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James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #1
James Bond, Vol. 1: Vargr
After a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, James Bond returns to London and assumes the workload of a fallen 00 Section agent. His new mission takes him to Berlin, presumably to break up an agile drug-trafficking operation. But Bond has no idea of the forces gathered in secret against him, the full scope of an operation that's much scarier and more lethal than he could possibly imagine. Berlin is about to catch fire... and James Bond is trapped inside. Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents VARGR, the debut storyline in the all-new James Bond comic book series, as crafted by masterful writer Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, The Authority) and artist Jason Masters (Batman Incorporated, Guardians of the Galaxy).
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2016
65 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,908 books5,764 followersWarren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
July 4, 2017
I didn't care for this very much.
I am a huge James Bond fan having read most of the books and seen all of the movies. I had high hopes for this and it did not live up to them.
The whole thing felt very silly and the James Bond was goofy - he did not make me think of other James Bonds at all. The gore in the book was gratuitous. Normally I don't mind gore, but generally James Bond doesn't have a lot of sensational gore, so it just didn't feel right.
Also, I didn't love the art. For me it was very sloppy and characters did not always look the same from panel to panel. Whenever a character was making a a face to emphasize their anger, joy, etc. it ended up looking silly. Not that I could do any better, but that's why I read graphic novels and don't write them.
I will continue to give this graphic novel series a try, but I am not impressed with the start.
I am a huge James Bond fan having read most of the books and seen all of the movies. I had high hopes for this and it did not live up to them.
The whole thing felt very silly and the James Bond was goofy - he did not make me think of other James Bonds at all. The gore in the book was gratuitous. Normally I don't mind gore, but generally James Bond doesn't have a lot of sensational gore, so it just didn't feel right.
Also, I didn't love the art. For me it was very sloppy and characters did not always look the same from panel to panel. Whenever a character was making a a face to emphasize their anger, joy, etc. it ended up looking silly. Not that I could do any better, but that's why I read graphic novels and don't write them.
I will continue to give this graphic novel series a try, but I am not impressed with the start.
December 22, 2020
"We take safety very seriously here, Mr. Bond." -- Mr. Kurjak, the villain
"You shot all your employees and put a disease inside a drug, Mr. Kurjak. Did you remember to wash your hands afterwards?" -- James Bond, the hero
A tight suspense-action graphic novel that combines the best of all worlds, so to speak. Though it's meant to be reminiscent in tone to Ian Fleming's original 007 paperbacks from long ago, I think it also is a mash-up of the different acting personas of the men who've portrayed the secret agent - the steely toughness of Sean Connery (as a movie critic once remarked "when his eyes narrowed and his body tensed up, you knew the playing was over and the bloodshed was about to begin"), the deft verbal acuity of Roger Moore, the smoldering seriousness of Pierce Brosnan, and the cold-blooded brutality of Daniel Craig. The story is very much set in the 21st century - Miss Moneypenny gives as good as she gets in her witty byplay with Bond; the villain's line-up of hired-goon muscle includes a formidable woman with mechanically-enhanced hands - as 007 blasts and bashes his way across Europe in a graphically-violent storyline involving a trafficking operation and tainted drugs. The only thing really missing is the standard 'Bond girl' character, as our superspy sadly gets only the briefest of romantic scenes . . . which quickly shifts and escalates into a severe fight for survival. Is this appropriate reading just days before Christmas? Hell, no. But sometimes you want to return to that old chestnut of a plot - watching the good guy move heaven and earth to stop the bad guy.
"You shot all your employees and put a disease inside a drug, Mr. Kurjak. Did you remember to wash your hands afterwards?" -- James Bond, the hero
A tight suspense-action graphic novel that combines the best of all worlds, so to speak. Though it's meant to be reminiscent in tone to Ian Fleming's original 007 paperbacks from long ago, I think it also is a mash-up of the different acting personas of the men who've portrayed the secret agent - the steely toughness of Sean Connery (as a movie critic once remarked "when his eyes narrowed and his body tensed up, you knew the playing was over and the bloodshed was about to begin"), the deft verbal acuity of Roger Moore, the smoldering seriousness of Pierce Brosnan, and the cold-blooded brutality of Daniel Craig. The story is very much set in the 21st century - Miss Moneypenny gives as good as she gets in her witty byplay with Bond; the villain's line-up of hired-goon muscle includes a formidable woman with mechanically-enhanced hands - as 007 blasts and bashes his way across Europe in a graphically-violent storyline involving a trafficking operation and tainted drugs. The only thing really missing is the standard 'Bond girl' character, as our superspy sadly gets only the briefest of romantic scenes . . . which quickly shifts and escalates into a severe fight for survival. Is this appropriate reading just days before Christmas? Hell, no. But sometimes you want to return to that old chestnut of a plot - watching the good guy move heaven and earth to stop the bad guy.
