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