87 replies to this topic

[spynovelfan]

Yes, it is. Just made the point because a lot of people seem to feel that Ann Fleming had a say in continuations, when she didn't. I don't think her badmouthing made any impact on CS' sales: it just isn't an exciting book, ultimately. But I've discussed that elsewhere. It could well be that they wanted to avoid her badmouthing the series. She hated Amis' effort, so Christ alone knows what she would have made of Gardner.

Although I haven't read your review, the "isn't an exciting book" is something I can definitely agree with. I thought it dragged. To me, it was one of those books that reading 20 pages feels like 2 hours. Not to say the book didn't have some good stuff in it, it did, but it was - as you said - not exciting.

I'll have to read your review.

It's not really a review, but we discussed it in some detail here:

http://debrief.comma...pic=21166&st=30

[zencat]

Aug 17 Update...

Pre-Order Titan's 'Colonel Sun'

Release date 23 Dec - prototype cover art revealed

[Qwerty]

Nice!

[zencat]

Interesting that this cover art still features the name of Ian Fleming.

[Turn]

[quote name='zencat' date='17 August 2005 - 19:41']Interesting that this cover art still features the name of Ian Fleming.

Edited by zencat, 17 August 2005 - 08:24 PM.

[Simon]

So where do we go from here?

The soon to be released Spy and this later Colonel Sun will just about do it for me as I can only just remain happy with the Fleming connection with Sun (same period, same style).

Will this Titan series die somewhat as we go into the science fiction and craziness of the later original strip stories?

Any thoughts?

[clinkeroo]

Will this Titan series die somewhat as we go into the science fiction and craziness of the later original strip stories?

Any thoughts?

I never thought of them as that outlandish. The Harpies was out there with the flying, Batman-esque women and all, but most of Lawrence's stuff is pretty tame by Benson's-flying-drone standards, and all of it is tame compared to the post-Goldfinger films. I'd even take gliding women and killer robots over the Scooby Doo antics of the last third of Higson's novel.

I recently had the chance to read 18 of Lawrence's strips back-to-back-to-back, and most of them held up much better than I had remembered. Give them a second chance, Simon, they certainly aren't Fleming, but they're closer than anything on the market today.

[zencat]

So where do we go from here?

The soon to be released Spy and this later Colonel Sun will just about do it for me as I can only just remain happy with the Fleming connection with Sun (same period, same style).

Will this Titan series die somewhat as we go into the science fiction and craziness of the later original strip stories?

Any thoughts?

Well, the next book after Colonel Sun will include The Golden Ghost so it looks like they will be going in order. For me, I'm more excited about these non-Fleming strips because these are Bond stories I've never read. Some will be great, some will be too scfi...we will discover and debate the merits of each as we go along. It's going to be fun.

[clinkeroo]

Fear Face is a short one, so I bet we'll see Golden Ghost, Fear Face, and Double Jeopardy in the next volume. Fear Face is silly in a Westworld sort of way, but Double Jeopardy and Golden Ghost are both very good, very straight, Fleming-esque stories. Very excited about the series continuing.

[zencat]

Fear Face is a short one, so I bet we'll see Golden Ghost, Fear Face, and Double Jeopardy in the next volume.  Fear Face is silly in a Westworld sort of way, but Double Jeopardy and Golden Ghost are both very good, very straight, Fleming-esque stories.  Very excited about the series continuing.

That would be great.

How is it you've read these clinkeroo?

BTW, when I last communicated with my Titan contact she said this Golden Ghost book would be released "sometime in 2007." 2007? I'm assuming (hoping) that was just a typo and she meant 2006.

[Qwerty]

Whoa! I hope so too seeing as they get these books out very fast in my opinion.

[clinkeroo]

How is it you've read these clinkeroo?

Much like you, zencat, I love new Bond stories and require a steady diet (as I recall, we also share a penchant for Sherlock Holmes pastiches and parodies). Since we're about the same age, you may remember a magazine called the Menomonee Falls Gazette that circulated in comic shops about 20-28 years ago. They contained the strip runs of old popular dailies including our man Bond. A few years ago I saw the MFG copies of The Golden Ghost for sale on Ebay, and although I lost the auction, I struck up a dialog with the seller, who owns a popular comic shop in the Midwest. We struck a deal for him to make me a copy of the GG strips. When I asked him if he had any other strip runs, he told me to forward him a list of what I was looking for. It was one of those geeky moments we collectors live for; he had 18 Jim Lawrence strips that were all Holy Grails to me . I also have Polestar from the McLusky estate, which I believe we discussed a few years ago in a different thread.

I wanted to do a series of recap/review articles for CBn, looking at three strips per column, and was even taking notes to start, when Titan announced The Harpies. My original inspiration in doing the series was to give CBn'ers a look at version of Fleming's Bond they hadn't seen before, and might never have the chance to, but that is quickly becoming a moot point with each new release. Maybe I'll pick up the idea again if Titan stops prematurely, but Lord, I hope they don't; a few graphic quality issues aside, they are doing an amazing job.

[K1Bond007]

BTW, when I last communicated with my Titan contact she said this Golden Ghost book would be released "sometime in 2007." 2007? I'm assuming (hoping) that was just a typo and she meant 2006.

Logically, February 2006 is when I'd expect it.

Previous releases:
The Man with the Golden Gun -> February 2004
Casino Royale -> February 2005

...things could change I suppose.

[zencat]

[quote name='clinkeroo' date='17 August 2005 - 20:22']Much like you, zencat, I love new Bond stories and require a steady diet (as I recall, we also share a penchant for Sherlock Holmes pastiches and parodies).

[clinkeroo]

That CBn series would have been terrific, but, as you said, it's sort of moot now with the new Titan releases. Still, you might be a good man to review these releases.

If Red Grant or Just Johnny don't do it, I'd be up for it ; I'm just a fan of the dailies that can put words together, those guys are experts.

[Simon]

I recently had the chance to read 18 of Lawrence's strips back-to-back-to-back, and most of them held up much better than I had remembered.  Give them a second chance, Simon, they certainly aren't Fleming, but they're closer than anything on the market today.

I have to admit to never having actually had the chance to read them! So it'll be a first chance in my case. I was just going by 'what I had heard' but if you think they stand up, that will be probably be enough for me.

(I'm so easily swayed)

[zencat]

BTW, Titan has confirmed for us that the cover art in not final. We guessed as much -- but I still wanted to confirm.

Isn't it wonderful to just be able to email and get confirmation from companies in the Bond biz? Titan, Sideshow, EA, IFP...all work with us wonderfully. Now who's missing from this list?

[The Silver Beast]

Odd that Amazon says CS will include The Golden Ghost, not River of Death.

[Qwerty]

Hmm...amazon is usually on the ball with these Titan releases too...

[DLibrasnow]

BTW, Titan has confirmed for us that the cover art in not final. We guessed as much -- but I still wanted to confirm.

Isn't it wonderful to just be able to email and get confirmation from companies in the Bond biz? Titan, Sideshow, EA, IFP...all work with us wonderfully. Now who's missing from this list?

Well, yes EON is a little evasive, but Sony reps have really improved, responding within a couple of hours of receiving a query.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

Will this Titan series die somewhat as we go into the science fiction and craziness of the later original strip stories?

Any thoughts?

I never thought of them as that outlandish. The Harpies was out there with the flying, Batman-esque women and all, but most of Lawrence's stuff is pretty tame by Benson's-flying-drone standards, and all of it is tame compared to the post-Goldfinger films. I'd even take gliding women and killer robots over the Scooby Doo antics of the last third of Higson's novel.

I recently had the chance to read 18 of Lawrence's strips back-to-back-to-back, and most of them held up much better than I had remembered. Give them a second chance, Simon, they certainly aren't Fleming, but they're closer than anything on the market today.

Hallo everybody. I'm new here.
How can one get hold of these reprints? I'd love for Titan to publish the whole thing (I've calculated it'd take some 19 books) but experience has taught me not to be too hopeful.

[zencat]

Hey Donovan Mayne-Nicholls

Scroll to the bottom of this story and you will see links to all the book currently available on Amazon and Amazon.co.uk

Welcome to CBn.

[Donovan Mayne-Nicholls]

Thanks but I mean where can I get the stories that haven't been issued by Titan yet.
Incidentally, I sincerely doubt any of the originalstrips could fall as low as Benson's Facts of Death or Never Dream of Dying.

Edited by Donovan Mayne-Nicholls, 09 September 2005 - 02:02 AM.

[Qwerty]

Welcome to CBn.

As far as I know (but am not positive) - the other stories have not been collected in any other editions previously.

[British Chap]

I am really looking forward to this, having never gotten a copy of the novel.

[Qwerty]

You should definitely get the novel in addition to this.

[clinkeroo]

Welcome to CBn.

As far as I know (but am not positive) - the other stories have not been collected in any other editions previously.

Not in English, anyway. If you speak Spanish, or are Scandinavian, you have it made . Lord forbid they might actually be released in their mother tongue where people who have a profound cultural interest in the character could partake. Oh my, you might generate some sales.

Go, Titan, Go!

[Qwerty]

You said it Clink.

[Qwerty]

US Bond fans - pre-order now!

http://commanderbond...item&item=27346

[Gri007]

Thought that all you Britons out there, would want to know that Colonel Sun is available from 23rd December.

Just in time for Christmas