Thursday, December 21, 2017

Season's Greetings from IFP and THE BOOK BOND

Ian Fleming Publications have released their 2018 Holiday card along with a message you can read HERE.


See you all in 2018

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Horowitz completes first draft of his NEW BOND

Anthony Horowitz has completed the first draft of his new James Bond novel. He announced the news on Twitter with a photo of the manuscript below. Does this show us a title starting with the letter "F"? Horowitz had previously tweeted that the title contains the word "and".


Anthony Horowitz's new Bond novel will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018. You can read the press release HERE.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Where's Anthony?

Author Anthony Horowitz has tweeted an update about the progress of his new Bond novel.


So if he's researching Chapter 21 here, that begs the question of where exactly is he? Is that the engine room of a ship by any chance? Or a submarine? Look closely and maybe we can find a clue as to where his new Bond climaxes (wait, that didn't come out right).

Anthony Horowitz's "James Bond book 2" will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018. You can read the press release HERE.

Monday, December 4, 2017

BOND UNKNOWN is the latest rogue 007 book

Once again a publisher is testing Canadian copyright law that appears to have made James Bond public domain in Canada. This time it's April Moon Books with a new novel, Bond Unknown, containing two 007 adventures: Mindbreaker by Edward M. Erdelac and Into the Green by William Meikle.


Bond Unknown can be purchased from April Moon Books of Ontario at the official website.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Latest ANTHONY HOROWITZ tweet teases title

Author Anthony Horowitz has tweeted a small but intriguing update about his new James Bond novel:


Interestingly, only one James Bond novel has contained the word "and" in the title...AND it's not hard to remember which one.

Anthony Horowitz's "James Bond book 2" will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018. You can read the press release HERE.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

JAMES BOND: SOLSTICE released today

Today sees the release of Dynamite's one shot graphic novel, James Bond: Solstice by writer and artist Ibrahim Moustafa.

In James Bond: Solstice, 007 accepts a mysterious, unofficial mission in Paris. He's to pursue a dangerous Russian, and do…what is necessary. But is Bond the hunter, or the hunted? A stunning thirty-page tale by superstar writer/artist Ibrahim Moustafa.

You can purchase  James Bond: Solstice in stores, Amazon.com, and Midtown Comics Online.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Dynamite to explore backstory of 'M' in new comic

Dynamite has announced a new one-shot comic that will explore the backstory of James Bond's boss "M". James Bond: M will be relased in February 2018. Below is the cover art and press release.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES NEW JAMES BOND: M ONE-SHOT 
Writer Declan Shalvey and Artist PJ Holden Tapped to Serve as
Creative Team Behind the All-New 007 One-Shot! 
November 21, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment and Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. are pleased to announce that superstar writer Declan Shalvey and artist PJ Holden have been tapped to helm the latest entry into the James Bond universe with James Bond: M. The new one-shot will delve into the back-story of Bond's superior, M, and his time in the field prior to his ascension as head of England's MI6. The standalone story, which features 40-pages of heart-stopping international intrigue and espionage, is set for launch in February 2018! 
James Bond's superior, code-named M, scrambles MI6's secret agents across the globe. Sometimes, he knowingly sends them to their deaths, for the greater good. But a traumatic event from M's early days in the field returns to haunt him, forcing M to return to Belfast, the scene of a crime…HIS crime.

Writer Declan Shalvey says, "I'm delighted to play around in the Bond playpen for this one-shot. Myself and PJ Holden have talked a lot about what we'd like to see in this story, we want to take a British spy and put him in a world that is both foreign and familiar. Belfast is such a unique place and a really great opportunity to do something different with a Bond character yet will still feel very much of that world. PJ is such a fantastic storyteller, I'm excited to see what he does with this story, being from Belfast himself. I love one-shots, and I know that PJ, along with Dearbhla Kelly are going to make this a beautiful package." 
Raised in the West of Ireland, a graduate of Limerick School of Art and Design, and winner of an Eagle Award for Hero Killer, his first published comic, Declan Shalvey's first professional work was in the UK scene with noir indie-books and adaptations of classical literature. He later came to prominence in the American market with his moody, atmospheric work with his arc on Moon Knight. He has since worked with several large publishers to write the hit series Civil War II, Deadpool vs Old Man Logan, and Venomverse: War Stories.

