007 Book One: Myrmidon

James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #15

by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Marco Finnegan (Artist)

007 is back in action! After a high-stakes rescue mission is mysteriously, violently sabotaged, Bond's future at MI6 hangs in the balance. As he awaits his fate, James Bond is urgently contacted by an old flame and Gwendolyn Gann, formerly Agent 003, who warns Bond of an existential threat to England and the global balance of power. But before they can meet, 003 turns up dead, sending Bond on the most personal mission of his find Gwendolyn Gann's killers, and expose the shadowy organization known only as "Myrmidon." Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON (Action Comics) and illustrated by MARCO FINNEGAN (Kolchak), this handsome edition collects 007 #1-6 and features a cover by MARC ASPINALL.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Thriller, Espionage, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2023

About the author

Phillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dynamite's James Bond graphic novels can be very hit or miss, but I'm pleased to say that this one is a hit. I'm reading it again as I have just bought the sequel. Myrmidon has a decent plot & although the artwork is nothing impressive the story is just as enjoyable second time around.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome return to form for the Dynamite series after a couple of minor works. This collection offers a story that feels like classic Bond and also a classic spy story. Plenty of thrills and sets the scene for a continuing story. The artwork is sparse in places, but effective and its nice to see an expanded world of double-0 agents as well as familiar characters. Look forward to Book Two.

[Neil Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the previous dynamite bond stories I was looking forward to this but it didn't hit the same level.

Not sure if that is down to it being a series rather than a one off story?!

But I felt that Fromm didn't get enough exposure to really give the main villain the part that he deserved and I also felt that the illustrations weren't to the level I'd come to expect from dynamite.

Still worth a read if you like the bond comic series and I'm still looking forward to see where the story goes in the next one.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dynamite’s Bond series have been notable for consistently strong writing and uneven art. Johnson’s story here is one of the better efforts, and the art suits it well.

[Michael Emond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that we are getting these new 007 comic collections/adventures. Every one I have read was fun and is doing a better job growing the character and writing engaging stories than the movies have been doing lately.

The first one I read was by Ellis and I loved it and the ones that followed have also been solid (Jeff Parker's James Bond Origins was a stand-out). This is another excellent adventure that would work wonderfully as a movie or a little mini series a streaming service. As usual - the title makes no sense outside the context of the story. That's okay. I won't do justice to the story but (I think) it is a new spy agency is snatching up spies from spy agencies all around the world and impacting some with improvements that makes them ver hard to kill (like new skin that can't be pierces with a bullet). The main hook is 003 - a spy that 007 was very close to - gets caught up in all of this and gets killed. Was she a double agent? Was she a triple agent? We shall find out as James goes under cover to try to unravel how deep this goes.

The story itself has been done before IMO. Mission Impossible 5 did a similar idea. But that's okay - I read these for the fun not necessarily because they reinvent the wheel. And this story was fun. The art was solid and I enjoyed it throughout. It does end on a cliff hanger so I hope I get to read the next instalment sooner than later (so I don't have to reread this volume to remind me of what happened before).

Overall - another fun instalment of the new series of James Bond comic book stories.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Bond is contacted by an old flame, Gwendolyn Gann, formerly Agent OO3, who warns Bond of a serious threat to England and the world, an organization called Myrmidon. But before they can meet, OO3 turns up dead, and Bond wants to find out who her killer is and expose Myrmidon. But things get messy, of course.

The story of Bond and Gann switches from past to present; the notable thing about her compared to the books and films is that she is not just eye candy. He acknowledges she is superior to him as an agent in many ways. There were in Fleming's original conception--and also in the films--Bond women who were strong and smart as well as beautiful, but this is different. She's seen here as an iconic agent figure, and she's also older than him, and not Barbie/Playboy bodied, which would never have happened in the old Bond universe.

Anyway, it ends in a cliffhanger and there's also another surprise at the end. I've read them all in the series, so I'll read on, but this one seems standard issue in most ways. But it's interesting to have read this in the light of my reading of Mick Herron's Slough House series, where "slow horse" (aka loser) agents solve crimes, not supposedly perfect males such as Bond whose best laid plans always ultimately work out.

[Frédéric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review for the whole series

We’re in for a longer run than usual here, this book being a vol.1 of a series.

The plot is worth a standard 3*, no more. Moles, double-crossings and spy-ish stuff occur. It’s not so bad as very predictable and I expected the final twist since issue one.
The way agents are dealt with by the hierarchy or how a country would covertly renege its so-called ideals is coldly realist. The whole gang of 00× agents casually having a pint in a pub much less. The introduction of 007’s former mentor is a nice addition though.

