Title: The Treasure of the Black Swan
Publisher: Fantagraphics
Date: 2022
Writer: Guillermo Corral Van Damme, Paco Roca
Artist: Paco Roca
Editor: Conrad Groth
Based on true events, this is a realistic story of the hunt for sunken treasure, and more importantly, the legal battles that occur when a treasure is found. Alex Ventura is a young diplomat, just starting a job with the Spanish government's Ministry of Culture. A late-night call from the Spanish Embassy in the United States puts him on the case of an historic find: a fully-loaded treasure ship has been located by an American salvage company, with a reputation as dirty players in the treasure-hunting business. The Spanish government needs to prove that the treasure is Spanish property against a ruthless and well-funded American conglomerate
This is a great political thriller with elements of history and a sprinkling of romance, all done up in an art style that gives homage to Hergé's classic Tintin stories. I found this enthralling from start to finish, with a great mix of intrigue, drama, some action, and a bittersweet ending with a few nice surprises.
Rating: 9/10