Artist PJ Holden says, "Look I've walked the streets of Belfast checking dead letter drops and wanting to be a super spy since I was 7 years old, I'm pumped and primed for this. Bringing Bond's boss M to Belfast is the job I was born for." 
PJ Holden is a Belfast-based artist that began his comic book career in 1997 with Fantagraphic's Holy Cross #3, before finding critical acclaim 3 years later for his work on 2000 AD and Judge Dredd. Holden saw his big break in the America market with his mini-series Fearless before forming his own company, Infurious Comics, which aims to produce mobile comics for iOS devices, Holden himself designed the Comic Reader App in order to facilitate the project, which the BBC referred to as one of "four pioneering web innovations" flying the flag for UK digital innovation. 
"It is always such an honor to work with a master like Declan Shalvey, and we're excited to see his unique take on the Bond Universe and working together again with PJ (Holden)," says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher for Dynamite. "We're certain that with his unbelievable ability to craft an intricate story, combined with the stunning artwork of PJ Holden, M's long overdue profile will be as superior as the character himself!" 
James Bond: M will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' December 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in February 2018. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of James Bond: M with their local comic book retailers. James Bond: M will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.

TITAN releases James Bond Classic Comic Strip Collection 1966-69

Titan Books has released their latest hardcover collection of classic James Bond comic strips, James Bond: Octopussy - The Classic Comic Strip Collection 1966-69.

James Bond is back in action in this deluxe omnibus with four timeless tales starring Agent 007. Featuring the iconic Octopussy and The Hildebrand Rarity, based on the short stories by Ian Fleming, which are presented alongside The Harpies and River of Death, two unique adventures created by Jim Lawrence. This lavishly presented, high-action adventure is restored from the original Daily Express comic strips.

Purchase James Bond: Octopussy - The Classic Comic Strip Collection 1966-69 on Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK - Nov. 24).

Monday, November 20, 2017

FELIX LEITER collected edition now shipping

Even though it still shows a November 28 release date, it appears the collected hardcover edition of Dynamite's James Bond spin off FELIX LEITER is now shipping from Amazon (U.S.).

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! From superstar creative team James Robinson and Aaron Campbell comes the Bond spin-off highlighting 007’s American counterpart, blending spy thrills with the dark alleys and darker deeds of crime fiction!

Purchase the collected FELIX LEITER at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK - Nov 28).

Saturday, November 4, 2017

IAN FLEMING Vintage Classic hardcovers released

Three new "Vintage Classic" hardcover editions of Ian Fleming's Casino RoyaleLive and Let Die and Goldfinger have been released in the UK.  The books sport beautiful original cover art and endpapers by Levente Szabo, and include never-before-seen material from the Ian Fleming and Jonathan Cape archives, including letters, documents and photographs. Each book also has an introduction by writer, flim-maker and James Bond expert John Cork.


Purchase from Amazon.co.uk: Casino Royale | Live and Let Die | Goldfinger.

Monday, October 30, 2017

James Bond BLACK BOX collected hardcover released

The collected hardcover edition of Dynamite's James Bond BLACK BOX miniseries by Benjamin Percy and Rapha Lobodynsco is out now.

In the snowbound French Alps, James Bond finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin who targets other assassins. This is the first puzzle piece in a larger adrenaline-fueled mystery that will send Bond across the globe to infiltrate the underworld, risk everything in high-stakes casino gambling, evade deadly pursuers, and root out a digital breach threatening global security.

Purchase the collected BLACK BOX at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

The next collected edition will be Kill Chain on April 17, 2018. It's available for pre-order now at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

The Folio Society releases MOONRAKER

The Folio Society has revealed their next Ian Fleming James Bond book release, MOONRAKER.

Our edition of Fleming’s third 007 novel features stunning artwork by Fay Dalton which depicts the formidable Moonraker, the disfigured face of one of Fleming’s most convincing villains, and a Bond girl whose beauty is matched by her tenacity and wit. Gala Brand is a dedicated policewoman, and her relationship with Bond is more nuanced than is often the case in the 007 novels. This leads to a moving closing scene that gives a rare glimpse of the occasionally vulnerable man behind the dauntless secret agent.
Set solely in London and on the Kentish coast, this unusual Bond novel sets death-defying feats against a backdrop of intense, finely tuned suspense. This begins with the tense game of bridge which sees Bond duping the cheating Drax, a scene described by Susan Hill as ‘the finest thing Fleming ever wrote’. The drama in Moonraker is as gripping and visceral as ever, but it’s all the more compelling for the almost eerie stillness of the build-up, in which an increasingly uneasy Bond tries to decipher the ‘nightmare’ signs of impending doom.
The minimalist binding design echoes the Folio editions of Casino Royale, From Russia with Love and Dr No. All are enriched by Dalton’s seductive illustrations, with their blend of glamour, intimacy and action.
Bound in blocked cloth
Set in Miller Text with Folio Bold Condensed display
256 pages
Frontispiece and 6 colour illustrations
Pictorial slipcase
9” x 6¼”

Moonraker is priced at $62.95 and is available now from the Folio Society website. The Folio Society has also released Casino RoyaleFrom Russia With Love, and Dr No. 


Thanks to Stephan Bäckman at James Bond - The Secret Agent for the alert.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Dynamite announces JAMES BOND: THE BODY for 2018

Dynamite has announced their next Jame Bond 007 story arc, The Body by Ales Kot. The six-part series will begin in January 2018. Below are details.

October 4, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment is pleased to announce that Ales Kot, the Czech-born writer best known for his work on the popular series Zero and Secret Avengers, has been tapped to helm the latest entry into the James Bond universe with James Bond: The Body. The latest tale of international intrigue and espionage will feature six issues, each with an original story line that will unite the full series, and is set for a January 2018 launch! 
As Bond undergoes a post-mission medical examination, he relays the story of his previous mission to the examiner. Each cut, bruise, and broken bone connected to a specific event of the mission. A connection is made between two people with different purposes: one to save lives, the other to take them. 
Writer Ales Kot says, "I'm honored to be working on the original James Bond -- a complicated character that reflects my interest in war, violence and power. I took the project on because I was encouraged to explore these interests and take Bond to places and situations he rarely, if ever, experienced in fiction -- and see what truly makes him tick." 
"We've been putting this together with Ales for some time now and it's rewarding that we're finally there," says Joseph Rybandt, Executive Editor for Dynamite. "He's got a grand vision for Bond that is unlike anything we've done to date, which bespeaks of his innovation and creative place in comics." 
James Bond: the Body #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' November 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in January 2018.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Anthony Horowitz JAMES BOND 2 progress report

So how far along is Anthony Horowitz on his new James Bond novel? This far...


Anthony Horowitz's untitled "James Bond book 2" will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018. You can read the press release HERE.

Friday, September 29, 2017

When 007 met HUGH HEFNER


The sad news this week is that Hugh Hefner, legendary founder of Playboy, has died at age 91. Hefner was a big fan of Ian Fleming and James Bond and did a great deal to popularize the super spy in America in the 1960s.

Bond's first appearance in Playboy was the short story The Hildebrand Rarity, published in the March 1960 issue. This was followed by a serialization of On Her Majesty's Secret Service in the April, May, and June 1963 issues. Next came the short story The Property of a Lady in January 1964. The same year saw the serialization of You Only Live Twice in the April, May, and June issues. The Man With The Golden Gun came in the April, May, June and July of 1965. The final Fleming story Octopussy appeared in the March and April 1966 issues.

Playboy continued it's James Bond association by featuring a Bond Girl pictorial for almost every film of the 1970s and 1980s. Then in January 1997, the literary James Bond returned with an original short story, Blast From The Past, penned by new James Bond continuation author Raymond Benson. This was followed by excerpts of his Bond novels Zero Minus Ten (April & May 1997), The Facts of Death (July 1998), and Doubleshot (June 2000).

But perhaps the greatest fusion of James Bond and Playboy came in the January 1999 issue with an original story by Benson that featured 007 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Bond even meets Hugh Hefner himself!

