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James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #2
James Bond, vol. 2: Eidolon
Una agente del MI-6 infiltrada en el equipo de la embajada de Turquía en Los Ángeles ha sido descubierta, y le corresponde a James Bond rescatarla y traerla de regreso a Inglaterra. Estalla así una compleja trama en la que se involucran los servicios secretos de varias naciones, fondos de dudoso origen quedan al descubierto y se entablan complicadas luchas políticas que entorpecen la misión, mientras James y sus compañeros están cada vez más cerca de descifrar el significado de “Eidolon”. ¡No te pierdes James Bond: Eidolon, que Panini trae para ti!
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2017
About the author
Warren Ellis
1,942 books5,777 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 153 reviews
January 10, 2021
"We should decide on sleeping arrangements. What side of the bed do you want?" -- James Bond
"Oh, you're very witty Mr. Bond. I'm quite certain I saw a sofa on the way over to his balcony." -- Cadence Birdwhistle
"You'll be terribly uncomfortable on it." -- Bond
Simply splendid! A solid and action-packed follow-up to Vol. 1: VARGR, Eidolon finally grants our 007 the usual romantic respite scene that was missing in that great debut. That would be courtesy of the wonderfully-named Cadence Birdwhistle, a bespectacled ginger-haired forensic accountant from the British government's Los Angeles field office whose life is suddenly in danger. Fiercely intelligent and certainly no pushover, it's immediately apparent she has Bond's number and doesn't mind being just as forward as he is, hence this sassy and saucy little moment right after the above-quoted dialogue:
"We can order anything from room service?" -- Cadence Birdwhistle
"Yes, what would you like, Cadence?" -- James Bond
"I would like some champagne . . . and you can keep calling me Miss Birdwhistle. Come along, 'room service.'" -- (ahem!) 'Miss Birdwhistle,' with her gaze steadily on Bond
YOWZA! Elsewhere, the narrative - involving a traitorous and deadly element that has infiltrated a rival wing of the U.K. government's intelligence operations - benefits from a stone-cold villain called Beckett Hawkwood (sadly, no standard flashy Bond bad-guy name for him), who can snap necks like he was breaking twigs. Expect explosions, shoot-outs, car chases, and crunchy fight scenes galore.
"Oh, you're very witty Mr. Bond. I'm quite certain I saw a sofa on the way over to his balcony." -- Cadence Birdwhistle
"You'll be terribly uncomfortable on it." -- Bond
Simply splendid! A solid and action-packed follow-up to Vol. 1: VARGR, Eidolon finally grants our 007 the usual romantic respite scene that was missing in that great debut. That would be courtesy of the wonderfully-named Cadence Birdwhistle, a bespectacled ginger-haired forensic accountant from the British government's Los Angeles field office whose life is suddenly in danger. Fiercely intelligent and certainly no pushover, it's immediately apparent she has Bond's number and doesn't mind being just as forward as he is, hence this sassy and saucy little moment right after the above-quoted dialogue:
"We can order anything from room service?" -- Cadence Birdwhistle
"Yes, what would you like, Cadence?" -- James Bond
"I would like some champagne . . . and you can keep calling me Miss Birdwhistle. Come along, 'room service.'" -- (ahem!) 'Miss Birdwhistle,' with her gaze steadily on Bond
YOWZA! Elsewhere, the narrative - involving a traitorous and deadly element that has infiltrated a rival wing of the U.K. government's intelligence operations - benefits from a stone-cold villain called Beckett Hawkwood (sadly, no standard flashy Bond bad-guy name for him), who can snap necks like he was breaking twigs. Expect explosions, shoot-outs, car chases, and crunchy fight scenes galore.
February 7, 2017
Vast amounts of dirty money is being laundered through MI5 at the same time MI6 - Bond’s division - has been disarmed. Eidolon has infiltrated the highest levels of British intelligence. Eidolon: another word for ghost… or spectre...
Warren Ellis and Jason Masters’ James Bond series gets better with their second book, Eidolon!
The story features almost everything you’d expect from a Bond adventure: sex, guns, car chases, Q - though no fancy gadgets unfortunately. Ellis’ dialogue is as biting as ever: “You’re going to leave a loaded gun in a bin?”, “It’s America. I don’t have time to give it to a child or a mentally ill person, so I’m leaving it in a bin for them to find.”
Masters’ art looks superb throughout. The action is well choreographed and very brutally depicted - he shows you exactly what a licence to kill means! There are a number of wordless sequences too where he ably carries the narrative forward, showing off his strong visual storytelling skills.
The villain isn’t particularly memorable and the story could be called fairly generic but mostly I found Eidolon to be a tightly plotted, entertaining and well-executed spy thriller that fans of the genre and this character will definitely enjoy.
Warren Ellis and Jason Masters’ James Bond series gets better with their second book, Eidolon!
The story features almost everything you’d expect from a Bond adventure: sex, guns, car chases, Q - though no fancy gadgets unfortunately. Ellis’ dialogue is as biting as ever: “You’re going to leave a loaded gun in a bin?”, “It’s America. I don’t have time to give it to a child or a mentally ill person, so I’m leaving it in a bin for them to find.”
Masters’ art looks superb throughout. The action is well choreographed and very brutally depicted - he shows you exactly what a licence to kill means! There are a number of wordless sequences too where he ably carries the narrative forward, showing off his strong visual storytelling skills.
The villain isn’t particularly memorable and the story could be called fairly generic but mostly I found Eidolon to be a tightly plotted, entertaining and well-executed spy thriller that fans of the genre and this character will definitely enjoy.
February 5, 2018
2.5 to 3 stars
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors and artists, because Ellis and Masters really are not doing it for me.
The story itself was pretty good. I liked the action, the intrigue, and the resolution was fairly decent. However, as with the first collection, the snappy humor and suave nature of 007 felt silly and forced. Speaking of 007, he really seemed like more of a supporting character than the main focus. One of the biggest and most suspenseful scenes in the book he isn't even in. He didn't feel tough. He didn't feel sexy. He just really didn't really feel like Bond.
Regarding the artwork. I am not a huge fan of the depiction of faces in this. Many times the expressions don't fit the scene and are distractingly goofy. Also, throughout the book there would be panels without dialogue where the art was supposed to tell the story, but I was not sure what was going on. I am not saying that I could do better, but I like the art in graphic novels to be pleasing not confusing.
I wish I could say that if you are a Bond fan you should check this out. But, I can only say maybe you should check this out.
I am still having a hard time getting into this new Bond graphic novel series. I am glad the next few collections have different authors and artists, because Ellis and Masters really are not doing it for me.
The story itself was pretty good. I liked the action, the intrigue, and the resolution was fairly decent. However, as with the first collection, the snappy humor and suave nature of 007 felt silly and forced. Speaking of 007, he really seemed like more of a supporting character than the main focus. One of the biggest and most suspenseful scenes in the book he isn't even in. He didn't feel tough. He didn't feel sexy. He just really didn't really feel like Bond.
Regarding the artwork. I am not a huge fan of the depiction of faces in this. Many times the expressions don't fit the scene and are distractingly goofy. Also, throughout the book there would be panels without dialogue where the art was supposed to tell the story, but I was not sure what was going on. I am not saying that I could do better, but I like the art in graphic novels to be pleasing not confusing.
I wish I could say that if you are a Bond fan you should check this out. But, I can only say maybe you should check this out.
June 26, 2017
An improvement on the also Warren Ellis-written and Jason Masters-drawn first volume, Vargr, because the story and dialogue are even better; it’s a better blend of original Bond world and modernization. The Bond in this graphic novel has more connections to the original novels than the movies—the action is grittier, more violent, there’s even a short torture scene (that is more Ellis than Bond, maybe). So, he’s Bond as blunt instrument but also smooth operator with the expected high-quality drinks and sharp, sophisticated women.
The difference here is that the women seem smatter, less easily manipulated, and they get some of the snappiest comebacks. Oh, Bond is witty and clever, too; there’s plenty humor and the cast of entertaining supportive characters such as M and Miss Moneypenny are both familiar and updated.
The plot, an Ellis invention developed out of the Bond universe, is a little thin and unsurprising, though again, it’s solidly conceived, and updated. It’s all England—no exotic countries here--with Spectre eliminated, there’s some Rogue cells remaining, hmm, double agents within M15? Within the CIA? Villain Hawkwood, disfigured a little like Two-Face, is formidable and familiar, and while the outcome is never quite in doubt, the way it is resolved is pretty clever.
One update is that there is financial intrigue in all this that has to be solved with the computer, by an accountant using her cyber skills, and of course, she’s beautiful and physically adept in a variety of ways behind those stodgy Bond-era glasses.
I like the setting in one story, the Box Tunnel Bunker, which becomes a secret hide-out for Bond and the accountant, though not much is actually done with that setting.
Bond fans alert! This series is a fine blend of original and modernized Bond, worthy of him and of interest to any lovers of spy thrillers. Unfortunately, Ellis completes his run with these two volumes, and passes the baton to Andy Diggle, but maybe they have the tone right, now.
The difference here is that the women seem smatter, less easily manipulated, and they get some of the snappiest comebacks. Oh, Bond is witty and clever, too; there’s plenty humor and the cast of entertaining supportive characters such as M and Miss Moneypenny are both familiar and updated.
The plot, an Ellis invention developed out of the Bond universe, is a little thin and unsurprising, though again, it’s solidly conceived, and updated. It’s all England—no exotic countries here--with Spectre eliminated, there’s some Rogue cells remaining, hmm, double agents within M15? Within the CIA? Villain Hawkwood, disfigured a little like Two-Face, is formidable and familiar, and while the outcome is never quite in doubt, the way it is resolved is pretty clever.
One update is that there is financial intrigue in all this that has to be solved with the computer, by an accountant using her cyber skills, and of course, she’s beautiful and physically adept in a variety of ways behind those stodgy Bond-era glasses.
I like the setting in one story, the Box Tunnel Bunker, which becomes a secret hide-out for Bond and the accountant, though not much is actually done with that setting.
Bond fans alert! This series is a fine blend of original and modernized Bond, worthy of him and of interest to any lovers of spy thrillers. Unfortunately, Ellis completes his run with these two volumes, and passes the baton to Andy Diggle, but maybe they have the tone right, now.
March 28, 2017
Even better than the first volume. While this felt more like Greg Rucka's Queen and Country series more than James Bond, it's still a great spy thriller. Ellis writes snappy, snarky dialogue and as always takes some shots at us Yanks. The art is action packed. That ending was brutal; classic literary Bond. There's not really a big, bad Bond villain here and that's OK. What we do get is a high octane, espionage book. Highly recommended.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2017
EIDOLON is a James Bond tale with a title Fleming would've loved. It's a gritty story Fleming would've liked too, lots of characters take some serious lumps. Bond is depicted as Fleming's monochrome Eisenhower-era spy however his co-workers are from the new millennium movies; putting a slight twist in 007's milieu. This graphic novel is maximum art with minimal dialogue, but both mediums urge the story forward. Femme fatales and mayhem and everything in between is drawn realistically and well.
In the first 24 hours of ownership I read this book cover-to-cover three times. It got better each reread, which says more about it than anything else.
In the first 24 hours of ownership I read this book cover-to-cover three times. It got better each reread, which says more about it than anything else.
February 26, 2018
The new, really violent, Bond is back in volume two of Warren Ellis' wonderful take on James Bond.
Eidolon is the name of a project wherein MI-5 has been penetrated by SPECTRE operatives. Bond and MI-6 struggle to operate on English soil due to the Hard Rule (where English Foreign Intel Services may not carry weapons inside England) while trying to find the moles. More than that I will not say.
It is violent and fun. It has the basic elan of a Bond story. The artwork is also quite good and telegraphs combat moves well. So why three stars? Well methinks that if you are trying to do a "super cool realistic" tone..ummm best to know your shit. Cuz certain things sound REALLY stupid to someone experienced with the real world and not the fantasy-land occupied by vast swaths of the general public/media/Hollywood/artistic types whatever...couple of things..
Um the scene where the accountant/spy chick has to go to the bathroom (instead of just doing it beforehand as she was told by Bond) and her repartee is "Don't treat me like a child. My brain is eight times bigger than yours." Errr. Perchance did you mean your "intellect" was eight times more? See that would make sense. Otherwise I think she might have a severe case of Cerebral Edema. I know this because I am educated. My brain is the same size as anyone elses. No really, it's true. Ok..um oh yeah..also Bond pays a visit to Q to get some gear. He decides to, as a back up, take a revolver along with his standard Walther PPK fetish. He chooses a revolver designed for Cattlemen. From 1873. I won't even touch the choice of revolver but the far more egregiously offensive is when Bond gets into a firefight and pulls his secondary-fires and exclaims "Bloody thing pulls to the right. Bloody Boothroyd. Where is my proper gun?" Um..no...not bloody Boothroyd, but bloody Bond. Are you telling me that this great bloody boffin didn't zero his weapon before a mission? A revolver built in 1873?!! That you've NEVER fired?!! No James, stop drinking martinis and focus- before you go on ANY mission it is advisable to set up a target at 25 meters and then fire your bloody handguns to make sure the bullet is going where the iron sight is pointing. You silly git.
But such idiocy aside this is a fun and bloody tale. Bond does a great job with some trademark dry humor and sheer violence to get the mission accomplished. Had there been less silly statements as mentioned above I'd have given this 4 stars. But some stupidity is hard to ignore.
Eidolon is the name of a project wherein MI-5 has been penetrated by SPECTRE operatives. Bond and MI-6 struggle to operate on English soil due to the Hard Rule (where English Foreign Intel Services may not carry weapons inside England) while trying to find the moles. More than that I will not say.
It is violent and fun. It has the basic elan of a Bond story. The artwork is also quite good and telegraphs combat moves well. So why three stars? Well methinks that if you are trying to do a "super cool realistic" tone..ummm best to know your shit. Cuz certain things sound REALLY stupid to someone experienced with the real world and not the fantasy-land occupied by vast swaths of the general public/media/Hollywood/artistic types whatever...couple of things..
Um the scene where the accountant/spy chick has to go to the bathroom (instead of just doing it beforehand as she was told by Bond) and her repartee is "Don't treat me like a child. My brain is eight times bigger than yours." Errr. Perchance did you mean your "intellect" was eight times more? See that would make sense. Otherwise I think she might have a severe case of Cerebral Edema. I know this because I am educated. My brain is the same size as anyone elses. No really, it's true. Ok..um oh yeah..also Bond pays a visit to Q to get some gear. He decides to, as a back up, take a revolver along with his standard Walther PPK fetish. He chooses a revolver designed for Cattlemen. From 1873. I won't even touch the choice of revolver but the far more egregiously offensive is when Bond gets into a firefight and pulls his secondary-fires and exclaims "Bloody thing pulls to the right. Bloody Boothroyd. Where is my proper gun?" Um..no...not bloody Boothroyd, but bloody Bond. Are you telling me that this great bloody boffin didn't zero his weapon before a mission? A revolver built in 1873?!! That you've NEVER fired?!! No James, stop drinking martinis and focus- before you go on ANY mission it is advisable to set up a target at 25 meters and then fire your bloody handguns to make sure the bullet is going where the iron sight is pointing. You silly git.
But such idiocy aside this is a fun and bloody tale. Bond does a great job with some trademark dry humor and sheer violence to get the mission accomplished. Had there been less silly statements as mentioned above I'd have given this 4 stars. But some stupidity is hard to ignore.
June 5, 2018
Bond is very much Sir Psycho-Not-So-Sexy in this series.
And here's a guaranteed crowd pleaser: snooty Brit condescension toward 'Murica!
Finally, not even 007 can escape L.A. traffic, it seems. I guess that would be suspending disbelief a tad TOO far...
And here's a guaranteed crowd pleaser: snooty Brit condescension toward 'Murica!
Finally, not even 007 can escape L.A. traffic, it seems. I guess that would be suspending disbelief a tad TOO far...
February 14, 2017
Now this is the book I was hoping for with Ellis' first outing, VARGR. Eidolon has a much better story--SPECTRE has been defeated, but it has left behind small, rogue cells in a number of the world's intelligence services, including MI5, the CIA, and the Turkish service, MIT. These cells have been discovered through the careful auditing of accounts by a British agent housed in the Turkish embassy in Los Angeles and in response, a kill team has been dispatched. Luckily, James Bond gets there just a few minutes faster. From there, we are treated to a fast-paced story where it is never clear just who can be trusted. Along the way, Bond investigates a secret reserve of steam-powered railway engines, set aside just in case of a nuclear war and the accompanying EMP that might wipe out modern engines, and a tense meeting between Bond's superior, M, and his counterpart in MI5 is scheduled at an out-of-the-way country house. The main villain, Hawkwood, is convincingly scary and more than a match for Bond. This is a story that could easily be turned into a very exciting movie, and would make a lot of sense, following on the heels of the most recent Daniel Craig outing, as the remnants of SPECTRE attempt to regroup and find their way. Excellent artwork throughout by Jason Masters.
August 25, 2017
The James Bond Franchise lends itself perfectly to the comic book medium:
1. Episodic adventures!
2. Larger than life villains!
3. Gadgets!
4. Sex!
5. Sexy Gadgets! (Okay, I made up this last one, but a boy can dream.
Great stuff!
1. Episodic adventures!
2. Larger than life villains!
3. Gadgets!
4. Sex!
5. Sexy Gadgets! (Okay, I made up this last one, but a boy can dream.
Great stuff!
March 25, 2017
I received this from Netgalley and Dynamite in exchange for an honest review.
Not much to say about this one. It's James Bond, with the typical twists and turns, surprise evil-doers, and him stopping them, violently. I did enjoy this one more than the first story arc, though.
The plotting is well-written, if somewhat sparse. You can't get as much detail into a comic as a movie or book, but there's enough here to keep the story moving forward.
I'm looking forward to the next arc, Hammerhead.
Not much to say about this one. It's James Bond, with the typical twists and turns, surprise evil-doers, and him stopping them, violently. I did enjoy this one more than the first story arc, though.
The plotting is well-written, if somewhat sparse. You can't get as much detail into a comic as a movie or book, but there's enough here to keep the story moving forward.
I'm looking forward to the next arc, Hammerhead.
July 15, 2022
No soy experta en cómic así que no se tomen muy enserio mi opinión🫶🏻
Es el segundo de la seria pero después de haber leído un par de cómics me di cuenta que puedes leerlos en desorden y los entenderás.
Nunca había leído nada de James Bond, ni siquiera he visto más películas así que fue refrescante para mi leerlo porque literalmente es lo primero que veo de esta franquicia. Lo único que sabía de James Bond lo aprendí en Greys anatomy porque le decían 007 a George JAKHAJAK
La historia estuvo cool. Entretenida y con mucha acción, supongo que si lees mucho de este personaje te cansarás de eso. Algo que me pareció raro en un beso todo random ahí, es como ¿y tu qué haces? Debieron quitarlo. Les juro que mas química tenían Jessie y Ox Que estos dos.
3.4/5⭐️
Es el segundo de la seria pero después de haber leído un par de cómics me di cuenta que puedes leerlos en desorden y los entenderás.
Nunca había leído nada de James Bond, ni siquiera he visto más películas así que fue refrescante para mi leerlo porque literalmente es lo primero que veo de esta franquicia. Lo único que sabía de James Bond lo aprendí en Greys anatomy porque le decían 007 a George JAKHAJAK
La historia estuvo cool. Entretenida y con mucha acción, supongo que si lees mucho de este personaje te cansarás de eso. Algo que me pareció raro en un beso todo random ahí, es como ¿y tu qué haces? Debieron quitarlo. Les juro que mas química tenían Jessie y Ox Que estos dos.
3.4/5⭐️
August 29, 2018
The first volume in Dynamite’s James Bond series — composed of Vargr and Eidolon, and written by Warren Ellis — is truly engaging, setting the standard by which all of the folllowing Bond volumes measure themselves...or should be measured.
June 23, 2022
Great sorry really enjoyed this.
January 8, 2017
I think Ellis does a much better job story wise with his second Bond TPB. The story is much more to my taste, not that I have anything against Bond's tendencies to solve problems with violence more often than trade craft. The man is meant to be MI6's blunt instrument.
That doesn't mean a writer can't move the story forward in the canon. Ellis pulls from some of Fleming's work and creates a intelligence novel that fits more in the 21st century than the 1960s (which is where I think many spy novel writers are stuck, there or Tom Clancy techno babble thrillers). The enemies today are both within and without the intelligence community, and as as Sanbaggers pointed out the problems within one's own government, including inter cine battles can be a bigger problem than what an agency faces in trying to protect the country.
A nice added plus, both "Bond Women" I think got the upper hand on the womanizing MI6 agent.
That doesn't mean a writer can't move the story forward in the canon. Ellis pulls from some of Fleming's work and creates a intelligence novel that fits more in the 21st century than the 1960s (which is where I think many spy novel writers are stuck, there or Tom Clancy techno babble thrillers). The enemies today are both within and without the intelligence community, and as as Sanbaggers pointed out the problems within one's own government, including inter cine battles can be a bigger problem than what an agency faces in trying to protect the country.
A nice added plus, both "Bond Women" I think got the upper hand on the womanizing MI6 agent.
February 11, 2017
3,5*
There's something rotten inside MI5 and it's up to 007 to put an end to Spectre's nefarious schemes.
All-action plot where Bond lives up to his rep' and uses abundantly his license to kill.
It's a real pleasure to read Ellis' densely packed story. It would be as good with another operative but this particular operative being Bond enhances the experience.
Jason Marsters still uses some original storytelling and draws readable action scenes but his characters are still stiff and it diminishes greatly the impact of the cold violence involved. I'm not too keen on the colors btw. These 2 factors prevent a solid full 4 stars but don't deny yourself the enjoyment of a good modern action spy story.
There's something rotten inside MI5 and it's up to 007 to put an end to Spectre's nefarious schemes.
All-action plot where Bond lives up to his rep' and uses abundantly his license to kill.
It's a real pleasure to read Ellis' densely packed story. It would be as good with another operative but this particular operative being Bond enhances the experience.
Jason Marsters still uses some original storytelling and draws readable action scenes but his characters are still stiff and it diminishes greatly the impact of the cold violence involved. I'm not too keen on the colors btw. These 2 factors prevent a solid full 4 stars but don't deny yourself the enjoyment of a good modern action spy story.
August 30, 2019
Maldito Warren Ellis, maldito, ¿como haces para ser tan jodidamente maravilloso?.
Agentes renegados,agencias enfrentadas, política por aqui y por alla, diálogos muy zarpados , te regalan una historia que disfrutas, te da giros que no esperas , acción muy bien difuminada, que ya quisiera uno ver en una película del 007.
Agentes renegados,agencias enfrentadas, política por aqui y por alla, diálogos muy zarpados , te regalan una historia que disfrutas, te da giros que no esperas , acción muy bien difuminada, que ya quisiera uno ver en una película del 007.
March 14, 2017
If this writer/artist pairing did James Bond comics forever, I would not be opposed to it. The action scenes are brutal and effective, easily one of the high points thanks in great deal to the artwork. The humor and espionage are also quite well-written: a great translation of what makes the 007 movies great while maintaining its own unique identity - much the same way each actor brings something different to the role.
This volume has a much stronger emphasis on the supporting cast. This isn't all bad given how enjoyable they are, but it has the unfortunate side effect of making the main plot/villain feel very "Oh. That's it?" The humor in this volume is ramped up quite a bit too, with some real fantastic one-liners in true Bond fashion.
This volume has a much stronger emphasis on the supporting cast. This isn't all bad given how enjoyable they are, but it has the unfortunate side effect of making the main plot/villain feel very "Oh. That's it?" The humor in this volume is ramped up quite a bit too, with some real fantastic one-liners in true Bond fashion.
September 4, 2017
Warren Ellis offers up another strong James Bond comic. The spycraft feels authentic and has a strong foundation, unlike the glossy, glammy movies. We get not just MI6, but MI5 as well. The characters are interesting, including several kick-ass female spies. The action sequences are beautifully scripted and beautifully executed. Overall, a fun Bond comic, so it's a shame this marks the end of Ellis' run and the beginning of a random assortment of disconnected authors.
May 25, 2020
Sucked slightly less than volume one.
The art was total shark sandwich, iykwim.
I have to look up Master's contribution to Batman Incorporated, Volume 2: Gotham's Most Wanted, because he does not look DC capable.
The art was total shark sandwich, iykwim.
I have to look up Master's contribution to Batman Incorporated, Volume 2: Gotham's Most Wanted, because he does not look DC capable.
August 9, 2017
I honestly truly think that Warren Ellis's James Bond is my absolute favorite James Bond and I really, really hope with all my heart they allow Ellis to pen the next film because I would die.
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!
The artist also really likes drawing Bond with a lazy eye, just sayin'.
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!
The artist also really likes drawing Bond with a lazy eye, just sayin'.
December 26, 2017
I enjoy these Bond comics, but I’m not sure the experience of reading them can replace the novels. That being said, I enjoyed Eidolon a lot more than Vargr. A great throwback to a legendary Bond villain and an interesting new story about the rivalry between Britain’s spy agencies.
December 6, 2017
Very entertaining, brutal in places, funny in others.
Currently Reading
December 26, 2018qwertyu
January 24, 2019
Bond’s continued hyper-competence continues to impress. There’s also a shocking amount of violence. As usual, would like to see this series made into a movie.
January 4, 2026
Great story
A new form of plot that would make for an interesting, and less action dependent 007 movie. It gets closer back to the original detective work.
A new form of plot that would make for an interesting, and less action dependent 007 movie. It gets closer back to the original detective work.
March 16, 2026
mam nadzieję, że zrobią więcej części 🫶
April 26, 2021
Ellis' take on James Bond is that he's a bit of an asshole, and I am here for it.
May 13, 2021
MI5 is infiltrated by Spectre..enjoyed this quick read.
February 21, 2017
Full disclosure: I was given a free ARC of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
006 out of 10 (I couldn't give it 7 just to make the pun work).
Warren Ellis and Jason Masters nail two of the Bond staples: the action scenes (the rapid succession of panels burns through pages but gets across an impressive sense of speed and brutality) and the wit ("You're going to leave a loaded gun in a bin?" "It's America. I don't have time to give it to a child or a mentally ill person, so I'm leaving it in a bin for them to find"). And I love the fact there's a proper Bondian prelude before the title/credits/copyright pages.
Where it struggles is in its domesticity and overfamiliarity. The first issue aside, the entire volume takes place in London and the Home Counties. That's not necessarily a problem in and of itself – Moonraker is one of Fleming's best Bond books and the only one to take place entirely in the UK – but bringing the threat home, making MI6 itself the target of some facially disfigured former intelligence official, is getting really old now.
Equally the trip to the Box Tunnel bunker – which is a real place, The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010 has an entire chapter on it if you're interested – looks like it'll shake things up a bit but ultimately serves as nothing more than a backdrop for a fight. Think how much more GoldenEye did with those Cold War relics.
The serial format is new to this 64-year-old franchise so the shoes were always going to be uncomfortable for a bit. And, in fairness, I've not read the first volume of Ellis and Masters' series so it may be this book is counterbalanced by some exoticism there: like a cool dry martini to chase up a rich shot of espresso. Every problem I had with Eidolon could easily be unique to this volume – everything I liked surely speaks well for the whole series.
006 out of 10 (I couldn't give it 7 just to make the pun work).
Warren Ellis and Jason Masters nail two of the Bond staples: the action scenes (the rapid succession of panels burns through pages but gets across an impressive sense of speed and brutality) and the wit ("You're going to leave a loaded gun in a bin?" "It's America. I don't have time to give it to a child or a mentally ill person, so I'm leaving it in a bin for them to find"). And I love the fact there's a proper Bondian prelude before the title/credits/copyright pages.
Where it struggles is in its domesticity and overfamiliarity. The first issue aside, the entire volume takes place in London and the Home Counties. That's not necessarily a problem in and of itself – Moonraker is one of Fleming's best Bond books and the only one to take place entirely in the UK – but bringing the threat home, making MI6 itself the target of some facially disfigured former intelligence official, is getting really old now.
Equally the trip to the Box Tunnel bunker – which is a real place, The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010 has an entire chapter on it if you're interested – looks like it'll shake things up a bit but ultimately serves as nothing more than a backdrop for a fight. Think how much more GoldenEye did with those Cold War relics.
The serial format is new to this 64-year-old franchise so the shoes were always going to be uncomfortable for a bit. And, in fairness, I've not read the first volume of Ellis and Masters' series so it may be this book is counterbalanced by some exoticism there: like a cool dry martini to chase up a rich shot of espresso. Every problem I had with Eidolon could easily be unique to this volume – everything I liked surely speaks well for the whole series.
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