Synopsis
The intense, class-conscious storyline involving the ruined French aristocracy reaches its explosive, face-to-face conclusion. Grounded on the sprawling estate of a decaying chateau behind enemy lines, Hans von Hammer is drawn into an archaic, formal duel of honor against the Comte de Burgundy, while the fiercely elegant Countess Heloise de Burgundy bears witness to the clash. Robert Kanigher expertly handles the script to break through the traditional detachment of modern warfare, stripping away the insulation of high-altitude cockpit combat to force the Rittmeister into an intimate, unsettling mode of personal violence that cannot be romanticized or dignified
Collector Notes
An exceptional, highly prioritized key milestone chapter for Bronze Age archives, serving as the definitive grand finale to the two-part Burgundy family narrative arc. Howard Chaykin's masterfully angular, shadow-drenched panel designs and bold chiaroscuro inks heavily emphasize the tragic decay of the European social order, making this 6-page standalone segment stand out as a visual high-water mark for the late-1970s run. Master colorist Adrienne Roy delivers a brilliant, deep color template that enhances the story's grim, theatrical atmosphere. Paired with Ben Oda's classic lettering typography, the two-part sequence successfully expands the franchise's traditional battlefield storytelling into a sophisticated, character-driven period piece.
