138 - MORRIS and GOSCINNY. — Lucky Luke. The Black Hills.

MORRIS and GOSCINNY. — Lucky Luke. The Black Hills. Marcinelle-Charleroi, Éditions Dupuis, 1965. In-4, illustrated hardcover by the publisher, square spine. Lucky Luke Collection, No. 21. First edition in album format, published in 1965, bearing the copyright notice “© 1965 by Morris and Ed. J. Dupuis, Fils & Cie.” The back cover features illustrations of eight covers from the Lucky Luke collection on a wood-grain background. Art by Morris and story by René Goscinny. In this adventure, Lucky Luke accompanies a scientific expedition tasked with exploring the mysterious Black Hills, a territory still largely unknown. Four scientists, each with personalities as different as they are eccentric, embark on this perilous journey, which is soon thwarted by the schemes of individuals who have little interest in advancing knowledge of the American West. Here, Morris and Goscinny blend a tale of exploration, a satire of scientific circles, and slapstick humor in an adventure characteristic of their collaboration. The cover, which is particularly amusing, depicts two characters engaged in a sword duel against a deep purple background. The contrast between their silhouettes and their postures creates a composition full of movement and humor, typical of Morris’s artwork. Condition: A good copy. The front cover has fresh colors, with a few slight signs of handling, minor scuffing at the corners, and a faint scratch in the purple background. The back cover is well-preserved. The interior shows yellowing of the paper and a few foxing spots or small scattered stains, visible particularly on the first few pages.