Dynamite Entertainment 2017
Written by James Robinson
Illustrated by Aaron Campbell
Coloured by Salvatore Aiala
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Felix Leiter finds himself in Japan, tracking down a beautiful, Russian spy from his past. But when the mission takes a turn for the worse, he will discover that there are more deadly schemes afoot in Tokyo and beyond!
It’s nice to see that we’re getting a chance to look at other agents from around the globe that inhabit the James Bond Universe. This may be Felix’s vehicle but this issue introduces us to their Japanese counterpart and I have to admit it’s pretty epic on James part. It’s surprising how little we think of other nations having their own version of MI-6, CIA or Mossad so when we do get stories like this one they tend to have that more dramatic effect and open up the world’s possibilities even more.
Aaron and Salvatore’s work here is exemplary! I mean c’mon the use of these buildings as well as the attention to detail in the people continue to surprise and amaze me at the level of talent on display here. Hitting that first two page spread and I was blown away by the sheer imagery of it all. The use of page layouts with their angles, perspective and the use of backgrounds really show off why Aaron is so damn good at what he does.
James has this completely underrated skill of being able to weave his characterisation throughout the story amidst all the dialogue and action that few can match. Seeing Felix and knowing his past and how he’s been feeling insecure from what’s happened and yet being rely on by Tiger Tanaka well it’s not just confidence boosting but we get to see how he operates as a result. It’s the subtle, little things, like watching those he’s with rush in while he hangs back to see the rat fleeing the sinking ship that makes him the agent that he was/is.
Also while he’s by no means fishing for compliments he still wonders why a man in his condition is asked to tag along and what he can contribute to the current situation. Seeing what we do throughout this issue not only answers that question for us but in some ways for him as well and it’s that kind of look at the man that makes him worth reading about.
While this issue veers away from his initial contract I’m sure that James will find a way to loop that back into the story. Plus with their next meeting I have a feeling that Alena will find herself facing a much different Felix than the one previously. At least that’s my hope and while he may now be a freelance operative, working outside the U.S. Government but with sanctions, it makes him a much more valuable player in the world scheme. I think this story is utterly fantastic in establishing what his future role if any he’ll have on the world stage.
With a much different look at how an (ex)agent goes about his business this still remains a story steeped in the traditions of any Bond thriller. I couldn’t be any more thrilled with this expansion of the Bond Universe and hope that it continues.