33 replies to this topic

[zencat]

DMC is a commercial hit. The adult Bond is BACK. So who should write the next adult James Bond continuation novel? That's an easy one as far as I'm concerned:

Higson. Charlie Higson.

Here's what Charlie said about Faulks/DMC at the Writing Bond panel (this from an attendees Livejournal):

The panel all liked Devil May Care (which I haven't read yet), though Charlie Higson felt that Faulks hadn't done enough with it: if he himself had been offered the opportunity to write Bond for adults, he would have included lots of 'nasty violence and freaky sex'.

Nasty violence and freaky sex is a pledge I can get behind. IFP, uncork this man!

Charlie Higson in 2010.

There is no substitute.

[Mister Asterix]

Add my signature to the petition.

Charlie or Jim. I’ll take either.

[Simon]

IFP, uncork this man!

Lol, very amusing.

[[dark]]

Absolutely, zencat.

There's no-one more fitting than Higson. He has arguably more passion for - and understanding of - the character than any previous continuation author. And if he's feeling Young Bond burnout, but is still enamoured with 007, then writing for the adult Bond is surely the way to go.

If there's anyone out there who still refuses to read these books, pick up Blood Fever - you will not regret it.

[sharpshooter]

Here's what Charlie said about Faulks/DMC at the Writing Bond panel (this from an attendees Livejournal):

The panel all liked Devil May Care (which I haven't read yet), though Charlie Higson felt that Faulks hadn't done enough with it: if he himself had been offered the opportunity to write Bond for adults, he would have included lots of 'nasty violence and freaky sex'.

I love Charlie's comments. He's done a magnficicent job with Young Bond and he would make a killer adult Bond author. Sign this man up ASAP!

[zencat]

Absolutely, zencat.

There's no-one more fitting than Higson. He has arguably more passion for - and understanding of - the character than any previous continuation author. And if he's feeling Young Bond burnout, but is still enamoured with 007, then writing for the adult Bond is surely the way to go.

If there's anyone out there who still refuses to read these books, pick up Blood Fever - you will not regret it.

I actually consider Blood Fever an adult continuation novel. Yes, the hero is 13, but I get almost no sense that it is a book intended for kids.

It's clear Charlie would produce a masterful novel for all the reasons you cited, [dark]. So that's a given. And after the controversial reception of DMC, it's good to know the book is in the bag. But what of the publicity angle? At the moment, that might be a dilemma for IFP. How do you follow Faulks and something like the DMC centenary launch?

Again, I think Charlie is the best way to go. Get a Jeffrey Archer or a Tom Clancy and it's just another version of Faulks -- big novelist steps outside his norm to do Bond. There's nothing you can chug up the Thames to make that feel "new." But Charlie gives you a new angle -- "Higson grows up." He's a favorite insider promoted, not an outsider recruited. We've already seen a version of this with the rumor of a YB2. The tabloids will have a field day expressing shock that Charlie goes "from short pants to no pants!", "no kids, Mr. Higson!" (you know the drill). And no-one talks better about Bond on the stump.

Probably the best argument is imagine if Charlie Higson never writes an adult Bond? I think the "what could have been" will haunt everyone. So the campaign here isn't just about saying Higson is up to the task (that's obvious), it's that the timing is right for him to take on the task now.

To borrow one of Nixon's more insidious campaign slogans:

"Higson. Now more than ever."

[marktmurphy]

I would love to read a Higson adult Bond novel; no other continuation author has managed to grasp the Fleming feel, and he hasn't even had to resort to just copying Fleming with hot and cold showers and boiled eggs and blah blah blah.

I do like the idea of steering a little away from Fleming's Bond, though. I like the idea of 'War Bond' (

[Single-O-Seven]

I'm all for a Higson adult novel. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the man knows and loves his Fleming Bond, and he will capture the character and the mood of the novels better than anybody yet. If he can do it with a 13 year old Bond, he'll do it even better with an adult Bond.

[[dark]]

It's clear Charlie would produce a masterful novel for all the reasons you cited, [dark]. So that's a given. And after the controversial reception of DMC, it's good to know the book is in the bag. But what of the publicity angle? At the moment, that might be a dilemma for IFP. How do you follow Faulks and something like the DMC centenary launch?

The only way to follow up Faulks (the mixed reaction to the book can surely be disregarded when you consider the sales figures) is with Faulks. But it's become obvious this simply won't happen.

The notion of "promoting" Higson, especially as his Young Bond series concludes so conveniently this year, seems like a natural progression. I can't picture it topping Devil May Care in terms of hype (no future literary Bond release will enjoy the publicity that the Ian Fleming Centenary offered), but it'll come as close as we'll ever get.

The problem is, post-Fleming novels can pretty much only go in one direction, with Bond remaining a Double-0. Higson could turn out a handful of these, but the series would be in danger of going down the Gardner route of same old, same old (albeit in much more superior style).

It might be a bit late in this whole origin story fad (though the same was mused about Casino Royale), but Higson writing about Bond's war years would be a fresh take on the character that could still fall within the "adult Bond" spectrum, while at the same time serving as a continuation of the exploration of Bond's pre-00 life.

(It's funny actually - when the Young Bond series was announced, one of my biggest reservations was the mystery of Bond's past being shattered. Now, not only have I warmed - in a big way - to Young Bond, but I'm excited about Higson continuing to flesh out Bond's past - because he does it so damn well.)

[zencat]

I would like to see the next adult novel go pre-Casino. War years is cool idea, but I'd want Higson to be able to have Bond as a secret agent. I really like the idea of a Higson/continuation being the story of how Agent Bond becomes 007. His two kills. Higson has already shown in YB how he can take a germ of something planted in Fleming and flesh it out in a full and surprising way. Also, this makes the book an event. It's THE untold origin story of the literary 007. Then the Fleming series is nicely bookended by Faulks and Higson.

[[dark]]

I would like to see the next adult novel go pre-Casino. War years is cool idea, but I'd want Higson to be able to have Bond as a secret agent. I really like the idea of a Higson/continuation being the story of how Agent Bond becomes 007. His two kills. Higson has already shown in YB how he can take a germ of something planted in Fleming and flesh it out in a full and surprising way. Also, this makes the book an event. It's THE untold origin story of the literary 007. Then the Fleming series is nicely bookended by Faulks and Higson.

I love the idea, and I don't doubt that Higson would write it better than anyone, but could it be done so close on the heels of Casino Royale? Granted, Casino Royale really only gave us Bond's induction as a Double-0 in a frenetic pre-titles sequence, but the film itself was hyped as the origin story of 007.

When Bond's a 00, the film and literary series can coexist with greater ease. Do the public see the book and film Bond as the same beast? Would your average reader open Higson's origin tale expecting Bond to brutally kill someone in a bathroom before bumping off a turncoat?

[zencat]

True, but we're also talking 2010 (and that's only if Higson is commenced -- today). The book might even come out in the same year as Bond 23. There might be enough distance. Besides, DMC (and Young Bond) has shown the movie Bond and lit Bond can clearly inhabit two different universes. The public has no problem with this. And I don't think anyone -- fan or layman -- wants to accept a 3 min flashback PTS as the definitive version of how Bond became 007. If anything, I'd be more concerned how to beat Pearson, because he does tell this story beautifully.

[Mister Asterix]

I would like to see the next adult novel go pre-Casino. War years is cool idea, but I'd want Higson to be able to have Bond as a secret agent. I really like the idea of a Higson/continuation being the story of how Agent Bond becomes 007. His two kills. Higson has already shown in YB how he can take a germ of something planted in Fleming and flesh it out in a full and surprising way. Also, this makes the book an event. It's THE untold origin story of the literary 007. Then the Fleming series is nicely bookended by Faulks and Higson.

Let us not forget that Bond was a secret agent in the War. The War years would give the Hig something new so he

[zencat]

I like the war years idea, but the only reason I'm resistant to Higson doing the war years is once again Charlie is having to invent a new James Bond universe instead of finally being able to inhabit the Fleming universe.

But, at the end of the day, I think you just ask Charlie what timeline he wants to work in and that's what you let him do.

[Trident]

I wholeheartedly agree: Higson would be the natural choice. Versed in his Bondology, caring about the character, eager to deliver a good yarn. But I strongly suspect he'll be busy writing Young Bond 2.0 (War Bond? Pre-War Bond?). It would be aimed at readers a little older than YB's target readership and of course all of us die-hard Fleming-buffs. IFP has surely recognized this potential and will almost certainly tap it.

With Adult Bond I have a hunch they will want to keep this seperately from their prequel-branch. It's an option to add on this story in three places: pre-Casino Royale, inter-Fleming and post-The Man With The Golden Gun. Keeping these 'cells' isolated from each other, yet in a kind of 'official chronology' is the natural way for frenchises this big. And after 'Devil May Care' I'm not even sure any more if we're not even in for a re-introduction of Modern Contemporary Bond.

Be that as it may, any new Bond effort from Higson will be welcomed by me!

[[dark]]

Another thing I love about the possibility of Higson writing an adult Bond novel is that it might finally pave the way for fans who have discounted the Young Bond books to read some of the best James Bond novels ever written.

[Mister Asterix]

I like the war years idea, but the only reason I'm resistant to Higson doing the war years is once again Charlie is having to invent a new James Bond universe instead of finally being able to inhabit the Fleming universe.

Sure. Let

[[dark]]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='878767' date='11 June 2008 - 10:31']Sure. Let

[zencat]

Don't get silly on me, campaigners.

[Jim]

I would very much like to see this happen and cannot think of anyone more qualified or capable of doing it, whatever era he sets it in (but having started with Young Bond, present day would be off the cards, thankfully). As for whether film Bond has a different origin story (in the details, anyway), so be it - evidently that "blooding" of Bond is meant to be in either 2005 or 2006.

