Pan Samochodzik
Pan Samochodzik (Polish for Mister Automobile, also known as Tomasz N.N.) is a fictional art historian, journalist, renowned adventurer and historical detective created by Polish writer Zbigniew Nienacki. He is a main character in a series of adventures centering on historical mysteries and treasures. As a museum and government employee, Pan Samochodzik not only has to discover treasures, but protect them from thieves. His nickname comes from his fantastic (heavily customized) automobile.
Characters
Pan Samochodzik
Pan Samochodzik, a.k.a. Tomasz N.N., is an employee of the fictional "Department of Artifact Protection" in the Polish Ministry of Culture and Art. He is a special envoy with extensive knowledge in the areas of history, riddle-solving, finding treasures and protecting them from thieves. As such, he is sometimes called a Polish version of Robert Langdon, Dirk Pitt or Indiana Jones. He is also a chain smoker.
His nickname, Pan Samochodzik (Polish for "Mr. Automobile"; French (this version also appeared in one of the books): "Monsieur La Bangnolette"), comes from his unique vehicle: a heavily modified by his uncle Ferrari 410 SuperAmerica (a wreck after a serious car crash on the way to Zakopane; the only thing that remained functional was the engine - Mr Automobile's uncle bought it and installed in his self-constructed vehicle). The car can reach a very high speed and is capable of traversing water and difficult terrain. Many people perceived this vehicle as ugly because of its dubledore-like design.
His other name, Tomasz N.N., comes from the author's real name, Zbigniew Tomasz Nowicki, the second "N" representing his adopted surname, Nienacki.
Allies
Pan Samochodzik is sometimes accompanied by youngsters — often Polish Boy Scouts.
Novels written by authors other than Nienacki also feature Paweł Daniec, a young art historian, ex-commando and sidekick of Samochodzik.
Villains
Pan Samochodzik's nemesis is Waldemar Batura, former art historian, smuggler and thief.
Novels written by authors other than Nienacki feature Jerzy Batura, new villain, son and successor of Waldemar.
Novels
Original Nienacki novels
Note: The dates of the following novels may be inaccurate, as some of them may have been published in a different order than they were written.
In the first three novels (Pozwolenie na przywóz lwa, 'Skarb Atanaryka and Uroczysko), Pan Samochodzik is a journalist, not a government employee. In the 1990s, Nienacki rewrote those three books so they would be consistent with the series. The books were released by various publishers, and it was not until 1987 that a single publisher (Pojezierze) decided to rerelease the series in one graphical design.
- Pozwolenie na przywóz lwa — Permit for the transport of a lion (new title: Pierwsza przygoda Pana Samochodzika — First Adventure of Pan Samochodzik) (1961)
- Skarb Atanaryka — The Treasure of Athanaric (new title: Pan Samochodzik i skarb Atanaryka — Pan Samochodzik and the Treasure of Athanaric) (1960)
- Uroczysko — Sacred place (new title: Pan Samochodzik i święty relikwiarz — Pan Samochodzik and the Holy Reliquary) (1957)
- Wyspa Złoczyńców — The Island of Villains (new title: Pan Samochodzik i Wyspa Złoczyńców — Pan Samochodzik and the Island of Villains) (1964)
- Pan Samochodzik i templariusze — Pan samochodzik and the Knights Templar (1966)
- Niesamowity dwór — Unearthly Mansion (new title: Pan Samochodzik i niesamowity dwór — Pan Samochodzik and the Unearthly Mansion) (1970)
- Nowe przygody Pana Samochodzika — New Adventures of Pan Samochodzik (new title: Pan Samochodzik i Kapitan Nemo — Pan Samochodzik and Captain Nemo) (1970)
- Pan Samochodzik i Fantomas — Pan Samochodzik and Fantômas (1973)
- Pan Samochodzik i zagadki Fromborka — Pan Samochodzik and the Riddles of Frombork (1972)
- Księga strachów — The Book of Fear (new title: Pan Samochodzik i dziwne szachownice — Pan Samochodzik and Strange Checkerboards) (1967)
- Pan Samochodzik i tajemnica tajemnic — Pan Samochodzik and the Secret of Secrets (1975)
- Pan Samochodzik i Winnetou — Pan Samochodzik and Winnetou (1976)
- Pan Samochodzik i Niewidzialni — Pan Samochodzik and the Invisible (1977)
- Pan Samochodzik i złota rękawica — Pan Samochodzik and the Golden Gauntlet (1979)
- Pan Samochodzik i człowiek z UFO — Pan Samochodzik and the Man from UFO (new title: Pan Samochodzik i Nieśmiertelny — Pan Samochodzik and the Immortal) (1985)
Nienacki novels completed by Jerzy Ignaciuk
- Pan Samochodzik i nieuchwytny kolekcjoner (1997) (Only partially written, completed by Jerzy Ignaciuk)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Testament rycerza Jędrzeja (1997) (re-written by Jerzy Ignaciuk, originally unconnected with Pan Samochodzik cycle and named Zabójstwo Herakliusza Pronobisa)
Novels by other authors
After Nienacki's death in 1994, his publishers (Warmia) received permission from his estate to continue the series. The new novels take place in post-communist Poland, introduce two new main characters (the sidekick Paweł Daniec and villain Jerzy Batura), and in the newest book, replace the old vehicle with a new, jeep-based, variant.
- Pan Samochodzik i... Kindżał Hasan-Beja, by Jerzy Szumski (1997)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Bursztynowa Komnata (2 parts), by Jerzy Szumski (1998)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Złoto Inków (2 parts), by Jerzy Szumski (1999)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Arka Noego, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (1999)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Rubinowa tiara, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (1999)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Twierdza Boyen, by Sebastian Miernicki (1999)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Floreny z Zalewa, by Jerzy Szumski (2000)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Tajemnice warszawskich fortów, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2000)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Skarby Wikingów (2 parts), by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2000)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zaginiony pociąg, by Tomasz Olszakowski (2000)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Skarb generała Samsonowa (2 parts), by Sebastian Miernicki (2000)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Sekret alchemika Sędziwoja, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Kaukaski Wilk, by Sebastian Miernicki (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Arsen Lupin (2 parts), by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zaginione poselstwo, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Skrytka Tryzuba, by Sebastian Miernicki (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Łup barona Ungerna by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2001)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Amerykańska przygoda, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Europejska przygoda, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zagubione miasto, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Wilhelm Gustloff, by Sebastian Miernicki (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Przemytnicy, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Wynalazek inżyniera Rychnowskiego, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Potomek szwedzkiego admirała, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Operacja Królewiec, by Sebastian Miernicki, (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Ikona z Warszawy, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Buzdygan hetmana Mazepy, by Sebastian Miernicki (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Czarny książę, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Fałszerze, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Bractwa rycerskie, by Sebastian Miernicki (2002)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Więzień Jasnej Góry, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zagadka kaszubskiego rodu, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Pruska korona, by Sebastian Miernicki (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Brązowy notes, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Krzyż lotaryński, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Szaman, by Sebastian Miernicki (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Gocki książę, by Sebastian Miernicki (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Stara księga, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Relikwia krzyżowca, by Sebastian Miernicki (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Adam z Wągrowca, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Złoty Bafomet, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Baszta Nietoperzy, by Jacek Mróz (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Rodzinny talizman, by Józef Burny (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Pasażer Von Steubena, by Sebastian Miernicki (2003)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zakładnicy, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zamek Czocha, by Sebastian Miernicki (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Mumia egipska, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Diable wiano, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski) (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Joannici, by Sebastian Miernicki (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Kradzież w Nieporęcie, by Arkadiusz Niemirski (2004)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Królewska baletnica, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Relikwiarz świętego Olafa, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Strachowisko, by Józef Burny
- Pan Samochodzik i... Rękopis z Poznania, by Jacek Mróz
- Pan Samochodzik i... Włamywacze, by Arkadiusz Niemirski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Siódmy wojownik, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Sztolnia "Hexe", by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Wawelskie regalia, by Krzysztof Zagórski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Projekt "Chronos"., by Arkadiusz Niemirski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Perły księżnej Daisy, by Iga Karst
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zamek w Chęcinach, by Andrzej Pilipiuk (under the pen name Tomasz Olszakowski)
- Pan Samochodzik i... Przesyłka z Petersburga, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Szyfr profesora Kraka, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... święty Graal, by Arkadiusz Niemirski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Listy Mikołaja Kopernika, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Atlantyda, by Arkadiusz Niemirski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zamek w Malborku, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Knyszyńskie klejnoty, by Krzysztof Zagórski
- Pan Samochodzik i... Wyspa Sobieszewska, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Podziemia Wrocławia, by Iga Karst
- Pan Samochodzik i... Truso, by Maciek Horn
- Pan Samochodzik i... "Lalka", by Jakub Czarny
- Pan Samochodzik i... Janosik, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zamek w Baranowie Sandomierskim, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Zamek w Rynie, by Sebastian Miernicki
- Pan Samochodzik i... Pałac Kultury i Sztuki, by Jakub Czarny
- Pan Samochodzik i... El Greco, by Jakub Czarny
- Pan Samochodzik i... Wyklęci mistrzowie, by Jakub Czarny
- Pan Samochodzik i... Eldorado, by Iga Karst
- Pan Samochodzik i... Toruńska tajemnica, by Marek Żelech
- Pan Samochodzik i... Castrum Doloris, by Jakub Czarny
- Pan Samochodzik i... Płonący miecz, by Jakub Czarny
Pan Samochodzik in other media
Film
- Wyspa Złoczyńców (1965, directed by Stanisław Jędryka), based on Wyspa Złoczyńców
- Pan Samochodzik i niesamowity dwór (1986, directed by Janusz Kidawa), based on Niesamowity dwór
- Pan Samochodzik i praskie tajemnice (1988 directed by Kazimierz Tarnas), based on Pan Samochodzik i tajemnica tajemnic
- Latające machiny kontra Pan Samochodzik (1991, directed by Janusz Kidawa), based on Pan Samochodzik i złota rękawica
Television
- Samochodzik i templariusze (1971, 5 episodes mini-series directed by Hubert Drapella), based on Pan Samochodzik i templariusze
Crossovers
Pan Samochodzik has crossovers with Jakub Wędrowycz and protagonists of Kuzynki series, both written by Andrzej Pilipiuk.
Pan Samochodzik cycle writers
- Zbigniew Nienacki - 17 novels
- Jerzy Szumski (pen name of Jerzy Ignaciuk) – 4 novels
- Tomasz Olszakowski (pen name of Andrzej Pilipiuk) – 19 novels
- Sebastian Miernicki (pen name of Sebastian Mierzyński) – 26 novels
- Arkadiusz Niemirski – 16 novels
- Jakub Czarny – 3 novels
- Jacek Mróz (pen name of Józef Rojek) – 2 novels
- Józef Burny (pen name of Józef Burniewicz) – 2 novels
- Krzysztof Zagórski – 2 novels
- Iga Karst – 2 novels
- Maciek Horn – 1 novel