Raymond discussed the story with me in our 2004 CBN Interview.

This story was done in-between The Facts of Death and High Time to Kill. It was summer of 1998 and I was in the middle of writing HTTK. Playboy was about to celebrate its 45th anniversary with the January 1999 issue, which they were already planning and putting together. (They must have all the material for an issue at least four months prior to its publication, and the issue usually hits the stand one month before the cover date; thus the January 1999 issue is actually on sale in December 1998).
I honestly can’t remember who thought of doing a Bond short story again for the 45th anniversary issue, but I suggested doing a sort of humorous tale in which Bond meets Hugh Hefner. Since Hef was a huge Bond fan, had published Ian Fleming, and lived a Bondian lifestyle–and Bond was the ultimate playboy–it seemed to make sense. At least it was a nudge, nudge, wink, wink concept that everyone felt was appropriate. In the summer of 1998, Hef was about to throw the first “Midsummer Night’s Dream” party in five years–the last one was in 1993, I think–in which the guests must arrive in sleepwear. He had just separated from his wife Kimberley and was in party mode. He was also living with three blonde girlfriends. So it was to be a big event, with 1000 people invited.
I think it was Hef’s personal assistant that suggested setting the story at the Midsummer Night’s Dream party. This is now an annual event, held the first weekend of every August. Since Hef would appear in the story as himself, it also made sense to feature two real-life Playmates as the Bond-girls. Hef’s office put me in touch with Lisa Dergan, Miss July 1998, and Victoria Zdrok, Miss October 1994. I had wanted a Russian girl and Victoria fit the bill–I actually requested her. Lisa was suggested by Hef’s office. I interviewed them both by phone and then met them in person later on several occasions.
I wrote the first draft of the story in July but I needed to fill it in with authenticity. So my wife and I were invited to attend the pajama party! It’s safe to say that it was the party to end all parties–at least from our limited perspective. The women wore lingerie and the men wore pajamas and it was just as I describe in the story. The food and drink was fantastic and the eye candy was phenomenal. It was a fairly surreal experience–at one point, around 3am, my wife and I found ourselves on the dance floor two feet away from the likes of Jim Carrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Pamela Anderson. We met all sorts of other celebrities and Hollywood’s beautiful people. It was certainly a unique research trip.
Back home, I finished the story quickly and turned it in before the end of the month. Other celebrities and real people are mentioned in the story, but the villain’s name was based on my good friend Doug Redenius, the vice president of the Ian Fleming Foundation. I called him “Anton” Redenius in the story. As I said before, this story wasn’t meant to be taken seriously–it was all in good fun.


Midsummer Night's Doom appeared in the January 1999 issue of Playboy with artwork (at the top of this post) by John Rush. It was also included in the 2010 book, Choice of Weapons.

You can read Raymond Benson's own personal tribute to Hugh Hefner at CinemaRetro.

R.I.P. Mr. Hefner. Thank you for all you did for 007.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

ICEBREAKER 1985 Coronet paperback

Continuing our look back at the 1985 UK Coronet paperbacks, here's Icebreaker, my favorite John Gardner Bond novel and another great cover.


Check out the 1985 Coronet Licence Renewed, For Special Services, and Role of Honour.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

FOR SPECIAL SERVICES 1985 Coronet paperback

Continuing our look back at the 1985 UK Coronet paperbacks, here's John Gardner's second Bond novel For Special Services. Another great cover.


Check out the 1985 Coronet Licence Renewed and Role of Honour.

Friday, September 15, 2017

RED NEMESIS eBook now available in U.S.

Steve Cole's final Young Bond novel Red Nemesis is now available as a Kindle eBook in the U.S. The eBook is released by IFP and sports unique original cover art (below). Steve's four Young Bond novels have only been released as eBooks in the U.S.


Thursday, September 14, 2017

LICENCE RENEWED 1985 Coronet paperback

My Role of Honour 1985 Coronet paperback post seemed popular, so here now is the 1985 Coronet Licence Renewed. This was the third paperback incarnation of Gardner's first James Bond novel. Another cool cover, IMO.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

ROLE OF HONOUR 1985 Coronet paperback

It's been a while since I've had any news to post, so I thought today I'd share a favorite cover. I'm a sucker for covers that show Bond's car, and the new Bentley Mulsanne Turbo was a big part of John Gardner's fourth Bond adventure, Role of Honour, so this was a great choice of image.


