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Count Bonalli: The Owl
NOTE: This profile is being constructed as the stories are read and
must therefore be regarded as incomplete and work in progress.
Introduction to this Popular Old Character for the Benefit of New Readers
In 1920, Sexton Blake encounters a gang leader known as The Owl. This short, thick-set man — real name Count Bonalli — stands out among run-of-the-mill crooks for two reasons: his eyes! A medical condition has made him ultra-sensitive to light. This would be a handicap to most people but for a criminal, whose activities are best conducted in the shadows, it is a distinct advantage — for The Owl can see perfectly well in darkness. A side effect of this condition causes The Owl's eyes to appear luminous in the dark. This strikes fear into those who encounter him and helps him to maintain mastery over the gang he controls. Together with his creative cunning, it makes him a formidable opponent and a man that Sexton Blake and Scotland Yard are determined to capture. Chronology: 1. The Cargo Stealers (UNION JACK issue 863, 1920) Sexton Blake is asked to investigate a series of robberies from cargo vessels along the Thames. He discovers that a gang is at work and disguises himself as one of their number. They are led by The Owl, who has created a cunning scheme whereby cargo is dropped to the riverbed and recovered by divers. Blake breaks up the gang but The Owl escapes. 2. The Jewel of Muralpoor (UNION JACK issue 877, 1920) 3. The Man in Smoked Glasses (UNION JACK issue 880, 1920) 4. Eyes in the Dark (UNION JACK issue 995, 1922) 5. The Temple of the Blind (UNION JACK issue 1,007, 1923) 6. The Secret of the Mine (UNION JACK issue 1,010, 1923) 7. The Gargoyle's Secret (UNION JACK issue 1,039, 1923) 8. The Sign of the Yellow Dragon (UNION JACK issue 1,063, 1924) This marks the final appearance of The Owl. |
