24 replies to this topic

[zencat]

I originally posted this in the gen. lit section long ago, but I thought I'd repost it here to kick off CBN new comic section.

Does anyone have an opinion on the original Bond graphic novels which appeared, on and off, throughout the '90s. I read them when they came out, but they didn't stick. I'm thinking about doing a major re-read.

If people don't know what the heck I'm talking about, here's a list:

PERMISSION TO DIE by Mike Grell (in three parts), 1989.
SERPENTS TOOTH by Doug Moench (three parts), 1991.
A SILENT ARMAGEDDON by Simon Jowett (in four parts, but parts 3&4 where never published), 1993.
LIGHT OF MY DEATH by Das Petrou (4 parts collected in "DARK HORSE COMICS" w/ other stories), 1993.
SHATTERED HELIX by Simon Jowett (two parts), 1994.
MINUTE OF MIDNIGHT by Doug Moench (one off in "DARK HORSE COMICS"), 1994.
THE QUASIMODO GAMBIT by Don McGregor (in three parts), 1995.

[Mister Asterix]

General Koskov (07 Jan, 2002 12:48 a.m.):(edited)
...By the way, how in Hell did anyone get the rights to produce that James bond Jr TV show or whatever other perverted ideas they've come up with?...

James Bond Jr. was a move by EON to block Kevin McClory from doing his own James Bond Cartoon. Somehow the JBjr. show tied up the copyrights so Ol' Kevin couldn't do his own Bond 'toon.

[Jim]

OK

Permission to Die is OK for the first two parts, but then goes completely bananas and the third part has absolutely nothing to do with what has preceded it. I won't spoil it for anyone. It's spoiled enough as it is. I defy anyone reading it fresh from the start to predict the ending. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe that's inconsistency.

Serpent's Tooth was fun, if you wanted to merge The Spy who Loved Me with Jurassic Park and bits of Moonraker (the worst bits).

A Silent Armageddon was...sorry, didn't finish my comment there. Arf. Who knows what A Silent Armageddon was, apart from an unfinsihed symphony.

The Quasimodo Gambit. I know some folks like this, but the graphics are dull, and the story is dragged out a hell of a lot.

The others you mentioned I haven't read but I do have my father's scrapbook of old Daily Express strips, most of which are complete stories and while the stories themselves are much of a muchness, some of the Horak artwork is great.

p.s. it's not for sale.

[scaramanga]

The only comic strips I have is the complete Daily Express strip for The Man With The Golden Gun and The Living Daylights. The artwork by Yaroslav Horak is amazing. As soon as I get my scanner up and running again, I'll put some images up.

[General Koskov]

All I want to read are the old Sunday (Times?) comic strips. The other new ones don't interest me.
By the way, how in Hell did anyone get the rights to produce that James bond Jr TV show or whatever other perverted ideas they've come up with?

Compared to that filth, and some plots I've heard about in the comic books, The Man with the Golden Gun sounds like a five-starrer to me!

[RossMan]

Just finished Serpent's Tooth. It was pretty good, I really liked the villain Indigo. I still have mixed feelings about Bond being chased by a dinosour.

I'm having no luck on finding Shattered Helix and The Quasimodo Gambit, can anyone just briefly tell me what these two were about?

[White Persian]

Have to disagre with those who liked The Quasimodo Gambit. I didn't think much of the story, and the artwork was stiff, poorly drawn and badly airbrushed. Why anyone would choose such a labour intensive, painstakingly slow medium for a comic book defeats me.
On the other hand I loved John Burns's art for A Silent Armageddon, and Simon Jowett's story was shaping up very nicely indeed. A terrible shame it was never completed.
Can't believe I only just found this thread!

[Jacques Nexus]

scaramanga (18 Oct, 2001 10:11 p.m.):
I did try to get THE QUASIMODO GAMBIT from EBay several months ago, but I lost out at the last minute. Damn. Is it worth getting?

Yes I think it is. Nice graphics and the story's not bad. One of the better ones I think.

[Jacques Nexus]

zencat (18 Oct, 2001 06:13 p.m.):
PERMISSION TO DIE by Mike Grell (in three parts), 1989.
SERPENTS TOOTH by Doug Moench (three parts), 1991.
A SILENT ARMAGEDDON by Simon Jowett (in four parts, but parts 3&4 where never published), 1993.
LIGHT OF MY DEATH by Das Petrou (4 parts collected in "DARK HORSE COMICS" w/ other stories), 1993.
SHATTERED HELIX by Simon Jowett (two parts), 1994.
MINUTE OF MIDNIGHT by Doug Moench (one off in "DARK HORSE COMICS"), 1994.
THE QUASIMODO GAMBIT by Don McGregor (in three parts), 1995.

Most of these titles bring back nice memories for me. SERPENT'S TOOTH is a classic. I always thought the worst was A SILENT ARMAGEDDON, which died "A Silent Death". MINUTE OF MIDNIGHT is a beauty but that story was not completed was it ?. Another favourite of mine is LIGHT OF MY DEATH which I thought had a strange ambiguous storyline with a big villain stroking a cat, called Mr Amos, who must have been Blofeld but it was never explained properly.

[JAWS]

PERMISSION TO DIE:
Oh man, do I dislike this one. Written and illustrated by Mike Grell, WHAT THE HECK DID HE THINK HE WAS DOING?
first off: My theory on the incosistancy of the story. Issue three is quite a bit different then the first two. I think his editor was slacking off, when suddenly he read the already published issues two and three. He freaked out at how cruddy they were, and ordered Grell to change direction in his story. (whoops. I looked at the credits in the front and an editor is not mentioned. I guess it was all Grell's fault)
Second off: What Bond was he trying to write? His own? Fleming's (he has a scar and a blck comma of hair)? Lazenby's (he wears a kilt (ugh!))? Connery's (he looks a lot like Connery)?
Grell's Bond recalls Dr. No (movie version), Masterson (painted gold ofcourse), the Thunderball underwater battle, his wedding and the Death of Tracy (does he think of all of his movies every time he has sex? He does in this book). Later, in M's office (M looks similar to Bernard Lee), he recalls Kerim Bay. He flys a version of Little Nelly (but strangly says he can't fight a normal helicopter with it, even though Bond in YOLT used it to easily wipe out FOUR helicopters). He returns to the gypsy camp from FRWL.
The story does echo DR. NO in that the villain doesn't show up until the last third (and by the time you make it to the third part you hardly care anymore. What a boring story! (though I do admit parts one and two are vastly better than part three))
The artwork's not always bad, but sometimes is lacking.
When does this story take place? Before the ninties, no doubt, but beyond that I haven't a clue for sure.
The story seems to be ahead of its time in one part, however: Q looks somewhat like John Cleese!
There's also a picture of a naked Bond on page twelve. Nasty.
The Teaser's bad as well.

[JAWS]

THE SERPENT'S TOOTH
I really like this one. As Dana Carvy's Johnny Carson would say, It's "wierd wild stuff!" JAMES BOND MEETS JURASSIC PARK!
I've never read an action-packed comic that REALLY WAS, before this one. Action rarely ever works well in comic books, but it does in this one. I woudn't mind seeing this turned into a Bond movie. It needs just a little bit of tinkering here and there, but man is it good.
Bond in this adventure is a cross between Connery and Moore (just right for Brosnan). He's sent on a mission to locate missing scientists that have kidnapped from around the world. Soon he uncovers a plot to destroy most of the Earth's population (similar to TSWLM. It even involves launching nuclear missiles).
The only things bad I have to say about this three part tale is as follows:
1. Q looks like a dork.
2. Having 009 turned into a neanderthal was really stupid.
3. Bond was not in the "teaser."
4. Indigo's "skin condition."
DEFINIETLY LOCATE THIS BOOK AND READ IT! It's surprisingly good for a comic book based on a movie series.

[scaramanga]

JAWS (26 Jan, 2002 06:59 p.m.):
PERMISSION TO DIE:
Oh man, do I dislike this one.  Written and illustrated by Mike Grell, WHAT THE HECK DID HE THINK HE WAS DOING?
first off: My theory on the incosistancy of the story.  Issue three is quite a bit different then the first two.  I think his editor was slacking off, when suddenly he read the already published issues two and three.  He freaked out at how cruddy they were, and ordered Grell to change direction in his story.  (whoops. I looked at the credits in the front and an editor is not mentioned.  I guess it was all Grell's fault)
Second off:  What Bond was he trying to write?  His own?  Fleming's (he has a scar and a blck comma of hair)?  Lazenby's (he wears a kilt (ugh!))?  Connery's (he looks a lot like Connery)?
Grell's Bond recalls Dr. No (movie version), Masterson (painted gold ofcourse), the Thunderball underwater battle, his wedding and the Death of Tracy (does he think of all of his movies every time he has sex? He does in this book).  Later, in M's office (M looks similar to Bernard Lee), he recalls Kerim Bay.  He flys a version of Little Nelly (but strangly says he can't fight a normal helicopter with it, even though Bond in YOLT used it to easily wipe out FOUR helicopters).  He returns to the gypsy camp from FRWL.
The story does echo DR. NO in that the villain doesn't show up until the last third (and by the time you make it to the third part you hardly care anymore.  What a boring story! (though I do admit parts one and two are vastly better than part three))
The artwork's not always bad, but sometimes is lacking.
When does this story take place?  Before the ninties, no doubt, but beyond that I haven't a clue for sure.
The story seems to be ahead of its time in one part, however:  Q looks somewhat like John Cleese!
There's also a picture of a naked Bond on page twelve.  Nasty.
The Teaser's bad as well.

Unfortunately, I only have Part One, so I can't comment on Parts Two & Three. The opening scenes weren't up to much. However, the scenes in Budapest, Hungary, I thought were wonderful. Very Flemingesque. What with the scenic view of the Danube River, Bond's contact Vavra, Bond saving Vavra's life from an assassin at Fisherman's Bastion, Bond taking part in a Gypsy fight to the death and the mysterious sniper called The Wolf who uses a single silver bullet. These are great touches, however I felt that mixing elements from the movies and the novels is completely wrong, although enjoyable, I must give Grell a slap on the wrist for that.

[Jim]

[quote]scaramanga (29 Jan, 2002 03:23 p.m.):
Unfortunately, I only have Part One, so I can't comment on Parts Two & Three. The opening scenes weren't up to much. However, the scenes in Budapest, Hungary, I thought were wonderful. Very Flemingesque. [quote]

Trust me on this one...leave it at that. Part three has absolutely nothing to do with parts one and two. Nothing. Zip. Nowt. Quite incredible.

Parts one and two may be underwhelming and in parts very boring, but at least they're coherent. Part three is quite simply nuts.

Ask yourself this (and I hope this doesn't interest you too much); if after the end of part one, you're expecting a denouement involving:-

a) The Phantom of the Opera
Brigitte Nielsen clone
c) an explanation for the Chernobyl explosion
d) the destruction of Vancouver

...you've read far more into part one than I ever did.

It's effortlessly weak. OK, so it's "complete" whereas other Bond comics haven't been completed, but the end of part 2 is as good a place to end the story as anywhere.

[scaramanga]

I did try to get THE QUASIMODO GAMBIT from EBay several months ago, but I lost out at the last minute. Damn. Is it worth getting?

[RossMan]

I just got a copy the second part A Silent Armageddon. I don't particularly like the art in this series.

Last week I was able to order The Illustrated James Bond, collecting the strips of, I think, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, and Doctor No.

I enjoyed Permission to Die, actually, though I'm still searching for the middle chapter.

[scaramanga]

RossMan (02 Feb, 2002 10:13 p.m.):
Last week I was able to order The Illustrated James Bond, collecting the strips of, I think, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, and Doctor No.

Do you mind if I asked you where you ordered it RossMan? I wouldn't mind a copy myself.

[RossMan]

scaramanga (03 Feb, 2002 10:11 a.m.):
Do you mind if I asked you where you ordered it RossMan? I wouldn't mind a copy myself.

I got it from half.com, an e.bay company where people can sell their used books/movies etc. I'm afraid that was the last copy of The Ilustrated James Bond available but I've seen that book listed there every so often.

[scaramanga]

RossMan (03 Feb, 2002 08:19 p.m.):

scaramanga (03 Feb, 2002 10:11 a.m.):
Do you mind if I asked you where you ordered it RossMan? I wouldn't mind a copy myself.

I got it from half.com, an e.bay company where people can sell their used books/movies etc. I'm afraid that was the last copy of The Ilustrated James Bond available but I've seen that book listed there every so often.

Cheers RossMan, much appreciated.

[RossMan]

The art in the Daily Express strips is fantastic. That's probably the best example of how the literary Bond looks, sort of a cross between Connery and Dalton. Also, a nice alternative when feeling like "seeing" a faithful adaption of Fleming's stuff. I loved the drawings of Dr. No, it was right out of the novel.

[RossMan]

I've just ordered the License to Kill adaption and the Serpent's Tooth book collecting all three issues from half.com , an ebay comapany.

Over the weekend, I am probably going to stroll over to my local comic shop and check out what, if any, Bond comics they have.

[RossMan]

Check out www.00heaven.org

It's a great Bond site and has a complete listing of every James Bond graphic novel/comic strip ever made. A lot of them I had never even heard of.

[scaramanga]

Just to let you know RossMan that I now have The Illustrated James Bond. I got it off Ebay. I must say that the artwork by John McLusky is fantastic and Dr No is exactly how I imagined him to look.

[RossMan]

scaramanga (16 Mar, 2002 11:30 a.m.):
Just to let you know RossMan that I now have The Illustrated James Bond. I got it off Ebay. I must say that the artwork by John McLusky is fantastic and Dr No is exactly how I imagined him to look.

The art's great, isn't it? I wish there were other boooks reprinting these old strips.

[scaramanga]

RossMan (17 Mar, 2002 07:03 p.m.):

scaramanga (16 Mar, 2002 11:30 a.m.):
Just to let you know RossMan that I now have The Illustrated James Bond. I got it off Ebay. I must say that the artwork by John McLusky is fantastic and Dr No is exactly how I imagined him to look.

The art's great, isn't it? I wish there were other boooks reprinting these old strips.

There is! Titan books published a series of books containing the strips. Unfortunately the only one I have is The Man With The Golden Gun/The Living Daylights with artwork by Horak. I recently missed out on the Casino Royale/Live and Let Die edition on Ebay.

[RossMan]

scaramanga (18 Mar, 2002 11:20 p.m.):
There is! Titan books published a series of books containing the strips.

I wasn't aware of these, I'll have to keep an eye out for them in the future.