I've read all three of the French translations now.
I'm finding
Grimoire the best storywise. As already noted, this isn't the depiction of Indy that we're normally treated to, i.e., no adventure gear.
But, this
is the character of Indy that RS referred to as "the intelligent professor". It's the legwork and code-breaking that would suit a film-noir version, and like those movies builds up the intrigue that lies just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Only now in the last three pages (34-36) does the story take on the 'James Bond air': breaking free of a guard within the villain's fantastical lair.
I know how hard it can be trying to make a natural translation from one language to another, and sometimes none of the words in a Fench/English dictionary will deliver the same natural implied tone. Maybe it's something to do with cultural difference and inference, that occasionally makes literal alternatives seem awkward. In a few places, therefore, the dialogue jars, as though a freehand is required, and a sentence written completely fresh with less regard to the original.
That's something the translators of the Asterix books had to contend with. Lines are often completely different, because certain jokes and puns or cultural references just won't work literally.
Honesty often prevents me from reviewing work by people I know, as honesty often hurts. I'm not one to applaud something out of politeness, so if I say I really like something, then you know I
really do.
I
really like what you've done with these comics!
You guys have put a lot of work into these projects. It's an incredible achievement.
Quality is a virtue, and it shows.
Looking forward to more pages from
Grimoire Maudit!