James Bond: Black Box, Vol. 1

James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #4

by Benjamin Percy, Rapha Lobosco (Artist)

In the snowbound French Alps, James Bond finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin who targets other assassins. This is the first puzzle piece in a larger adrenaline-fueled mystery that will send Bond across the globe to infiltrate the underworld, risk everything in high-stakes casino gambling, evade deadly pursuers, and root out a digital breach threatening global security. Collects issues 1-6 of James Bond 2017 ongoing series.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Thriller, Fiction, Espionage, Adventure, Comic Book

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2017

About the author

Benjamin Percy is the author of seven novels -- most recently The Sky Vault (William Morrow) -- three short fiction collections, and a book of essays, Thrill Me, that is widely taught in creative writing classrooms. He writes Wolverine, X-Force, and Ghost Rider for Marvel Comics. His fiction and nonfiction have been published in Esquire (where he is a contributing editor), GQ, Time, Men's Journal, Outside, the Wall Street Journal, Tin House, and the Paris Review. His honors include an NEA fellowship, the Whiting Writer's Award, the Plimpton Prize, two Pushcart Prizes, the iHeart Radio Award for Best Scripted Podcast, and inclusion in Best American Short Stories and Best American Comics.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another dynamite James Bond volume from Dynamite Comics!



I have seen a lot of variations on how these James Bond graphic novels have been received. It looks like some of it involves the different authors and illustrators from volume to volume. I also think a lot of it has to do with decades of pre-conceived notions from books and movies. I’ll admit, I had some issues with some of the earlier volumes in this series.



But, I have to say that I enjoyed Black Box quite a bit. It had a lot of the standard Bond tropes that fans all love. It also has a really cool, mysterious, and creepy bad-guy henchman that really upped the excitement anytime he was on the page. I was hooked from be beginning and entertained throughout.



To finish my review, I will go back to my comment above. If you have been considering reading this series of graphic novels because you are a Bond fan, I cannot say with great certainty that I recommend them. For the sake of getting more Bond-esque stories (if that is what you need), then I say go for it! But, if you have some specific Bond expectations, you will find a lot of similarities, but it may not quench your thirst completely.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Black Box is the first stinker in Dynamite’s otherwise strong new line of James Bond comics. From the Alpine opener to the showdown with the villain, the whole book reads like Benjamin Percy sat down and made a list of things readers expect to see in a James Bond story and then wrote his script, ticking them off as he went!

It’s all here: Alpine opener with skiing and shooting, the Femme Fatale, a crusty old guy at the start supplying Bond with cool gadgets like watches that do stuff and a badass car with weapons, exotic locations, a casino scene where Bond drinks booze and plays cards with the obvious villain, sharks in tanks, a tough henchman for Bond to fight, car chases, gun fights, sex scenes, double crosses, and the inevitable finale. The plot is incidental - Bond has to recover a MacGuffin from bad guys. Even Rapha Lobosco’s art is derivative of Eduardo Risso’s, particularly with the faces in shadow and bright eyes lit up.

Percy and Lobosco execute it all well enough and it’s a readable book but, because Black Box is as by-the-numbers Bond as you can get, the effect is totally unimpressive, instantly forgettable and boringly predictable. Instead of this useless crap, I recommend the far more entertaining recent Bond comics Eidolon and Hammerhead.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the Ellis and Diggle runs, which I liked very much, this is a disappointment, though it in fact exceeded my expectations. This has a laundry list of Bond stuff: Alpine skiing, hot girl, shark tank, gadgets (ooh, machine guns come out of secret compartments in the trunk?), villain showdown. Which is what you look for in Bond, I guess. So what's not to like? The dialogue isn't great. The plot really doesn't matter, I have already forgotten it. It's okay, even pretty good I guess; just a little bland as a volume compared to the previous volumes.

Okay, Percy gets a point for making me google Aokigahara (青木ヶ原), also known as the Sea of Trees (樹海 Jukai), which is a forest google tells me conveys a "sense of solitude" and is a place for school trips, but Percy also tells me it is a place for frequent suicides. Part of the plot takes place here. Why? Uh, already forgot.

[Shai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time to read a graphic novel of the very famous character James Bond. I'm familiar with the James Bond movies and though I'm not a fan of the aforementioned movie franchise, I still had a great time watching them. On the contrary, I consider James Bond: Black Box a little bland especially with the conversations between the characters. I don't have any problems with the illustrations as I find them marvelously drawn. In general, the only disappointment for me is the scripts, which the writer could have written effectively if he only put himself on James Bond's perspective.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Percy returns Bond to his movie roots. Lots of gadgets, death traps, and gimmicky henchmen. After a cold open sequence in the Alps, Bond is sent to Japan to retrieve a cache of stolen data that could be used to black mail government figures. Here he teams up with a beautiful assassin to take down a Bond villain with a Geordi La Forge visor and recover the data while being hunted down by a scarred Jason Voorhees type who wears the faces of those he's killed as death masks.

Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"Excuse me. I see that you are in need of some real competition. Might I join you, Mister . . . ?" -- Saga Genji, villain

"Bond. James Bond." -- Agent 007

Though the plot is nothing to write home about - the standard 'Bond needs to recover something that has fallen into enemy hands' mission - Black Box was fun because it felt like it could be part of the latter-day film series. Bond - illustrated here that he occasionally resembles actor Clive Owen, who was a contender for the role when Daniel Craig was chosen - is put through his usual paces as he takes on a Japanese tech giant with Yakuza connections. Chases, shoot-outs, fights and more close calls than you can shake a Martini mixer at - the story was pleasantly heavy on the action.

The best part was Bond's leading lady. The mysterious, deadly, and (we'd expect nothing less with this attribute) wonderfully-named Selah Sax is intriguing enough that she should have her own book.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Bond. James Bond.” I got roped into watching a whole bunch of these movies as a kid. I loved watching the gadgets in action, was oblivious to the innuendos soaring over my head and was terrified by some of the baddies. Yes, Jaws, I’m talking about you!

Rewatching a few of the early movies as an adult made me aware of some of the more problematic aspects of his character but aside from those particular niggles I still enjoy movies with big action sequences, gadgets and oodles of baddies. I haven’t watched a Bond movie in a few years but thought it would be fun to test drive a Bond graphic novel, and it was.

Black Box gets straight into the action

and introduces our potential leading lady (who incidentally isn’t immediately charmed by 007)

before the theme song earwig has had a chance to burrow its way into your brain.

007’s latest mission, Operation Black Box, requires him to travel to Tokyo to track down a “cache of digital secrets”. Evil hackers are ready to release your deepest, darkest digital secrets to the world! Let’s go get ‘em!

Yes, James does have a Licence to Kill. In fact, it’s expected. The big bad in this story is Saga Genji, who is responsible for the cyber theft, but my favourite character was his difficult to kill henchman, No Name, who makes up for his dodgy moniker with his creepy collection of death masks.

Armed with mission appropriate fancy gadgets and some even fancier new wheels

Bond is ready to face off with some baddies, but not before asking Boothroyd, the gadget guy (Q, I presume), to do some cyberstalking for him. Potential leading lady (she does have a name. It’s Selah Sax) isn’t getting away from 007 as quickly as she had hoped. Or perhaps it is Selah that is stalking James …

The usual Bond stuff happens. There’s gambling, alcohol, sex scenes, fight scenes where people get The Living Daylights beaten out of them, an explosion and a high speed pursuit, catchphrases, double entendres and a good ol’ villain monologue. Bond utilises his cool gadgets but also manages to improvise when the need arises. Who knew a selfie stick would make such a good weapon?!

I’m glad I read this graphic novel. After all, You Only Live Twice. 😜 It was a fun, quick read with plenty of action.

Content warnings include mention of suicide.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dynamite Entertainment and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

1.5 stars, rounded down. Very predictable Bond story/plot. This was the first time I've ever dozed off reading a graphic novel; nothing to capture the reader's attention, including the artwork.

[Judah Radd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like a Roger Moore era Bond movie. It doesn’t have the sophistication of some of the other dynamite comics, and I was a little disappointed. Structurally, the movie formula was followed to a tee, but I found myself wishing for a little more of a hard boiled espionage feel. I’m sure most movie fans will be pleased (although, as a movie fan myself, I wasn’t.) Oh well. I like a lot of other Ben Percy stuff, just not this too much.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very strong start to Percy's run on this title. Great combination of story and art, with some really memorable coloring throughout by Chris O'Halloran. This could easily translate into a very exciting movie. It couldn't have been easy following Warren Ellis on this title, but Percy comes out of the gate strong.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'James Bond: Black Box' by Benjamin Percy with art by Rapha Lobosco is a decent take on James Bond.

The story starts in the French Alps with James being targeted. When he sees the face of his intended killer, he must know more about her, but he is off on another adventure. Of course, you know she will show up again if you know much about James Bond.

The main story involves a villain who has secrets on the world leaders that he is going to use as blackmail. Bond wants to find it first, but there are other agents in on the hunt as well. There is also a scarred villain who makes masks of the people he has killed.

The story is breathtaking and cinematic in scope and pace. The art was nice and solid. I did have a problem with a couple odd story skips, but it only broke the rhythm slightly for me.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this book does not disappoint. Large doses of international intrigue and high tech danger to global security. Bond's mission is to locate the black box, a mega hard drive containing government secrets from every country in the world, swiped from their own servers by a Japanese madman intent on making Japan the highest power in the world. Bond is written with plenty of his original old-style class and charm with just a slight bit of updating (ie he drinks bourbon now). Joining him on this high-impact global chase is a perfect Bond girl, Selah Sax. An assassin who went rogue when she got a conscience and is now killing other assassins. She and James start off at odds but end up in bed and Bond gets the girl. An exciting story and decent art. My only quibble is that Bond is drawn quite generically when one can say that every actor who has played the great agent has been anything but generic looking. Great series for fans!

[Jason Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows a typical James Bond plot line. Bond is interrupted by a woman that intrigues him. Then, when sent to an exotic location, he again meets said woman. The two work together to stop an evil villain from taking over the world. And then the two escape to a location only known to them.

All the ingredients for a great Bond story are here, shaken, not stirred, of course.

The evil Japanese mogul, who receives assistance for vision from a visor, has stolen digital secrets from the majority of the world's powers. M16 has assigned the task of retrieving the Black Box to Bond. He is faced with the ethical decision of retrieving the Box and turning over all the secrets to his own government. The mysterious woman is the ethical voice of reason. Will Bond keep the Black Box for his government or will he allow it to be destroyed?

This is a good, enjoyable read.

[Shane Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without a doubt one of the worst James Bond stories I have ever read. I could deal with Ben Percy writing Bond as younger and more reckless, even if I did find that grating. But Percy saw too many Bond films and has written too many superhero comics. If you know Bond more for the movies, you’d probably enjoy this. If you’re like me and are an avid fan of Fleming’s original novels, you will find this a terrible trip.

Bond goes up against a villain straight out of an X-men comic to stop him from giving away the secrets of the world’s biggest nations. Along the way we are treated to every Bond cliche you can think of as well as an inner monologue that reads as if Ben Percy doesn’t know the character that well at all. Rapha Lobosco’s art is fine, but I just couldn’t get past this flimsy story. The pacing is all over the place and there’s no character development to speak of. What a huge step backward for Dynamite and this Bond line.

[Kajsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comics are a great way to tell a Bond-story. I prefer the old classic movies about the spy who is licensed to kill and this collection has the same tone. Sharks, gorgeous ladies and a witty British agent. Everything you can ask for, right?

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first ever Bond GN. It was interesting, but I do have to confess, I prefer the novels and the films.

Still, I enjoyed the story and the panels were well-drawn.

[Paul Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, I will read the whole series.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dynamite finally delivers a rollicking 007 adventure, with their first larger than life supervillain (and themed henchman in tow) with a perchance for global deconstruction. Bond and a new unexpected ally must thwart Saja Genji in a bevy of haunting, thematic Japanese environments from leaking the secrets of every superpower on the planet. BLACK BOX would feel at home being a late 80s or 90s script for a Dalton or Brosnan film, only really being held back by an inconsistent characterization of our usual cast - the relationship between Bond and Felix Leiter being the most egregious example. Other than that, this is a step in the right direction for this comic franchise.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what credence or respect for a Bond book we could have when the well-educated James Bond loses all sense of grammar himself - even if he is undergoing a very derivative ski-chase at the time - or when M doesn't know the difference between 'effect' and 'affect'. Beyond that, this book decides to not call Q Q, gives Bond only one woman to dally with, and just doesn't really have the great scope of a proper, wide-world Bond comic. Heck, it has fewer locations and big set piece action scenes than the films do, and it's slightly cheaper to produce. And talking of cheap, the huge amounts of exposition and monologue (just who is Q talking to on that ship near the end?!) really demeans the audience. Finally, the end interview is very rude about Andy Diggle's book - this author is not replacing Warren Ellis directly. This isn't dreadful - but I would never "stand by idly" to wait for more.

[Artur Nowrot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh. That felt much more like a typical Bond than Ellis or Gillen and I very much prefer those. And the themes-in-dialogue became cringingly blatant at times.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor, predictable style and writing overall. Disappointing compared to the others in the series.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

James Bond: Black Box is another decent entry into Dynamite's James Bond reboots. In contrast to the earlier works by Warren Ellis (Vargr and Eidolon), this Bond story is less top heavy and dreary; the story flows smoothly and we have an enjoyable (and not over-complicated) Bond adventure.

Story: A Japanese tech eccentric has found a way to hack into the most private of information around the world; information he is selling to rivals that will destabilize governments around the world. Bond is sent to Tokyo on mission black box: to secure the stolen information and take it back to the British government to be used at their discretion. Along the way he meets a rogue Scottish agent who is intent on stopping the information from being sold.

Admittedly, much of the story is somewhat facile and Bond comes across more in a Roger Moore than Sean Connery vein. But that's ok - it made him a lot more accessible than the morose bond in the Ellis books. And the Bondisms remain true here: from skiiing in the alps morphing into an assassination, swimming with sharks and surviving, to underground gambling dens in Tokyo. From Bond bodily landing on the new love interest, Selah Sax (perhaps a better Bond Girl name?) and then getting her in bed just a few scenes later. There were some hitches: making British secret service heads look like megalomaniacs and plot points where we have to suspend disbelief that when Bond hacks into Selah's cell phone, it gives her entire history in the secret service and why she left it. So while this was not my favorite in the series, it was still very entertaining.

If I had one nitpick, it was that in the age of predatory powerful men finally being called out, Bond's looks/interactions with Selah were uncomfortable to watch. It was 1950s Bond, where women were objects to be conquered and discarded, and it felt out of place in this modern interpretation. That isn't to say we don't want to see Bond hook up; just that the way Bond was drawn here was predatory and pathetically outdated.

The art is ok - I wasn't a fan. It was clean but most of the figures were somewhat fleshy and squat, appearances changed often between panels so there were issues with consistency as well. But I could follow the action just fine.

So while this wasn't the deepest or most well-written of the Bond escapes, it's still an enjoyable read. Especially for those who enjoyed the Moore years. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Bond: Black Box by Benjamin Percy (art by Rapha Lobosco) is the third story arc from Dynamite Entertainment featuring Secret Agent 007. This graphic novel collects issues #1 – #6 of the Black Box story-line.

When a major data breach occurred, MI6 put their best man, without delay, on the case. Bond travels to Tokyo to follow the only lead MI6 has before the incriminating information could get out.

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love what Dynamite Entertainment are doing with Bond. They made 007 a badass, with up to date story-lines while keeping true to the classic Bond style. Keeping the character fresh, but familiar at the same time.

James Bond: Black Box by Benjamin Percy (art by Rapha Lobosco) is a solid entry into Dynamite’s Bond library even though the plot is weak and predictable, but well written. I felt as if they had to stretch it for six issues instead of three or four. Some of the “Bond staples” like exotic locals, outrageous action, and adventure are just forced in for the sake of lengthening the storyline.

I didn’t care for the female character in this book, but I want to think this was an introduction to a new, recurring character. I certainly hope so and that the writers will make better use of her (she, of course, needed to be rescued), she’s a great character.

Felix Leiter, another character Dynamite has embraced also make an appearance in this novel, also a badass and, like Bond, is only looking out for his mission only. This Felix Leiter, while appear to be the same one as in the one shot I read a while ago, seems like a totally different person. This is a departure from the running gag in the movies where Felix Leiter is played by different actors, different ethnicities, but as the same character.

I enjoyed the art very much, the drawings seem to be drawn as if they were in the 196s era, or around there. I thought they could have been updated though, I enjoyed the previous Bond graphic novels artwork better.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

[Callawolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than what I was expecting, but it was still not as good as it should have been. Warren Ellis had an awesome run on the comics up to this point, and stayed true to the character from the novels, while still integrating elements from the films, all the while setting it in a contemporary setting.

This one, however, mixes things up. Bond's closer to his movie counterpart than he is to his novel counterpart. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as I actually prefer the films to the novels, you can really tell a shift in tone. I had two major gripes with this book (ok, maybe three but two can be lumped together), in which I will be getting into spoiler territory for.

The first had to deal the general understanding of some of the characters. This especially goes with Felix and his relationship with bond. In both the novels AND the films, Felix Leiter and bond had not only a mutual respect for each other, but also a sort of a kinship with each other. You could tell they saw each other as equals and when it came down to it, both had each others back and would go out of their way to help each other out. You also were able to see that relationship in Felix's spin off comics (also by Dynamite Comics) where you see 007 giving Felix new and improved prosthetics just for the same of giving his friend an upgrade.

However, in this book, it felt like Bond and Felix hated each other. It gets to the point where 007 drugs Felix in order to escape his clutches as if Felix was an enemy henchman. Later in the book, Felix holds 007 at gunpoint to steal the black box from 007 so the U.S. can gain control of the information, and I just can't see Felix doing any of this to his brother in arms so to speak.

I also was annoyed how half way or so through the book we see how M wants the Black Box in order to have ultimate power or something, and I just can't see any iteration of M doing that. I can kind of look past this and just say that it's a new M and who knows what he'll do.

The other thing that bugged me was the final issue. Not so much the issue as a whole, because I like how there was the final show down between bond, the henchmen, and Saga (the main villain). But not only did the final issue feel a little rushed, but it also bugged me that 007 found the villains secret lair with ease and no semblance of looking. Bond just knew because "why wouldn't he" and I'm not even exaggerating on this point.

Ok, no more spoilers.

However, saying that, I still enjoyed the comic. I found the art to be rather competent and I found the actual action to be satisfying. I also liked the new Bond Girl of Selah Sax, I found it rather interesting that Bond was working with a rogue agent that hunts down bad guys for a living. I thought it was rather unique and I found it interesting. I also liked the main villain here, Saga, and how he was portrayed as a rather frail man who surrounds himself with essentially weapons of the trade to survive.

I'm not sure if I'd read it again, but it was definitely a fun read, if not a a tiny bit irksome at times due to weird characterizations. I'd say that if you're a bond fan, check it out, just be warned about Felix being a bit different here.

[Dogfood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zeitlich steht „Black Box“ von Benjamin Percy im Rahmen der James Bond-Lizenz von Dynamite Entertainment direkt oder knapp nach Warren Ellis‘ beiden Bänden. Wo Ellis versuchte unterkühlten Le Carré-Flair reinzubringen, wird mit Percy die Kehrtwende zu Roger Moore-Hollywood-Spektakel genommen.

Etliche Szenen wirken wie bekannte Versatzstücke aus Bond-Filmen. Die Struktur der Story, die Jagd nach geheime Daten, ist noch nicht einmal als unterambitioniert zu bezeichnen.

Die Zeichnungen von Rapha Lobosco sind enttäuschend bis schlampig. Das fängt schon grauenhaft mit der Eröffnungssequenz in den angeblich Schweizer Alpen, in denen Lobosco fröhlich US-Trucks auf Straßen mit US-Verkehrsschilder fahren lässt und auf der Almhütte wird das Essen auf Tablet mit Papierdecke und Pommes-Pack serviert.

So ärgerlich Loboscos Zeichnungen am Anfang sind, serviert Lobosco aber in der Mitte das einzige erwähnenswerte Highlight des Bandes: die Szenen im nächtlichen Tokyo sind von ihm sehr simpel aber umso großartiger eingefangen. Da gibt es 1–2 Seiten, die würde ich mir sogar als großen Druck an die Wand hängen wollen.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Advance copy received from NetGalley*

This is a definitely solid entry into Dynamite's Bond titles. Percy brings strong writing and the artistic style is engaging as well as consistent with what we've seen before in these comics. Furthermore, "Black Box" delivers everything one would expect from a Bond story - action, intrigue, dynamic settings, Bond women, classic villains. All of this plays out along with the modern influences that have shaped Bond in recent years. All in all, the story is well-constructed and engaging all the way through.

Indeed, it is adherence to Bond tradition that brings about most of this comic's shortcomings as well. The one main female character ultimately needs to be rescued. The villain is an outsider (to Bond and the British) with a disability. The secondary villain is a character-type we've seen before. As such, while this is well-constructed for a Bond adventure, it plays out by the numbers and does little to either set itself apart or address some of the inherent representational problems that tend to exist within Bond storylines.

[Jason Brown (Toastx2) · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Bond 007 in #Black Box

Dynamite Comics 2017 release has James Bond working to collect a hard drive of international leaks, secrets that will sink every superpower and give the owner of the data the power to corrupt any government. Currently it is in the hands of a Japanese tech mogul with ties to the Yakuza.

This graphic novel, a collection of singles, was pretty good, but great would be a stretch. Maybe I am growing out of my interest for 007, or perhaps it doesn’t translate well to comic. I enjoyed it, the art was pretty great, but what would normally be a 2+ hour film was a diluted plot with a sub par enemy, and a recurring faceless antagonist that all felt watered down. More interesting than the comic was an interview provided the Oregonian and a sample of the first issue original storyboards and script (better than the comic)

Worth reading, but don’t shuffle your to be read pile.

Review based off a copy received for review purposes

[Monsieurh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is the fourth in the Dynamite Comics collection. I enjoyed reading this as it portrayed a more contemporary version of James Bond and MI:6.
Bond has to travel to Japan and allies himself with another "black" agent of the British government.
Within the first issue/chapter, Benjamin Percy presented a mobile office for Q hidden inside a tour bus. Innovative and creative idea. This is an idea the cinematic people could use in the next movie.
The crisis is that someone has stolen a computer memory crystal that contains too many dangerous national and international secrets. Whoever possesses the crystal can have countries at their feet.
James Bond is tasked with finding the crystal, stealing it and eliminating its owner.
The artwork is also quite good. There are crisp lines to the scenery.
This is a collection that deserves to read again and again.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benjamin Percy crafts an action packed story into this latest James Bond compilation. It was not too heavy on plot and we are continually hit over the head with a moral ambiguity that is central to the story, but that does not detract from Bond doing what he does best. Although, in my opinion, the story could have used some polish and a little more mystery, I thought it was a good first effort. With room to grow I think Mr. Percy may well live up to the high expectations left behind by the previous show runner, Warren Ellis. Oh, not to introduce a spoiler here, but should Bond's use of a gadget at the end have effected the helicopter? Just saying. (This was a three and a half star read, so I rounded up).

[Neil Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had plenty of components of bond films past; Skiing start, car chase, strong female love interest, a super villain and an impressive henchman.

BUT

I felt that the story line was a bit safe and bland if anything. The two villains ended up being dealt with, without many twists or turns, bond seemed to rely heavily on Major Boothroyd and Felix Leiter was a bad guy?

Although the artwork was good throughout I definitely preferred the grittier/darker themes of the previous efforts in the dynamite range.

It will be interesting to read the Felix Leiter spin off next to see if they build on the darker side to him that has come out of this.

I have still given it a 3 out of 5 as I enjoyed it but not quite to the level of the other dynamite graphic novels.