Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Jason Masters
Editor: Joseph Rybandt
Release Date: 20 April 2016
Price: $3.99

It doesn’t really matter who inherits the 007 number from Daniel Craig, be it Tom Hiddleston or Tom Baker (I know which one I’d vote for!) all that matters is that the James Bond juggernaut continues to roll. With a succession of celebrity authors penning more novels in the styles of Ian Fleming, it seems only natural that Bond should have a comic book presence as well. Hence James Bond #6.

James Bond #6 is in the capable hands of Southend-on-Sea’s very own Warren Ellis, whose comic book CV is impeccable;  Thor, Wolverine, Stormwatch, The Authority etc. But James Bond is a strange beast to handle and Ellis’ delivers a standard James Bond escapade as Bond tries to sneak aboard a battleship called Vargr in order to unearth some dastardly plot. Naturally, it all goes wrong (for a spy he’s awfully conspicuous) which triggers the expected gun battle with enough brain splatter to satisfy even the most bloodthirsty Bond aficionado.

Despite the amount of claret on display in James Bond #6, this is a peculiarly bloodless effort. The dialogue is sparse and the violence protracted and repetitive. Because it’s James Bond and because it’s Warren Ellis, I’m sure it will attract followers. But for my money, this is the least viable Bond medium and seems one for collectors rather than mainstream readers.

James Bond #6 seems mildly stirred rather than shaken.

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker