Books of the TItans!
The transformation of the North American comic book marketplace began with a Brit...Allan Moore's Swamp Thing, V For Vendetta, and Miracleman broke boundaries once thought deeply solid. Then came Neil Gaiman, and The Sandman...Now, from the pages of the British dailies, Titan Books has released for the first time on our soils, the adventures of Modesty Blaise, and James Bond. Blaise is the creation of author Peter O'Donnell, and Bond of course, Ian Fleming.
Blaise is not blasé. She is the British female James Bond. Accomplished. Talented. Athletic. Ingenius. And drop dead gorgeous. Artist Enric Badia Romero is a master of the photo realistic art as practised by Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Hal Foster, and Gary Gianni. Author O'Donnell wrote the strip for 20 years, taking her to exotic locations, in an out of danger, romance, and trouble with the various government organizations. The Gallow Bird features The Bluebird Affair, The Gallow Bird, The Wicked Gnomes, and The Iron God, four excellent story lines that have hooked me on Blaise.
As a strip, it draws on the spy genre. Even Quentin Tarantino has been inspired by this beautiful super-spy (ex crime boss). The supporting cast of Willie Garvin, Maude Tiller, Tarrant and a delightful company of strangers, villains, and thieves enrich the world of Modesty Blaise. Of the four tales collected from various sources, The Bluebird Affair is almost Hitchcock-ish in it's layout and timing, almost cinematic you might say.
There is more Blaise available from Titan Book, and more on the way. A steal at $17.99. Coming soon, an interview with Peter O'Donnell!
"My name is Bond...James Bond...." I can almost hear when I crack the spine of Colonel Sun, by Kingsley Amis/Robert Markham. While based on Bond, Fleming had been dead for 7 years when this strip originally appeared. This was not the first Bond Markham had done, he had finished up Man With The Golden Gun in 1964, and when Colonel Sun appeared as both a strip in 1970 and well received book, he had begun work on a sequel which was never completed.
However. This is one kick ass Bond. With Amis's intimate knowledge of Flemings' superspy, he filled it with the usual devices, and took his novel writing skills and made this Bond one to reckon with. Surprisingly, the art by Horak is sketchy, but it largely works. IF you have never seen any of this art, consider a cross between Nick Cuti and Alex Toth, and you have it.
Like Blaise, this Bond is a splendin example of an adventure strip done right. It also reflects the European philosphy and admiration for the artform. Instead of taking a laid back approach to the medium, it features well known writers and artists and showcases their talents. Consider Dan Dare in the same light. The current adventure strips in North America are limited in scope. Prince Valiant, The Phantom, Mandrake, and Spiderman are good, but our culture determines their acceptance or rejection.
Colonel Sun takes Bond to Greece where M has been captured. Along the way, he uncovers a plot by the USSR to frame the British Secret Service for nixing a much touted summit. Very cool story that pays tribute to a character who will probably never die. The second tale in this book is River of Death, stay away from the water unless you're Bond!
With a new Bond coming to theatres in November, the timing is right for Bond to reappear in books. Look for both of these at your local comic store, or online at www.titanbooks.com.
I remain,
A fan of the spy genre
Tim Lasiuta
James Bond
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