132 - MORRIS and GOSCINNY. — Lucky Luke. On the Trail of the Daltons.

MORRIS and GOSCINNY. — Lucky Luke. On the Trail of the Daltons. Marcinelle-Charleroi, Éditions Dupuis, 1966. In-4, publisher’s illustrated hardcover, square spine, 46 color plates. Lucky Luke Collection, No. 17. Reprint of the 1966 edition, bearing the copyright notice “© 1966 by Morris and Ed. J. Dupuis, Fils & Cie.” The back cover features a design of wooden planks, displaying eight titles from the collection, including *Billy the Kid*, *The Daltons in the Blizzard*, *The Daltons Are Still on the Run*, *The Caravan*, and *The 20th Cavalry*. Art by Morris and story by René Goscinny. Originally published as a graphic novel in 1962, *On the Trail of the Daltons* is one of the classic Lucky Luke adventures featuring the four famous Dalton brothers. The album notably marks the debut of Rantanplan, the prison guard dog, whose clumsiness and very limited intelligence will become an endless source of comic situations. After another escape by the Daltons, Lucky Luke sets out in pursuit, accompanied—against his will—by Rantanplan. The dog, who is supposed to help him track down the fugitives, makes one mistake after another and takes one disastrous initiative after another, greatly complicating the lone cowboy’s mission. This volume holds a special place in the series’ history by introducing one of its most popular supporting characters, who would later go on to star in his own adventures. The cover, which is particularly humorous, depicts the four Dalton brothers hiding behind a trash can, while Rantanplan gnaws on a bone. Lucky Luke and Jolly Jumper watch the scene from the top of the illustration. Condition: A fine copy. The front cover has fresh, vibrant colors, with slight scuffing at the corners and along the edges. The back cover is well-preserved, with a few subtle signs of wear. The interior is slightly yellowed, with no major apparent flaws.