Higson on QUANTUM OF SOLACE song announcement

The Bond world has dominated the news this week with the announcement that Jack White and Alicia Keys will record the theme song for the upcoming 22nd Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

So what does Charlie Higson think about this? The Times has the scoop:

 “Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond novels and a self-confessed Bond junkie, said that the glory days of the stirring Bond tune were long gone. “There were five or six of them that were really fantastic in the early days, like Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice, but I don’t think there’s been a true classic since Nobody Does It Better for The Spy Who Loved Me [in 1977].”

Of White and Keys, he said: ‘This pairing doesn’t sound that thrilling to me, but let’s not judge it before we’ve heard it. Think what they all said about Daniel Craig and look how good he turned out to be.”

To keep up with all the latest Quantum of Solace news, visit CommanderBond.net.

SilverFin Graphic Novel promotional poster

Thanks to our friends at Puffin Books we can show you this fantastic new promotional poster for SilverFin: The Graphic Novel, due for release October 2, 2008.

The hugely anticipated first-ever Young Bond graphic novel is adapted from Charlie Higson's bestselling SilverFin and explosively illustrated by renowned artist Kev Walker. The book will run 160 pages with approximately 300 full color illustrations.

Black and white preview panels can been seen in the new Hurricane Gold paperback and the latest editions of the Young Bond books currently on UK store shelves.

Young Bond Old Bond James Bond

Here’s one for fun. The all-new teaser poster for the upcoming James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, has been released. It’s a terrific image from what promises to be an exciting film. But what I particularly like about this poster is how it matches, both in image and attitude, the latest Young Bond image from Kev Walker.

The similarity is coincidental, but it’s a nice coincidence that brings these two successful James Bond “reboots” together in a cool visual way.

Quantum of Solace will be released October 31st in the UK and November 7 in the U.S. The fifth Young Bond novel By Royal Command will be released September 4, 2008.

SilverFin Graphic Novel preview booklet

Puffin has released an 8-page promotional booklet for the upcoming SilverFin: The Graphic Novel. Previewed scenes include James held captive in the castle lab, his underwater escape, and his climatic battle with the villainous Hellebore. The Kev Walker images are in full color and spectacular!

The SilverFin preview booklet is a trade proof that, unfortunately, will not be commonly available to the public. However, black and white preview panels from the graphic novel can been seen in the new Hurricane Gold paperback and the latest editions of the Young Bond books currently on UK store shelves.

SilverFin: The Graphic Novel will run 160 pages with approximately 300 full color illustrations. The book will be released on October 2, 2008.

Her Majesty the Bond Girl?

Is the Queen of England the new Bond Girl?

We’ve known for some time that the British Royal family plays a role in Charlie Higson’s fifth Young Bond adventure, By Royal Command. In a recent Q&A, Charlie revealed precisely which Royals those are and, yes, Elizabeth is one of them!

Says Charlie, “I don’t want to spoil it. What can I say? Bond meets princess Elizabeth… (based on an anecdote told me by my father in law, who met her in very similar circumstances). He also meets the Prince of Wales - later the Duke of Windsor (heir to the throne).”

The events of By Royal Command take place in 1934 when Elizabeth is only 8-years-old (the portrait above was painted in 1933), so it’s unlikely the future queen will be directly involved in the action.

But you never know. James Bond does have a way of bringing out the action hero in everybody.

By Royal Command will be released in the UK by Puffin on September 4, 2008.