Francis Coplan

Francis Coplan (Agent FX 18) is the fictional secret agent created by Paul Kenny, the nom de plume of Belgian authors Gaston Van den Panhuyse (1913-1995) and Jean Libert (1913-1981).

Appearances

Francis Coplan was an electronics engineer recruited by the SDECE. From his first appearance in Fleuve Noir Sans Issue/No Exit in 1953 until Sales coup a Moscau Coplan in 1996, 237 novels of Coplan were written^[1] using the name of Paul Kenny.^[2] After the death of Libert, Van den Punhuyse carried on writing alone. After his death Serge Jacquemard took over until 1996.^[3] Van den Punhyse and Libert also wrote 18 science fiction novels under the name "Jean-Gaston Vandel" for Fleuve Noir's "Anticipation" series from 1952-1956 until the success of Coplan led them to write his adventures on a full-time basis.^[3]

By 1970, Coplan books were selling 3.5 million copies a year around the world.^[4]

Films

• Action immédiate (To Catch a Spy, 1957) (based on the novel Action immédiate), with Henri Vidal, directed by Maurice Labro
• Coplan Agent Secret FX 18 (FX 18 Secret Agent, 1964) (based on Coplan tente sa chance), with Ken Clark, directed by Maurice Cloche
• Coplan prend des risques (The Spy I Love, 1964) (based on Étau sans pitié), with Dominique Paturel, directed by Maurice Labro
• Coplan FX 18 casse tout (FX 18 Superspy, 1965) (based on Stoppez Coplan), with Richard Wyler, directed by Riccardo Freda
• Coplan ouvre le feu à Mexico (Mexican Slayride, 1967) (based on Coplan fait peau neuve), with Lang Jeffries, directed by Riccardo Freda
• Coplan sauve se peau (Coplan Saves His Skin, 1968) (based on Coplan paie le cercueil), with Claudio Brook, directed by Yves Boisset

Television series

Coplan (1989) 5 episodes, with Philippe Caroit

Comic strips

Over 3,000 strips by Pol Greffiere (nom de plume of Pierre leGoff)^[5]

References

External links

• Paul Kenny book checklist