Lucky Luke is hired as guide and bodyguard for Grand Duke Leonid, an eccentric aristocrat from Tsarist Russia who's fond of the Wild West. Meanwhile, a Russian anarchist tries to assassinate Leonid.
The album was adapted in the first season of the Lucky Luke animated series.
The Grand Duke provides examples of:
- As Long as It Sounds Foreign: There isn't much real Russian to be found in what the Russian characters say.
- Bomb-Throwing Anarchists: The Russian anarchist keeps trying to assassinate Grand Duke Leonid, including with explosives.
- Foreign Culture Fetish: Grand Duke Leonid has a big obsession with The Wild West and wants to experience it for real.
- High-Class Glass: Leonid's interpreter has an eyeglass.
- Running Gag: The anarchist keeps trying (and keeps failing) to assassinate Grand Duke Leonid. Sometimes he's Hoist by His Own Petard.
- Top-Heavy Guy: Grand Duke Leonid is very tall and has normal sized legs and a huge torso.