This cover was among a batch of Gardner UK paperback revamps from Coronet released in 1985. If things stay slow, I'll share some more!

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Dynamite's MONEYPENNY released today

Today sees the release of Dynamite's one-shot James Bond 007 comic featuring the adventures of Miss Moneypenny.

By writer JODY HOUSER (Mother Panic, Faith) and new artist JACOB EDGAR, a never-before-told mission starring MONEYPENNY, friend of JAMES BOND, former MI6 field agent and bodyguard of M! On a 'routine' protection mission, Moneypenny discovers a complicated assassination plot that bears a startling resemblance to a terrorist attack from her childhood. Can she call upon her secret agent skills to stop the plot...?

Monneypenny can be purchased in-store or online via the Dynamite and Midtown Comics.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

November brings JAMES BOND: SOLSTICE

Dynamite continues to expand their James Bond 007 universe with yet another new release in November, James Bond: Solstice. Below is the cover and press release.

Dynamite Entertainment is excited to announce the upcoming release of James Bond: Solstice, the latest installment in their critically-acclaimed and ever-expanding James Bond universe. Multi Eisner-Award nominee Ibrahim Moustafa (Jaeger, High Crimes) has been named as both writer and artist on this visually stunning 30-page one shot, which is expected to hit shelves November 22, 2017.

In James Bond: Solstice, 007 accepts a mysterious, unofficial mission in Paris. He's to pursue a dangerous Russian, and do…what is necessary. But is Bond the hunter, or the hunted? Writer/Artist Ibrahim Moustafa said, "I am an absolute James Bond fanatic! I have a deep love of the character and his sense of duty within his world of smoky card rooms, tailored suits, refined tastes and eccentric villains. Like most, my affinity for the gentleman spy began with the film franchise, but the original literary version of Bond would eventually become my favorite iteration of the character. I was absolutely thrilled when Dynamite launched their James Bond series depicting Fleming's Bond in a modern context, and the opportunity to tell a story within that setting is quite literally a dream come true for me. Working with editor Nate Cosby has been one of the most rewarding collaborations that I've had working in comics, and I'm very grateful to the folks at Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. and Dynamite for the opportunity to send 007 on a mission of my very own!"

Ibrahim Moustafa is a comic book artist and writer from Portland, Oregon. His previous works include the Eisner nominated series' Jaeger and High Crimes from Stela and Dark Horse Comics respectively, Savage Things and Doctor Fate from DC/Vertigo, Mockingbird for Marvel Comics, and covers for Dynamite Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, IDW and Image Comics.

James Bond: Solstice will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' September 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in November. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of James Bond: Solstice with their local comic book retailers. James Bond: Solstice will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

IFP reveals new JAMES BOND hardcovers

Ian Fleming Publications has officially revealed the three new James Bond hardcovers to be released by Vintage Classic in the UK in November. The books include new introductions by John Cork.

Introducing, new Ian Fleming hardback special editions of 3 of James Bond's finest adventures. Vintage UK will be releasing these fantastic new editions of CASINO ROYALE, LIVE AND LET DIE and GOLDFINGER in November 2017. 
The editions include brand new introductions from Bond expert and writer John Cork, with scintillating new designs by Brisk Graphics artist Levente Szabo.

Pre-order from Amazon.co.uk: Casino Royale | Live and Let Die | Goldfinger.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

LINK: DANIEL CRAIG TO RETURN AS JAMES BOND

Official Press Release: Daniel Craig is returning to play 007 in Bond 25. The actor confirmed he would play James Bond for the fifth time to host Stephen Colbert on The Late Show last night. Bond 25 will be released in US cinemas on November 8, 2019 with a traditional early release in the UK and the rest of the world.

