Po ciemnej stronie mocy. Przypadek Waldemara Batury
On the dark side of the force. The case of Waldemar Batura

Summary/Abstract: The starting point for the considerations contained in the article is the “long duration” in the minds and hearts of readers, initiated half a century ago, of a series of books about the adventures of Pan Samochodzik (Mr. Automobile). Its author, Zbigniew Nienacki, reached for the formula of an adventure novel for young people, giving it an individual mark. One of its manifestations is the specific relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist of the novel, i.e. the titular Pan Samochodzik and Waldemar Batura, who plays the role of a villain in selected parts of the cycle. The article quotes and comments on a number of scenes illustrating the game with the participation of both characters, the essence of which is a different approach to ethical issues accompanying their profession. Solving historical puzzles, Nienacki dressed up in the costume of the fight between good and evil, taking special care of Batura’s demonic staffage and then skilfully breaking it, which allowed to nuance the eternal plot pattern known, for example, from the film adventures of James Bond, to which Nienacki discreetly refers.

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