2121 replies to this topic

[jaguar007]

Some of Fleming's titles were better than some of his other ones. Those were also both titles to short stories he wrote, not originally intended as titles for novels.

Of course: so when you say that his titles were like that, you actually mean that they weren't all like that... I see

Perhaps I should have prefaced my original post with "What I think are some of Fleming's best titles"

Does that make sence now?

[Loomis]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

I want a good cover. I don't want a "Bondian" cover. There are more than enough of those already, thanks, and they're mostly awful. I ask you, what's "Bondian" about that surrealist cover for COLONEL SUN? Nothing, that's what, yet it's a good and striking cover (not one of my personal favourites, admittedly, but props to them for originality).

You seem to want nothing more than something stiflingly fanboyish.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

I want a good cover. I don't want a "Bondian" cover. There are more than enough of those already, thanks, and they're mostly awful. I ask you, what's "Bondian" about that surrealist cover for COLONEL SUN? Nothing, that's what, yet it's a good and striking cover (not one of my personal favourites, admittedly, but props to them for originality).

You seem to want nothing more than something stiflingly fanboyish.

There's a melted down Walther PPK in that Colonel Sun cover. That's Bondian to me.

[marktmurphy]

Does that make sence now?

Arf!

[Jack Spang]

Love the title but yes (I thought they might use a common term just like 'Devil May Care' but atleast it isn't in English), the cover art is a bit on the dull side, albeit, elegant not unlike the title. I actually wasn't expecting the art work to be anything special for some reason. Maybe the paperback version will be more interesting.

I don't think Dubai is the sort of place Fleming's Bond would have liked. It's a concrete jungle. I'm not opposed to him going there however. I suppose certain authors would be to scared to insult certain cities now days. No doubt Deaver's Bond will dig it however.

Glad Bond will be driving the latest Bentley. I'll be picking up my new car too soon.

Edited by Jack Spang, 17 January 2011 - 11:24 PM.

[Professor Dent]

Nice title & I like the simple cover. Bring the book on!

[Bryce (003)]

Nice title & I like the simple cover. Bring the book on!

What he said.

[Goodnight]

Carte Blanche sounds a bit like a dessert, but a very nice dessert

Only messin'

Is there going to be a launch for this? When will it be? Will be in London? If it is in London then hopefully I will be there, but are there other details like a dress code or buying tickets etc?

[Bryce (003)]

Is there going to be a launch for this? When will it be? Will be in London? If it is in London then hopefully I will be there, but are there other details like a dress code or buying tickets etc?

Well, that is the question. The DMC launch in '08 was done with fan fare in London. I'd think this would be the case as well but people have mentioned New York. Right now, all of London is just about the upcoming wedding.

I imagine we'll find out as the date draws closer. The sooner the better for myself as I'm just on the verge of purchasing my airfare and finalizing my hotel reservations. *crosses fingers*

[terminus]

If there is a London launch, might manage to convince the partner that it's time for us to visit his father who lives about an hour outside of London on the train.

[Double-Oh Agent]

My mind instantly went to Casino Royale. Perfect, I'd say, for the first book of a reboot Bond series. A total CR echo.

I had a similar experience. I immediately thought it referred to Bond now having gotten his double-oh status receives carte blanche for using his license to kill on missions.

I like the title. Seems very appropriate for 007. Not quite as wild about the cover artwork but it is okay. All in all, I'm greatly looking forward to reading it. Can't wait.

[zencat]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Check.

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[Marketto007]

xxx

[Loomis]

Is there going to be a launch for this? When will it be? Will be in London? If it is in London then hopefully I will be there, but are there other details like a dress code or buying tickets etc?

Well, that is the question. The DMC launch in '08 was done with fan fare in London.

Ah, yes. What a lovely day that was.

[zencat]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

Actually, a gunbarrel has never been used on a Bond novel cover. That is a Eon trademark. (Actually, some foreign reprints have done so, but they are not supposed to.) 007 logo also a no-no. There was even some heat about silhouettes back in the 80s.

[Loomis]

(Actually, some foreign reprints have done so, but they are not supposed to.)

Indeed. I've just taken down off my bookshelf a Chinese translation of FOR SPECIAL SERVICES that on the back cover has a silhouetted Bond inside a gunbarrel. Not only that, but there's also a photo of Pierce Brosnan on the cover! (From GOLDENEYE, I think - this edition came out in 1998.)

