109 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Heads up Young Bond fans...

Something special is coming...
Friday, August 8, 2008 by zencat

Young Bond fans of all ages are advised to check the news pages of www.youngbond.com or The Young Bond Dossier for a VERY exciting announcement this Monday, 11 August.

Sharpen your skills...get ready for War.

[Pierce - Daniel]

I'm guessing we'll get another novel after the 5th, I don;t think we'll see another series.

[Trident]

Heads up Young Bond fans...

...get ready for War.

Now, could it be???


Really most exciting.

[DamnCoffee]

I really do think that Higson is going to announce another series of Young Bond novels, set in the 2nd World War!

[sharpshooter]

This is promising indeed. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

[[dark]]

zencat, you tease!

The mention of War is hugely intriguing and seems to indicate a second series of Young Bond novels. I didn't expect an announcement so soon, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong. It'd also be nice to know pre-By Royal Command that more Bond books are coming (now that Devil May Care and The Moneypenny Diaries are behind us).

Other possibilities (though most ignore the "War" teaser):

• More graphic novels? Maybe focussing on Bond's war years?
• Adult editions of the current novels? The announcement advises Young Bond fans of all ages to check back.
• Launch announcement for By Royal Command? It is, rather tantalisingly, less than a month away.
• Young Bond video game? I seem to recall speculation at some point.
• Short story announcement? This one's possible.
• Announcement that Charlie Higson is rewriting Devil May Care?

Okay, that last one's wishful thinking.

Roll on Monday!

[Mister Asterix]

Are you speculating what I’m speculating?

If so are you excited that this is posted in Higson forum rather than the General Lit forum/ I know I am.

[zencat]

I'm not going to give hints, but I will say it is not the announcement of a Young Bond Series II. I just don't want people expecting this. And that is all I will say.

[[dark]]

I'm not going to give hints, but I will say it is not the announcement of a Young Bond Series II. I just don't want people expecting this. And that is all I will say.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

That was the sound of the crushing disappointment of CBn's Young Bond fan community.

I'm guessing we'll get another novel after the 5th, I don;t think we'll see another series.

Maybe I'm getting too bogged down in semantics, but "special" seems to imply unique, one-of-a-kind. You may be onto something, Pierce - Daniel.

Maybe one novel with the potential for a series to follow. Kind of like a pilot.

[David Schofield]

I'm not going to give hints, but I will say it is not the announcement of a Young Bond Series II. I just don't want people expecting this. And that is all I will say.

Glad of that.

Don't want to be a party pooper - but I DO think now is the time for a bit of refection after By Royal Command, to appreciate what Charlie has done, to reread hi works, but, with BRC, to put Young Bond to bed, and admire what Charlie has done with a potentially thankless task.

Do I want a new Youngish Bond next year? I could live without it...

But, hey, its Higson. Its Bond. BRC will be the TRUE Centenary celebration. So YB in 2009, again? Why the hell not!

[Mister Asterix]

Well in WWII would he be considered ‘Young Bond’ any more?

[[dark]]

Don't want to be a party pooper - but I DO think now is the time for a bit of refection after By Royal Command, to appreciate what Charlie has done, to reread hi works, but, with BRC, to put Young Bond to bed, and admire what Charlie has done with a potentially thankless task.

I do see where you're coming from, David. A break between Young Bond series for Higson would allow for a period of reflection upon his contribution - for us fans and for Charlie. He also has his three-book deal with Puffin to consider.

I never expected a new series to follow so soon.

A new one-off novel (next year or in the near future), though...

Another thought: the "sharpen your skills" bit... it seems to imply some sort of public participation. Does the announcement concern an event?

The timing seems to connect it to By Royal Command. Maybe it concerns the cover art? The launch of the book itself?

The Young Bond series has encouraged fan particapation like no Bond books before it - check out the Double or Die title vote for evidence. In light of the fact we haven't received any news about it (remember the brouhaha for Hurricane Gold's release?), I'm guessing this announcement is for some kind of grand event for By Royal Command's launch.

[Trident]

A break between Young Bond series for Higson would allow for a period of reflection upon his contribution - for us fans and for Charlie. He also has his three-book deal with Puffin to consider.

I never expected a new series to follow so soon.

A new one-off novel (next year or in the near future), though...

This Puffin deal is certainly going to keep Higson occupied for at least three to four years (with a possible option to extend it in case of success?), I should think. Hardly a chance for him to delve into yet another series.

A one-off? Now, that one just might be possible. Especially if Higson perhaps has already some material in the drawer. And even more so if IFP want to keep a possible War Bond a hot iron. Unfortunately, this would mean if War Bond was ever to become a series it would hardly be Higson to pen the further entries.

[Mr Twilight]

All ages, War, Very exciting! Yes, very interesting news but I'm a bit ...not negative but I don't want to have too high expectations. Most probably it's about the graphic serie. My hope is a YB 2 serie (don't believe it's about the 007 Bond) but more likely a one-off novel/short story. I'm VERY excited BUT I don't have too high expectations.

[Gri007]

ooohhh. Let me guess. By Royal Command will be available in Large Print

[MkB]

Heads up Young Bond fans...

...get ready for War.

Now, could it be???


Really most exciting.

Mmmmmh... Definitely intriguing!
If this is really a "wink wink, nudge nudge" by Zencat and that "War" is the keyword, my guess is that Higson will announce a one-off short story about Bond in the very beginning of WWII (hence still a Young Bond)... maybe something about how he joined the army, his first training before being sent to combat etc.

I'm afraid IFP wouldn't give him the green light to pen an adult Bond novel at this point (which seems to be a shame given all the high opinions I've read abbout Higson's work), and on the other hand I don't think a full-length Young Bond novel set during WWII (if he's a soldier, he's not a child anymore, that can't work).

[zencat]

ooohhh. Let me guess. By Royal Command will be available in Large Print

LOL.

Nice one.

[Pierce - Daniel]

Maybe the long awaited TV/film adaptation is in the works, this time focussing on Bond's war years, maybe with the scriot by Higson? That would throw the fan community into dissary!

[sharpshooter]

A Young Bond video game would make my day. Sharpen your skills...get ready for War. It sounds like a good video game tagline. It'd be cool if they brought the un-used Shadow War title out for whatever this is.

Whether it is more graphic novels, or a one off book by Higson - I'll take anything new regarding Young Bond.

[sharpshooter]

EDIT

[marktmurphy]

Ooh- I smell some sort of competition; a short story writing one, perhaps? Design a cover (that'd be nice )? Should be fun.

[sharpshooter]

Oh, it'll definitely be fun.

[Gri007]

Ooh- I smell some sort of competition; a short story writing one, perhaps? Design a cover (that'd be nice )? Should be fun.

I actually think that is a possability. Designing a cover that is.

[zencat]

It's Monday in the UK. Here we go:

Puffin announces Young Bond alternate reality game, The Shadow War

[terminus]

Ah, was going to say I thought The Shadow War was one of the proposed titles for YB5.

[sharpshooter]

Sharpen your skills...get ready for War. It sounds like a good video game tagline. It'd be cool if they brought the un-used Shadow War title out for whatever this is.

Yes, I was correct. I'm looking forward to participating in this game!

[Blofeld's Cat]

Prefer just "SHADOW WAR" myself, but the "THE" might be for grammatical emphasis.

[[dark]]

Puffin Launch Young Bond Alternate Reality Game: 'The Shadow War'

A James Bond first

[marktmurphy]

I don't really understand what this is, but it sounds worth a look.

[Skudor]

Sounds very interesting - I'd never heard of alternative reality games before...