XIII #30

XIII, the long-running Franco-Belgian comics series, first debuted in 1984 under the creative direction of writer Jean Van Hamme and artist William Vance. Inspired by the narrative structure of Robert Ludlum’s thriller novels, the series follows an amnesiac protagonist known as XIII who possesses a mysterious tattoo and exceptional combat skills. The story was conceived as a complex, multi-layered conspiracy thriller, intentionally designed to evoke the tension of Cold War-era political intrigue and high-stakes espionage.

Issue #30, titled 'L'Or de Maximilien' and released in 2019, marks a significant point in the series' evolution as it continues under the creative team of writer Yves Sente and artist Iouri Jigounov. Following the original duo's long tenure, Sente and Jigounov sought to maintain the high-octane pace and labyrinthine plotting that defined the earlier volumes while adapting the series to a more contemporary geopolitical landscape. The issue was received by the established fanbase as a faithful continuation of the series' core identity, balancing mystery with the signature action sequences fans of the franchise have come to expect over several decades.