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James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #1-2
James Bond: The Complete Warren Ellis Omnibus
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 ranged in secret against him, the full range 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).
James Bond is trapped in Los Angeles with a MI6 agent under fire and a foreign intelligence service trying to put them both in bags... and possibly more than one foreign intelligence service. And things may not be any safer in Britain, with bodies dropping and ghosts moving in the political mist...
Contains James Bond #1-12, Warren Ellis' VARGR and EIDOLON story lines.
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).
James Bond is trapped in Los Angeles with a MI6 agent under fire and a foreign intelligence service trying to put them both in bags... and possibly more than one foreign intelligence service. And things may not be any safer in Britain, with bodies dropping and ghosts moving in the political mist...
Contains James Bond #1-12, Warren Ellis' VARGR and EIDOLON story lines.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2020
87 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,753 books5,766 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 43 reviews
September 13, 2020
Warren Ellis penned two Bond tales in this volume. The first is" VARGAR" and it details the story of how Bond was able to help take out a rogue company making military grade prosthetics. The second story is "Eidolon" and it details how MI-5 was infiltrated by SPECTRE and Bond and MI-6 must battle their own.
Ellis' Bond is very similar to the newer Daniel Craig Bond. Far more violent and brutal. Though he doesn't truly ever lose his dead-pan humor or his classy tastes. This is a great book for any Bond fan and I liked it tremendously. If I had only one complaint? The artwork could have been better, it is not bad but a story like this would have shined with better art.
Still a nice volume for any Bond fan.
Ellis' Bond is very similar to the newer Daniel Craig Bond. Far more violent and brutal. Though he doesn't truly ever lose his dead-pan humor or his classy tastes. This is a great book for any Bond fan and I liked it tremendously. If I had only one complaint? The artwork could have been better, it is not bad but a story like this would have shined with better art.
Still a nice volume for any Bond fan.
March 18, 2021
Re read vol 1 and first time read of vol 2. Really loved the story and the artwork. The missions felt old school bond but limited gadgets..just pure spy and death. Good fun
June 24, 2020
Not bad.
This is a more grounded Bond. He’s only loosely similar to Ian Flemming’s Bond, and even less similar to most movie versions (although if I were to pick one, I’d say this was Timothy Dalton Bond.)
I figured a comic book would be a great opportunity to explore who 007 really is. No. Not really. He has very little character development here. Also, he barely does any Bond stuff. He has sex once, he’s picky about his booze twice, and he has some badass shootouts. Frankly, how nonBondish this Bond was disappointed me a little.
The art was really good. It moved fluidly and presented the action in an exciting way. In fact, the action scenes were the best part of this book, and the moments that drew me in most.
It’s a decent read, but you can def live without too.
This is a more grounded Bond. He’s only loosely similar to Ian Flemming’s Bond, and even less similar to most movie versions (although if I were to pick one, I’d say this was Timothy Dalton Bond.)
I figured a comic book would be a great opportunity to explore who 007 really is. No. Not really. He has very little character development here. Also, he barely does any Bond stuff. He has sex once, he’s picky about his booze twice, and he has some badass shootouts. Frankly, how nonBondish this Bond was disappointed me a little.
The art was really good. It moved fluidly and presented the action in an exciting way. In fact, the action scenes were the best part of this book, and the moments that drew me in most.
It’s a decent read, but you can def live without too.
June 23, 2022
This is close to a 5 star. I mean Ellis is one hell of a writer, let’s not forget Planetary and Injection two of my favourite series and then he did a short split on James Bond.
This was my first Bond comic and it’s a very smooth story of action and espionage from start to finish just like the movies. Great crisp artwork and original villains. I’d say volume two is worthy of the big screen with its involvement of the SAS/SBS during a law change of 00 agents not being allowed to carry arms. Nice twist.
This was my first Bond comic and it’s a very smooth story of action and espionage from start to finish just like the movies. Great crisp artwork and original villains. I’d say volume two is worthy of the big screen with its involvement of the SAS/SBS during a law change of 00 agents not being allowed to carry arms. Nice twist.
April 19, 2023
A fun read in graphic novel format. Something you can consume in a sitting and still get the feel that you've been pulled into the world of Ian Fleming.
November 10, 2024
The Bond in these stories is closer to the original Sean Connery type. Rough around the edges. Capable of frightening violence. Coldly capable of murder. Also a bit of an arrogant ass at times, but no one is perfect. Lots of action. Some good plotlines. Interesting villains. I enjoyed the book.
April 2, 2023
(Zero spoiler review) 2/5
One of the gushing blurbs on the back mentions something about being the best take on contemporary Bond. Contemporary Bond. CONTEMPORARY BOND! If those two words don't tell you everything you need to know about what you'll receive here should you unfortunately shell out some of your hard earned on this collection, (like I unfortunately did), then I don't know what else to tell you.
Warren Ellis has well and truly used up whatever points he had stored up with runs like Transmetropolitan and Planetary. His misses far outweigh his hits at this point, and he hasn't written anything worth reading in quite some time. Anything that I've read anyway. Whether this 'contemporary' take on James Bond was dictated to him, or he willingly included all this stuff of his own accord, I don't know. Either way, the results are limp and lifeless, and yet another sad and sorry indictment on a once great character and franchise. Nothing here is remotely memorable, including the artwork ad colouring, which is about as bog standard as the writing. This isn't James Bond, this is random, generic C grade spy, with a very 'contemporary' cast of supporting characters, who are all about as nuanced or appreciated as a loud fart at your grandma's funeral. Shame on Mr. Ellis for turning in such tepid, unimaginative work. Shame on whoever owns the Bond franchise now for what they've done and will continue to do to it. And shame on me for expecting a 'contemporary' James Bond comic to be anything other than expensive toilet paper. Avoid! 2/5
One of the gushing blurbs on the back mentions something about being the best take on contemporary Bond. Contemporary Bond. CONTEMPORARY BOND! If those two words don't tell you everything you need to know about what you'll receive here should you unfortunately shell out some of your hard earned on this collection, (like I unfortunately did), then I don't know what else to tell you.
Warren Ellis has well and truly used up whatever points he had stored up with runs like Transmetropolitan and Planetary. His misses far outweigh his hits at this point, and he hasn't written anything worth reading in quite some time. Anything that I've read anyway. Whether this 'contemporary' take on James Bond was dictated to him, or he willingly included all this stuff of his own accord, I don't know. Either way, the results are limp and lifeless, and yet another sad and sorry indictment on a once great character and franchise. Nothing here is remotely memorable, including the artwork ad colouring, which is about as bog standard as the writing. This isn't James Bond, this is random, generic C grade spy, with a very 'contemporary' cast of supporting characters, who are all about as nuanced or appreciated as a loud fart at your grandma's funeral. Shame on Mr. Ellis for turning in such tepid, unimaginative work. Shame on whoever owns the Bond franchise now for what they've done and will continue to do to it. And shame on me for expecting a 'contemporary' James Bond comic to be anything other than expensive toilet paper. Avoid! 2/5
April 17, 2022
Great book! We see two original stories from our 007, from drugs to a come back from the Spectre. Warren Ellis is a human encyclopedia, as Neil Gaiman, so he really understands what he's doing, even in his storytelling. Serious, the action scenes on this one are unbelievable. Jason Masters did his job. James Bond just doesn't leave anyone to tell the story.
Amazing collection. Sadly, Ellis and Masters just did this with our agent, so enjoy it as fast as you can!
Amazing collection. Sadly, Ellis and Masters just did this with our agent, so enjoy it as fast as you can!
August 9, 2020
Ian Fleming’s James Bond - The complete Warren Ellis Omnibus
The book contains 2 volumes:
In VARGR, Bond travels to Berlin to take on the workload of a fallen 00 agent. He encounters some trouble led by a villain running an experiment involving lethal drugs and enhanced prosthetics. There is plenty of action (e.g., fights, car chases) and we get staple Bond characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny. But…there are hardly any gadgets, no Bond girls, and for some reason bourbon! Wait what?! The villain felt a bit boring and I didn’t care for his motivations. Though I suppose it fits well with the Bond series. I can actually see him in a movie using his cybernetic arm and sending enhanced villains after Bond.