Monday, August 14, 2017

New VINTAGE CLASSICS James Bond covers previewed

Draft covers for the upcoming Vintage Classic James Bond hardcovers have appeared on Amazon. Below are Casino Royale and Live and Let Die. If you click over to the CommaderBond.net Twitter, you can also see Goldfinger (which is not currently shown on Amazon). Very nice!


Thanks to CommanderBond.net on Twitter @CBn007.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Tabloid claims BOND 25 based on NEVER DREAM OF DYING

UK tabloid the Mirror has a splashy report that the next James Bond film will be based on Raymond Benson's 2001 continuation novel Never Dream of Dying.

James Bond will travel to Croatia in the 25th instalment of the 007 franchise. The film has the working title Shatterhand and the plot sees Daniel Craig’s spy battle a blind supervillain.
It is based on the 1999 [sic] thriller Never Dream Of Dying by US author Raymond Benson, who also wrote Bond books Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day and The World is Not Enough
The novel opens with a police raid on a French movie studio that goes badly wrong, while an actress with a sordid past leads Bond to his final target.

Before you get too excited, remember that in July 2013 the Sun reported that Bond 24 would be based on Sebastian Faulks 2008 continuation novel Devil May Care. That movie became SPECTRE. So I wouldn't go "Banco" on this news.

About the only thing I could see coming to pass is the use of the title Shatterhand. This, of course, is Blofeld's cover name in Ian Fleming's You Only Live Twice. If Daniel Craig returns (which has not yet been officially confirmed), I could see a continuation of the SPECTRE storyline in which Bond has his final battle with Blofeld a.k.a. Shatterhand in Japan. And it's a great title.

But what about the use continuation novels, Benson or otherwise? While elements from the continuation novels have appeared several times [read: Déjá vu, Mr. Bond], SPECTRE was the first Bond film to finally credit use of a continuation novel element, namely the torture scene from Colonel Sun. So it looks like continuation novels are now in the mix. And Never Dream of Dying, which finds Bond in the world of the movie business, is a terrific book.

Never Dream of Dying U.S. and UK first editions.

At the moment, the only official news about the next James Bond film is that it will be written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade and will be released in the U.S. on November 8, 2019.

UPDATE: Raymond Benson has posted the following to his Facebook:

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Did the new Bond TITLE arrive last night?

No one teases Bond fans better than Anthony Horowitz. Even though he has yet to even start writing his next James Bond book, hearing stuff like this is the best:


Anthony Horowitz's "James Bond book 2" will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018. You can read the press release HERE.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

James Bond KILL CHAIN #1 released

Dynamite's newest James Bond 007 story arc Kill Chain has kicked off with issue #1. The story is by the Hammerhead team of Andy Diggle with artwork by Luca Casalanguida.  The issue comes in six variant covers. The image here is Cover C by Luca Casalanguida.

When a counterespionage operation in Rotterdam goes catastrophically wrong, James Bond finds himself in the crosshairs of a plot to smash NATO. Someone is assassinating allied agents, and 007 is the next target in the kill chain. Having kept the peace for decades, the old alliance is collapsing, pitting MI6 against its former ally - the CIA! Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents the return of writer Andy Diggle and artist Luca Casalanguida as they plot the return of James Bond's oldest and deadliest foe: SMERSH!

You can purchase Kill Chain #1 at Amazon.com or Midtown Comics. Issue #2 is set for release on August 16, 2017.

Monday, July 10, 2017

The first JAMES BOND novelization turns 40

It was 40 years ago that the great James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me was released to theaters. Along with the film came the very first James Bond novelization. James Bond, the Spy Who Loved Me (so titled to differentiate it from the Fleming novel) was penned by screenwriter Christopher Wood and is generally considered as the best of all the Bond novelizations. Some even compare it favorably to Fleming!

In the UK, James Bond , the Spy Who Loved Me was released in hardcover by the original Bond publisher Jonathan Cape, which make it seem all the more like a "legit" Bond novel.

UK hardcover.

The novelization also saw release in paperback in the U.S. and UK with covers more in line with what one expects from a movie novelization.

