Over the course of the movie series I know there has been much swooning over James Bond and his body. I recall that Daniel Craig coming out of the watOver the course of the movie series I know there has been much swooning over James Bond and his body. I recall that Daniel Craig coming out of the water in blue bathing trunks in Casino Royale caused the temperature to rise for many. So, it goes without saying that The Body is an important part of James Bond lore, and there is now a series of graphic novels which take one story and focus on specific parts of the it in each issue.
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I thought this was a pretty creative approach to a well-known series. Since there have been so many books and movies, I am sure it can be difficult to come up with new and creative ideas. While the over-arching story is typical bond, giving a very specific focus to a part of the body in each adds some depth that makes what might normally be ordinary more extraordinary.
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The story has one author, but each issue has a different illustrator. Sometimes this bugs me, but in this case, it worked to give several artists a piece of the story and let them run with it. While some of the illustrations I enjoyed more than others, overall it was a visually satisfying adventure.
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If you have thought about trying the James Bond graphic novel series, this is one worth checking out. You get some of the typical bond tropes you know and love with and interesting and creative twist on presentation. ...more
Dynamite Comics has continued to do a pretty awesome job with its James Bond graphic novel seriIn the beginning there was Bond . . . James Bond
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Dynamite Comics has continued to do a pretty awesome job with its James Bond graphic novel series. I will admit (and the evidence is there if you go back through my graphic novel shelf) that I did not care much for the first volume in the series. (VARGR) But, after that it has only been getting better and better and I have been enjoying the ride!
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I think I have started to get a bit out of publication order now. But, that doesn’t seem to be a big deal since a) this is a origin collection and b) the James Bond series, but its very nature, tends to deal with only very loosely connected episodic adventures. So far this origin series is shaping up to be something you could check out even if you have no interest in the other titles Dynamite offers.
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I could be wrong, but I don’t think James Bond’s early years have ever been delved into quite as much as they are here. I have read all the Ian Fleming novels and seen all the movies, but I only remember occasional hints of Bond before MI6. If there were any novels written by other authors addressing this time in his life, I have never seen them. But, I am glad to see it here because it has translated into a very, very good (and very cool) story.
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The art varies from volume to volume in the Dynamite collections, but I am very pleased with the artists handling the origin story. The art is crisp but very well reflects WWII era locales and dress. Some of the panoramic and action sequence fames feel very cinematic Also, they did some very neat variant covers that look like the war effort posters from that era.
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If you love Bond, I really don’t think there is any way you will not enjoy this! ...more
Usually James Bond is portrayed as suave, cunning, and witty. This may be the most brute force Bond storyline I have ever read. Just look at this monsUsually James Bond is portrayed as suave, cunning, and witty. This may be the most brute force Bond storyline I have ever read. Just look at this monster!
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I greatly enjoyed this espionage story as it brings the Cold War back to life and pits the allied countries against each other through lies and misdirection. Often I get frustrated with stories where people are falsely accused (i.e. The Fugitive), but at the same time it creates quite the thrill ride. That is what you get with this volume.
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Great dark/severe artwork with this volume. Every punch and every gunshot is delivered with a visual razors edge that accompanies the story nicely. I was pleased with the entire package and I think Bond fans who happen to be graphic novel fans will as well.
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I believe I mentioned in some of my earlier reviews of Dynamite Entertainment's Bond series that I didn't really care for earlier volumes. Well, that opinion has changed as they have gone along. These are great and I cannot wait to read the next one (especially since this one ended with a cliffhanger)!
Another dynamite James Bond volume from Dynamite Comics!
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I have seen a lot of variations on how these James Bond graphic novels have been receivAnother dynamite James Bond volume from Dynamite Comics!
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I have seen a lot of variations on how these James Bond graphic novels have been received. It looks like some of it involves the different authors and illustrators from volume to volume. I also think a lot of it has to do with decades of pre-conceived notions from books and movies. I’ll admit, I had some issues with some of the earlier volumes in this series.
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But, I have to say that I enjoyed Black Box quite a bit. It had a lot of the standard Bond tropes that fans all love. It also has a really cool, mysterious, and creepy bad-guy henchman that really upped the excitement anytime he was on the page. I was hooked from be beginning and entertained throughout.
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To finish my review, I will go back to my comment above. If you have been considering reading this series of graphic novels because you are a Bond fan, I cannot say with great certainty that I recommend them. For the sake of getting more Bond-esque stories (if that is what you need), then I say go for it! But, if you have some specific Bond expectations, you will find a lot of similarities, but it may not quench your thirst completely.
A couple of years ago they started releasing a new James Bond graphic novel series. I have read the first couple of them and I was not all that impresA couple of years ago they started releasing a new James Bond graphic novel series. I have read the first couple of them and I was not all that impressed. Because of this, I did not have high hopes for Hammerhead.
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I was pleasantly surprised! This has been the best of the series so far by far! I enjoyed both the story and the art quite a lot. The action really had the essence of both the book and the movie series. It felt like coming home.
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One big thing with James Bond is that it has to be the right combination of intriguing storyline, action, and cheesiness. For the previous two volumes at least one of these three things was way out of balance and messed up the whole experience. With Hammerhead, I found the perfect triangle.
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So, if you are a Band fan, I do recommend this volume. But, I would only read the first two volumes if you are a hardcore Bond completist.
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors2.5 to 3 stars
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors and artists, because Ellis and Masters really are not doing it for me.
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The story itself was pretty good. I liked the action, the intrigue, and the resolution was fairly decent. However, as with the first collection, the snappy humor and suave nature of 007 felt silly and forced. Speaking of 007, he really seemed like more of a supporting character than the main focus. One of the biggest and most suspenseful scenes in the book he isn't even in. He didn't feel tough. He didn't feel sexy. He just really didn't really feel like Bond.
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Regarding the artwork. I am not a huge fan of the depiction of faces in this. Many times the expressions don't fit the scene and are distractingly goofy. Also, throughout the book there would be panels without dialogue where the art was supposed to tell the story, but I was not sure what was going on. I am not saying that I could do better, but I like the art in graphic novels to be pleasing not confusing.
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I wish I could say that if you are a Bond fan you should check this out. But, I can only say maybe you should check this out.
I am a huge James Bond fan having read most of the books and seen all of the movies. I had high hopes for this and itI didn't care for this very much.
I am a huge James Bond fan having read most of the books and seen all of the movies. I had high hopes for this and it did not live up to them.
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The whole thing felt very silly and the James Bond was goofy - he did not make me think of other James Bonds at all. The gore in the book was gratuitous. Normally I don't mind gore, but generally James Bond doesn't have a lot of sensational gore, so it just didn't feel right.
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Also, I didn't love the art. For me it was very sloppy and characters did not always look the same from panel to panel. Whenever a character was making a a face to emphasize their anger, joy, etc. it ended up looking silly. Not that I could do any better, but that's why I read graphic novels and don't write them.
I will continue to give this graphic novel series a try, but I am not impressed with the start....more
- 12 fresh eggs - Salt and pepper - 5-6 oz. of fresh butter
Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and seasonSCRAMBLED EGGS ‘JAMES BOND’
- 12 fresh eggs - Salt and pepper - 5-6 oz. of fresh butter
Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and season well. In a small copper (or heavy bottomed saucepan) melt four oz. of the butter. When melted, pour in the eggs and cook over a very low heat, whisking continuously with a small egg whisk.
While the eggs are slightly more moist than you would wish for eating, remove the pan from heat, add rest of butter and continue whisking for half a minute, adding the while finely chopped chives or fine herbs. Serve on hot buttered toast in individual copper dishes (for appearance only) with pink champagne (Taittinger) and low music.
This recipe for eggs is included with the last short story in this book, 007 in New York. After reading this, I could only say “James Bond eats 12 eggs at a time! That’s impressive!” Only Cool Hand Luke has a more impressive egg eating resume.
This book collection of short stories was the last Ian Fleming James Bond release. It was also released posthumously . You will recognize the titles of two of the short stories from the movie series and some of the elements you see in the movies did come from here. But, in the grand scheme of things, the connection is only minor.
OCTOPUSSY – 3 out of 5 stars This one is not much about Bond – of the close to 50 pages, he is only in it for 4 or 5. It is a decent story about a good guy going bad and what happens in the aftermath. And, in this case, (view spoiler)[ Octopussy is actually an octopus! (hide spoiler)]
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY – 4 out of 5 stars This contains an element I remember the most from the movie, Octopussy: a Fabergé Egg. Other than the story having the egg in it, I cannot remember if any of the other elements/plot points were in the movie. I guess it is time for a re-watch!
THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS – 4 out of 5 stars I seem to be reading and watching lots of stories that take place in Cold War era Berlin lately. I cannot remember if the movie version of this story had anything to do with Cold War Berlin, but it does include Bond encountering a blonde Cello player, which was in the movie.
007 IN NEW YORK – 2 out of 5 stars This is basically Fleming’s hate letter to New York. If you love New York and you want to continue liking Fleming and Bond, you may want to avoid this story! ...more
Just an okay Bond book. Shorter - so a quick read.
This book is late in the Ian Fleming Bond timeline, so this Bond shows a bit of age, some wear and tJust an okay Bond book. Shorter - so a quick read.
This book is late in the Ian Fleming Bond timeline, so this Bond shows a bit of age, some wear and tear, and is not quite as invincible as you would expect.
Also, if you are familiar with this title because of the movie - this book is very different from the movie. It makes me wonder because by the point this book was released, they were already making the movies. You would have thought that they might at least have tried to make them close to the book like the early movies were. But, that is okay - The Man With the Golden Gun is one of my favorite Bond movies....more
This is hands down the best James Bond book and it was turned into the best James Bond movie. I have yet to read all the books, but I have read a fairThis is hands down the best James Bond book and it was turned into the best James Bond movie. I have yet to read all the books, but I have read a fair amount so I think it is okay for me to have the opinion that this is the best!
I read this twice and loved it both times. The second time I read it was on a train in Switzerland between Bern and Brig. This just so happens to be part of the route of the train included in the climactic scene in the book. This was not an intentional coincidence, but very cool!
If you have wanted to try James Bond, this is a good place to start. You might say “but Matthew, it says right here this is book 5 in the series!” I will say for the person who wants to do the hardcore Bond route, start at the beginning with Casino Royale. But, if you are just feeling casual and not sure you want to commit to the whole series, you can start here. I personally don’t feel like there is enough carry over from book to book for you to miss out by starting in the middle. ...more
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