Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Marc Laming
Coloured by Triona Farrell
Lettered by Ariana Maher
Somewhere in the world, a smuggler is trying to deliver a mysterious briefcase to the world’s most deadly terrorists. 007 must get this case and is licensed to kill anyone that gets in his way. This is the story of the man who gets in his way.
Hello Kitty this is something that everyone needs to be aware of. The story that Greg is bringing us is brilliant and how he’s structured it is exciting! The characters old and new are being fleshed out in ways that intrigue the reader, pique the curiosity and the reader will instantly find those they like and those they don’t as the characterisation is that strong. I have no idea why more people are talking about the James Bond books coming out of Dynamite because they really do feel as if they are in the vein of Ian Fleming’s vision of the characters.
The opening is sensational as the narration for the visuals that we see is exceptionally well done. The past is never something to forget or ignore and when someone else can talk of an experience that you’ve had you need to listen and learn. Though with Bond it’s more that’s you not me and he’s a little too arrogant for his own good and that’s why we love him. Still how the opening ties the first issue in and how it is important to what is to come is amazing to see in play.
The characterisation here really is stellar stuff. So this version of M is someone I could never really like but that’s okay, at least the female version could be harsh and critical of James without it coming across like a cliché but this one is a cliché in so many ways and none of them good in my eyes. Still that I feel so profoundly about a fictional character is because Greg has written him this way. It is amazing how we can interpret the same thing different ways but each truth is our own and none of them are wrong. It isn’t just how we see M either because every character within these pages is incredibly well fleshed out to make them as human as possible which is a feat unto itself.
The interior artwork here is stupendous! Marc is probably one of the most underrated artists in the industry what this man can do with the varying weights of the linework is amazing. The attention to detail that be brings to this whether it is in the faces and facial expressions, Armourer for instance I mean wtf, or our Asian friend getting out of the shower, sweet Jesus, Mary and Josephine is he one fine specimen of a man I almost drooled seeing that. Though some armpit hair and a happy trail would’ve sent me over the edge. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off one of the best eyes for storytelling period. That backgrounds are utilised as they are to expand the moment or bring us the size and scope of the story is absolutely perfect. With the colours, that blue shirt with the trees—good golly miss molly, and the shading, highlight and use of light sources these interiors are the top of heap in this business.
The pacing is incredible and the ebb & flow of the story and how information is revealed and how we see James getting into and out of these situations feels ordinary. Do not undersell ordinary either because what James does is anything but and to make it feel like it’s everyday life that’s something noteworthy.
If you re a James Bond fan this is already on your radar, if you aren’t don’t fret this will make you one or at least make you a fan of this level and quality of storytelling.