May 15, 2016
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo...
A new drug originating from Germany floods British junkies’ veins, killing them viciously.
… bah da bah baah, bah da daah…
After avenging a fallen 00 agent in Helsinki, James Bond aka 007 heads to Berlin to teach the Krauts a lesson!
… bah da DUH bah da DUH ba da dada!
BANG!
Warren Ellis - one of my favourite comics writers - on James Bond? Oh hells yeah! Was it all that and a shaken martini? …. Eh.
Vargr is a pretty standard Bond story which is disappointing as I thought Ellis would mix it up. It’s got lots of action, fighting, shoot ’em ups, car chases, along with Bond staples like Moneypenny and Q (though he’s just referred to as the Quartermaster here). There aren’t many gadgets or Bond girls though (boo!) and in the one bar scene Bond orders a bourbon!
It’s also got the classic Bond villain which is so by-the-numbers it’s funny - the villain’s opening line is “Mr Bond, I’ve been expecting you”! Then of course later on when he’s captured Bond and put him in an elaborate death trap, he tells him his entire plan and leaves before seeing Bond die, ensuring Bond will escape (which he does). It was probably funny because I kept hearing Scott Evil in my head during that scene, “What? Why don’t you just shoot him?”
Ellis incorporates his futurist fascination into the book and it works pretty well - cybernetically-enhanced henchmen is something I could see in a Bond movie. Jaws worked, right? It’s the next step up from him.
I liked Jason Masters’ art a lot. His Bond looks a lot like Sterling Archer (which is appropriate as Archer’s a pastiche of Bond) albeit with a scar which makes sense given his rough and tumble life. The action looks good, the settings too - the comic’s full of fine visuals.
James Bond: Vargr is a perfectly decent Bond story but Warren Ellis unfortunately doesn’t lift it above the average - aside from some sarky quips, almost anyone could’ve put something like this together. It’s an ok read but I was hoping for better with this creative team. If you like Bond or Warren Ellis, you could do worse than Vargr.
A new drug originating from Germany floods British junkies’ veins, killing them viciously.
… bah da bah baah, bah da daah…
After avenging a fallen 00 agent in Helsinki, James Bond aka 007 heads to Berlin to teach the Krauts a lesson!
… bah da DUH bah da DUH ba da dada!
BANG!
Warren Ellis - one of my favourite comics writers - on James Bond? Oh hells yeah! Was it all that and a shaken martini? …. Eh.
Vargr is a pretty standard Bond story which is disappointing as I thought Ellis would mix it up. It’s got lots of action, fighting, shoot ’em ups, car chases, along with Bond staples like Moneypenny and Q (though he’s just referred to as the Quartermaster here). There aren’t many gadgets or Bond girls though (boo!) and in the one bar scene Bond orders a bourbon!
It’s also got the classic Bond villain which is so by-the-numbers it’s funny - the villain’s opening line is “Mr Bond, I’ve been expecting you”! Then of course later on when he’s captured Bond and put him in an elaborate death trap, he tells him his entire plan and leaves before seeing Bond die, ensuring Bond will escape (which he does). It was probably funny because I kept hearing Scott Evil in my head during that scene, “What? Why don’t you just shoot him?”
Ellis incorporates his futurist fascination into the book and it works pretty well - cybernetically-enhanced henchmen is something I could see in a Bond movie. Jaws worked, right? It’s the next step up from him.
I liked Jason Masters’ art a lot. His Bond looks a lot like Sterling Archer (which is appropriate as Archer’s a pastiche of Bond) albeit with a scar which makes sense given his rough and tumble life. The action looks good, the settings too - the comic’s full of fine visuals.
James Bond: Vargr is a perfectly decent Bond story but Warren Ellis unfortunately doesn’t lift it above the average - aside from some sarky quips, almost anyone could’ve put something like this together. It’s an ok read but I was hoping for better with this creative team. If you like Bond or Warren Ellis, you could do worse than Vargr.