U.S. paperback

UK paperback

Thursday, June 29, 2017

THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS at 30

Today marks the 30th anniversary of The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton's first film as James Bond. I attended the Royal World Premiere 30 years ago tonight, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Because it was an Ian Fleming short story, we never got a novelization of The Living Daylights. But this German paperback shows us what one might have looked like. This is a reprint of Ian Fleming's Octopussy that used Daylights poster art and sports the title Der Hauch des Todes (The Breath of Death), which is what the movie was titled in Germany.


I recently sold most of Bond foreign editions. But I held this one back to remember The Most Dangerous Bond...Ever.

Check out Birth Movies Death for an excellent overview of The Living Daylights at 30.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

New COLONEL SUN hardcover coming in 2018

A new hardcover edition of the first James Bond continuation novel Colonel Sun by Kingsley Amis will be released by Pegasus on March 6, 2018. Below is the cover art and descrioption from Amazon.

The first James Bond novel published after the death of Ian Fleming in 1964, this classic thriller follows James Bond on a mission to a small Aegean island to track down M’s kidnappers―the malign Colonel Sun Liang-tan and his ex-Nazi commander cohort, the deadly Von Richter.

Lunch, a quiet game of golf, a routine social call on M, who is convalescing in his Regency house in Berkshire―the life of secret agent James Bond has begun to fall into a pattern that threatens complacency, until the sunny afternoon when M is kidnapped and all of his house staff savagely murdered.

The action ricochets across the globe, but quickly enough lands Bond on a volcanic Greek island, where the malign Colonel Sun Liang-tan of the People's Liberation Army of China is collaborating with the ex-Nazi commander, Von Richter, in planning a world-dominating conspiracy. The stakes have never been higher, nor the dangers more complex. Bond’s allies―the beautiful, brown-haired Greek agent, Ariadne Alexandrou; along with a tough-as-nails former World War II resistance fighter―are quickly neutralized by the venomous Colonel Sun. Alone and unarmed, faces off against these two nefarious villains.

Stripped of all professional aids, James Bond faces the deadly devices of Colonel Sun and his Nazi cohort in a test that brings him to the verge of his physical abilities.

You can pre-order Colonel Sun from Amazon (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

Thanks to Tanner at Double O Section for the tip.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Dynamite's CASINO ROYALE graphic novel in October

After being delayed, Dynamite's adaption of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale is now due out October 17, 2017 [see UPDATE]. The Amazon listing also shows cover art, but notes that "Final Cover May Vary." Below is part of the official press release.

Award-winning writer Van Jansen and artist Dennis Calero  have been selected as the creative team to bring the very first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, to the pages of comics for the first time in the series' history. Set for release in October, the 160-page graphic novel will transport 007 fans back to the 1950's with its stylish artwork and classic story!

Writer Van Jansen says, "There's a very obvious reason why I wanted to tackle the adaptation of Casino Royale: because it's James damned Bond! Also, when I cracked open Ian Fleming's first 007 novel (I had read it years before), it immediately appealed to me as a great creative challenge. Fleming's prose is powered by his descriptive punch, an eye for detail that captures the post-World War II time period in full color, from decadent meals to the intricacies of baccarat to the sinister machinations of Le Chiffre. It's a heady book, diving deep into the character of Bond. Adapting it into comic book form meant creating some fun new approaches to storytelling, to recast a familiar tale as something that hasn't been seen before. Also, it's James damned Bond!"

Pre-order Casino Royale from Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

UPDATE: The above cover art has now been removed from Amazon and the release date keeps getting pushed back. At the moment, Amazon shows December 26, but don't be surprised if it gets pushed back to sometime in 2018. I'll report when it's finally released.

Friday, May 26, 2017

MONEYPENNY joins the Dynamite James Bond lineup

Miss Moneypenny will be leaping into action in the next one-off James Bond 007 graphic novel from Dynamite. Moneypenny is written by Jody Houser (hey, I know her!) with artwork by Jacob Edgar and a cover by Tula Lotay.

"As someone who came to James Bond late (much to the horror of many of my friends), the idea that I'd get to play in that world is amazing," Houser said in a statement from Dynamite. "Writing a character like Moneypenny and exploring what makes her different from the more familiar MI6 operative has been a blast. In this story, we'll get a look at exactly how she operates and some of the events that made her the woman she is."

Monneypenny will be released in August.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Dynamite sends 007 into SERVICE

Dynamite has released a 43-page special one-off James Bond adventure titled SERVICE by Kieron Gillen.

In contemporary politics, where Britain's world standing is often more zero than 007, an assassin plans to exterminate the 'special relationship,' and lead Britain and the United States into a very dark place... especially when he does so by aiming down the sights of an ancient Enfield rifle! It'll test Bond's deadly talents to their limits, in order to defeat the assassin and avert certain geopolitical disaster... 
A stand-alone, oversized special written by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Di... ) and drawn by Antonio Fuso (Torchwood, Drive) with their thrilling take on the icon of espionage. Featuring a cover by Jamie McKelvie (The Wicked + The Divine)!

SERVICE is available from comic book retailers and on Amazon in print and digital editions. Signed copies are available from Forbidden Planet in the UK.

The "real" JAMES BOND

Yesterday Sir Roger Moore died at age 89. Bond fans have been pouring out their grief and also sharing their memories of the man who made more official James Bond movies than any other actor.

As I posted yesterday, Roger Moore was my James Bond. In fact, the very first image I ever saw of James Bond was this 1974 Signet tie-in edition of Ian Fleming's The Man With The Golden Gun. When I finally saw my first James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever (the ABC television premiere), I remember feeling confused and a little disappointed that the man in the movie was not the sleek, cool guy from this book cover -- the "real" James Bond.


Roger Moore has graced many book covers as the quintessential representation of James Bond. In 1990, a full set of the Ian Fleming novels were released in Turkey, all sporting original Roger Moore artwork. In 1985 a set of four Find Your Fate novels were published with terrific Roger covers. He's also shown up on many of the John Gardner novels.


And of all the tributes and articles about Roger yesterday, this piece by A.O. Scott in the New York Times really resonated with me personally, and very much nailed why I consider Roger Moore my Bond and, yes, maybe even the "best" Bond.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Monday, May 22, 2017

The Folio Society releases DR. NO

The Folio Society has released an illustrated slip-cased edition of Ian Fleming's classic Dr. No.

Continuing our best-selling James Bond series, this alluring edition of Dr No once again features the talents of Fay Dalton, who has provided seven stunning images and a slipcase image portraying the unforgettable Honeychile Rider.
Bound in blocked cloth
Set in Miller Text with Folio
256 pages
Frontispiece and 6 colour illustrations
Printed slipcase
9” x 6¼” 

The Dr. No Folio Edition is priced at $59.95 and is available now from the Folio Society website.

Also available are the Folio Society's illustrated editions of Casino Royale and From Russia With Love (pictured below).

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Horowitz says new Bond has a "killer" first line

Anthony Horowitz told the BBC that he opens his new James Bond novel with a "killer" first line.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Horowitz said the opening line was the "only reason" he wanted to write the novel, which is expected to be released in 2018 - but he could not reveal the book's first words. He said one of the first chapters of the book will be based on a story outline written by Ian Fleming for a TV series that was never made.

This man knows how to tease!

You can listen to the full interview at BBC Radio 5. Horowitz's "James Bond book 2" will be released by Jonathan Cape in the UK in 2018.

UPDATE: I think we now know what that first line is. Anthony's correct. It's a killer!

Sunday, May 14, 2017

HAMMERHEAD collected hardcover now shipping

While the official release date is May 23, it appears the collected hardcover edition of Dynamite's HAMMERHEAD miniseries by Andy Diggle and Luca Casalanguida is now shipping from Amazon.

Bond is assigned to hunt down and eliminate Kraken, a radical anti-capitalist who has targeted Britain's newly-upgraded nuclear arsenal. But all is not as it seems. Hidden forces are plotting to rebuild the faded glory of the once-mighty British Empire, and retake by force what was consigned to history. 007 is a cog in their deadly machine - but is he an agent of change, or an agent of the status quo? Loyalties will be broken, allegiances challenged. But in an ever-changing world, there's one man you can rely on: Bond. James Bond.

Purchase the collected HAMMERHEAD at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

The next collected edition will be Black Box. Release date is November 7, 2017. It's available for pre-order now at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).

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