The art on the other hand ain’t worth shit- pardon my french. It was a real chore to endure something so miserable. I was so accustomed to its mediocrity that when 007 stood next to the major villain the first time I simply thought it was yet another problem of mispropotion. It wasn’t. The villain is actually a giant dwarfing Bond. Inflicting such amateurism on the reader cost the book 1*.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to like this book, and before reading, had already mostly banished it to 3 star limbo.

But upon reading I was faced with a fresh new Bond, in a modern caper that ended up hitting all of the right buttons and pulled off not only a good espionage tale, but gave us a character that we actually cared about, while at the same time hitting all the 007 tropes in ways that never felt tired or cliché.
This is probably the first Bond that we can like as a person, ever, so I found that I really wanted him to get the win when things were down. I thought the story was very well done, and really focused more on the intrigue and moral gray areas than on showcasing Bond as a one man, rocket-pants, army. A Bond with emotional depths?!? Who knew!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and as soon as I finished the last issue was online looking for the next vol.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a mission gone wrong Bond is contacted by an old flame (and former 003) who warns of an organization threatening England and the world but before they can meet she turns up dead. Bond is determined to avenge her and infiltrates the mysterious organization known as Myrmidon expose their plot and avenge 003. Soon Bond doesn't know who he can trust or who his actions will put in danger and the action ramps up as it isn't clear if he is working for MI6 or for his own vengeance. Clean and simple art that does a good job of conveying the story being told and a plot that feels like a classic bond tale with a cliffhanger ending that will lead into the next volume of the series. Reprints James Bond 007 Issues #1-6 and includes alternate cover gallery.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story, crap art. Bond goes undercover when another 00 agent he respected is killed. I really liked the updating so that women 00's were just as capable as the men. Bond doesn't need to be stuck in the sixties. The art is pretty damn bad. Looks like simple sketches with zero backgrounds.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit that was GOOD!!!

Really some of the best James Bond comics I EVER read!! Thick mystery, twists & turns, and while some of it was predictable it was no less an EXCELLENT read!!

On to volume two!!

[Logan Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10:
This is a solid James Bond story that certainly feels in line with the characters from this universe very well. The story itself is fairly standalone, but I did feel like I was missing context. Something different that I decided to try out and I’m glad I did!

[H. Givens · Rating 2 out of 5]

The people who didn't like it seem to mostly not like the art -- I thought it was fine. It's an art style that's kind of craggy and pop-art-colored, not my favorite style but not an inherently bad one. I just thought the plot was very standard.

CN: Reference to sexual assault.

[Hisham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A faithful and also modern take on James Bond that explores some of the other 00 Agents. The plot and central antagonist feels very original. The artwork does a good job of depicting the action. Plus, there's a a great cliffhanger that makes you want to check out the next volume.

[Beckiezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoopla Bonus Borrow. At first I was a bit indifferent, I’m not particularly a James Bond fan, I have only seen the Pierce Brosnan movies in the 90s, but this pulled me in and I’d be tempted to read more if I could figure out if the next volume even exists on Hoopla.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. Have not read the previous ones in the series, but man i am starved for some good 007 content with the movies...on a long break. Had everything i wanted, spy stuff, sexy stuff, and Bond, James Bond. Looking forward to reading more in the 007 world

[Kumar K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts dull, but picks up by the time James starts being a triple agent and going against MI6. I wish we had more traveling, trying exotic things, much like the movies, and this is why it's a 3/5 instead of a 4/5.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more. It was good, just not great.

[Greg Trosclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Dark Horse series are all really quite excellent.

[Umur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and gorgeous.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

007 is always fun.


🍸🍸🍸

[Ben A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is among some of the best the ongoing Bond comics have been at Dynamite. Rereading to prepare for reading the next chapter of the story.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I need you to finish what 003 started.”

Gwendolyn Gann — 003 — is dead. 007 is not happy about that...

“…Myrmidon will be the defense contractor for every global super power. Every armed conflict. We’re gonna choose who wins.”

A little slow at the beginning, but it does pick up the pace! Cliffhanger ending with four 00’s being tasked to capture 007, and if he won’t come, kill him!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite Bond story, possibly because of the muddy artwork, but something about this volume just didn't grab me.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer when story arcs close in volumes like these. But what we get here is very good.

[s.j.hannaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

007 Licensed to thrill …

& Thrill it does, great story as usual, lots of clever twists, together with good graphics, looking forward to more !!!?

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tries to work as a serial comic by continually upping the stakes but in a world like James Bond it’s difficult to make it seem realistic. Still cool, loved the inclusion of the other double O’s.

[M.i. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fact, this story mirrors real world events. Its writers have got their ears to the ground and it makes for an intriguing spy story.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with some of the required modern day twists, the story is fine and the art acceptable. Perhaps this is the best one can expect from the remnants of Flemming's genius in today's society.

[Megan B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much felt like a Bond movie