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Queen and Country #4
Queen and Country, Vol. 4: Operation Blackwall
British Intelligence operative Tara Chace is accustomed to working in the shadows cast by world governments, but when one of the Queen's most affluent subjects is blackmailed by a French conglomerate trying to nab an important business contract, Tara's espionage turns to the corporate variety. Little do the blackmailers know, the sex and lies they captured on videotape involved one of Chace's school-time friends, giving the agent extra incentive to foil the company and protect the interests of the Crown.
88 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2003
2 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,519 books1,931 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 3, 2015
This case hits to close to home for Tara Chase, Minder 2 for the British Special Service. Her school friend has been involved in a sex scandal, a sex video being used to blackmail her father into caving and backing out of a multimillion dollar communcations business deal by a player in the French government. One of her bosses sends her to France to investigate and to intervene in any way possible. In the meantime, her affair with a coworker is starting to get too serious, and Tara knows she's going to have to pull the plug.
This was good stuff. While the art is all black and white, it's beautifully done. The use of lines and shadows show talent that doesn't require coloring to dress it up (although I'm all for full-color artwork when it's there).
The narrative is tense and suspenseful, even though the dialogue is very economical. Tara is a complex woman. Not exactly personable, but she shows a lot of integrity and grit. I like that about her.
This is the first graphic novel I have read on my Kindle Fire, and I was pretty impressed at how easy it was to read and how good it looks. I'm kind of a cheapo, so I'm not saying I'm going to buy a lot of graphic novels in ebook format, but I will consider it more seriously now that I know I like the way they look on my ereader.
Queen and Country is spy fiction, and it works very well in the graphic novel format with the excellent artwork and good writing by Rucka. I paid $3.99 for the Kindle version, and I was pretty satisfied with the purchase.
This was good stuff. While the art is all black and white, it's beautifully done. The use of lines and shadows show talent that doesn't require coloring to dress it up (although I'm all for full-color artwork when it's there).
The narrative is tense and suspenseful, even though the dialogue is very economical. Tara is a complex woman. Not exactly personable, but she shows a lot of integrity and grit. I like that about her.
This is the first graphic novel I have read on my Kindle Fire, and I was pretty impressed at how easy it was to read and how good it looks. I'm kind of a cheapo, so I'm not saying I'm going to buy a lot of graphic novels in ebook format, but I will consider it more seriously now that I know I like the way they look on my ereader.
Queen and Country is spy fiction, and it works very well in the graphic novel format with the excellent artwork and good writing by Rucka. I paid $3.99 for the Kindle version, and I was pretty satisfied with the purchase.
December 22, 2015
In this volume the French Government attempts to blackmail a billionaire industrialist by releasing a sex tape starring his daughter. The catch being the entire tape was created as a plot. Someone was hired solely to gain her trust and eventually catch her on video in her most intimate moments. The tape was made without her knowledge as well.
Come to find out, the daughter is an old friend of agent Tara Chase. Tara takes a personal interest in this one, which isnt good for the blackmailers. A parallel storyline is taking place as well regarding Tara's relationship with her follow agent. Let's just say none of this is heading for a happy ending.
The art in this volume is more gritty and less cartoony than previous volumes. It works, but I don't think it worked any better (or worse) than previous art in the series. It's just a strong series and the art always fits. Again, highly recommended.
Come to find out, the daughter is an old friend of agent Tara Chase. Tara takes a personal interest in this one, which isnt good for the blackmailers. A parallel storyline is taking place as well regarding Tara's relationship with her follow agent. Let's just say none of this is heading for a happy ending.
The art in this volume is more gritty and less cartoony than previous volumes. It works, but I don't think it worked any better (or worse) than previous art in the series. It's just a strong series and the art always fits. Again, highly recommended.
July 30, 2024
Looking at a story drawn in black and white similar to the style of 1970s and 1980s British weekly comics is a somewhat surreal experience, not quite the expectation in an era where most artists were already starting to make full use of technological advances. It does not exactly inspire confidence. Fortunately Greg Rucka’s Operation Blackwall exceeds expectations.
Billionaire Sir Colin Beck is about to buy a French telecom company when a rival businessman reveals intimate footage of his daughter Rachel and her new French boyfriend, threatening to release it if Beck does not back down from the purchase. As Sir Colin brings in an obscene amount of revenue for Her Majesty’s Government, it is in their best interests to help him solve the problem, even if some of the elite consider him a working class oik who has progressed above his station. The Minders, the colloquial term for the Special Operations Service of MI6, are sent in to address the situation partly because operative Tara Chace has a connection to Rachel Beck as an old roommate from university, perfect for getting involved without raising too much suspicion. Rachel isn’t the only one with tricky relationship issues, Tara struggling with the desire to proceed up the company ladder and a fear of eternal loneliness, her love life interfering to make this assignment more personal than it should be.
If you’ve fancied a spy thriller but never seem to make it past the first few pages, then Operation Blackwall might pique your interest. It is exceptionally well written, Rucka’s slow burning plot focusing more on human dilemmas than loud over the top action. Political machinations, bureaucracy and emotional power-plays mix with the everyday drama of disappointments and broken hearts to create a story that never relies on action or gadgets to sell it. It’s solid storytelling accentuated by Jason Shawn Alexander’s artwork, revealing a gift for enhancing moods and tension through his use of shading techniques. The characters and settings are well detailed, creating a sense of murky realism even when the detail (especially in night-time sequences) becomes more difficult to make out. It is heavy on atmosphere, the frustration caused by red-tape recognizable.
The opening pages contain adult material and a little French dialogue without translation – the language confusing, but without hampering the matters, and holding out for a few pages will reward you later.
Billionaire Sir Colin Beck is about to buy a French telecom company when a rival businessman reveals intimate footage of his daughter Rachel and her new French boyfriend, threatening to release it if Beck does not back down from the purchase. As Sir Colin brings in an obscene amount of revenue for Her Majesty’s Government, it is in their best interests to help him solve the problem, even if some of the elite consider him a working class oik who has progressed above his station. The Minders, the colloquial term for the Special Operations Service of MI6, are sent in to address the situation partly because operative Tara Chace has a connection to Rachel Beck as an old roommate from university, perfect for getting involved without raising too much suspicion. Rachel isn’t the only one with tricky relationship issues, Tara struggling with the desire to proceed up the company ladder and a fear of eternal loneliness, her love life interfering to make this assignment more personal than it should be.
If you’ve fancied a spy thriller but never seem to make it past the first few pages, then Operation Blackwall might pique your interest. It is exceptionally well written, Rucka’s slow burning plot focusing more on human dilemmas than loud over the top action. Political machinations, bureaucracy and emotional power-plays mix with the everyday drama of disappointments and broken hearts to create a story that never relies on action or gadgets to sell it. It’s solid storytelling accentuated by Jason Shawn Alexander’s artwork, revealing a gift for enhancing moods and tension through his use of shading techniques. The characters and settings are well detailed, creating a sense of murky realism even when the detail (especially in night-time sequences) becomes more difficult to make out. It is heavy on atmosphere, the frustration caused by red-tape recognizable.
The opening pages contain adult material and a little French dialogue without translation – the language confusing, but without hampering the matters, and holding out for a few pages will reward you later.
February 24, 2021
A case that hits close to home for Chace, this volume shows us that it's not just terrorist threats that the minders face, matters of national interest also fall within the purvey of the British Special Service.
First off, let me say that this is easily the best volume of the series art wise. Jason Alexander ( no, not that one) is so much more well suited for this book. His style is much more realistic, heavy with shadows, and has almost a "dirty" feel to it... it just fits the tone so well. I hope the next volumes can hit the high water mark that Alexander has set.
The story is much more personal this time around, as a friend of Agent Chace's is at the center of a blackmailing scheme being done to her father, by some big wig corporate villain type. The father in question, is a billionaire who contributes a lot to the country's revenue. So when he has a problem, the BSS is inclined to assist in any way possible. Couple that with the personal investment that Chace has, and you have a volume that is smaller in scope, but not in quality.
This is easily my favorite volume not just because of the story, but because of the art as well. I hope the volumes from here on out can maintain the level of quality. Recommended for fans of espionage thrillers.
First off, let me say that this is easily the best volume of the series art wise. Jason Alexander ( no, not that one) is so much more well suited for this book. His style is much more realistic, heavy with shadows, and has almost a "dirty" feel to it... it just fits the tone so well. I hope the next volumes can hit the high water mark that Alexander has set.
The story is much more personal this time around, as a friend of Agent Chace's is at the center of a blackmailing scheme being done to her father, by some big wig corporate villain type. The father in question, is a billionaire who contributes a lot to the country's revenue. So when he has a problem, the BSS is inclined to assist in any way possible. Couple that with the personal investment that Chace has, and you have a volume that is smaller in scope, but not in quality.
This is easily my favorite volume not just because of the story, but because of the art as well. I hope the volumes from here on out can maintain the level of quality. Recommended for fans of espionage thrillers.
October 20, 2017
Much better on the art side, though sometimes the B&W left me wondering "wait, who's talking now?"
Loved the use of French sans translation. I know I couldn't read it but it just lent an air to the story, a certain je ne sais quois. if you will. ;)
I'm starting to visualize this in my head better and I think it could be a pretty good basis for a TV series. We've got enough of them, a British one would be great. Especially because a) they get away with a lot more on TV over there and b) way easier to have British actors star in it instead of American ones with shit accents.
Loved the use of French sans translation. I know I couldn't read it but it just lent an air to the story, a certain je ne sais quois. if you will. ;)
I'm starting to visualize this in my head better and I think it could be a pretty good basis for a TV series. We've got enough of them, a British one would be great. Especially because a) they get away with a lot more on TV over there and b) way easier to have British actors star in it instead of American ones with shit accents.
August 4, 2008
J. Alexander has done a great job with the illustrations for this volume. The graphics are gritty and very expressive without being over stated. The character of Tara has been redeemed in this volume, as opposed to the busty, over sexualized Tara that seemed to have lost all of her psychological and emotional depth in volume 3. This volume was a page turner for me and I enjoyed seeing Tara's strength, tenderness, as well as her sexuality. The complexity of the personal and political as well as being under cover when dealing with a friend was compelling.
May 17, 2021
Espionage thriller of the highest calibre! Rucka can make you love a character in a few pages and tear your heart out in twice that. Realistic and intense, Tara Chace is a wonderful character that you hate to love. Realistic flaws make her relatable and ridiculously awesome skills make her unbelievably powerful. Glorious book!
October 4, 2014
So I'm going through all of the Queen and Country books right now, and everyone needs to read these. immediately. What a series. Smart writing, beautiful black and white art... I'll be looking for the hardcovers for my shelves very soon.
July 22, 2015
Another good one from Greg Rucka (who is from Portland!!!). Hard nosed spy novel, not at all like James Bond more like Bourne without the crazy fight scenes.
June 22, 2022
20 years is a long time, what with the advent of social media basically changing the world and all. The stakes for this book is the release of a sex tape of a comms/media magnate's daughter. She is of age, her parter is a cis man who is also of age, and nothing too outré is done in the sex scene that we see.
Sucks to entrap her like that, of course, but this seems like a police matter? Tara is so absolutely disgusted by the actor (who even has fallen in love with his target, to soften things up even more) that I was sure I'd missed something.
Tara and Ed's drama is a lot more compelling since the complicating factors make more immediate sense.
I was sure there was going to be a denouement with someone stating that SIS basically IS the police for guys like Tech Billionaire Man, and how demeaning that is for Real Agents, but... nah.
Oh well, it's still well-done spy stuff that goes down easy.
Sucks to entrap her like that, of course, but this seems like a police matter? Tara is so absolutely disgusted by the actor (who even has fallen in love with his target, to soften things up even more) that I was sure I'd missed something.
Tara and Ed's drama is a lot more compelling since the complicating factors make more immediate sense.
I was sure there was going to be a denouement with someone stating that SIS basically IS the police for guys like Tech Billionaire Man, and how demeaning that is for Real Agents, but... nah.
Oh well, it's still well-done spy stuff that goes down easy.
March 16, 2022
The idea that "We can prove that a relative of yours engaged in a consensual activity almost universally enjoyed by humans" constitutes a threat is utterly insane, and not in a good way. The fact that it actually does in the real world does not make it any less insane, or less aggravating as a plot premise. Doesn't help that it's that it's about as unoriginal as it can be. It's the sort of thing you spend two minutes showing a bored protagonist dealing with because it pays the bills, before moving on to the interesting stuff.
Art's gotten marginally worse since the previous volume, too.
July 10, 2017
One of my favourite of the Queen and Country operations; partly because it's interesting to see the story involving the French DGSE as the opponents, partly for the art style - which I much preferred to that of the previous volume - and partly for the way the story looks tightly-focused, but works really well for highlighting the parallels between Tara's operation and her own life.
May 30, 2020
This isn't much like the previous volumes as the world isn't at stake. Honestly, this was more of a chance to flesh things out between Tara and Ed. We also get a little look into Tara's past, before she was a spy. The art was basic and serviceable. Overall, a super quick read that is just a breather for the series.
October 9, 2011
An old friend of Tara's is blackmailed in a compromising position, and the Minders are deployed to take care of the situation. This was very low-fi spy work like in volume 2, but there is some good character work. There was a real focus on relationships, particularly of a physical nature from two very different situations. Less tension and action in this one, but some nice growth for Tara.
September 7, 2015
The first Q&C storyline I ever read, now much better with more context for the characters, and a little weird to realize how different the art is throughout the rest of the series. Good as a standalone, but even better in the whole flow of the series.
October 24, 2016
Artwork is crap. I can't recognize anybody. There are two romances where the guy is clingy, so that part is pathetic in both instances. The story is about some blackmail where a lot of money is involved in regional investments. The characters are again plain and boring. I gotta read something else.
August 26, 2009
Good one.
February 10, 2011
Fantastic read. Tara Chace continues to be one of the best action girls out there and the art is a vast improvement over the "not bad, but just doesn't fit in this verse" style of last volume.
December 30, 2013
Why can't I find movie based on Greg Rucka works.
This book is again just perfect for the Screen.
delicious b story work.
This book is again just perfect for the Screen.
delicious b story work.
February 6, 2015
way better art than v3, but I didn't love the story. 3.5 stars.
January 21, 2016
I liked going back to Weldon and Crocker's early days in the spy game.
March 15, 2011
My favorite volume in a great series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews