125 - MORRIS. — Lucky Luke and Phil Defer.

MORRIS. — Lucky Luke and Phil Defer. Marcinelle-Charleroi, Éditions Dupuis, 1966. In-4, publisher’s illustrated hardcover, square spine, 46 color plates. Lucky Luke Collection. An older reprint from 1966, bearing the copyright notice “© 1966 by Morris and Ed. J. Dupuis, Fils & Cie.” The back cover features eight titles from the collection, including *The Daltons in the Blizzard*, *The Daltons Are Still on the Run*, and *The Daltons Redeem Themselves*. Text and illustrations by Morris. This album brings together Lucky Luke’s adventures against Phil Defer, nicknamed “The Reaper,” a fearsome gunslinger with an exaggeratedly elongated silhouette. In the small town of Bottleneck Gulch, Lucky Luke must face this adversary, who has been hired to eliminate the competition at a saloon. The album is particularly appreciated for its humor and for the caricatured figure of Phil Defer, one of Lucky Luke’s most memorable adversaries. The character is traditionally considered a caricature of the American actor Jack Palance. The cover depicts Phil Defer from behind, towering over Lucky Luke with his tall frame, as Lucky Luke faces him in the middle of a street in the American West. The back cover features the famous scene of Lucky Luke drawing his gun while facing his shadow. Condition: Good copy. Front cover with fresh, well-preserved colors, showing slight rubbing and some signs of wear. Corners and edges slightly worn. Back cover showing subtle signs of handling. Interior slightly yellowed, with no major apparent defects.