We meet in full World War II in the Asian sector, specifically in northern India.
The war in full swing, the Japanese have their empire extending to China and Southeast Asia.
This is where the story takes off.
Angela Mc Cloud is part of the body of WASP, a unit composed of charged only female pilots (among others) to ferry equipment and aircraft to the scene of the fighting.
She takes off her Dakota in the hope of crossing the Himalayas in order to deliver his "precious" cargo, consisting of mules entrained in battle !! (It is not invented)
Obviously things did not go as planned and it is stuck on a basis of P-40 Warhawk ... The Burma Banshees.
His damaged Dakota requires him to do some mechanical and taste the joys of life in male community (the shower scene P.37 for ex.).
The hardened steel main heroine character is a reflection of the efforts of these women pilots who have broken many taboos to fly in such devices and especially in places of war.
She does not let the fact how and understanding to this ultra-macho stuffed drivers fighting prejudices universe.
Despite that she keeps a pulpy comic attitude during this (but I suspect Mr Hugault to have a weakness for beautiful curves ...).
The best is for the last thumbnail Wave blink the obvious propaganda poster "We can do it!"
I said no more, even if the scenario is fairly predictable, he yet very effective for the atmosphere of the time.
The combination of drawing Hugault wonders.
It must be said that there is much work to historical research, terms, locations, assignments and even some characters really existed.
Vinegar Joe Stilwell was there down to control the operations against the Japanese.
Jinx Falkenburg was also a pin-up of the time.
And so on.
This work is also pointed to the places and the time expressions:
- Aluminium Trail: Who is a place where several planes crashed over the Himalayas when India-China route
- The Hump: Who was the name given by Allied pilots during the 2nd World War to the east of the Himalayas, when they had to help Chinese forces against Japan (mostly freight transport).
- Short-Snorter: A patchwork of tickets supposed to bring good luck to the drivers
etc.
All historical work makes the story all the more credible (but this is not a history textbook ...).
Only English expressions sometimes come do a little weird "bloody hell" and consort.
Here it is a matter of taste, they preferred to keep the swearing in VO and do not translate. VF that it probably would not have the same effect.
Anyway hat to stick as close to the reality of time.
The drawing is no exception. Hugault reached a very good command of the line for the characters and facial expressions.
That attack hard from the P4 with the arrival of Angela (bottom of page), she gave me a purpose "wow!".
However, it happens to have a bit less precise in remote scenes with the characters (P6 bottom), but hey it does not spoil the pleasure of reading.
But as soon as you touch the flying machines is perfect.
The cutting action scenes are superb (P15 with the Japanese attack and daring maneuver Angela)
The snowy landscapes of the Himalayas with the splendid Dakota (P10)
The return of the cockpit and impeccable command (P16)
The colors are very well rendered and allow well stick to the atmosphere.
Only (minor) complaint mini glossary at the back would not hurt, and showcased all the writer's job to his research.
It is a real pleasure to read this comic (obviously this is a very subjective opinion on the matter ...) and I recommend it to all (s) those who love aviation, World War II and heroines tangy character!
Good reading to one and all!
TO @
Pogyz
PS: the MM attention. Hugault, I have not had my bowl Caudron dropped me, you can not attend your book signing at Les Halles (sob!).
