Celtic Tales (Corto Maltese)

San Francesco del Deserto, Venice

In the Venetian Lagoon, San Francesco del Deserto is an island that home to a Franciscans monastery. In 1917, Corto went here and asked the monks for a copy of a map, drawn on a missionary's skin. This coulds indicate him the location of the Sapa Inca Atahualpa's seven mines, around the Marañón River, at Peru. These mines are also the legendaries Seven Cities of Cibola and the mythic El Dorado. But, on this document, only six are represented on the document and the seventh is missing. Thus, a monk advises Corto to go to Venice, in the Venetian Ghetto, to meet Melchisedech the rabbi, who owns a diary describing all cities. On site, he discovers that a page showing the location of the seventh city is missing from the book. Would the responsible be a strange paralytic woman living in a Venetian palace, nicknamed "The Angel in the Window to the Orient" ?

Recently, an Austrian plane often flies over her house. This little game intrigues Antonio Sorrentino, the Carabinieri captain. With few of his men and Corto, he goes to the palace to unravel the mystery. Inside, the sailor discover that the "paralytic woman" is in fact Venexiana Stevenson, his ennemy whom he has already faced in Honduras (cf. the story "Banana Conga", in the volume Beyond the Windy Isles), who now wants to find the El Dorado. If the Carabinieries liquidated her Austrian complices, she manages to escape their.

"Atahuallpa, Inca XIIII". Portrait located in Berlin Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen, Berlin, Germany (Ethnological Museum of Berlin, Germany)

This story is a transition between Corto's adventures in the America (in the volume Under the Sign of Capricorn and Beyond the Windy Isles) and in Europe (in this volume). In the previous story, in Peru, the sailor met a monk who told him about this mysterious map kept at Venice. So he went to this city to find it.

To document this story, Hugo Pratt explains that he drew information from the books of a missionary institute in Verona (Veneto, Italy), the Comboni. This place is overflowing with of books nibbled by rats, which were written by missionaries stationed in South America. The latter were in close contact with the natives. So, according to Pratt, this information are so important that people from Peru or Brazil come there to study it and learn Indian dialects.

Hugo Pratt enjoyed to shows his childhood city, Venice, as he will do in other future stories, like Fable of Venice. Thus, he guides the reader between venetians isles and buildings. Scarso, the man who serves the sole (the "sfogio") really existed, who worked in Malamocco (village of the Lido where the comics creator has a house). In addition, various places are superbly drawn: the Piazza San Marco (with the St Mark's Basilica, the winged lion — the Lion of Venice — and the Doge's Palace), Santa Maria della Salute, etc. Then, through Corto's sentences, Pratt explains this city is so beautiful that it drives lazy, it is difficult to leave it.[4]

Map of the Italian Front, Battle of Caporetto

At the north of the Adriatic Sea, war is raging during the Battle of Caporetto (1917), notably setting against Italians and Austro-Hungarian. The fallen monarchy of Montenegro hid royal gold at Sette Casoni (Valcasoni), in the middle of the Italian front. Thus, the Montenegran Republican Army instructed Corto Maltese to recover it.

This "pirate" has a complexe plan to achieve this goal, involving partners of different nationalities. Lieutnant Radesky, an Austrian, secretly wathes operation on board an observation balloon and diverts the attention of his compatriots from the city. Meanwhile, scottishes and frenches soldiers obtain golden bars in a church right under the noses of the Austrians Uhlans. Then, Radesky is recovered by Americans (including a paramedic named Hernestway, who reminds Ernest Hemingway). Also, the fortune is load in a Greek gunboat piloted by Onatis (evoking Aristotle Onassis), where Corto is waiting the end of the operation.

This story takes place during a war overturns European borders and regimes. Since 1910, Montenegro constituted an independent kingdom, before being incorporated in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Fighting with the Allies, the Montenegro was occupied by Austro-Hungarians troops.

Corto Maltese evokes constants moving borders during the conflict. For example, a village can be Italian or Austrian depending on the days. This was the case of Lozzo di Cadore, on the Piave, in Veneto. So he stayed put while the fonts changed. Through this process, he manages to meet people who cans help him. Even if his accomplices are from various nationalities, they all come together under a same flag, gold.[4]

The Dubhlinn Gardens, are located adjacent to Dublin Castle.

In octobre 1917, enriched by Montenegrin gold, Corto Maltese helps Sinn Féin to resist against British Army. He learns that one of their members, O’Sullivan, has betrayed them and is responsible for the execution of Pat Finnucan by Britishes. The latter was the leader of the movement and the symbol of the Irish Revolution. In Dublin, the Maltese meets the deceased's wife, Moira "Banshee" O’Danann, who wants to avenge her husband. With her help, Corto enters the British general headquarters (into Dublin Castle) and detonates it.

But inside, he discover an overwhelming secret, which his friend Sean Finnucan confirms. This one explains that his brother Pat was the real traitor. But Sean refused to reveal the truth about him; he had to pass for a hero, a martyr, to galvanize the revolutionaries. And the real hero was O’Sullivan, who was a spy against Britishes; so he made it look like he was a traitor. No one should know, even Moira. When Corto finds her on a beach, he suggests her to leave with him. Only, she consider herself a banshee, who brings misfortune to others. Also, she musts stay to help the revolution.

Modern illustration of a banshee.

This insolite title speaks of Ireland and its struggle for freedom:

• "Ó" is a patronymic term in Irish names;
• The Celtic harp is a square harp particularly traditional in Ireland (cláirseach);
• Nitroglycerin evokes this violent conflict.

To build this story, Pratt based him on documents and testimonies. Thus, he meets a Pat Finnucan's niece, whose the story inspired him to his episode. He also exchanged with his friend Patricia Frawley, an Irish American, from Wheeling (West Virginia). She physically inspired him the character of Moira O’Danann.

Pat Finnucan's headstone features the quote "Fianna". In the Irish mythology, these were groups of semi-independent warriors. In more recent history, this word has been used for the name Fianna Éireann, an Irish nationalist youth organisation founded in 1909.

Other elements are mentioned in this story, such as the Easter Rising, led by Patrick Pearse. This bloody event led to the recognition of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, then to the Irish Free State, in 1922.[4]

Stonehenge in July 2007.

Stonehenge, a legendary place in England, Wiltshire... 21 December 1917, for the winter solstice, many creatures from Celtic mythology are meeting to discuss a dramatic event. Germans will soon attack England. And with them will come characters from Germanic mythology, who coulds threaten them! Exactly as during the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain (contemporary to the Arthurian cycle). So it takes a mortal to help them. Corto, who sleeps nearby, is awakened Puck, changed from raven and instructed to support him. The sailor discovers a dying man, Major Vortigern Welsh, of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The latter, who committed suicide, warns him against his wife Rowena, a German spy, because of his misfortunes. With her brothers Hengist and Horsa, she plans to attack Tintagel Castle (Cornwall), where Allies are meeting.

On site, spies command a German U-boat to attack the castle, while the personnel of the British corvette is at anchor. Corto therefore pilots a tugboat to sink the submarine. Shortly after, a trial condemns Rowena. But, fair play, she gives her Iron Cross to the sailor. In addition, this one is decorated by a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Later, back to Stonehenge, Corto sleeps nearby again. Oberon congratulate Puck, who admits having snatched his medals from the Maltese. So Corto won't know if his adventure was true... or a Midwinter Morning's Dream.

The outer and upper wards of the ruined Tintagel Castle.

As the title shows, this story clearly alludes to A Midsummer Night's Dream, a famous comedy written by William Shakespeare in 1595/96. Here we find characters from the play, Oberon and Puck. While the play takes place during St. John's Day, the summer solstice, the comic is set during the winter solstice. In this story, Oberon evokes the Huon of Bordeaux, a chanson de geste where he is also present and he is showing like the child of Morgan le Fay and Julius Caesar.

As in the Trojan War, a conflict between two existing countries is combined with a conflict between their respective mythologies. Also, various elements from the Arthurian legend are transposed here. Merlin and Morgan participate in the meeting at Stonehenge, a monument erected by the enchanter, as he recalls. Then, Tintagel Castle is closely related to King Arthur. Also, some semi-legendary characters are transposed in this story. In fact, in legend, Vortigern was a king of the Britons and married Rowena, an Anglo-Saxon. He also made a pact with her brothers Hengist and Horsa, who betrayed him to invade Great Britain. Thus, the British Major Vortigern Welsh is manipulate by his German wife Rowena, who projects to attack England with her brothers Hengist and Horsa.

The idea of this story was inspired by chance to Hugo Pratt. While visiting a cemetery in the northern France, he discovered a curious tomb. A Canadian was buried there, died in 1918 in a battle against Germany, named... Julius César. Like the famous Roman conqueror, Oberon's father in some stories. It was for the cartoonist a message asking him this story.[4]

Australian airmen with Richthofen's triplane 425/17 after it was dismembered by souvenir hunters

In northern France, on the banks of the Somme, on 20 April 1918, soldiers are fighting. The Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen), a German, successfully carried out an air raid on numerous enemy planes in his Fokker Dr.I. Two Australians talk to Corto about a way to kill him. Officer Sandy explain that his friend Clem is a crack shot, but only when he is drunk. So he tries to convince the sailor to open his bottles of Burgundy wine, to make drunk this soldier. But Corto categorically refuses. The latter hopes to see his old friend the British Cain Groovesnore. He is a volunteer in the Royal Air Force and located in an English aviation camp near Bertangles.

The following day, Sandy discretely steals the much-vaunted bottles to inebriate Clem. The latter shot at the Red Baron flying over the area; but he seemed to lack target. Yet, a short time later, Manfred von Richthofen crashed; soldiers strip him and claim responsibility for the exploit. But not doubt for Sandy: it's Clem who had shot him. Unfortunately, an airplane then bombed the truck in which he was brewing and killed him. Sandy feels responsible for the death of his friend; but according to Corto, it's the fault of the war...

Wine from the Gevrey-Chambertin region of the Cote de Nuits.

"Roses of Picardy": Sheet music from c. 1920

This strange title alludes to various things. "Côte de Nuits" is a French wine region located into the Burgundy wine region, renowned for its crus. "Picardy Roses" evokes Roses of Picardy, a popular British song composed in 1916; it was one of the most famous songs of the First World War. It is also a reference to the roses that the Red Baron deposits on the wreckage of planes he shoots down. Finally, this story takes place in the historical territory of Picardy.

In this story, contrasting with his sinister reputation, Manfred von Richthofen appears to be very attached to his mother. Pratt wanted to use some truthful elements about this historical figure. For example, it is a question of glorious track record of this flying ace, officially credited with 80 air combat victories. Other elements are authentic, such as his custom of cutting empennage of the planes he shot down, to make trophies. It is also true that his aunt Frieda von Richthofen married the British novelist D. H. Lawrence.

At the end of this story, an airplane flies, piloted by Hermann Göring, another air ace. He will later be infamous for working with Adolf Hitler.[4]

Again in France, between the cities of Zuydcoote and Bray-Dunes (Nord department), a show is performed in a Royal Air Force base by the puppeteer Rico-Rico and the singer Mélodie Gaël. Shortly after, Corto Maltese is talking with is friend Cain Groovesnore, who announces him that his American cousine Pandora is going to marry. Corto, who loved her (cf. the story The Ballad of the Salty Sea), remains on a beach, thoughtful. But suddenly, he learns that Cain has been arrested, accused of having shot the Lieutnant De Trécesson. Wanting to defend him, the sailor speaks with Commissaire Rothschild, in charge of the investigation. Together, they question witnesses: Rico-Rico and Mélodie Gaël.

Gradually, they discover that, in reality, the lieutenant had understood that she was a spy, in the service of the Germans. So he came to see her to accuse her. But she hypnotized Cain, also present, so that he would kill him. During the investigation, a fight ensued while the artists killed each other. Ultimately, Cain is exonerated and Trecesson will survive.

Carlo Gozzi

At the end of this story, Corto cynically declares to Rothschild that he came to France to drink French wines (allude to Château Lafite Rothschild wines). This, while he is in the midst of the war massacres and witnessed murders. This sentence earned Pratt two cases of wine from the Rothschild family. In this regard, there was also talk of wine in the previous story.

Various cultural references punctuate this story. Thus, Lieutnant De Trécesson has the same name as the Château de Trécesson, near the Paimpont forest. This place is often associated with the forest of Brocéliande, an important location from the Arthurian legend. Many places of this forest are mentioned: Val sans retour and fountain of Barenton.

Rico-Rico comes from the Venetian Gozzi family. His name is the Carlo Gozzi's nickname, who lived only for his roles and legends which he interpreted went to his head[4]

Hugo Pratt has produced numerous additional drawings on the characters and places relating to the stories in this album. As is also the case for the other episodes of the series. Here, for example, he drew different places in Ireland and historical or legendary characters.[5][6]

Among the many covers existing for Celtic Tales, one of them shows a poem in which Corto Maltese thanks different characters, mostly from Celtic legends:[7]

• Merlin, the enchanter or wizard featured in Arthurian legend (like the followings three characters);
• Morgan le Fay and Viviane the Lady of the Lake;
• King Arthur;
• Oberon (king of the fairies) and Puck;
• The Irish leprechauns;
• The Cornish Pixies;
• The Scottish boggles;
• The Breton Korrigans;
• The Welsh miners, Wales being renowned for its coal industry;
• The French elves;
• The Druids of "Folle Pensée" (name of a locality in the Paimpont forest);
• The little folk of the forest of Brocéliande;
• The royal ravens of Stonehenge;
• W. B. Yeats, an Irish poet;
• And the harp of the wind somewhere to the north.

Hugo Pratt won the "Prix Saint-Michel", for "Best Realistic Writing" in 1977, for the story A Midwinter Morning's Dream.[8]

Twenty years after the death of Hugo Pratt, his ex-assistant Lele Vianello, another Italian comic book creator, gave him a tribute album. Entitled "Twenty after ... Homage to Hugo Pratt", it includes drawings inspired by the story "A Midwinter Morning’s Dream", where Corto and characters from Celtic legends await Pratt the day of his death ... for welcome him into their world.[9][10]

• Petitfaux, Dominique (1990). De l'autre côté de Corto : Hugo Pratt – Entretiens avec Dominique Petitfaux. Casterman. ISBN 2-203-38016-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Collective (2014). Corto Maltese 1904-1925 : Récits du monde, escales du temps. L'Histoire (French magazine), special-issue. ISBN 9791091529075.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Steiner, Marco; D'Anna, Marco; Pratt, Hugo (2011). Les lieux de l'aventure. Casterman. ISBN 9782203049055.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Vianello, Lele (2015). Vingt après… Hommage à Hugo Pratt. Mosquito.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)