196 replies to this topic

[Orion]

Good interview. I like that he's committed to adapting the book as is, and focused on Fleming's words alone, shutting everything else out.

Im intrigued by how he's going to adapt those longer musings and descriptions of Flemings, as that does seem to be what excites him most about adapting Flemings work.

[Marcin]

I'd recommend continuing with Hellblazer, it's never light reading but well worth the read. Also check out Global Frequency, it (oddly) goes between the approach he's taken with Bond and what he did with Transmetropolitan.

Okay, I've just finished reading Global Frequency. Thank you so much for the advice Orion. A truly magnificent comic book.

Which ensudred me of two things.
One: Ellis is a great storyteller who can write a tense, original stories that literally make you hold your breath. And it only proves that with VARGR he didn't come close to his best. Almost as if it was written hastily, in a slapdash way.
And two: he really should team up with more talented artist than Masters. Every single story of Global Frequency has different style which really enriches the narration. Even Simon Bisley's (who I remember from his Lobo artwork and recognized immediately even though it's been almost twenty years since I read it) bizzare drawings. Master's work on VARGR is unbelievably.. common.

Sorry for the slight off-topic.
As for Casino Royale comic book adaptation, I'm wondering if there's anything more to say? After all we've read the novel, we've seen the film (or films). We know the story by heart.
So how are they planning on keeping us interested and excited about it?

I'm looking forward to reading it of course but I'd much rather read some original stories in the future.

Edited by Marcin, 19 July 2016 - 05:15 PM.

[Harmsway]

Arc #3, HAMMERHEAD, launches in October, so they're keeping the focus on original material.

Dynamite really seems to be making the most of this IP. They're exploring classic Bond and modern Bond simultaneously.

[Marcin]

Great news! That's the first time I've heard of it. Plot description sounds intriguing. Moreover, it looks great.

[Harmsway]

Yes, the art for HAMMERHEAD is a step up from what the series has delivered so far.

[sharpshooter]

Great news with the comics just coming out one after another. The last time I was this eager for the literary Bond was with Charlie Higson.

 

The new art style is lovely, and the preview pages excite. Bond rappelling into a building like Never Say Never Again and cleaning up the targets.  

[Orion]

ANDY DIGGLE?!?!?!?!?

I'm sold. That man wrote possibly my favourite comic book arcs - Green Arrow Year One and Hellblazer: Joyride (which continues into The Laughing Magician and The Roots of Coincidence). He is that rare quality of truly understanding characters whilst also being an incredibly visual writer. IFP really aren't skimping when it comes to these comic books are they?

[Harmsway]

IFP isn't calling the shots, I'd imagine. Dynamite is making the most of their license.

I'm glad to hear Diggle is a talented fellow. I'm not familiar with his work.

[sharpshooter]

Preview pages for the latest issue are online. I'm happy to see Bond's flirty side is being explored.

https://www.dynamite...513024181808011

There's a synopsis and cover art for issue 11 as well.

[billy007]

I really am enjoying the series.  Casino Royale should be interesting. I'm glad it is being done as a period piece.

[sharpshooter]

Just read the latest issue. I really love this version of Bond. Snapping the necks of two goons in an elevator and sweet talking the 'Bond girl'. He's a cruel, cool dude. Seems like a plot of VARGR will also factor into the story in some way too, which is a nice touch.

[Syndicate]

Here hoes the link to the cover of the first issue of Hammerhead:

http://www.flickerin...merhead-1-2.jpg

Sooner later  the Casino Royal and Live and Let Die graphic novels will be compared to the original Daily Strip one. When it was put together as a graphic novel, and which is better and sign of time on how it is.

[jonny69]

Just a thought, I wonder if Hammerhead will continue in the timeline/universe that Ellis has created or has Diggle and Casaluinguida  got a free reign to build from the ground up?

I know Marsters art has been a little divisive (think it's fine  for the story it has been telling myself) but Ellis has reinvigorated the character for me. Hope he returns to the title. 

Edited by jonny69, 09 August 2016 - 03:22 PM.

[sharpshooter]

I imagine it's the same universe, but they don't have to comment on past adventures if they don't want to.

[Harmsway]

It has been confirmed that Hammerhead is set in the Ellisverse, if we can call it that. I'm not sure how significantly it will be tied-in to the Ellis storyline. Hopefully it will be just as assured and interesting.

 

I'm digging Eidolon so far. These first few issues brings Ellis' take on Bond into sharp relief. There's just as much cinematic Bond as there is Fleming in Ellis' take. At times, EllisBond almost plays like a gritty version of MooreBond, emphasizing Bond's vanity and taking his sadistic streak to an extreme. It's a characterization that nicely distinguishes itself from what has come before and feels coherent unto itself.

[sharpshooter]

At times, EllisBond almost plays like a gritty version of MooreBond, emphasizing Bond's vanity and taking his sadistic streak to an extreme.

Well put.

Hammerhead does sound interesting. Asking the reader if Bond is an agent of change, or an agent of the status quo. I think the final message will be Bond is an agent of doing the right thing, regardless of the consequences. If you're looking to restore Great Britain's former glory by targeting its nuclear arsenal, you're in 007's bad books.

[Orion]

My copy of Eidion part 2 just arrived, loved it! Ellis seems to be really getting into the swing of things with how he wants to do Bond, which is (as has been said already) somewhere in between the book version and the film one. I also do like how what seemed like a comment on Bond not being able to cope with a changing world when it turned up in VARGR is now revealing itself to be a major plot point in Eidolon.

[sharpshooter]

I found this recent interview with Andy Diggle, where he comments on Hammerhead.

"I’m having a lot of fun contrasting Bond the well-spoken gentleman with Bond the ruthless man of action. I think that contrast lies at the core of his appeal."

http://www.kotaku.co...o-sides-of-007/

[Harmsway]

I'd just like to pop in and say that the latest issue of Eidolon is the best issue yet. This run is proving to be the perfect antidote to my Craig-era hangover.

If EON knew what they were doing, they'd snatch Ellis up and have him write the next film.

[sharpshooter]

I agree issue 9 is the best so far. It built up the intrigue and tension, and still gave us a healthy dose of action.

 

I think it's clear Eve Sharma, the woman at the start, is a

Spoiler

SPECTRE double agent. Just as Bond surmises she's just there to see how much MI6 knows. Coupled with MI6 having to disarm themselves.

 

And lastly, the image of Bond standing beside the car at sunset and smoking is terrific. It's my favourite panel so far. 

 

[Orion]

Finally got round to reading 9 - Really good! Eidion is really outstripping Vargr in both scrpting and artwork.

[OHMSS Spion]

Wow, Dynamite is really expanding their Bond content rapidly. We're now getting a Felix Leiter spinoff comic, written by James Robinson. Looks like Felix will be the version who popped up recently i Eidolon (damn that's hard to spell), who has the prosthetic hand. I'm a big fan of James Robinson (he wrote one of my favorite comics, Starman), so I'm really excited for this. 

 

http://www.newsarama...a-spin-off.html

[billy007]

James Robinson working with Arron Campbell is going to be a good read.

[Marcin]

Finally got round to reading 9 - Really good! Eidion is really outstripping Vargr in both scrpting and artwork.

In scripting - definitely. Eidolon is much better read than VARGR. Artwork? Not sure. There are some really solid panels (top of the last page for example). But I still have same reservations about his drawings. Especially with facial expressions. Take a look at page 20, where Bond shoots a bad guy. Is it a smile? A grin? Expression of fierceness? Not sure. Maybe it's just a trifle, but in my opinion it's a shortcoming.
I've finished reading Batman: Hush lately and I noted I have no such problem with Jim Lee's drawings. Every panel, every character and every facial expression were self-explanatory.

[Dustin]

This probably doesn't merit its own thread: Felix Leiter is about to get his own comic...
http://comicbook.com...-entertainment/


Oh. Sorry, yesterday's news...

[sharpshooter]

Felix is a logical choice for a spin-off. I'm open minded.

[Dustin]

I actually wonder why it took so long. Prior to the Moneypenny Diaries I was almost sure IFP would hire a solid American crime writer and kick off a series of PI novels with Felix. The PI genre is their home turf really and someone like Max Allan Collins or Denis Lehane would have been able to turn in some interesting stuff.

[Harmsway]

The latest issue of EIDOLON definitely doubles-down on Bond's sadism. I can see that being a controversial move, but it does fit with Ellis's version of Bond.

[sharpshooter]

Yeah, I was surprised to see that. It's probably the most ruthless Bond has been in achieving his mission. It doesn't bother me that much though.

[coco1997]

The latest issue of EIDOLON definitely doubles-down on Bond's sadism. I can see that being a controversial move, but it does fit with Ellis's version of Bond.

 

Could you elaborate on that?