December 19, 2016
Thanks to SUD666 for the recommendation. I like Bond movies and I have been liking crime stories for awhile now, and Ellis seems like a pretty good fit in a way for Bond, with all the splashy action (though Bond is more refined than most Ellis tales). The art is clean and not noirish at all; it's casino- and martini-oriented and not beer, fittingly. Feels less like Sean Connery than Daniel Craig. More contemporary beefcake guys in this one than the sixties Bonds. It's much more contemporarily brutal (and graphically so) than the movies, and less sexy, in this volume at least, which is to say there's not as many "Pussy Galore" type characters, dang it! Lost of gadgetry, though, as we'd expect from Bond and Ellis.
This arc has a pretty good villain, and is decently compelling, though it feels a little too condensed for a Bond story. I'll see if it gets better. Maybe 3.5 so far for me.
This arc has a pretty good villain, and is decently compelling, though it feels a little too condensed for a Bond story. I'll see if it gets better. Maybe 3.5 so far for me.
March 4, 2018
Those of you expecting a Warren Ellis twist on James Bond won't find one. Instead Ellis has taken Bond back to his Ian Fleming roots. Bond is a cold-hearted bastard with a gallows sense of humor. There's plenty of action and Bondian henchmen even if there isn't much of a master plan that Bond must stop.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2018
My name is McCoy... L. McCoy (I know that was cheesy but I couldn’t resist (oh and to clarify I do have a full first name)).
What’s it about?
There’s a drug that is causing it’s users to experience extreme pain and then die in pretty gruesome ways. Bond ends up investigating it and having to stop the bad guys.
Pros:
The beginning is a great way to begin a book (much better than the way I began my review).
The story is interesting.
There’s some really good panels, especially in the action scenes.
The action is the highlight of this book. There’s a lot of action and it is freaking awesome!
This book is very suspenseful.
Cons:
There’s a few comic relief moments were there and they were pretty weak. Fortunately it’s not something that fills the book or anything but still.
The characters are kinda generic (it’s odd that I say that for a brand name character but really). This rendition of Bond is not a particularly interesting fellow, he’s actually a bit of a d**khead at times (one that does in all fairness know how to do some pretty cool stuff). The villains are very typical villains.
The ending left me with a very meh feeling.
I mentioned there being some good panels, unfortunately there’s also some bad ones. While some of the art looks fantastic there’s a few parts that look more like bad Archer drawings (if I wanted that I’d watch Pacific Heat).
Overall:
This is a good book. If you’re into spies and espionage kind of stuff you’ll probably like it. If not, you ain’t gonna care for this very much. Despite a meh ending and characters, the action scenes and suspense make this an interesting book that I would recommend.
4/5
What’s it about?
There’s a drug that is causing it’s users to experience extreme pain and then die in pretty gruesome ways. Bond ends up investigating it and having to stop the bad guys.
Pros:
The beginning is a great way to begin a book (much better than the way I began my review).
The story is interesting.
There’s some really good panels, especially in the action scenes.
The action is the highlight of this book. There’s a lot of action and it is freaking awesome!
This book is very suspenseful.
Cons:
There’s a few comic relief moments were there and they were pretty weak. Fortunately it’s not something that fills the book or anything but still.
The characters are kinda generic (it’s odd that I say that for a brand name character but really). This rendition of Bond is not a particularly interesting fellow, he’s actually a bit of a d**khead at times (one that does in all fairness know how to do some pretty cool stuff). The villains are very typical villains.
The ending left me with a very meh feeling.
I mentioned there being some good panels, unfortunately there’s also some bad ones. While some of the art looks fantastic there’s a few parts that look more like bad Archer drawings (if I wanted that I’d watch Pacific Heat).
Overall:
This is a good book. If you’re into spies and espionage kind of stuff you’ll probably like it. If not, you ain’t gonna care for this very much. Despite a meh ending and characters, the action scenes and suspense make this an interesting book that I would recommend.
4/5
November 28, 2024
Movie 007 this is not! This takes Bond back to his roots where every bullet counts and every punch shows...
Recommended!
Recommended!
November 20, 2016
I've had Warren Ellis' James Bond series under my Want-To-Read file for awhile. I am glad I took the time to go find this at my comic store. James Bond is back! This first issue shows James on a "simple" mission of revenge. The killer of 008 having been dispatched Bond is now given his caseload- it has something to do with a bad drug that is being smuggled into England.
