[1] More than 200 novels have been written since his introduction in 1953, the iconic covers illustrated by artists such as Pierre Joubert, Henri Lievens, William Vance, Claude Pascal, Antonio Parras, Patrice Sanahujas, Felicísimo Coria and René Follet.

The novels, which started as straight adventure fare, quickly included elements of espionage, crime fiction, science-fiction and fantasy.

6 ft 1 in-tall (185 cm) and athletic, Morane is proficient in many forms of hand-to-hand combat (Karaté black belt 2nd degree, Ju-Jitsu and Judo) as well as with many weapons (marksman).

He is described as a modern-day knight without fear or reproach, always ready to succor the needy and the oppressed as a modern Don Quixote (especially if they happen to be young ladies in distress, which apparently is often the case).

Morane's close associates include (in French) Bill Ballantine, a herculean Scotsman who acted as Morane's aircraft mechanic in New Guinea (first novel); professor Aristide Clairembart, an old but energetic French archeologist; Sophia Paramount, a British journalist; Frank Reeves, an American worth more than a billion dollars; Herbert Gains, head of the CIA; and many others.

Morane's path has on many occasions crossed that of the series' main villain, Mister Ming, also called (in French) Ombre Jaune (″The Yellow Shadow").

"The Man With The Golden Teeth" ; "Callaverde" ; "Arthur Greenstreet", a highly intelligent and dedicated but deadly spy for hire but often associated with S.M.O.G.