James Bond series

[ChrisIII]

It's a bit of an odd film. Basically, it's created in part by a complicated issue over the authorship of Thunderball-basically, Fleming and another writer originally planned it as a film script featuring Bond. However, Fleming later turned the concept into a novel, and the novel was the first to introduce SPECTRE and Blofeld. (Whereas the films didn't adapt TB until the fourth film, so they were both introduced earlier in Dr.No and From Russia With Love, with SMERSH being the original bad guys in the books). However the co-writer, Kevin McClory-got upset at this, and demanded partial credit for Thunderball, as well as the rights to SPECTRE and Blofeld (Hence them not appearing in the main series for many years, apart from a sort-of cameo in FOR YOUR EYES ONLY which really only used the bald head and cat, both trademarks mainly of the film Blofeld; although the cat does appear in NSNA). Eventually, NSNA was the result of McCory flexing those rights.

It's a bit odd. There's no Bond theme whatsoever, the main titles are played over the action instead of being they're own thing, no gunbarrel, (there's an 007 that sort of tries for the affect though). M, Q and Moneypenny are somewhat even more caricatured, etc. However, it did anticipate some parts of the film series (Such as Bond being put out to pasture, and the gadgets are very similar to GOLDENEYE, black Felix). Connery also seems to be having a lot more fun, and is more fit despite being a dozen years older, than in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. Plus Klaus Maria Schneider as Largo is a lot more scary and crazy than Adolfo Celfi's version. Basinger's kind of iffy but Barbera Carerra is a lot of fun as Fatima Blush, who is basically Fiona Vulpe from Thunderball but turned up to 11.

[Enigma]

I tried to watch Never Say Never Again, I didn't manage to finish it, it was just ugh. Ah well!

[Starchild]

I love what Percy is doing with Green Arrow and Teen Titans. But im a little hesitate to try out his Bond because from what im hearing, it's a continuation of the books. My only knowledge of Bond is from the movies.

[Enigma]

They are supposed to be in the same continuity yes, but I would pick up Black Box. Personally, I would say that other arcs have been better, but I would still get it. Not a fan of the books?

[Starchild]

They are supposed to be in the same continuity yes, but I would pick up Black Box. Personally, I would say that other arcs have been better, but I would still get it. Not a fan of the books?

I've never come across the books. I'm sure they're much more different than the movies.

[Jack Parker]

Ronin: It depends what book/movie you are talking about. Some of the movies, such as Casino Royale and From Russia with Love, are fairly accurate to the books while others, like Moonraker, have nothing to do with the books they are "based" on. Regardless, while the recent Bond comics are set in the same continuity as the books, I don't think you would have any trouble reading them. Each mini-series is fairly stand alone. I don't recall major references to the books in Black Box. As long as you have general knowledge about Bond and his universe, you should be good reading it.

Enigma: What didn't you like about Never Say Never? I've only seen bits and pieces of the movie over the years and don't really recall much of it beyond it being Connery's last film. Would you say it's better or worse than the other Bond movie that came out that year, Octopussy?

[Enigma]

Oh they definitely are, not nearly as fantastical, but just enough haha I would definitely pick at least Casino Royale up and see how you feel I think the only thing you need to know, and I use 'need' loosely, is the Felix situation with his limbs, or lack of. Moonraker, I did like the book, but the film is WAY different. Both are equally enjoyable though - the book is more relevant to the time that it was written of course, hence the difference.

It just didn't feel like a Bond film, it felt like they were trying too hard to get crappy jokes in and it all just ended up feeling very cheap. I do wonder about bias though... Also, I actually enjoyed Octopussy and would say that it was better, although I do seem to be minority, most people seem to compare them fairly equally. Then again, I LOVED Diamonds are Forever, so shoot me

[ralphtown]

I,m not a real Bond fan.More a Daniel Craig fan but I bought the first issue of the first run and I,ve really enjoyed it.
Give it a go with the next #1 story arc.Great Fun

RALPH.

[Jack Parker]

Yeah, that's a good point about Felix. It also happens significantly earlier in the books than it does in the film. In the book, Fleming originally intended to kill Felix off in Live and Let Die but someone convinced him to just have Felix be severely injured instead of killed.

I'm not surprised it doesn't feel like a Bond film since it was developed by a different company. That said, it's still disappointing to hear. And yeah, I'm one of those that dislikes Octopussy, so I would probably hate Never Say Never Again, though the Moore films were usually very hit or miss for me. While Diamonds are Forever is not one of my favorite Bond films, I still think its fairly enjoyable. I don't think its nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. I do think the movie is significantly better than the book, which I found to be incredibly boring.

[Enigma]

I haven't read the book yet. So far I've read; Casino Royale, Live and Let Die and Moonraker - I think that is it. I intend to read the rest though. How are you all feeling about James Bond: Origins coming out in Autumn? I like that we are getting his Fleming estate approved origin story, but Dynamite really have to get this right...

[Jack Parker]

Honestly, this is the first I've heard about it....do we know who is writing it? Like you, I'm hesitant about the idea of exploring that period. I think the books have detailed that time enough that I don't think it's necessary to do a whole series on it and prequel stuff like this usually turns out being pretty bad. That said, I'm willing to give it a chance. For me, it will probably depend on the creative team they hire that determines my excitement for this.

[Enigma]

No such details yet, that I'm aware of. It is supposed to be in Autumn, so they are cutting it fairly fine for reveals haha

[Jack Parker]

Craig has confirmed that he is coming back for one more Bond film. He also addressed the wrist slashing remarks he made will interviewing for Spectre:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNr9xdc6cVA

[Enigma]

I finally read BB #5 and Kill Chain #1 - I'm not really excited by the first issue of KC, but I like the play off between Felix/Bond in BB. I'm really excited about the Casino Royale adaptation too

[Jack Parker]

Something about the interactions between Felix and Bond rubbed me the wrong way in BB. I feel like they are usually not as aggressive with each other as they were in it, especially with everything they've been through together. I'm a bit on the fence as to whether to pick up the Casino Royale adaptation as I feel comic adaptation are generally a bit weak. I am pretty excited for the Money Penny one shot coming out this week.