12 replies to this topic

[[dark]]

Young Bond Comes To Life

CBn reviews 'SilverFin: The Graphic Novel'

[zencat]

Excellent review [dark]. I like what you said about Walker developing the image of Bond -- particularly in the eyes -- throughout the book. You're right. I really hope they continue with the series. For whatever reason, I look forward to a DOD graphic novel the most.

[[dark]]

Thanks, zencat. Like I said, this is one of the first comic books I've ever read, so it was a total learning curve. But Walker's artwork is, quite simply, fantastic. He clearly understands the Young Bond universe - and the brutal way in which he shows Max Bond's capture and torture gives a damn good indication that he'd have a terrific grasp on the adult Bond as well.

Double or Die would be terrific to see adapted (I'm dying to see how he'd depict the gruesome Hunterian Museum), but Blood Fever is my Young Bond bar - the mosquito torture, the gun fight in the cave, the pirates... bring it on!

[zencat]

From what Charlie said recently, more graphic novels are contingent on the success of this one, so it's good to see CBn give this book the attention it deserves and get the word out. With the exceptions of K1Bond007.com and Double O Section, this major release (three years in the making) has been uniformly ignored on other Bond websites.

[[dark]]

I really hope it is a success - it deserves to be. Does anyone know if graphic novels are popular in the UK?

(When I was in the UK, I believe that the book was being shelved in the graphic novel section - I have a feeling this might alienate its key audience. Here in Canada, bookstores stock it where it belongs: right beside Higson's novels.)

One thing I forgot to mention in my review is the book itself - it's a quality product. The pages are made of a fairly thick, glossy paper, giving the whole book a really weighty kind of feel. It's clear that the whole endeavour has been lovingly put together.

[Zorin Industries]

Yes, but does it have a gunbarrel sequence every ten pages? There is no point otherwise.

[[dark]]

Yes, but does it have a gunbarrel sequence every ten pages? There is no point otherwise.

It's at the end.

[K1Bond007]

With the exceptions of K1Bond007.com

I wouldn't give it an exception. I could have done way more. Too burnt out on Bond at the time though. It has largely gone without much press though. Such as a shame.

Good review dark.

[MarkA]

I agree with the above, should have had way more publicity here in the UK. In a year where the major stuff disappointed me (Devil May Care, QOS) this is superb. Plus By Royal Command was pretty good too. Funny always thought Young Bond was a really lousy idea, but it has been an artistic triumph from the word go. I think it reflects the talent and passion that Charlie Higson has put into it.

[[dark]]

Funny always thought Young Bond was a really lousy idea, but it has been an artistic triumph from the word go. I think it reflects the talent and passion that Charlie Higson has put into it.

I think that's the crux of it. Young Bond succeeded because Charlie Higson is a fan whose heart was in it from the word go. Devil May Care failed because Sebastian Faulks is not.

[sharpshooter]

Good review. If Walker maintains the standard as seen in the first graphic novel, any other adaptions will be even better. I look forward to both possible Blood Fever and Double or Die adaptions the most.

[Qwerty]

Nice review, [dark]. It does indeed sound like Kev Walker shares the same unending passion for this character as Charlie Higson does in the original novels.

SilverFin: The Graphic Novel is an incredibly faithful adaptation of Higson’s source material. Indeed, it may well be the most vivid and best realised take on the illustrated James Bond ever.

[K1Bond007]

Good review. If Walker maintains the standard as seen in the first graphic novel, any other adaptions will be even better. I look forward to both possible Blood Fever and Double or Die adaptions the most.

I can't wait for Double or Die. It really had a great back drop. I think of all of them it'll be the most amazing to see in graphic novel form. Probably the hardest for Kev Walker to do too.