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, 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.
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 the second volume, 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 5/10 for VARG and 7/10 for EIDOLON. Art 7/10.
The book contains 2 volumes:
In VARGR, Bond travels to Berlin to take on the workload of a fallen 00 agent. He encounters some trouble led by a villain running an experiment involving lethal drugs and enhanced prosthetics. There is plenty of action (e.g., fights, car chases) and we get staple Bond characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny. But…there are hardly any gadgets, no Bond girls, and for some reason bourbon! Wait what?! The villain felt a bit boring and I didn’t care for his motivations. Though I suppose it fits well with the Bond series. I can actually see him in a movie using his cybernetic arm and sending enhanced villains after Bond.
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, 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.
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 the second volume, 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 5/10 for VARG and 7/10 for EIDOLON. Art 7/10.
June 4, 2024
Two arcs, one is fantastic and the other one falls flat, making this 3.5 stars.
This omnibus (standard size HC with twelve issues - not my kind of omnibus Dynamite) collects two six issue arcs, that have no connection at all.
All characters you know and love from the movies are here: Bond, M, Q, Moneypenny and a few more. However, none of them resemble any actor, instead they have 'fresh faces'. It takes some getting used to, but unfortunately neither Q, M or Moneypenny get to shine here.
VARGR: Bond gets sent somewhere, gets ambushed multiple times, but kills everyone. This story arc basically just focuses on showing us people getting brutally killed, to the point where I wonder if Bond is really the good guy here. I hated this - 2 of 5 stars.
EIDOLON: Bond is wrapped up in a clash between Mi5 and Mi6 and I loved this. You still get your brutal kills, but much more toned down. In addition, we have some funny dialogue here, which made me laugh out loud more than once. Near the end I really wanted the bad guy(s) to be nailed. This was excellent 5 of 5 stars.
So all in all, I can still recommend this, thanks to the brilliant second story arc.
Small rant:
What I don't understand is why Dynamite advertises multiple Bond collections in the back (including both story arcs of this book in separate volumes, urgh!).
It's 2024 and people want to have oversized and complete collections and not these super thin volumes scattering around; publishers please take note. As it stands, this will be my only Bond volume for now.
This omnibus (standard size HC with twelve issues - not my kind of omnibus Dynamite) collects two six issue arcs, that have no connection at all.
All characters you know and love from the movies are here: Bond, M, Q, Moneypenny and a few more. However, none of them resemble any actor, instead they have 'fresh faces'. It takes some getting used to, but unfortunately neither Q, M or Moneypenny get to shine here.
VARGR: Bond gets sent somewhere, gets ambushed multiple times, but kills everyone. This story arc basically just focuses on showing us people getting brutally killed, to the point where I wonder if Bond is really the good guy here. I hated this - 2 of 5 stars.
EIDOLON: Bond is wrapped up in a clash between Mi5 and Mi6 and I loved this. You still get your brutal kills, but much more toned down. In addition, we have some funny dialogue here, which made me laugh out loud more than once. Near the end I really wanted the bad guy(s) to be nailed. This was excellent 5 of 5 stars.
So all in all, I can still recommend this, thanks to the brilliant second story arc.
Small rant:
What I don't understand is why Dynamite advertises multiple Bond collections in the back (including both story arcs of this book in separate volumes, urgh!).
It's 2024 and people want to have oversized and complete collections and not these super thin volumes scattering around; publishers please take note. As it stands, this will be my only Bond volume for now.
July 11, 2020
Nos últimos anos, Warren Ellis tem sido aquele argumentista de eleição quando as editoras querem relançar séries ou personagens clássicos. O desafio tem sido similar, quer com Castlevania (série muito apreciada da Netflix), Moon Knight ou o recente The Wildstorm para a DC. Ellis renova as personagens, no seu estilo muito próprio, criando novas bases e premissas que depois irão ser as linhas guias para continuidade por outros criadores. A sua versão de James Bond é um exemplo disso. Em Vargr e Eidolon, Ellis revê o personagem para o século XXI, mais a partir dos livros originais de Fleming do que da mais conhecida versão cinematográfica. Crime e conspirações entre agências secretas são a base destas novas aventuras, onde Ellis puxa muito pelo estilo narrativo de ação cinematográfica.
June 6, 2021
First of all James Masters is the artists of this comic and even though he doesn’t get his name in the title his work is terrific. I’m pretty sure this is the first thing of his I’ve read. I’ll have to find more of his work.
I am a fan of Warren Ellis’s stuff but I much prefer his indie work to his work for hire Marvel and DC stuff. So it took me by surprise how much I enjoyed this James Bond book.
Masters and Ellis captured the action and danger that I like in a Bond story. In general I prefer the original Bond books to the movies and there is a distinct flavor to those books. I think this has some of that flavor.
If you’re looking for some good Bond stuff or some good comics give this book a try.
I am a fan of Warren Ellis’s stuff but I much prefer his indie work to his work for hire Marvel and DC stuff. So it took me by surprise how much I enjoyed this James Bond book.
Masters and Ellis captured the action and danger that I like in a Bond story. In general I prefer the original Bond books to the movies and there is a distinct flavor to those books. I think this has some of that flavor.
If you’re looking for some good Bond stuff or some good comics give this book a try.
May 16, 2024
Super fun way of doing James Bond stories. I liked the Bond they created (although he looks a little too much like TV's Archer. But pretty close to Flemings writings). Great artwork (to my eye anyway), good stories (there are bad guys in various other agencies, drug dealers looking to take over England, etc, Bond kills them). My guess is the writer did some good research in regard to various security agencies - nice jargon thrown in. And I liked the banter they gave him with Tanner, M, some others. Pretty graphic violence. Only problem is that you read them too fast. I read it on an I-Pad - I think a hard copy would make a slower, more relaxed read.
This was the first JB graphic novel(s) I've read, and I absolutely plan on reading more.
This was the first JB graphic novel(s) I've read, and I absolutely plan on reading more.
May 27, 2024
keeps bond super grounded and avoids many of the benchmarks of the bond series as we've come to know it. there are no exotic locales; there is a minimal amount of sex. there is a ton of violence. the bad guys suffer physical deformities that indicate a decayed moral character and that's still trope #1 I suppose, but overall, these two bond graphic novels feel much more in line with a modern realist telling of bond, even more stripped away from Craig's filmic version of it. a lot of this is to do with the static and cold art by Dominic Reardon and Jason Masters. I could have read ten more of these.
July 8, 2020
This is very much Ellis at his most workmanlike. It's fine and fun, but it's just bare-bones Ellis tropes: hyperviolent decompressed silent combat scenes strung together with bits of obscure history and futurist tech. His vision of Bond is close to the Daniel Craig version: a blunt instrument of violence that can be leveraged by the state. It's solid work, and the plot is engaging -- but this is nowhere near Ellis' best.
Master's art is good, though some combat sequences get tricky to follow.
Master's art is good, though some combat sequences get tricky to follow.
January 16, 2021
This is a very different MI6 but a very same James Bond. Well, perhaps not quite the same. This James Bond is edgy and no nonsense when it comes to Queen and Country.
This graphic novel has it all, femme fatales, women with names no one should ever name their daughter, villains with lots of fun totting henchmen.
Somehow, everyone wants Mr Bond dead. It's a pity he's just that better at staying alive than everyone else.
Definitely worth reading for James Bond fans, especially those who enjoy the Connery and Moore Bond.
This graphic novel has it all, femme fatales, women with names no one should ever name their daughter, villains with lots of fun totting henchmen.
Somehow, everyone wants Mr Bond dead. It's a pity he's just that better at staying alive than everyone else.
Definitely worth reading for James Bond fans, especially those who enjoy the Connery and Moore Bond.
October 30, 2022
Gritty And Bondy
Warren Ellis has a very good understanding of the James Bond character, and his environment. The stories are interesting and well told. The action is intense and bloody. They say a hero is only as good as his villain. Ellis has created some very good villains for Bond to contend with. They are new, but at the same time they fall under a very familiar Bond umbrella.
Warren Ellis has a very good understanding of the James Bond character, and his environment. The stories are interesting and well told. The action is intense and bloody. They say a hero is only as good as his villain. Ellis has created some very good villains for Bond to contend with. They are new, but at the same time they fall under a very familiar Bond umbrella.
October 19, 2020
I really wanted to like this book better. It isn't bad but it's plain. From the beginning you know where the story will go, and unfortunately it goes directly into that road. There are several things in the book that make no sense to me (bourbon?! Really??) and James bond is not a very likable character here. He is more like an assassin then anything else. I would have liked a proper spy story.
Read
January 29, 2022Some of my favorite James Bond stories in any medium. I'd particularly like to praise the way the artist displays action. It felt as tense, exciting, and brutal as what I'd expect from a John Wick movie. Not easy to convey on the page, but he sure did. Top notch and recommended if you like spy stories or action stories.
December 5, 2022
Who the Hell would have thought that a James Bond spy thriller would translate so well from film to comics.
Yes I know they were books first, but those sucked.
Film is where Ian Flemming's creation came to shine.
Ellis brings all of the suspense and action that we expect and beautifully crafts epic stories.
Yes I know they were books first, but those sucked.
Film is where Ian Flemming's creation came to shine.
Ellis brings all of the suspense and action that we expect and beautifully crafts epic stories.
July 28, 2023
It reads like a generic James Bond movie, which is to say, fairly boring, sexist and imperialist by default, and ableist in that very specific Bond way. Bond has no backstory, personality, or motivation, much like he doesn't in almost all of the movies. So, Ellis probably turned in exactly what he was asked for, but it's just boring.
February 26, 2024
I really liked the art, James Masters dynamic style suits with Bond action scenes. Now about the plot... the first story is awful, with a third-rate villain, a dull henchman, and a silly plot twist. Fortunately, the second story is way better, dealing with a battle between espionage agencies, moles, and a real bad guy.
November 9, 2020
This Warren Ellis collection was just stunning. The artwork was simple, yet effectively vibrant when it needed to be. The stories had a very Ian Fleming feel to them. Overall a great read if you're a Bond fan!
June 14, 2021
Stylized and interesting take on Bond. Ellis has a solid handle on the character. Masters gives the book a distinctive, cinematic feel even if a few of the wordless and soundless action sequences felt a little disjointed.
July 7, 2021
Cool Comix
These were the equivalent of two rather short Bond movies. Decent stories throughout each series with lots of action. More violent and gory deaths than in the movies and that's excellent. It was a bit short and can be finished in about two hours.
These were the equivalent of two rather short Bond movies. Decent stories throughout each series with lots of action. More violent and gory deaths than in the movies and that's excellent. It was a bit short and can be finished in about two hours.
April 24, 2022
FULL REVIEW *Spoiler Free*- https://youtu.be/ndCiba7RMSc
Better than Expected
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 stars
Art: 3.5 stars
Prose: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.25 stars
Pacing: 3.5 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
World Building: 3.25 stars
Better than Expected
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 stars
Art: 3.5 stars
Prose: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.25 stars
Pacing: 3.5 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
World Building: 3.25 stars
December 17, 2023
Smooth
The best James Bond anything since Casino Royale. This is every bit as good as anything you'll see on the big screen or in the books. If the owners of the Bond movie franchise are clever, they better read this and take notes.
The best James Bond anything since Casino Royale. This is every bit as good as anything you'll see on the big screen or in the books. If the owners of the Bond movie franchise are clever, they better read this and take notes.
July 13, 2025
Absolute Bond Classic
Some memorable villains that put Bond on the ropes while Bond feels consistently up against it while being the lethal and ruthless hero he has always been.
The endings and villain motivations are some of the best and most refreshing in the genre.
Some memorable villains that put Bond on the ropes while Bond feels consistently up against it while being the lethal and ruthless hero he has always been.
The endings and villain motivations are some of the best and most refreshing in the genre.
August 24, 2025
Utterly fantastic. Warren Ellis is one of my favorite comics writers, right up there with Moore and Gaiman. These Bond stories are very graphic (no pun intended) and violent, but so much better than some other non-Fleming additions to the series (looking at you, Gardner).
July 5, 2020
Quite good actually, even if I do not like 007 a lot. But the stories are quite good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews