Bob Morane is one of the big inspirations behind The Dragon Run‘s protagonist Yann Vatel. In this 1950/1960’s series of pulpy adventures for kids and teens, ex-RAF pilot Bob Morane roamed the world, one exotic location after another, fighting spies, pirates and mad scientists…
Reading it in 2020, let’s face it, it hasn’t aged too well (among other things, women are often little more than potted plants, and some racial stereotypes are cringy, to put it generously) but it’s easy to see how these fun, exciting tales captured the imagination of kids and adults alike… And if I can stir the same emotions with my stories, then my job is done.