[Trident]

[quote name='[dark]' post='878768' date='11 June 2008 - 18:34']
[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='878767' date='11 June 2008 - 10:31']Sure. Let

[spynovelfan]

True, but we're also talking 2010 (and that's only if Higson is commenced -- today).

I love this whole thread, zencat, but this comment of yours made me think. Higson was only announced as the Young Bond author once he'd written it and it was ready to be published - that was, what, two years after he was approached? I suspect that the sheer scale of Faulks' print run means that they have already commissioned the next writer, and that whoever it is is hard at work cranking it out (let's hope for all our sakes in more than six weeks). Perhaps it's Higson and he's not saying yet because the hype now is about Faulks and he's not meant to - perhaps it's someone else.

Alternatively, they're scouting now - but Faulks changes the game, I think, in the same way that Craig changed the casting of Bond. Just as some Serious Actors might have considered Bond beneath them pre-Craig, I think lots of writers who might have seemed out of reach might now be rather keener to have a massive sales boost and a run up the Thames with a blonde. It's not just a moderate commercial sucess, but a massive one, so even the biggest-selling writers in the world must now be at least a possibility.

[zencat]

We have an endorsement from Jim. We are on our way now.

Good points, spynovelfan. It's hard to know what's going on in the world of IFP. It's possible the next book is in the works. So maybe we can't lay a date on this (but that makes it fun).

[Jim]

We have an endorsement from Jim. We are on our way now.

Campaign slogan, a la "I like Ike"?

I DIG HIG

I suppose it's more immediately welcoming than "Lots of Charlie for Everyone", which has unfortunate multiple-entendres.

[zencat]

Lol. Beautiful.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

I would like to see the next adult novel go pre-Casino. War years is cool idea, but I'd want Higson to be able to have Bond as a secret agent. I really like the idea of a Higson/continuation being the story of how Agent Bond becomes 007. His two kills. Higson has already shown in YB how he can take a germ of something planted in Fleming and flesh it out in a full and surprising way. Also, this makes the book an event. It's THE untold origin story of the literary 007. Then the Fleming series is nicely bookended by Faulks and Higson.

IFP could market a series of war novels as "Commander Bond"

[[dark]]

It's an interesting situation IFP are in - especially as their other series (Young Bond and The Moneypenny Diaries) also conclude this year. 2009 and beyond is a clean slate.

Faulks made it clear at the outset that Devil May Care was a one-time deal, so I imagine no amount of cash IFP toss Faulks' way will change his mind. Likewise, the whole centenary publication and the hoopla that surrounded that is a one-off opportunity.

Consequently, IFP are left authorless with a literary creation that has suddenly come back in vogue. I have no doubt they're already plotting their next move and I'd be very surprised if Higson isn't explored as an option.

[Trident]

It's an interesting situation IFP are in - especially as their other series (Young Bond and The Moneypenny Diaries) also conclude this year. 2009 and beyond is a clean slate.

Faulks made it clear at the outset that Devil May Care was a one-time deal, so I imagine no amount of cash IFP toss Faulks' way will change his mind. Likewise, the whole centenary publication and the hoopla that surrounded that is a one-off opportunity.

Consequently, IFP are left authorless with a literary creation that has suddenly come back in vogue. I have no doubt they're already plotting their next move and I'd be very surprised if Higson isn't explored as an option.

I'm with spynovel here. IFP has most likely already taken steps to haul in the next writer. Remember that there have been comments by Higson that indicated new books previous to DMC's premiere. The situation has only changed in the spectacular success that DMC proved to be commercially. And a lot of this could already be expected when seeing the large numbers bookstores ordered in advance.

[zencat]

It's an interesting situation IFP are in - especially as their other series (Young Bond and The Moneypenny Diaries) also conclude this year. 2009 and beyond is a clean slate.

2009 is still potentially a very full year for lit Bond fans (and a great year for collectors). I expect they'll be a HUGE push for the DMC paperback. We'll also get the BRC paperback, and as Young Bond is wrapped up, we'll probably get some nice box sets, etc. I doubt we'll see anything new, but it will be a year to wrap it all up. A year of completion.

And that leaves 2010 wide open.

[spynovelfan]

I would like to see the next adult novel go pre-Casino. War years is cool idea, but I'd want Higson to be able to have Bond as a secret agent. I really like the idea of a Higson/continuation being the story of how Agent Bond becomes 007. His two kills. Higson has already shown in YB how he can take a germ of something planted in Fleming and flesh it out in a full and surprising way. Also, this makes the book an event. It's THE untold origin story of the literary 007. Then the Fleming series is nicely bookended by Faulks and Higson.

IFP could market a series of war novels as "Commander Bond"

Good idea. I think that could work very well.

'Against the greatest evil mankind has ever faced, one man can make the difference. Meet Bond. Commander Bond. Following on from his hugely acclaimed Young Bond series, Charles Higson...' Etc. Or something like that, anyway!