About CROIX-NOIRE
Who Is Ace Hansel Jr?
ACE HANSEL JR is the downbeat superhero of the Graphic Novel/comic series (based on the novella by David Quantick). The album “Songs from Croix-Noire” by Mike Batt and Jean-Charles Capelli (and sung by Capelli as Ace Hansel Jr) is available from all the usual outlets , physical and digital. Drawn by Marvel/DC legend Mike Collins, the Graphic Novel is issued initially as seven comic book episodes, unusually including the prose novel chapters after each 20 page comic book story, so you can compare the original with how it has been adapted for the comic.
The story? Ace is the son of a foreign legion officer who gave his life to save his brother officer. In gratitude, his comrade, Lt Col Talbot has saved Ace from a life of petty crime, and trained him up to be the guardian of Croix-Noire, a notorious red light district riddled with crime, and the centre of an ancient cult that is searching for the Unholy Grail.
Ace’s “superpowers” are provided by Col Talbot in the form of a belt that can manipulate the emotions of others. This transforms Ace into a superhero who can often avoid violence by dispensing his emotional control over his adversaries. The two men use a humble pharmacy as a front for their crime-fighting operation. Below the pharmacy is a vast cavernous laboratory/HQ. You can get physical comics in newsagents and from www.GetMyComics.com and check our blog here for news, including the imminent release of the comics digitally, and the complete graphic novel in print form.
The story? Ace is the son of a foreign legion officer who gave his life to save his brother officer. In gratitude, his comrade, Lt Col Talbot has saved Ace from a life of petty crime, and trained him up to be the guardian of Croix-Noire, a notorious red light district riddled with crime, and the centre of an ancient cult that is searching for the Unholy Grail.
Ace’s “superpowers” are provided by Col Talbot in the form of a belt that can manipulate the emotions of others. This transforms Ace into a superhero who can often avoid violence by dispensing his emotional control over his adversaries. The two men use a humble pharmacy as a front for their crime-fighting operation. Below the pharmacy is a vast cavernous laboratory/HQ. You can get physical comics in newsagents and from www.GetMyComics.com and check our blog for news, including the imminent release of the comics digitally, and the complete graphic novel in print form.
Main Characters
Ace Hansel Jr.
Orphaned by a terrorist in the middle East when his soldier father gives his life to save his brother Officer (Talbot) Ace learns his vocation; to protect his beloved but run-down neighbourhood. He can handle himself, but his superpowers come in very handy. They are not supernatural but man-made. In that sense he is more like a Bond character with Talbot as his Q and M.
Lt Col Talbot
Having promised Hansel’s dying father that he would look after Ace Talbot leaves the army and acts as Hansel’s mentor, trainer and enabler, creating the vast HQ beneath the pharmacie. Unlike Ace (who hates killing) Talbot keeps his old service pistol in his lab coat pocket and isn’t afraid to use it.
Lucie
She seems to pop up whenever Ace is in trouble or doing something foolish. There’s something of Jiminy Cricket in her. But is she real? She was Ace’s first crush, but she looks the same age now as she did back then.. Why is that? And why does she keep disappearing like a Cheshire cat?
Dr Carla Gamine
Ace’s shrink. She has more letters after her name than an explosion in a Scrabble factory. The gorgeous psychiatrist gives Ace some medication. Is it to reverse his aggression towards her? What does she really want?
Hirondelle
A mysterious feme fatale who claims to know the whereabouts of Hugo, Ace’s best pal. She claims he’s still alive. But who is she working for?
Fleurie
An exotic dancer at the Little Pink Theatre, Fleurie is an old flame of Ace’s and one of the community of Croix Noire who both need him and help him.
Ratface
A lowlife informer of Ace’s, who will do anything for the price of a drink or to avoid being beaten up. This doesn’t usually save him from being beaten up.
The Chairman
A former terrorist hitman, now a powerful arch enemy with an army of Cyborg were-bears who have long claws and no sense of humour.