That's the premise it seems for Warren Ellis to do his rendition of Ian Fleming's classic spy-James Bond. The Bond inside this story reminds me more of the modern Daniel Craig 007 rather than the Bond's of the past. He is elegant but brutal. He is suave yet a maverick. I am interested to see where this series goes, though I can only expect good things in Ellis' capable hands.
The art? I am not sure what I think yet. When the issue first started I didn't think much of it, but it seems to work with the story so far. I am willing to give it some time and see how I feel about it, I most certainly don't hate it...but neither do I prefer it.
For now if you are a James Bond fan, especially the Craig versions, then this is a series I think you will enjoy. This is only the first issue so we shall see where this series takes us, but with Ellis as the writer I'm hoping the path will be an exciting one.
That's the premise it seems for Warren Ellis to do his rendition of Ian Fleming's classic spy-James Bond. The Bond inside this story reminds me more of the modern Daniel Craig 007 rather than the Bond's of the past. He is elegant but brutal. He is suave yet a maverick. I am interested to see where this series goes, though I can only expect good things in Ellis' capable hands.
The art? I am not sure what I think yet. When the issue first started I didn't think much of it, but it seems to work with the story so far. I am willing to give it some time and see how I feel about it, I most certainly don't hate it...but neither do I prefer it.
For now if you are a James Bond fan, especially the Craig versions, then this is a series I think you will enjoy. This is only the first issue so we shall see where this series takes us, but with Ellis as the writer I'm hoping the path will be an exciting one.
June 30, 2016
Warren Ellis can be phenomenal and I would consider myself a great fan of his prose work. I got a huge kick out of his book "Crooked Little Vein" and thought his novel "Gun Machine" was also pretty good. I also enjoy his weekly newsletter "ORBITAL OPERATIONS" which is full of great information and sometime rantings.
I was quite looking forward to Mr. Ellis's interpretation of James Bond. This collection of the first six issues of the comic has been titled "James Bond Volume 1: VARGR" and is noteworthy mainly for the artwork of "Batman" artist Jason Masters. Masters does an excellent job creating action sequences and moving an otherwise lack luster and unoriginally bland.
One of the highlights of this collection is the "Extras" addition in this collection. The publisher has included perhaps a dozen alternate covers for issue one of the comic and multiple other alternative covers for some of the following issues.
Rating is perhaps three and a half stars for artwork and two stars for the story.
I was quite looking forward to Mr. Ellis's interpretation of James Bond. This collection of the first six issues of the comic has been titled "James Bond Volume 1: VARGR" and is noteworthy mainly for the artwork of "Batman" artist Jason Masters. Masters does an excellent job creating action sequences and moving an otherwise lack luster and unoriginally bland.
One of the highlights of this collection is the "Extras" addition in this collection. The publisher has included perhaps a dozen alternate covers for issue one of the comic and multiple other alternative covers for some of the following issues.
Rating is perhaps three and a half stars for artwork and two stars for the story.
July 11, 2017
"Επιχείρηση VARGR", τεύχη 1-6 (εκδόσεις Οξύ)
Τσίμπησα σήμερα μισοτιμής τα έξι τευχάκια που απαρτίζουν την ενιαία ιστορία ονόματι "Επιχείρηση: VARGR" και τα διάβασα το ένα πίσω από το άλλο, δίχως κανένα διάλειμμα. Προσωπικά είμαι λάτρης του Τζέιμς Μποντ, έχοντας διαβάσει μέχρι στιγμής τα εφτά πρώτα βιβλία της τρομερής σειράς του Ίαν Φλέμινγκ και έχοντας δει αρκετές από τις ταινίες (όχι όλες, γιατί θέλω να διαβάσω πρώτα όλες τις ιστορίες στις οποίες βασίζονται). Και, γενικά, λατρεύω κατασκοπευτικές περιπέτειες γεμάτες δράση και βία.
Λοιπόν, εδώ το επίπεδο ποιότητας είναι πολύ καλό. Ίσως η ιστορία αυτή καθαυτή να μην εντυπωσιάζει, μιας και θα έ��εγα ότι λείπουν οι εκπλήξεις και οι ανατροπές ενώ επίσης δεν περιπλέκεται ιδιαίτερα, όμως οι Warren Ellis και Jason Masters προσφέρουν απλόχερα δράση, ένταση και σκληρές σκηνές ωμής βίας γεμάτες δύναμη και αίμα. Η ιστορία κυλάει, πάντως, με ενδιαφέρον, ενώ και οι διάλογοι είναι αρκετά καλογραμμένοι, με κάποιες ωραίες ατάκες.
Το σχέδιο είναι πάρα πολύ καλό, από τα διάφορα σκηνικά (κτίρια, δρόμοι κλπ), μέχρι τους χαρακτήρες και τις σκηνές δράσης. Επίσης τα χρώματα μου φάνηκαν εξαιρετικά. Γενικά η ιστορία μου άρεσε σε μεγάλο βαθμό (αν και δεν με ξετρέλανε κιόλας), η όλη ατμόσφαιρα ήταν αυτή ακριβώς που έπρεπε, ενώ σχεδιαστικά το βρήκα φοβερό και ακριβώς του γούστου μου.
Τσίμπησα σήμερα μισοτιμής τα έξι τευχάκια που απαρτίζουν την ενιαία ιστορία ονόματι "Επιχείρηση: VARGR" και τα διάβασα το ένα πίσω από το άλλο, δίχως κανένα διάλειμμα. Προσωπικά είμαι λάτρης του Τζέιμς Μποντ, έχοντας διαβάσει μέχρι στιγμής τα εφτά πρώτα βιβλία της τρομερής σειράς του Ίαν Φλέμινγκ και έχοντας δει αρκετές από τις ταινίες (όχι όλες, γιατί θέλω να διαβάσω πρώτα όλες τις ιστορίες στις οποίες βασίζονται). Και, γενικά, λατρεύω κατασκοπευτικές περιπέτειες γεμάτες δράση και βία.
Λοιπόν, εδώ το επίπεδο ποιότητας είναι πολύ καλό. Ίσως η ιστορία αυτή καθαυτή να μην εντυπωσιάζει, μιας και θα έ��εγα ότι λείπουν οι εκπλήξεις και οι ανατροπές ενώ επίσης δεν περιπλέκεται ιδιαίτερα, όμως οι Warren Ellis και Jason Masters προσφέρουν απλόχερα δράση, ένταση και σκληρές σκηνές ωμής βίας γεμάτες δύναμη και αίμα. Η ιστορία κυλάει, πάντως, με ενδιαφέρον, ενώ και οι διάλογοι είναι αρκετά καλογραμμένοι, με κάποιες ωραίες ατάκες.
Το σχέδιο είναι πάρα πολύ καλό, από τα διάφορα σκηνικά (κτίρια, δρόμοι κλπ), μέχρι τους χαρακτήρες και τις σκηνές δράσης. Επίσης τα χρώματα μου φάνηκαν εξαιρετικά. Γενικά η ιστορία μου άρεσε σε μεγάλο βαθμό (αν και δεν με ξετρέλανε κιόλας), η όλη ατμόσφαιρα ήταν αυτή ακριβώς που έπρεπε, ενώ σχεδιαστικά το βρήκα φοβερό και ακριβώς του γούστου μου.
February 17, 2017
If you didn't find the old James Bond violent and bloody enough, this is the book for you. Honestly though this is a very solid Bond story. Looking forward to seeing were this series goes.
March 7, 2018
Ellis' Bond scales it back on the suave and amps it up on the psycho!
Not that I'm complaining, but the brutal violence was a bit surprising- think John Wick, but with handy anatomical cross-sections to put on full display the grisly consequences of James' hollow point gunplay.
One thing is for sure: if this universe's Q ever uses a line like "Do grow up, 007" to this goon he's a far braver man than I!
Not that I'm complaining, but the brutal violence was a bit surprising- think John Wick, but with handy anatomical cross-sections to put on full display the grisly consequences of James' hollow point gunplay.
One thing is for sure: if this universe's Q ever uses a line like "Do grow up, 007" to this goon he's a far braver man than I!
May 12, 2016
As a fan of the various media concerning James Bond 007 I was bound to pick up this new comic concerning this uber-English hero.
The story is more EON than Ian Fleming, as with the last two movies it looks visually stunning but lacks content and excitement. Craig did the franchise in my humble opinion no favors and this comic in his first full story is better written but that does not say it is that good.
I will undoubtedly read the next adventure next month, but know that I do not have to have high expectations.
For full disclosure I have not read the trade paperback but the six installments separately.
The story is more EON than Ian Fleming, as with the last two movies it looks visually stunning but lacks content and excitement. Craig did the franchise in my humble opinion no favors and this comic in his first full story is better written but that does not say it is that good.
I will undoubtedly read the next adventure next month, but know that I do not have to have high expectations.
For full disclosure I have not read the trade paperback but the six installments separately.
July 14, 2016
Ellis is the perfect comics writer for James Bond, as his books are always high on panoramic action and high-tech gadgetry. The first story arc, Vargr, doesn't disappoint on either front.
Gripes: the plot feels a little condensed for a Bond tale, like one of Fleming's shorts roided out with a little widescreen panache. Also, like most Ellis comics, Vargr is emotionally sterile.
Solidly entertaining, nonetheless.
Gripes: the plot feels a little condensed for a Bond tale, like one of Fleming's shorts roided out with a little widescreen panache. Also, like most Ellis comics, Vargr is emotionally sterile.
Solidly entertaining, nonetheless.
December 16, 2016
Looks great, lacks something in content. The story is pretty generic as spy stuff goes, and only a little of Bond's actual character there in terms of the wit and dynamics with those around him. As I said though, it looks great; the artwork is done very well, and some panels are pretty great. I also appreciate that the movies' tendency to not show any blood has definitely not translated between mediums, with this being pretty graphic in places... as it should be!
March 25, 2017
I received this from Netgalley and Dynamite in exchange for an honest review.
Very basic plot, good artwork.
Very basic plot, good artwork.
November 7, 2023
James Bond: Vargr is a graphic novel that contains issues 1-6. James Bond is sent to revenge the death of 008. After revenge is exacted, he finds himself filling in for one of 008's missions. The graphics are done well, and the pages have a lot of movement. Ellis' Bond is a cigarette-smoking, bourbon-chugging, brutal killer. My kind of 007!
March 10, 2017
This is the humorless, violent Bond as seen in the recent movies, and frankly, I find him rather a dull fellow to follow. In this story he has no personality beyond his desire for revenge and his ability to pull a trigger. Paint a skull on his chest and this book could pretty easily be recycled into a Punisher graphic novel, a pretty decent one even. But I was hoping writer Warren Ellis had something more in mind for 007.
June 23, 2022
Ellis is still up there with the best writers.
May 13, 2016
James Bond Vol. 1: VARGR by Warren Ellis is a terrific take on this classic character, the ultimate in the suave British Spy. This tale of intrigue and thrills cast Bond in a contemporary world where society at large seems to be passing him by. A world with the Cold War where he just doesn't seem to fit in. But still, a man like Bond, has his uses.
Bond: It was a simple operation, sir.
M: Killing a man is simple?
Bond: Simple as in a lack of complexity. No trade craft required. All I had to do was locate the actor in question and eliminate him.
M: Yes, well it's not gone unnoticed. People in high places are suggesting I retire the OO Section entirely.
Bond: And?
M: And the conducting of foreign policy still requires access to a small box of blunt instruments. You don't get to retire to a casino quite yet Bond.
With the death of another OO, Bond is tasked by M with taking over his workload as well. The agent was working on an European drug smuggling ring that was trafficking in a synthetic drug with horrific side effects. Bond follows a lead to Berlin where the action immediately begins. The target of a failed assassination attempt, Bond realizes his cover is compromised but continues forward. He meets with a rich Serbian scientist, Slaven Kurjak, who was disabled in the Kosovo war. Kurjak is developing advanced prosthetic technology, which enables the wearer incredible strength and agility.
Bond deduces that the drug being introduced to London is nothing more than a massive experiment being run by Kurjak. He must stop the drugs from entering the country while being hunted by enhanced killers of Kurjak's own making.
Seriously. Warren Ellis writing James Bond. How have we not had this before? I know this book will offend or anger a cadre of Ian Fleming purists, but the Bond in this book is so much more entertaining than what is currently being passed off on the movie screen. This is Connery's Bond in a modern world that doesn't find his misogynistic attitude quite so acceptable. The constant ribbing he gets from everyone about his gun is worth the price of the comic on it's own!
Q: I couldn't interest you in a proper gun instead of that prostitute's shooting instrument?
Ellis is at home and very comfortable writing Bond and the artwork and story line are terrific. Despite the changing times, Bond only knows one way to close a case. With his gun, his wit, and his brain.
A fun and terrific book!
Bond: It was a simple operation, sir.
M: Killing a man is simple?
Bond: Simple as in a lack of complexity. No trade craft required. All I had to do was locate the actor in question and eliminate him.
M: Yes, well it's not gone unnoticed. People in high places are suggesting I retire the OO Section entirely.
Bond: And?
M: And the conducting of foreign policy still requires access to a small box of blunt instruments. You don't get to retire to a casino quite yet Bond.