[zencat]

There's a German Scorpius that really goes for it as well. Full-on Roger in the gunbarrel. I think there might have even been a DMC and some YB foreign editions that used a hint of gunbarrel. Big no-no!

I also just don't want to see it on a Bond novel. Makes it look like a tie-in.

EDIT: Think I'm wrong about the DMC. Couldn't find it. But here's the Greek SilverFin. Kinda pushing it. I'd be very surprised if IFP approved this.

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[The Shark]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

Hasn't wispy photo shopped smoke been done to death too? I can't count how many times I've seen that same effect used on advertisements, movie posters, to fan posters to published book covers.

[Zographos]

I smiled at some of the "but where are the silhouettes of girls?!" comments.

Kudos to IFP on the subtlety.

Edited by Zographos, 18 January 2011 - 04:44 AM.

[Righty007]

I'm currently taking a course at uni called "Transnational Smuggling" and I want to see 007 bust an international human trafficking operation that smuggles young people from the UAE into the United Kingdom. It's the most sordid illicit trade and the second most lucrative (after drugs) in the world and very relevant in the 21st century. It would fall under MI6's jurisdiction but the operation would need a really unique and vile leader for the Double O Section to be involved.

[Captain Tightpants]

I'm currently taking a course at uni called "Transnational Smuggling" and I want to see 007 bust an international human trafficking operation that smuggles young people from the UAE into the United Kingdom. It's the most sordid illicit trade and the second most lucrative (after drugs) in the world and very relevant in the 21st century. It would fall under MI6's jurisdiction but the operation would need a really unique and vile leader for the Double O Section to be involved.

That, I think, would be too much like TAKEN. After all Liam Nesson's daughter was bound for Dubai in that film. Or maybe Abu Dhabi. The point is that TAKEN got a lot of acclaim for being a tight little thriller, and in the face of the "It's James Bourne!" criticism of the Age of Craig, the last think we need is accusations of Bond apeing TAKEN, even if it is in novel format and not film.

An idea that was floated on the Other Forum was that it is not actually smoke, but some kind of liquid polymer. I could see a plot revolving around a villain planning to dump masses of a liquid polymer into the port of Dubai; when the polymer meets water, it starts to thicken, amking it virtually impossible for ships to enter the port, crippling the economy of Dubai. It would open up a really interesting possibility: having a villain who shares a similar belief to Bond - both could treat Dubai with open disdain. We've never really had a villain who had a relationship like that with Bond. The closest we've come is Scaramanga, who believed he and Bond were similar until Bond rejected him, and Graves, who was always intended as a dark parody of Bond. I think it would be interesting to see Bond realise he and the villain looked at Dubai the same way, and then search to find more they had in common. Generally, I'd like to see a villain that Bond would actually, genuinely like if they were on opposite sides.

[_JW_]

A little surprised to see that those who dislike the title are in the minority (thus far) in the poll. I wonder what the non-diehard fans will think of this (those that may actually care about a new Bond book, that is)?

To me, it's very bland. However, I can see why some would appreciate a more subtle name for the book as opposed to another one with 'kill' or 'death' or another 'The Man from...' sort of thing in the title.

I'm mostly ambivalent on the cover. Better than Devil May Care's, at least.

[Jim]

grossly inadequate

stifling

Here are some suggestions that are as absurd as CARTE BLAND:
DINNER CHECK
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
WAKE UP SERVICE
DRIVER'S LICENSE
BLEEDING HEARTS

dull as dish water

I've got one

THE LAW OF GRAVITY

Seems to fit.

[Zorin Industries]

You know, I don't like any of the contination novel titles apart from this one and maybe COLONEL SUN. Gardner, Benson, Higson, Faulks.... all of their titles - or at least the overwhelming majority - are wretched, if you ask me. The so-called "Flemingian" titles always come across as fanboyish, clumsy and embarrassing, and about as Flemingian as Stephanie Meyer. HIGH TIME TO KILL, ZERO MINUS TEN, DEVIL MAY CARE, SILVERFIN, NEVER DREAM OF DYING, NOBODY LIVES FOREVER, BROKENCLAW and so on and on and on.... horrible titles that if anything sound like Austin Powers-style parodies. It's impossible to imagine Fleming himself putting his name to any of them, but it is just possible, I think, to picture one of his novels or stories bearing the title CARTE BLANCHE.

Give that man an Aston!! Perfectly put. I think Gardner threw out the odd title that wasn't derivative. The others sound like titles from a gamer meeting. Though saying that, I think BLOODSTONE is a very good 007 title. But the rest are clunky and obvious.

It is very hard to name a Bond film. My own offerings came after much mental wrangling. It needs to be Fleming-ish but not too much so as these new titles are taking the baton from Fleming so should echo but not copy. All in all, I think CARTE BLANCHE is a very sturdy and classy title. The Bond titles of old reflected wealth, intrigue, mystery, sexuality and betrayal. This new title does just that more than anything for a long time.

[Byron]

grossly inadequate

stifling

Here are some suggestions that are as absurd as CARTE BLAND:
DINNER CHECK
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
WAKE UP SERVICE
DRIVER'S LICENSE
BLEEDING HEARTS

dull as dish water

I've got one

THE LAW OF GRAVITY

Seems to fit.

Lol, nice one Jim. I was thinking "WHEN GRAVITY FAILS" but the smoke (or is it hot air?) is rising....

Title is a refreshing change from the bog standards. Cover is understated rather than garish (though no doubt the US version will be brash and scream the bleeding obvious).

Still not sold on the reboot angle or Dubai-centric setting but willing to be wowed. I am hoping there will be at least several other locations featured.

[Zorin Industries]

There is nothing more annoying than the use of the phrase "Bondian" when it comes to creating new Bond films or novels. If something is "Bondian", then it's missed the point.

[marktmurphy]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

Hasn't wispy photo shopped smoke been done to death too? I can't count how many times I've seen that same effect used on advertisements, movie posters, to fan posters to published book covers.

I'd agree with that; it's not the freshest visual.

I'm mostly ambivalent on the cover. Better than Devil May Care's, at least.

DMC had a lovely cover; great photography and a nice idea. Kind of trashy, but in a classy way; like Bond, really.

[chrisno1]

I wouldn't use the word "Bondian" either, but there's a theme running through this thread recently (the last few hours) which suggests people want more from a title and the cover art. Personally I don't agree.
While Carte Blanche is certainly not a "punchy" title it does lend itself to interpretation, giving an air of mystery to the content inside. There's nothing wrong with that. It certainly isn't bland (like Casino Royale) or stolen (Moonraker) or unfathomable (The Hildeband Rarity) or nonsensical (Tomorrow Never Dies) or obnoxiously obvious (No Deals Mr Bond). Yes, it may be obtuse, but you really can't strike it out without reading the story. Personally, having pondered on it for a day, I rather like it. It's textured. The one dimensional stuff Gardner and Benson came out with (all that Die, Kill, Death, etc - well, a slight exaggeration) telegraphed the content of their novels. This doesn't and that's what is so refreshing about it.
As for the cover, I thought minimalists covers had been in vogue for quite some time and I'm not surprised to see one. I agree it is a bit colourless, but then, as the poster pointed out the designs for the first three hardbacks, colour doesn't necessarily mean quality.
As it is all down to personal taste, we'll never hear the back of the debate, but I think it's a bit early to start suggesting it's a crummy title - especially as we haven't read the book yet: the gravitas of a title often isn't revealed until you read the full transcript.
Time to reserve some judgement, I feel.

[Zorin Industries]

Well said Chrisno1. These criticisms are really being pulled from the box marked "it's not like the others" which is scant reason to pull something down no-one has read yet. CARTE BLANCHE will have a double usage in the book. Maybe even a triple...

[Loomis]

And here we have a book that has not one discernible iconographic Bond image on the cover. Nothing close to a gun barrel, not a silhouette, not a Flemingesque name...nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But what a bore that would be. Do you honestly crave nothing more than to have the same old stuff served up to you again and again and again for decades on end? Haven't gunbarrels and silhouettes been done to death?

Hasn't wispy photo shopped smoke been done to death too? I can't count how many times I've seen that same effect used on advertisements, movie posters, to fan posters to published book covers.

Really? I can't think of a single ad poster, film poster, book cover, album cover or whatever (Bond or otherwise) that features "wispy photo shopped smoke". Not a single one. Let alone one that features this smoke and nothing else. The only such things I can think of would probably be part of NHS anti-smoking campaigns, but apart from that I'm baffled by the suggestion that the cover of CARTE BLANCHE has somehow been done to death.

There is nothing more annoying than the use of the phrase "Bondian" when it comes to creating new Bond films or novels. If something is "Bondian", then it's missed the point.

Very true. And in any case, instead of something "Bondian", I'd far rather have the best title and (overwhelmingly) most stylish cover we've had in decades, which is what we've now got.