Review: JAMES BOND #12 - Eidolon

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 12
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“Eidolon”

“James Bond” is the fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of EON Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, and the latest Bond comic books come courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.  James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  Vol. 1 comprises two story arcs, with the second entitled “Eidolon.”

“Eidolon” began with a man named Mr. Hawkwood doing a little killing because someone exposed “Eidolon.”  On the 007 side of things, James Bond arrived in Los Angeles.  His mission was to extract fellow MI6 agent, Cadence Birdwhistle, from the Turkish Consulate.  Her cover was blown, and it was too late to fix things.  “Eidolon” turned out to be a stay-behind cell of the infamous SPECTRE, and now it had infiltrated the homeland protecting part of British Secret Service, MI5, which was out to put its foreign service counterpart, MI6, out of business.

As James Bond, Volume 1, #12 opens, Mr. Hawkwood initiates the endgame of his plot against MI6.  With most of his cell gone, he eschews subterfuge and goes directly at his enemy.  And he may be a bit too tough even for MI6 agent-extraordinaire, James Bond, to handle.

With that final panel of Bond having a smoke and simply saying “No,” Warren Ellis' run on Dynamite's James Bond comes to an end.  Even the cover art for issue #12 by Dom Reardon, with Bond striding into the background, his back to the viewer, says goodbye.  Bond's shadow casts a montage of images from “Eidolon.”  Maybe, Ellis has written Bond out of his system, but I hope for more Ellis Bond at some nebulous later date.  “Eidolon” has such an abrupt ending, so I think that the conclusion was rushed when it certainly could have breathed for at least another half-issue.

However, I have praised Ellis enough during his Bond run, and now, it is time to praise his artist and collaborator on “Vargr” (the first story) and “Eidolon,” Jason Masters.  I don't thing these two story arcs would work quite as well as they do without Masters.  His crisp, clean compositions and his ability to design pages that maximize action in a series of connected static images marks Masters as a masterful comic book storyteller.  Those skills turn “Eidolon” into a bracing, page-turning read.  I hope to see more of Masters soon, and I would hope Dynamite considers him as the go-to-artist to make other writers' Bond comics really work.

A

[This comic book includes an advanced preview of James Bond: Felix Lieter, written by James Robinson; drawn by Aaron Campbell; colored by Salvatore Aiala; and lettered by Simon Bowland; with a cover art by Mike Perkins and Andy Taylor.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------------------------

Review: JAMES BOND Volume 1 #7

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 7
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“Eidolon”

The fictional British Secret Service agent, “James Bond,” was created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of EON Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, and the latest comes courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.  James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The second story, entitled “Eidolon,” recently began.

James Bond, Volume 1, #7 begins with a man named Mr. Hawkwood doing a little killing because someone exposed “Eidolon.”  On the 007 side of things, James Bond arrives in Los Angeles.  His mission is to extract fellow MI6, Cadence Birdwhistle, from the Turkish Consulate.  Her cover has been blown, but it may be too late to fix this.

Apparently, the new story arc of Dynamite's James Bond, “Eidolon,” will introduce SPECTRE into this current iteration of James Bond comics.  Normally, I'd be super-excited about this, but this James Bond comic book is already fantastic after the previous story arc, the stunning “Vargr.”  The arrival (or return or debut) of SPECTRE is merely sprinkles on a ab-fab cake that is already layered with a nice, thick coating of delicious icing.

Still, upon first taste, those are some damn fine sprinkles.  James Bond, Volume 1, #7 is a compact, mean little bastard of a read.  Ellis' Bond is a blunt instrument, a skilled killer who will pop a cap in enemy ass with supernatural accuracy.

Ellis is a “name” comics creator, so he's the focus for many readers' attentions.  However, artist Jason Masters is pushing his way to the front.  I think the tenacity and the gripping nature of this story is the creation of the graphic storyteller, the visual artist and storyteller, which is Masters.  He is the guy that makes James Bond, Volume 1 explode, both within the narrative and also off the page... all over your face.  And girl, I don't mind wiping “Eidolon” stuff off my face.

