What do you think?
Rate this book
James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #8
James Bond: Origin, Vol. 2
War Bond Continues. The definitive account of James Bond's exploits during World War II! It is late 1940. World War II ranges. Teenage James Bond has lied about his age in order to join the Royal Navy. But he is also part of a new government service, secret in nature. His orders will take him from the Norwegian Sea, to a treacherous Russian journey, and then back to England, where he will attempt to repay a debt to a dead man, to whom he owes everything.
148 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2019
18 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Parker
1,176 books128 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 2, 2020
James Bond Origin, Volume 2, written by Jeff Parker and illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa, is the eighth in the Dynamite series updating James Bond for the new millennium, even as we still await a black female Bond in the film series. Some of these volumes acknowledge the racism and sexism and colonialism of the original stories, but Parker takes us back to a young Navel Lieutenant James Bond during WWII, and two stories, The Russian Ruse and The Debt. In the first one, Bond, under cover for British Intelligence, discovers a Soviet plot and gets injured in the process. In the second story, "The Debt," Bond, recovering at home, is sent to investigate the cause of his mentor’s death. He works with an old buddy from his training days who owes him one--the debt--and in the process learns a lot about loyalty and also playing cards from the underground.
The stories are a tad thin in this short volume, but they are entertaining and promising, and I like very much the period art. I like this young, idealistic, patriotic Captain America-ish (Captain British-ish? Scotch-ist?) Bond before he gets jaded, cynical, and ruthless in the Fleming stories. He’s also vulnerable, a touch naive, makes mistakes from which he needs to learn to become the James we later have come to know. And if you're looking for the evidence that women are attracted to him, and he to them, The Debt begins to deliver on that promise. A must for Bond fans.
The stories are a tad thin in this short volume, but they are entertaining and promising, and I like very much the period art. I like this young, idealistic, patriotic Captain America-ish (Captain British-ish? Scotch-ist?) Bond before he gets jaded, cynical, and ruthless in the Fleming stories. He’s also vulnerable, a touch naive, makes mistakes from which he needs to learn to become the James we later have come to know. And if you're looking for the evidence that women are attracted to him, and he to them, The Debt begins to deliver on that promise. A must for Bond fans.
September 20, 2021
Jeff Parker and Ibrahim Moustafa continues James Bond's training in the midst of World War II. Bond is a lieutenant on a British sub who gets wind of some Russians stealing gold bullion and gets involved. Then Bond investigates the death of his mentor while we get to see the origin of his card skills. These two stories very much focused on Bond's early spy dies and they were pretty great.
January 7, 2021
The second collection of World War 2 stories featuring a young James Bond is as good as the first. There's great storytelling & excellent artwork in this collection. It's also been fun to read this at the same time as I delve into Ian Fleiming's first Bond novel Casino Royale once again. To use an old tag line from the Bond films I supose that's Double Double-O-Seven!
February 7, 2024
James becoming Bond
This is another great graphic novel about James' early years, an extension from the army and the process of slowly evolving into the famed super spy that we all know.
We read about how Bond slowly starts acquiring the skills that he would use with elan in his more famous adventures. His first tryst with cards, learning the ropes of shadowing and covert work across borders.
These adventures stay true to Ian Fleming's original stories and are sometimes racist.
These adventures catch James as a Navy staff part of the war effort WW2 and co-opted into British intelligence. The Russian Ruse as the name suggests is a counter-intelligence effort to uncover a Russian plot and follows manoeuvres at sea. he second story follows the death of James' mentor in intelligence under suspicious circumstances and he is deputed to uncover the plot.
Enjoyable adventure.
This is another great graphic novel about James' early years, an extension from the army and the process of slowly evolving into the famed super spy that we all know.
We read about how Bond slowly starts acquiring the skills that he would use with elan in his more famous adventures. His first tryst with cards, learning the ropes of shadowing and covert work across borders.
These adventures stay true to Ian Fleming's original stories and are sometimes racist.
These adventures catch James as a Navy staff part of the war effort WW2 and co-opted into British intelligence. The Russian Ruse as the name suggests is a counter-intelligence effort to uncover a Russian plot and follows manoeuvres at sea. he second story follows the death of James' mentor in intelligence under suspicious circumstances and he is deputed to uncover the plot.
Enjoyable adventure.
July 23, 2020
2 stories spread over 6 editions gathered together to make up Volume 2 of the James Bond Origin series. The further exploits of the young agent during World War 2, as he picks up the skills that will later become famous. Looks gorgeous, with plenty of stunning artwork. The stories are decent, although as with all the Dynamite Bond stories, I'm always left wanting a bit more plot and detail. A must for fans.
April 27, 2021
A solid conclusion to the storyline, and one that leaves plenty of room for more WWII adventure which, sadly, hasn't come yet.
May 20, 2025
NOTE: I read this in the single monthly issues.
Issues #7-#9 contain the 3-part “Russian Ruse" story.
In the last installment (Volume 1 of Origin) young Bond’s courage and ability during chaos earned him a spot on the secret service branch of what would become the Ministry of Defense. To serve the confidential nature of his duties, Bond is accorded the rank lieutenant in the Special Branch of the Royal Navy, and assigned to a warship off the coast of Norway.
Bond suspects foul play when a Russian freighter claims to have witnessed the Germans sink a Norwegian supply ship containing gold to finance their war efforts. It was actually the Russians who killed the Norwegians and stole the gold. Bond smuggles aboard the Russian ship to get evidence/proof, but is captured.
The Russians off load James Bond at Murmansk, in the care of the beautiful Oksana until he can reunite with the Navy. She may be his ticket to safety, or led to his doom. It’s getting hard for Bond to know ally from foe, especially when his tea has been drugged. The Russians try to brainwash Bond into believing there was no gold on the Russian merchant ship.
Bond manages to escape his captors, just as the bombing of Murmansk by Germany begins. He masquerades as a German officer and steals a jeep to make for the docks, where he is shot but rescued by Norwegians (ironically).He did manage to make off with a gold nugget to prove the Russian deceit.
I’m enjoying this series because it’s more realistic. Bond isn’t perfect. He has a lot to learn and each story arc showcases his budding skills as well as his development. Suspenseful, and well done. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
Issues #10-#12 contain the 3-part “The Debt" story.
In 1941, Lieutenant James Bond has been ordered back to England to recuperate from injuries sustained in Murmansk. Meanwhile in Geona, Italy his mentor Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald Weldon is shot down in the streets after leaving a gambling house. However, the news that comes back to Britain is that his was transferred to Gibraltar where he died in a bombing raid.
The mysterious F from the Ministry of Defense contacts Bond, reveals some photos that show Weldon in Italy gambling, and dispatches Bond there to obtain evidence to vindicate him. There he meets a former associate from training camp, who wants to make up for bad feelings by helping teach Bond how to gamble and gain entry into the private club that Weldon frequented.
Before the story ends, Bond learns about indebtedness, friendship, loyalty, betrayal and comes out of the efforts a stronger, more determined agent. He also learns the true nature of Weldon’s visit to Italy, an undercover mission that left his reputation as a hero. While the entire 12-issue run has been very good, this final three-part story arc was my favorite. THREE AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
Issues #7-#9 contain the 3-part “Russian Ruse" story.
In the last installment (Volume 1 of Origin) young Bond’s courage and ability during chaos earned him a spot on the secret service branch of what would become the Ministry of Defense. To serve the confidential nature of his duties, Bond is accorded the rank lieutenant in the Special Branch of the Royal Navy, and assigned to a warship off the coast of Norway.
Bond suspects foul play when a Russian freighter claims to have witnessed the Germans sink a Norwegian supply ship containing gold to finance their war efforts. It was actually the Russians who killed the Norwegians and stole the gold. Bond smuggles aboard the Russian ship to get evidence/proof, but is captured.
The Russians off load James Bond at Murmansk, in the care of the beautiful Oksana until he can reunite with the Navy. She may be his ticket to safety, or led to his doom. It’s getting hard for Bond to know ally from foe, especially when his tea has been drugged. The Russians try to brainwash Bond into believing there was no gold on the Russian merchant ship.
Bond manages to escape his captors, just as the bombing of Murmansk by Germany begins. He masquerades as a German officer and steals a jeep to make for the docks, where he is shot but rescued by Norwegians (ironically).He did manage to make off with a gold nugget to prove the Russian deceit.
I’m enjoying this series because it’s more realistic. Bond isn’t perfect. He has a lot to learn and each story arc showcases his budding skills as well as his development. Suspenseful, and well done. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
Issues #10-#12 contain the 3-part “The Debt" story.
In 1941, Lieutenant James Bond has been ordered back to England to recuperate from injuries sustained in Murmansk. Meanwhile in Geona, Italy his mentor Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Ronald Weldon is shot down in the streets after leaving a gambling house. However, the news that comes back to Britain is that his was transferred to Gibraltar where he died in a bombing raid.
The mysterious F from the Ministry of Defense contacts Bond, reveals some photos that show Weldon in Italy gambling, and dispatches Bond there to obtain evidence to vindicate him. There he meets a former associate from training camp, who wants to make up for bad feelings by helping teach Bond how to gamble and gain entry into the private club that Weldon frequented.
Before the story ends, Bond learns about indebtedness, friendship, loyalty, betrayal and comes out of the efforts a stronger, more determined agent. He also learns the true nature of Weldon’s visit to Italy, an undercover mission that left his reputation as a hero. While the entire 12-issue run has been very good, this final three-part story arc was my favorite. THREE AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
August 25, 2020
Jeff Parker is a writer who rarely disappoints and in this second volume of young James Bond we get another collection of entertaining stories. The art is solid and the stories are ones I could easily see in a Netflix series for James Bond. The only minor complaint I have is I felt the stories didn't do as well as volume one in terms of fleshing out Bond's personality and character.
Overall - a must have for any Bond fans.
Overall - a must have for any Bond fans.
November 14, 2021
So good! Really wish they continue this Bond origins series. Love seeing a presentation 007 Bond figure out the spy game during WWII. Seriously want to find more books like this to read. Excellent writing, and amazing artwork. The artwork and layout really allowed me to feel like I was in that time period with Bond.
Read
April 4, 2022Compared to the precision engineering of the first volume, this sometimes feels a little tangled and lacking in momentum. But its continuing account of the future 007's war service, from Murmansk to Piccadilly to Genoa, nevertheless remains significantly better Bond than the films have managed this millennium.
November 20, 2022
Way better than volume 1. The addition of Ibraham Moustafa definitely brought with it a dramatic improvement in the art, but also, this is where Jeff Parker’s story really started to develop into the sort of Bond adventure we all know and love.
Very climactic and some really clever and exciting storytelling. Definitely recommend
Very climactic and some really clever and exciting storytelling. Definitely recommend
October 26, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed the full collection of the origin series.
It gives an insight into a young James Bond learning his trade in the navy during the war and shows glimpses of the bravery, skill and humour that has become synonymous with the Bond character.
I would certainly recommend this series to others and the best thing I can say is that it is a shame that there aren't more volumes!
It gives an insight into a young James Bond learning his trade in the navy during the war and shows glimpses of the bravery, skill and humour that has become synonymous with the Bond character.
I would certainly recommend this series to others and the best thing I can say is that it is a shame that there aren't more volumes!
May 3, 2022
THIS NEEDS A VOLUME 3 !!! Yo Jeff Parker where is the rest of this ?!?!?!?! I didn't have my full closure with this story aha ! So Good !
February 4, 2021
Ask for more spy fun and ye shall receive. I thought James Bond: Origin, Vol. 1 lacked traditional James Bond action, being more of a generic World War II affair. This second Origin volume is all spy, all the time.
The first story features Bond's attempt to uncover a Russian plot to nab gold bullion. It's smart and fast-paced and gives Bond plenty of opportunities to seem like an overwhelmed teen while also showing glimpses of the infallible hero he'll become. The second story involves Bond and a buddy taking part in a traveling card game to find out why a treasured friend was killed in Italy. Basically, it's Bond learning his cardshark skills, but in a deeper and more clever narrative than you might expect.
Of course, as Bond stories move away from generic action into covert affairs, the likelihood of confusion rises. That's the case here. Even if this Origin volume is imperfect, I liked it a lot, more than the first outing.
The first story features Bond's attempt to uncover a Russian plot to nab gold bullion. It's smart and fast-paced and gives Bond plenty of opportunities to seem like an overwhelmed teen while also showing glimpses of the infallible hero he'll become. The second story involves Bond and a buddy taking part in a traveling card game to find out why a treasured friend was killed in Italy. Basically, it's Bond learning his cardshark skills, but in a deeper and more clever narrative than you might expect.
Of course, as Bond stories move away from generic action into covert affairs, the likelihood of confusion rises. That's the case here. Even if this Origin volume is imperfect, I liked it a lot, more than the first outing.
December 3, 2020
I liked the first volume better, which followed Bond's training. This one has him on a couple of missions, neither of which is particularly interesting. The artwork is not really all that great, either, in this volume. But, hey, it's James Bond, so what more do you want?
August 9, 2020
In EIDOLON, Bond must stop a ghost organization that has infiltrated high levels of the British intelligence. I liked this volume more. We now get Bond girls, yay! The plot is also tighter that volume 1 (VARGR), even if again, the motivations of the villain fell a bit flat to me. The dialogue is snappier and the art stands out more.
Ellis is really what attracted me the most about the book, but it ended up being a disappointment. I don’t think his inclusion elevates the stories from being plain average. Yes, he does add some witty dialogue and some (actually...forced) humor every now and then, but I simply expected more. His Bond really goes back to the Ian Fleming Bond. Bond here is a cold-hearted assassin jerk. And to me, his attempt at being suave and sexy just doesn't work. Ultimately, I gotta say…I don’t think I prefer this version of the character. It just didn’t scream James Bond to me, but take this with a grain of salt as I’m more familiar with the movies than the books. I'm sure Ellis knows what Ian Fleming's Bond is like more than me - I just seem to not like that version.
The art is also hit or miss with me. It has a certain Archer feel to it, which is nice...but it didn’t quite fully connect with me. It's usually fluid and dynamic - the choreography of the fights is pretty cool, for example. But the faces can be a bit stoic at times. My biggest issue with it is the way the backgrounds are drawn and colored in some action scenes- by removing the actual background of the location where characters are and instead choosing a more ‘sterile’ background with some odd choices for colors, Masters' work looks a bit unfinished. I remember having this same issue reading early issues of Invincible by Robert Kirkman (as drawn by Cory Walker, not by Ryan Ottley). I think Masters did a better job in this second volume than in VARGR, however. In issue 11, for example, he finds a way to carry the narrative without Ellis having to write any text for the scenes. And it really works. There are plenty of other examples like this. But he still resorts to the use of the sterile backgrounds every now and then, which, to me, are a no no when done wrong.
Overall, if you’re a Bond fan, maybe check it out. You may like it more if you're into the Fleming books. I can’t really bring myself to recommend it to non-Bond fans.
Story - Overall 7/10 the story. Art 7/10.
Ellis is really what attracted me the most about the book, but it ended up being a disappointment. I don’t think his inclusion elevates the stories from being plain average. Yes, he does add some witty dialogue and some (actually...forced) humor every now and then, but I simply expected more. His Bond really goes back to the Ian Fleming Bond. Bond here is a cold-hearted assassin jerk. And to me, his attempt at being suave and sexy just doesn't work. Ultimately, I gotta say…I don’t think I prefer this version of the character. It just didn’t scream James Bond to me, but take this with a grain of salt as I’m more familiar with the movies than the books. I'm sure Ellis knows what Ian Fleming's Bond is like more than me - I just seem to not like that version.
The art is also hit or miss with me. It has a certain Archer feel to it, which is nice...but it didn’t quite fully connect with me. It's usually fluid and dynamic - the choreography of the fights is pretty cool, for example. But the faces can be a bit stoic at times. My biggest issue with it is the way the backgrounds are drawn and colored in some action scenes- by removing the actual background of the location where characters are and instead choosing a more ‘sterile’ background with some odd choices for colors, Masters' work looks a bit unfinished. I remember having this same issue reading early issues of Invincible by Robert Kirkman (as drawn by Cory Walker, not by Ryan Ottley). I think Masters did a better job in this second volume than in VARGR, however. In issue 11, for example, he finds a way to carry the narrative without Ellis having to write any text for the scenes. And it really works. There are plenty of other examples like this. But he still resorts to the use of the sterile backgrounds every now and then, which, to me, are a no no when done wrong.
Overall, if you’re a Bond fan, maybe check it out. You may like it more if you're into the Fleming books. I can’t really bring myself to recommend it to non-Bond fans.
Story - Overall 7/10 the story. Art 7/10.
December 24, 2020
This series is really growing on me. Jeff Parker and Ibrahim Moustafa (Who also did the art for this volume) do a very good job of fleshing out the characteristics and attributes that make James Bond. They allow tidbits of how some of his well known abilities were evolved to creep in while also relating thrilling adventures of daring-do during the Second World War. Even so, this book would stand well on its own, even if we did not know who James Bond was! Additionally, I find that origin stories are always difficult in that you always know there is little real danger to the protagonist. So to imbue a story with a feeing of threat in such circumstances takes real talent and that is fully on display here.
There are two arcs in this collection. The first has Bond attempting to unravel a Soviet plot to upset the balance of the war and the other is a good old fashioned spy mystery that has layers upon layers and does a good job at showing Bond vulnerable, yet with the stoic reserve of strength that sees him through his myriad brushes with death. We even get a glimpse at how he became so good at cards. Both stories are well crafted and believable while also following a chronological pathway. I am really enjoying the fact that he is reliant upon his own resources rather than any fancy technology to get him out of a jam. This is more like the Fleming novels than many of the movies.
Dynamite again excels in putting together a quality product with the requisite alternate covers and impeccable reproductions of the original issues. This entire series is taking pride of place on my bookshelf and I look forward to more!
There are two arcs in this collection. The first has Bond attempting to unravel a Soviet plot to upset the balance of the war and the other is a good old fashioned spy mystery that has layers upon layers and does a good job at showing Bond vulnerable, yet with the stoic reserve of strength that sees him through his myriad brushes with death. We even get a glimpse at how he became so good at cards. Both stories are well crafted and believable while also following a chronological pathway. I am really enjoying the fact that he is reliant upon his own resources rather than any fancy technology to get him out of a jam. This is more like the Fleming novels than many of the movies.
Dynamite again excels in putting together a quality product with the requisite alternate covers and impeccable reproductions of the original issues. This entire series is taking pride of place on my bookshelf and I look forward to more!
January 29, 2023
This "Origin" series covers the World War II exploits of 007 before he was 007, two stories of which are collected here: "Russian Ruse" and "The Debt." The first of these finds Bond as a young lieutenant aboard a British ship in the Barents Sea. The story is some sort of nonsense about Norwegian gold and a Russian double-cross, which then requires Bond to get in deep water and escape from torture and captivity in classic Bond style. The second story concerns Bond's investigation of his recently dead mentor, who was possibly involved in treason revolving around secret high-stakes card games. Working with a former rival (I think this is covered in the first volume of the series, which I haven't read), Bond ends up dealing with Sicilian card sharps and Italian police, with a classic speedboat chase. The covers and variant covers are all pretty cool, however the art of the stories themselves is very bland and uninteresting. Overall, this is pretty meh, and if it didn't have the Bond brand, there'd be zero reason to pick it up.
September 4, 2020
Two stories of the exploits of Navel Lieutenant James Bond during WWII, The Russian Ruse and The Debt. First Bond, secretly working for British Intelligence, suspects not all is as it seems when a Russian crew claims that a Norwegian supply ship carrying gold is sunk by German bombers and takes it on himself to investigate, leading to his uncovering a Soviet plot to pocket the gold from the allies. Returning home to recover Bond finds his mentor, Lieutenant Commander Weldon has been killed and is unofficially sent in by F to investigate Weldon's suspicious death. Collaborating with a rival from his training days Bond uncovers the motivation for Weldon's actions and his honorable work for the allies cause against the Italians. The art brings the time period and the action to life and supports the storytelling, from the aftermath of bombing raids to the expressions on Bond's face as he gains experience in the world of espionage. Collecting Issues # 7-12.
October 2, 2020
A rousing pair of tales from the early days of 007. Despite their issues with telling a complete story in the past, with these Origin titles Dynamite has been able to tell fleshed-out tales showing us the types of adventures Bond might have got mixed-up in during World War II. Alleviating the need to stop the conquest of criminal masterminds and focus on smaller scale stories seems to have done them a world of good.
August 18, 2023
Well, this was even more disappointing than volume one. As for learning about the 'origin' of James Bond, in this book, all we learn is how he learned to play cards one night. And the ending is so abrupt. It feels like there should be a volume three, but as far as I can tell, there isn't. So, two complete graphic novels about James Bond having adventures in World War II. Meh.
May 23, 2021
This 2 volume series was good. I wonder if they will do more as the war is not over yet at this point in the books. Enjoyable read for James Bond fans. Tells about young Bond and how he becomes a spy. Fun read!!
April 7, 2022
While this volume lacks some of the appeal and Fleming "feel" of Casino Royale it is still an interesting and enjoyable ride. It's not the James Bond I grew up with [beginning with Dr. No] but maybe that's the point.
November 10, 2019
An excellent continuation from Vol. 1
August 4, 2020
Love this series and it would be dope if they made a movie from it.
August 7, 2020
Enjoying these stories of a younger Bond in WWII. This is a naive, ideal younger Bond. Less jaded and therefor more refreshing.
September 5, 2020
Not quite as strong as volume one story wise, but still plenty of 1941 world war 2 Bond action. And there’s a big plus for this over volume one, his eyes are coloured blue. Well corrected!
March 2, 2021
Poor James. Having to see Eddie bleed out in his presence unable to do anything, it's heartbreaking seeing how far Eddie would've gone to save James.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2021
As good as volume 1. Thrills, spills and plenty of action.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews