James Bond 007, Vol. 2

James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #10

by Greg Pak, Eric Gapstur (Artist), Robert Carey (Artist)

A friendship is finished. The world is in peril. And Goldfinger wants diamonds? You think you know Goldfinger. But you don't know THIS Goldfinger. Go inside the mind of the most ruthless sociopath in the world, courtesy of GREG PAK (World War Hulk, Weapon X) and ERIC GAPSTUR (Batman Beyond, The Flash: Year Zero).

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

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2020

About the author

Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of Greg Pak’s James Bond run, focused on getting Odd Job equal billing with Bond, and also rewriting Asian perspectives and characters and culture and history within a world initially created by Ian Flemng, focused on Asian villain Goldfinger. But the other thing the series does is reclaim the feel of the original Bond; he’s just not racist or sexist (in my opinion). The universe these characters inhabit are surely more diverse: Moneypenny and his boss M are black, and Korean-American John Lee is Odd Job.

Bond is depicted on the cover in a yin/yang context, and a couple times is seen as like two-face (from the DC universe), because he plays the villain for part of the story. There’s a plot twist in the conclusion that has Bond in a sticky wicket, morally. Goldfinger is different here, in some ways, from either Fleming’s idea or the movie version, though still a villain.

The story is pretty straightforward, but the art is what shines here, with Eric Gapstur and Robert Carey creating a dizzying array of scenes to match the breakneck pace of the plot. They are especially good with action sequences. I think this is more than solid, not the best of the Dynamite Bond series, but good and ambitious work.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how Pak puts Odd Job on more of an equal footing with James Bond. Odd Job is basically the James Bond of Korea. He's the antagonist for part of this, being mind controlled by Goldfinger. Goldfinger is a bit of an odd villain now. He seems to have a sexual fetish for gold. Overall though, I really liked how Bond was updated to not only remove the racial stereotypes but put everyone on equal footing. This plays out as more of a high tech spy movie where all of the good Bond elements remain.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoyable, and Goldmember *ahem* Goldfinger is a despicable villain



but now that John Lee and Aria have been reunited there's...just not a lot of chemistry there.



The subplot of the Oru attack on "Paradise" kind of felt like it came out of nowhere, though perhaps it was teased in the first volume and I missed it. I read that one a while back.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a let-down. The story just isn't up to Dynamite's usual standards. In attempting to update Goldfinger, Pak makes some interesting decisions, such as making Odd Job into a Korean superspy who is basically James Bond's equal. But Goldfinger himself isn't well served by this story. And the resolution is a bit of an anti-climax. Artwork is serviceable, but little more than that.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second volume not as good as the first one. The plot holds but the pacing is off and the characters and their relations-the core of vol. 1- are sacrificed to action. M. Lee for one is but the shadow of the charming character he was.
Art is still underpar as far as I'm concerned.
Still it should appeal as to-read (but not must-read) to any 007 fan.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Pak's take on Goldfinger continues with more focus on the relationships between Moneypenny, M, and Bond as Bond infiltrates Goldfinger's organization, one that has turned loyal agents before, and goes dark. Bond teams up with Mr. Lee and Agent K to try and determine why Goldfinger is going after diamonds, and how his plans involve the Olympitech Paradise, an autonomous free zone island off the coast of California. Great action and art that brings it and the characters and locations to life. Reprints issues #7-12. I would rate this volume 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Control

A great conclusion to the Goldfinger arc. Remember seeing the movie the first time year (decades) ago and loved it, but I enjoyed this book even more. Loved it. Great story, perfect artwork, great characters, and action.

Since failing to free Agent K, now he is part of Goldfingers army. However, he will not be the only one. What happens when three of the world's greatest assassins are under the control of one sociopath? The problem is that these three have never been someone who just follows orders. What happens when the rebel?

I enjoyed everything about this book. The missions the tactics and the vengeance that ensues. The book finishes with a varient covers gallery.

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

Greg Pak continues his modern retelling of Goldfinger, borrowing bits from both novel and film. It is an admirable goal to try and reclaim the only instance of Korean representation in Fleming's text which was mired in the racist sentiments of his time, yet Bond (believe it or not) has always been such a forward thinking franchise that James Bond 007 strikes me as the odd one out clinging to these past ideas. In fact, whether drudging up SPECTRE or in this instance amending complexities to simplistic henchmen, this series always tumbles when it attempts to siphon from its legacy. Both John Lee (the new Odd Job) and Goldfinger would hold the same relevance to this plot as an original creation would, leaving me with the distinct impression that Greg cheated himself by not thinking outside the box.

As far as the story itself, James Bond 007 Vol. 2 might be more engaging than many of the other Dynamite Comics stories I've read, yet like all the rest it can't quite deliver on the intrigue presented in the first volume. The pressure of only six mere issues to wrap up every loose end and provide closure to Odd Job's personal vendetta all but ruined the methodical pacing of the first half, which has always been my primary issue with these comics. Events happen at such a rate that even the moments which should hold emotional weight are quickly sidelined by the next series of twists and revelations. Disappointing to say the least.

[Judah Radd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. I did think that the idea of reinventing Goldfinger was interesting, but a lot of the things that I like about James Bond weren’t present. I think it was a good story and in its own respect, however, there is a special ingredient that makes James Bond different than any other type of gun toting, action hero. It’s an admittedly trope based factor. It wasn’t here.

Still fun, well drawn, sort of a rushed ending, but no worries. I don’t think anyone will hate it, but I doubt Bond fans will love it.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleaner, more consistent art in this volume.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid volume 2, developing Bond and Lee's story and putting a new twist on Goldfinger. Some impressive art work lifts it.

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the conclusion of the storyline in volume two.

Would certainly recommend to all bond/comic fans.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

A love story we don't care about takes center stage and James Bond is pushed further onto the sidelines in his own comic. Combine that with a tacked-on terror plot to stretch the story out and an 'oops we forgot to address it' epilogue, and this is a thoroughly unsatisfying read.

[Dogfood · Rating 1 out of 5]

So unbefriedigend der erste Band von Greg Paks Story mitsamt Zeichnungen war, so interessant war die kongenial konstruierte Beziehung zwischen James Bond und John Lee, die zumindest neugierig auf eine Auflösung machen sollte.

Stattdessen setzte sich der Trend aus dem ersten Band fort: Story und Zeichnungen wurden immer schlampiger. Im zweiten Band wurden die Zeichner zwei weitere Male gewechselt und waren dann in den letzten Heften endgültig auf ein fragwürdiges Niveau angekommen. Steif, hölzern, inkonsistent und keinerlei Charisma versprühend.

Inhaltlich hat Pak sein starkes Pfund, das irrlichternde Zusammenspiel bzw. Gegnerschaft bzw. Rivalität zwischen Bond und Lee komplett aufgegeben, zugunsten einer sehr linearen und uninteressanten Beziehung mit Bond als Lead.

Am Ende ist alles nur noch belanglos. Die Figuren in der zweiten Reihe, wie Moneypenny oder M, hatten unter Pak eh nie eine glaubwürdigen Position gefunden.

Rückblickend bleibt die Frage, warum Pak im ersten Band eigentlich in den ersten Heften den ganzen Aufriß mit Lee, dem Boten mit der Goldlieferung und der Terrorgruppe gemacht hat. Was wollte er erzählen? Wenn es um Lee und die Befreiung einer Frau ging, so war an der Front nach dem ersten Band quasi schon alles erzählt. Der Fokus des zweiten Bandes auf den Oberschurken hat null Gewinn. Man kann sich den zweiten Band schenken.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Pak continues to entertain. This conclusion to his updated retelling of Goldfinger kept me guessing while on the edge of my seat. There was enough of the original tale to keep the reader centered however the characters, the motivations, the settings and the plot were altered more than enough so that there was ample mystery and uncertainty to keep the tale fresh and alive.

This volume contains issues 7-12 of the series and wraps it up neatly. The dialogue is compelling and pithy with the art work serving the story very well. Goldfinger did not have the presence I thought he should have, but I am sure that is down to personal preference. It does not detract and may be due to my wanting to see Gert Fröbe portrayed. Money Penny comes into her own in this volume and she is portrayed as more of a key player in the organization. So much so that I would like to see more of her.

All in all, this is another fine addition to Dynamite's line of Bond books. They remain on a role of quality, well written and illustrated volumes that are a must for any Bond fan.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Killing civilians is what ORU does. It confuses the rest of the world. So they go looking for answers in all the wrong places.”

And Goldfinger is ORU PRIME, the leader of ORU. He steals 2 billion dollars in diamonds and an obscene amount of VX nerve gas. He plans to destroy an artificial island near San Francisco (a 1/2 hour from where I live!), thereby killing 3 to 5 percent of the world’s wealth. And I have to admit, the second part of that plan doesn’t sound so bad to me! However, the 13,000 people who live and work on the island don’t deserve that.

Bond teams up with two others to take down Goldfinger and stop the terrorist plot. Not totally sure what happened to ORU PRIME at the end, but he failed this time. Now... will he return?...

[Martyn Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this volume to be less clear and certainly less fun than the first.

Where the first focussed on a nice clear plot and the dynamics with the new Odd Job, this volume dealt with a pretty strange plot device of mind controller implants.

The set up didn’t pay off particularly well either, with a bit of a tame and confusing ending that seemed rushed.

Recommended?: overall, well worth a read. Issues 7-9 are the strongest, with 10-12 a bit rushed with mixed ideas where only some pay off.

[Brandon Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on Goldfinger. I didn't have much of a stake in this one, but it was true to the series. I'd have appreciated a few more pages of exposition here and there, and at times I wasn't sure whether it was Bond or one of the people he's working with/for/against, but a passable read.

Not the best the series has to offer, but it keeps the curtain up.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is a bit muddled, Bond is a secondary character in his own book, Moneypenny is a less a secretary than an agent in her own right with the ability to give orders as if she were M, but the John Lee character is a breath of fresh air blowing through the entire story & a worthy opponent/friend for Bond

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read for James Bond fans. It is the second volume in a two volume pair. It completes a story involving the villain Goldfinger. He is definitely still super messed up and obsessed with gold. Fun quick read! Would certainly recommend!

[Chalupa Batman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reimagining of the odd job and Goldfinger character, which was unique. There were some aspects of this I liked, however there is a whole mind controlling thing that I thought was a little cheap. Plus some of the art made the action hard to follow.

[Sean Flatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great 007 Graphic novel

I enjoyed reading these James Bond 007 graphic novel via my Kindles.
As always a great story line and now on to the next 007 adventure via the graphic novel once again. Best wishes Sean

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist on an old Bond villain. Nice read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this re-imagining of our agent and his 'friends!'

[Jus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleeper agents, Infiltration and a highly skilled trio of assassins. What more could I ask for?

[Vincent Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good but lacked the gadgets of a typical Bond story. Otherwise very entertaining.

[Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cinematic and no wasted panel or dialogue !

[Druss · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting interpretation. Plenty of action. Well presented

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid finish to a book that although enjoyable did feel like it had Bond as a secondary character rather than the main protagonist

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldfinger has been updated for the modern era. But, there are some homages to the original character such as his cheating with cards when he and Bond first meet.