Yeah, I'm still crazy about Dynamite's new James Bond comic book.  It should be outselling most of what DC Comics and Marvel are publishing.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JAMES BOND, Volume 1 #6 - Vargr

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 6
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of EON Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, and the latest comes courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.  James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The first story arc is entitled is entitled “Vargr.”

“Vargr” begins with James Bond, Agent 007 on a mission in Helsinki to avenge the death of 008, whose case load he assumes upon returning to London – mission successfully completed.  A new mission takes Bond to Berlin to break up a drug operation.  He discovers a conspiracy, but does not realize how far-ranging it is, nor does he initially comprehend the forces arrayed against him.

James Bond, Volume 1, #6 finds 007 in Norway.  There, he will infiltrate the “Vargr,” a battleship belonging to Slaven Kurjak, the mastermind behind the horrific drug/viral outbreak that could send London (and other locales) into chaos.  The brutality that it will take to complete this mission just might destroy James Bond.

When Dynamite Entertainment launched its press push for James Bond, Volume 1, Warren Ellis said that this James Bond comic book series would feature a James Bond that skewed closer to the character that appeared in Ian Fleming's writing than in the film series.  When actor Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond around a decade ago, it was announced that the James Bond film series would return to the idea that 007 was a blunt instrument used by the British Secret Service.

This newest comic book incarnation offers a James Bond that mostly eschews the cinematic theatrics of movie James Bond, and offers a Bond that is closer to the literary Bond, which includes 007 being a “blunt instrument.”

Warren Ellis offers a story that is tense and fast-moving without being a slick action-packed thriller.  Ellis' Bond is cool under pressure and cerebral, but he is also the relentless force of nature that is the cinematic Jason Bourne, as played actor Matt Damon.  Ellis builds the conflict, plot, and conspiracy with his usual mix of cutting edge culture, science, and technology.

The true stars of this series may be artist Jason Masters and colorist Guy Major.  Master's graphical storytelling and composition create a story that moves straight ahead like a grim fighter who knows that he is in the last round of a fight.  He may dodge and weave, but he can't really take a step back; he must move inexorable forward in this unforgiving fight, regardless of the injuries inflicted upon him.  It is Major, who uses a cool palette of colors, that creates the sense that this story has a consistent sense of pace and movement.  Once you start Ellis' story, Masters and Major create a visual and graphical experience that pushes you forward, right smack into the bloody end.

Damn, I can't wait for the next chapter in Dynamite's Ellis-Masters-Major Bond.  In the meantime, grab the upcoming hardcover collection of the Vargr story arc.  It will be worth the cover price.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

--------------------

Review: JAMES BOND Volume 1 #1

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Francavilla; Steven Mooney; Dan Panosian; Gabriel Hardman with Jordan Boyd; Glenn Fabry; Jock; Gabriel Hardman; Joe Jusko; Aaron Campbell; Timothy Lim; Dennis Calero; Robert Hack; Ben Oliver; Jason Masters
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“Vargr”

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of the long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

After Fleming's death, a number of authors continued to produce James Bond novels, including the recently released Trigger Warning from author Anthony Horowitz.  Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  The latest James Bond comic book appears courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.

James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The first story arc is entitled is entitled “Vargr.”  According to Ellis, this James Bond comic book series will feature a James Bond that skews closer to the character that appeared in Ian Fleming's writing than in the film series.

James Bond, Volume 1, #1 opens in Helsinki, Finland.  There, James Bond-007 is settling a matter concerning 008.  Back in London at MI6 headquarters, M (Bond's immediate superior) informs Bond that he must take on a larger workload.  That will take him to Berlin and into danger.

When actor Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond around a decade ago, it was announced that the James Bond film series would return to the idea that 007 was a blunt instrument used by the British Secret Service.  That was evident in most of Craig's first outing as Bond, 2006's Casino Royale, although the film ultimately returned to the action movie theatrics that have defined the series for most of its existence.

In 22 pages, writer Warren Ellis makes it clear that the James Bond of “Vargr” is not only a blunt instrument, but also is a man who can be both suave and ordinary-like, as necessary.  This Bond is also classic and cool, like Sean Connery operating with a jazzy soundtrack in the background.  There is, however, also a touch of the edginess found in Richard Stark's Parker.

Jason Masters' art and graphical storytelling deglazes any cinematic sheen from both the subject and the story.  With Guy Major's colors, Masters' art does not seek to make this a matter-of-fact Bond, but rather it emphasizes the story and genre as much as it does the famous character.

I highly recommend this to fans of James Bond and to those who have been waiting for a James Bond comic book.  I must also note that not only is Moneypenny a Black character (as she is in the current films), but so is M.  I'll be waiting in Berlin...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------

The New 52 Review: STATIC SHOCK #2

STATIC SHOCK #2
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Scott McDaniel and John Rozum
PENCILS: Scott McDaniel
INKS: Andy Owens
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Chris Brunner with Rico Renzi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Static/Virgil Ovid Hawkins is an African-American teen superhero who first appeared in comic books produced by Milestone Media. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” Static stars in a new comic book series entitled Static Shock.

As Static Shock #2 (“Disarmed”) opens, Static takes on a big-talking bad guy named Virule. The battle leaves Static grievously injured… or so he thinks, and suddenly, Virgil has to pay attention to the development his powers. As he navigates the halls of his new high school, P.S. M101 Dwayne G. McDuffie Center for Science and Mathematics (good name), Static discovers that he can get some clues about his other current adversaries, the Slate Gang. Meanwhile, the conspiracy in which he is a part grows with new players.

For readers to fully enjoy the new DC Comics Static Shock, they will need to be somewhat familiar with the Milestone Comics Static stories, but that is less so with this second issue than it was with the first. I must have missed something, because something screwed up is going on with Virgil’s sister, Sharon.

Anyway, everything about Static Shock has improved from issue 1 to issue 2. The action and fight scenes are brief, but are explosive and also effective for the story. Co-writer/penciller Scott McDaniel and co-writer John Rozum jump around a lot from scenes with just Static or just the villains to scenes at home and at school, but each one is necessary to the story and moves it forward by offering more tantalizing details. These scenes form one big structural backbone. This time, Static Shock is not just another superhero comic book; it is also an engaging mystery and drama.

The art by McDaniel and inker Andy Owens is also better. The composition is solid, even if this isn’t the prettiest art around. The graphic and page design are dynamic and certainly more lively than last time, which makes the storytelling less stiff and formal. Static Shock #2 gives me hope that I can, at least, expect good things from this series. After the first issue, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep reading.

B+

The New 52 Review: BLACKHAWKS #1

"Not your grandfather's or father's Blackhawks"

BLACKHAWKS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Mike Costa
LAYOUTS: Graham Nolan
FINISHES: Ken Lashley
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVERS: Ken Lashley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The Blackhawks debuted in Military Comics #1 (cover date August 1941), published by Quality Comics. The Blackhawk Squadron, usually called the Blackhawks, were a small team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities, who were led by an American named Blackhawk (his nationality and ethnicity changed over the years).

The Blackhawks’ long-running comic book series was known as Blackhawk, both in Military Comics (eventually Modern Comics) and, later, a self-titled series. Blackhawk was created by Will Eisner, Chuck Cuidera, and Bob Powell, although Reed Crandall is the artist most associated with the series. Future Justice League of America artist, Dick Dillin, drew the series for 18 years. In 1987, Howard Chaykin of American Flagg! fame revamped the series in the three-issue, prestige format comic book, Blackhawk.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Blackhawks are reborn. However, the new series apparently will have no connection to the previous incarnations and also will share the post-Flashpoint, rebooted DC Universe continuity.

Blackhawks #1 opens in Ayaguz, Kazakhstan with the Blackhawks on a rescue mission and doing a takedown of hostage takers. The operation goes well, but not without a hitch. Kunoichi has a big problem that starts out small, and the Blackhawks’ cover is blown.

If you are a fan of everything Blackhawk before Chaykin’s miniseries, you will need to accept that this new Blackhawks is exactly that – something new. Even if you accepted the changes Chaykin made, you will still have to make another leap of faith. Other than the logo, this is, for all intents and purposes, something called Blackhawks that is not the Blackhawk that debuted in 1941. That said…

This is neither really good nor deplorably bad. At least to me, Blackhawks is essentially a comic book about special ops on steroids with elements of military science fiction and superheroes mixed into the concept. Writer Mike Costa brings his script together nicely. Readers will have questions, like who are these characters; what are they about, what do they want; and who are their adversaries, among others? Still, what is in the first issue is easy to understand.

The art by Ken Lashley, from layouts by Graham Nolan, looks like a scratchy version of Trevor Von Eeden’s art on the 1980s cult series, Thriller. Lashley’s is not a pretty style, but it grew on me.

Will I try this comic book again? Yes, I’m curious, but I also hope it gets better.

B-

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html

The New 52 Review: SUPERBOY #1

SUPERBOY #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Scott Lobdell
PENCILS: R.B. Silva
INKS: Rob Lean
COLORS: The Hories
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
COVER: Eric Canete with Guy Major
32pp, Color, $2.99

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superboy first appeared in More Fun Comics #101 (January-February 1945). The character was meant to be Superman as a boy and a teenager. Later, Superboy was reinvented as a clone of Superman and Lex Luthor. With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero comics line, “The New 52,” Superboy (the clone) is back.

Superboy #1 opens with Superboy in a glass tank of neonatal amniotic fluid and subjected to various virtual reality programs. Who is Superboy? What is Superboy? Why does the female doctor known as “Red” care for him? Who or what is N.O.W.H.E.R.E.?

What to make of Superboy? It is a mildly enjoyable read. A veteran scribe, Superboy writer Scott Lobdell is a master of dragging out a narrative over several months (or even over a year or two if necessary). That would be just fine and dandy if the characters weren’t so stiff here, although Superboy is interesting.

The art (pencils, inks, and colors) is pretty, but is so stiff and mechanical. If clip art fucked Dilbert, artist R.B. Silva’s style would be the result. Still, I’m curious enough to try at least one more issue.

C+

September 14th

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html

The New 52 Review: STATIC SHOCK #1

STATIC SHOCK #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Scott McDaniel and John Rozum
PENCILS: Scott McDaniel
INKS: Jonathan Glapion and LeBeau Underwood
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Scott McDaniel with Guy Major
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Static is an African-American teen superhero from Milestone, the comic book imprint of Milestone Media. Static is perhaps most widely known as the protagonist of the animated television series Static Shock (2000-04).

Milestone emphasized minority characters, both as superheroes and super villains, as well as supporting characters in comic books. Milestone characters have been folded in the DC Universe proper. With “The New 52,” the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, Static is back in a new comic book, Static Shock.

Static/Virgil Ovid Hawkins and his family moved from Dakota City to New York City, as the Milestone Media characters move into the DC Universe. Virgil’s new after school job is at S.T.A.R. Labs, and Hardware is his mentor/benefactor. As Static Shock #1 opens, trouble is brewing at S.T.A.R. in the shape of an inept bad guy named Sunspot. Taking on Sunspot, however, puts Static right in the crosshairs of the Slate Gang.

For readers to fully enjoy the new Static Shock, they will need to be somewhat familiar with the Milestone Comics universe. Otherwise, this is a comic book for ‘tweens, as it remains evident that the template for Static is Spider-Man. The drama and conflict are not particularly intense, and I doubt readers used to the dark, modern superhero melodramas, with their often mature subject matter and sometimes gritty violence, will find enough vinegar in this story to hold their interest.

Static Shock #1 is moderately well-written and the art is good (except for the characters’ faces). There are enough seeds of future intrigue planted here to bring interested readers back – like me

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html