With the death of another OO, Bond is tasked by M with taking over his workload as well. The agent was working on an European drug smuggling ring that was trafficking in a synthetic drug with horrific side effects. Bond follows a lead to Berlin where the action immediately begins. The target of a failed assassination attempt, Bond realizes his cover is compromised but continues forward. He meets with a rich Serbian scientist, Slaven Kurjak, who was disabled in the Kosovo war. Kurjak is developing advanced prosthetic technology, which enables the wearer incredible strength and agility.
Bond deduces that the drug being introduced to London is nothing more than a massive experiment being run by Kurjak. He must stop the drugs from entering the country while being hunted by enhanced killers of Kurjak's own making.
Seriously. Warren Ellis writing James Bond. How have we not had this before? I know this book will offend or anger a cadre of Ian Fleming purists, but the Bond in this book is so much more entertaining than what is currently being passed off on the movie screen. This is Connery's Bond in a modern world that doesn't find his misogynistic attitude quite so acceptable. The constant ribbing he gets from everyone about his gun is worth the price of the comic on it's own!
Q: I couldn't interest you in a proper gun instead of that prostitute's shooting instrument?
Ellis is at home and very comfortable writing Bond and the artwork and story line are terrific. Despite the changing times, Bond only knows one way to close a case. With his gun, his wit, and his brain.
A fun and terrific book!
September 18, 2017
James Bond's cavalier attitude carries this story. He can be professional as well, given the proper motivation, like avenging his colleague, 008. The over-the-top action is ever-present, together with spectacular explosions, witty one-liners, even X-Ray-vision showing bullet trajectory. This is not a boring comic.
Bond is given the mission to look into a drug operation. His contact in Berlin is intercepted by other agents who attack him while in the car, so he gets away like any normal person, by crashing the car and calmly walking away. His client, Kurjak, is working on pharmaceuticals and prostheses. Given his less than legal means of transporting his equipment, he is offered more leeway by the CIA if he disables the drug operation.
Bond is given the mission to look into a drug operation. His contact in Berlin is intercepted by other agents who attack him while in the car, so he gets away like any normal person, by crashing the car and calmly walking away. His client, Kurjak, is working on pharmaceuticals and prostheses. Given his less than legal means of transporting his equipment, he is offered more leeway by the CIA if he disables the drug operation.
July 19, 2016
Warren Ellis and Jason Masters are a dynamite duo in what is a great start off for this new James Bond comics series. Every one liner and every action panel films like a very well done Bond film. My favorite one liner is a scene where Bond is about to be frozen to death and the antagonist of this story Slaven Kurjak says while trying to kill Bond "Goodbye. It has been brief and unpleasant, but it has at least had a happy ending." The banter between regular Bond characters such as Moneypenny and Q is spot on. Warren Ellis along with artist Masters paced the action scenes very well. I loved the muted and dark colors of the most intense action scenes which I am going to say is brutal at times. So this book may be a bit to violent for young teens. I enjoyed this book so much I would live to see this series adapted into a game or film. Dynamite publishing has hit a home run with this series. I can not wait to the next volume.
June 27, 2023
No me ha acabado de convencer ver al personaje en cómic.
Read
May 5, 2016James Bond and Warren Ellis: a match made in heaven. Techno-fetishism, brand snobbery, sardonic humour, a delight in brutality, even the slight weakness when it comes to three-dimensional villains which doesn't matter so much when they're not supposed to be. The pre-credits duel with shovels and off-message Brixton subplot made me worry this would be too close to the dreary recent films and their 'realism' (more correctly 'too many viewings of Batman Begins'); not so. Yes, the UK's modern intelligence infrastructure is acknowledged, but only as a framework against which the blunt instrument Bond bridles. The 00 section are not for spying; that was always implicit, but here it's said out loud. They're who you send when you want a mad scientist and his cyborg henchmen dealt with quickly, coldly, and terminally.
I'm not entirely sure about the art. The design, the storytelling, the close-ups and action sequences, are all done very well. But the people look a little flat; it may be a hazard of the medium, but Bond himself is definitely too close to Archer at times. This feels especially unfortunate when you get to the end of the story, and a gallery of suitably mythic-looking variant covers act like teasing reminders of what you could have had. Still, a lot better than that mopey dullard in the recent films, eh? This isn't quite Connery, let alone Dalton, but it's very much how I picture the Clive Owen Bond films from another, better 21st century.
