Dossier: Modesty Blaise

Retired crime boss / independent operator / archetype of the international woman of action living the jet set life.

Profile

  • Full Name: Modesty Blaise
  • Property: Modesty Blaise (Novels and Comic Strips)
  • Role: Retired Crime Boss / Independent Operator
  • Era: 1960s–1990s
  • Base of Ops: Penthouse overlooking Hyde Park, London; Private Villa, Tangier.
  • Signature Quote: “I don’t play for money, Sir Gerald. I play for the game.”

Background and Skills

  • Background: Modesty Blaise escaped a displaced persons camp in Greece as a child, eventually meeting a scholar named Lob who became her mentor and gave her the surname Blaise. She chose the first name Modesty for herself during their travels and received a classical education from Lob that complemented her natural survival instincts. After Lob’s death, she took control of a gang in Tangier and built it into “The Network,” a highly sophisticated international criminal syndicate. During this time, she recruited Willie Garvin from a Thai prison, establishing a legendary partnership based on absolute trust and skill. By the time she retired to London in her mid twenties, she was a multi-millionaire with a legend that preceded her arrival in the circles of British Intelligence.
  • Expertise: Master of linguistics (fluent in multiple languages and dialects), deep-cover infiltration, and strategic organizational management.
  • Tactical Prowess: Master of martial arts (self-taught/refined); elite-level marksmanship; expert in pressure-point combat and defensive weaponry.
  • Known Associates:
    • Willie Garvin (Partner/Right-hand)
    • Sir Gerald Tarrant (Liaison, British Secret Service)
    • Weng (Staff/Security)
  • Motivation: Boredom and Personal Loyalty. Having retired with immense wealth at age 26, she accepts assignments for the thrill of the “game” and out of a sense of obligation to Tarrant or her own code of ethics.

Technical

A. Gear
  • Kongo / Yawara Stick: A small, cylindrical hard-wood or plastic hand-held weapon used for striking and applying pressure to nerve centers. Unlike a kosh, it is a rigid tool used for high-precision, close-quarters combat.
  • Beretta M418: A .25 ACP small-frame pistol utilized for deep concealment and “last resort” defense.
B. Vehicles
  • Daimler SP250 (Daimler Dart): Ivory-colored roadster; 2.5L V8 engine with a lightweight fiberglass body. Her primary vehicle for sporty, in-city motoring.
  • Jensen Interceptor: Heavy-duty, high-power field car used for reliability in rugged Mediterranean operations.
  • Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow: Her formal London transportation, maintained by Weng.
D. Sartorial
  • Functional Lethality: High-fashion used as tactical armor. Signature looks include Pucci-print silks for social functions and tailored black leather or matte-finish tactical gear for field ops.
  • Style Markers: Typically wears her hair in a “top-knot” for combat to avoid interference; prefers clothing that allows for full range of motion without sacrificing elegance.
 E. Wealth & Holdings
  • Primary Income: Multi-millionaire through the liquidation and legitimate investment of “The Network’s” global assets.
  • Real Estate: Luxury London penthouse; fortified villa in Tangier; various safe houses across the Mediterranean.

Provenance

  • Primary Source: Modesty Blaise (1963–2001 Comic Strips by O’Donnell/Holdaway); Modesty Blaise (1965–1996 Novels by O’Donnell).
  • Key Contributors: Created and written by Peter O’Donnell; visual identity established by Jim Holdaway.