(Netgalley ARC, and one which I snapped up with indecent haste)
I'm not entirely sure about the art. The design, the storytelling, the close-ups and action sequences, are all done very well. But the people look a little flat; it may be a hazard of the medium, but Bond himself is definitely too close to Archer at times. This feels especially unfortunate when you get to the end of the story, and a gallery of suitably mythic-looking variant covers act like teasing reminders of what you could have had. Still, a lot better than that mopey dullard in the recent films, eh? This isn't quite Connery, let alone Dalton, but it's very much how I picture the Clive Owen Bond films from another, better 21st century.
(Netgalley ARC, and one which I snapped up with indecent haste)
April 21, 2022
Bond, as a concept, is simple. But it's also very easy to get it wrong. Warren Ellis' James Bond series is off to a strong start. The art is well done, the story is straightforward (as you would expect a Bond story to be) but it also has that distinctive Ellis-ness to it: good action sequences and witty dialogue. You could argue that 'good action sequences' and 'witty dialogue' can be found in Bond movies, sure, but not with the flavour that Ellis gives them.
The fact that the series is more accessible to the general public than some of Ellis' other work, such as Injection and Planetary, can only help it get a wider audience, and therefore a longer run! If the quality level is maintained in further volumes, who knows how many story arcs there will be? The possibilities are certainly numerous.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
The fact that the series is more accessible to the general public than some of Ellis' other work, such as Injection and Planetary, can only help it get a wider audience, and therefore a longer run! If the quality level is maintained in further volumes, who knows how many story arcs there will be? The possibilities are certainly numerous.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
August 23, 2016
"Vargr" was an entertaining Bond story that simultaneously felt contemporary and throwback. Throwback in that Bond was definitely the Bond from Fleming's books: Cold-blooded, darkly handsome with a gallows sense of humor. It's funny that he looks just like Archer but that's only because Archer made him look just like classic Bond. This book was super contemporary in its subject matter and technology. Cyber-implants, PTSD veterans with a strong sense of revenge, less gadgets and more firepower.
My only complaint was the artwork. Often times the action that a character would be performing would not match the words they were saying. The worst of all was the eyes. This may seem like a small thing but half the time every character looked cross-eyed and/or drugged and/or dead. Quite distracting.
My only complaint was the artwork. Often times the action that a character would be performing would not match the words they were saying. The worst of all was the eyes. This may seem like a small thing but half the time every character looked cross-eyed and/or drugged and/or dead. Quite distracting.
January 8, 2017
If I recall the articles correctly the Ian Fleming estate worked with Ellis and the publisher in both selecting the story and trying to hit the right tone for the characters. Some of the typical Ellis snark is in the dialogue, and I think he is trying to hit a medium between Fleming's Bond and the Sean Connery Bond of the movies.
That is not a bad thing though as Fleming's Bond is a thoroughly unlikable character. Ellis shows some of Bond's ruthlessness, and displays that Bond really is a thug (something pointed out in the Daniel Craig movies). When it comes to trade craft Bond is not say Michael Weston or George Smiley. When it comes to dispensing violence he is more than capable.
The villain is also more reminiscent of a Connery type of villain. Huge ego, etc.
Fun, quick read.
That is not a bad thing though as Fleming's Bond is a thoroughly unlikable character. Ellis shows some of Bond's ruthlessness, and displays that Bond really is a thug (something pointed out in the Daniel Craig movies). When it comes to trade craft Bond is not say Michael Weston or George Smiley. When it comes to dispensing violence he is more than capable.
The villain is also more reminiscent of a Connery type of villain. Huge ego, etc.
Fun, quick read.
January 23, 2017
Starts off really well, but unfortunately, doesn't stick the landing. I, too, had high hopes for a Warren Ellis-penned James Bond story and it looks like he'll deliver, with cybernetic bad guys and a weird drug that's flooding the black market in England. Unfortunately, that's about the extent of it. I really wish Ellis could have pushed for something a bit more substantial and perhaps Global Frequency-level in his plotting, but maybe there are limits to what can be done with the property? The artwork was good and I was really enjoying this until I came to the very limp ending. Boo!
October 19, 2016
Woah. Presumably the intense level of violence is to remind us that the nice clean PG13 version of Bond is hardly real. But really blood and guts aren't the only part of Bond that defy reality, so what was the point then?
Otherwise this was a predictable spy story.
Otherwise this was a predictable spy story.
July 4, 2020
I was expecting more from Ellis here. I just found it too cliche a Bond story
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