James Bond 'Live and Let Die' Adaptation Coming in September from Dynamite!

From Dynamite Entertainment

Ian Fleming's second James Bond novel is being adapted to the graphic novel format this fall. Live and Let Die follows the successful Casino Royale release and agent 007 as he traces stolen pirate treasure from the smoky jazz clubs of Harlem all the way to the formidable shores of Jamaica.

Writer Van Jensen (Flash, Green Lantern Corps) returns for this entry following his critically acclaimed Casino Royale graphic novel with Dennis Calero. This time, Kewber Baal (Army of Darkness, Jennifer Blood) has been enlisted to provide art. Complimented by his steadfast partner Schimerys Baal's (KISS) coloring. Fay Dalton (Vampirella) returns to bestow Bond fans with another sleek noir-inspired cover. This top tier creative team is primed to tackle one of the most unique Bond adventures.

In Live and Let Die, Bond is at first sent across the Atlantic to The City That Never Sleeps to investigate Mr. Big, an agent of the Secret Service-opposed SMERSH. Fan-favorite CIA agent Felix Leiter is brought in to help, as the two uncover a plot full of voodoo and deadly sea creatures... There is also the unforgettable "Bond girl" - the beautiful and talented tarot reader Solitaire.

"Live and Let Die is an intense sprint, full of huge action and terrifying villains," said writer Van Jensen. "It's both a mystery and a thriller, as Bond digs into the world of Mr. Big and fights to survive against sharks, and even a very hungry octopus. To work in the world that Ian Fleming created is an incredible honor. This was a particularly fun project, given how grandiose it is, full of intricate action set pieces and fun visuals. Translating the novel to comics was all about staging those beats in the most fun, intense way possible. Kewber has been a perfect partner in that work. The underwater battles particularly are the highlight of the book, but every page has something wonderful."

Artist Kewber Baal adds, “Drawing James Bond is a milestone for me! James Bond is one of the greatest characters in literature and one of the biggest movie franchises. Working with Van is awesome! His scripts are detailed, but with a fluidity that makes the art come naturally!”

"James Bond is one of the all-time best characters across fiction and we continue to be proud to work so closely with Ian Fleming Publications to bring these prestigious stories to the comics and graphic novel format," said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. "Fleming only wrote so many classic novels, so we want to make sure each adaptation is planned and executed perfectly."

Live and Let Die will be released in a hardcover, also available signed by writer Van Jensen.

Related:

WRITER WARREN ELLIS DEBUTS THE ALL-NEW JAMES BOND 007 COMIC BOOK SERIES

The first six-issue story arc in the James Bond 007 comic book series will be entitled "VARGR." James Bond returns to London after a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, to take up the workload of a fallen 00 Section agent... but something evil is moving through the back streets of the city, and sinister plans are being laid for Bond in Berlin.

Famed James Bond villain Richard Kiel dies at 74

Richard Kiel, whose towering height and distinctive baritone voice defined his nearly 50-year career in television and films, most notably as the steely toothed James Bond villain Jaws, died Wednesday afternoon in Fresno, Calif. at the age of 74, TMZ reports. The actor had been hospitalized...

Man from U.N.C.L.E. #16 (1965 Gold Key) January 1968 Gold Key Comics Grade VG/F - Shop Now

The unexpected success of James Bond in the 1960s unleashed a flood of super-spies out to save the world from the clutches of villainous conspiracies. Preeminent among the Bond wannabes was The Man From U.N.C.L.E., starring Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo, and David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin—two operatives of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, the secret agency that protects the world from the diabolical organization THRUSH. Like the Bond series, Man From U.N.C.L.E. offered up lots of exotic locales, mysterious women, car chases...

Who Did James Bond Look Like According To Ian Fleming?

Ever since Sean Connery became super-secret agent James Bond 007 of Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1962, and through the ensuing years of Roger Moore to Daniel Craig, people have wondered how author Ian Fleming envisioned what Bond looked like.

According to Wikipedia, Fleming envisioned that Bond should resemble American singer/songwriter Hoagy Carmichael and...himself.

Their source?

WRITER WARREN ELLIS DEBUTS THE ALL-NEW JAMES BOND 007 COMIC BOOK SERIES

From Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite proudly announces that fan-favorite author Warren Ellis will be writing the James Bond 007 ongoing comic book series, the first to appear in over two decades. James Bond 007 is scheduled for release in November 2015, featuring interior artwork by Jason Masters (Batman Incorporated, Guardians of the Galaxy).

The news of the high-profile author's involvement with the James Bond 007 series follows Dynamite's announcement of their partnership with Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. (IFPL), the Fleming family company that owns and administers the literary copyright of Ian Fleming's published works, including his fourteen James Bond books. Under their agreement, Dynamite has been granted worldwide rights to publish comic books, digital comics, and graphic novels starring 007. Launching their James Bond 007 line with a writer of exemplary skill and reputation has been a priority for Dynamite, and Warren Ellis' stewardship will guarantee a debut story with all the hallmarks of high-octane action and international intrigue that exemplify the franchise.

"Ian Fleming's James Bond is an icon, and it's a delight to tell visual narratives with the original, brutal, damaged Bond of the books," says Warren Ellis.

The first six-issue story arc in the James Bond 007 comic book series will be entitled "VARGR." James Bond returns to London after a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, to take up the workload of a fallen 00 Section agent... but something evil is moving through the back streets of the city, and sinister plans are being laid for Bond in Berlin.

Great-nephew of Ian Fleming, Diggory Laycock says, "We were thrilled when Warren agreed to write the first story in this exciting new chapter of literary James Bond. Warren's style is gritty, dark, and unique, and we can't wait to see James Bond embroiled in an adventure of his creation."

"Warren Ellis is one of the most brilliant writers of the 21st century, not just in comics but across all media," says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "When we approached him for the launch, we hoped he could make time in his very busy schedule, and we are fortunate and thankful that he was able to. We met with Warren and everyone at IFPL, and Warren's passion for the novels showed. He really is the perfect writer for Bond, and I can't express how excited we are that he is tackling the ongoing series. This will be James Bond unlike anything you've ever seen before, true to Ian Fleming's source material yet bursting all preconceptions of what a Bond story should be."

Senior Editor Joseph Rybandt says, "I've long been a fan of Warren, going back to his earliest works (for instance, Lazarus Churchyard when it was first published), and pairing his creative mind with the iconic James Bond will make it the most talked about and exciting comic of 2015."

"We have the extraordinary opportunity to create the very best James Bond stories that you've never read, and we have one of the most extraordinary contemporary adventure writers in the world to launch with," says Editor Mike Lake. "After more than 40 years in the business, this is the best project I've ever had a hand in, and am very proud to have helped bring it about."

"I've wanted to draw something Warren Ellis wrote since I first read his work on The Authority," says artist Jason Masters. "Each of his carefully composed pages is filled with wonderful ideas that make you wish you were smarter. More ingenious than Warren's writing might be Dynamite's decision to have him write James Bond. James Bond by Warren Ellis! I'd buy that sight unseen if I wasn't lucky enough to be the guy drawing it."

James Bond 007 will be solicited through Diamond Comic Distributors' Previews catalog, the premiere source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of James Bond 007 with their local comic book retailers. James Bond 007 will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital. Fans and retailers are encouraged to follow Dynamite Entertainment and Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.'s official social media channels for the latest updates regarding creative teams and release dates.

Famed James Bond villain Richard Kiel dies at 74

From Entertainment Weekly

Richard Kiel, whose towering height and distinctive baritone voice defined his nearly 50-year career in television and films, most notably as the steely toothed James Bond villain Jaws, died Wednesday afternoon in Fresno, Calif. at the age of 74, TMZ reports. The actor had been hospitalized after breaking his leg earlier in the week, but it is still unclear if that was related to his death.

Kiel’s rep did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.

The Detroit-born Kiel, who grew to be 7 feet 1.5 inches, worked various odd jobs, including cemetery plot salesman and nightclub bouncer, before making his television debut at age 21 in the NBC Western Laramie. His roles were always at least partially defined by his extraordinary physicality, including in the schlocky 1962 B-movie Eegah, which got a bit of a cult boost after being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000, where Kiel played a giant caveman who falls for a California party girl he accidentally encounters in the desert. Kiel was also one of the top choices to play The Incredible Hulk—a role that would end up going to Lou Ferrigno after the producers decided they needed someone more muscular (and after Kiel had already filmed some of the pilot).

Kiel continued to score a number of memorable, if sometimes bit, roles including stints as villains in shows such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Wild Wild West and in films like The Longest Yard and Silver Streak. But Kiel would ultimately be defined by his role as Jaws, the metal-mouthed James Bond villain of the Roger Moore-era who first appeared in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me and was apparently so popular that they had him reprise his role in 1979’s Moonraker. Those famous teeth caused Kiel immense discomfort, though. “They were nauseating,” he told The Guardian in 2009. “They were up in the roof of your mouth and gave you a gagging effect – you felt like you were going to be sick. It did add to the stoic part of my character – to keep from throwing up.”

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Who Did James Bond Look Like According To Ian Fleming?

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Ian Fleming.

Ever since Sean Connery became super-secret agent James Bond 007 of Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1962, and through the ensuing years of Roger Moore to Daniel Craig, people have wondered how author Ian Fleming envisioned what Bond looked like.

According to Wikipedia, Fleming envisioned that Bond should resemble American singer/songwriter Hoagy Carmichael and...himself.

Their source?

One source was the novel, Casino Royale in which Vesper Lynd is quoted, "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless."

The second source was in the novel, Moonraker where Special Branch officer Gala Brand thought that Bond was "certainly good-looking ... Rather like Hoagy Carmichael in a way. That black hair falling down over the right eyebrow.  Much the same bones.  But there was something a bit cruel in the mouth, and the eyes were cold."

Baby-boomers and later generations probably have no idea what Hoagy Carmichael looked like. So, not to keep anyone in suspense, here is what Carmichael looked like:

Above, Hoagy Carmichael.

Some present-day fans feel that actor Daniel Day Lewis (Lincoln) resembles Carmichael and would be an ideal James Bond.

Can you picture James Bond looking somewhat like Hoagy Carmichael? Yes, when a facial scar is added (in the Fleming books, Bond has a facial scar down his right cheek).

James Bond Will Return...With Sam Mendes

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Good news!  Sam Mendes, director of Skyfall, will return to helm James Bond 24.

According to an article posted (of all places) in JapanToday:

LONDON —Sam Mendes will direct Daniel Craig as 007 in the 24th installment of the blockbuster James Bond film franchise about the fictional British spy. 

The film is set for release in the autumn of 2015 and follows on the success of Mendes-directed predecessor “Skyfall”, which earned $1.1 billion at the box office worldwide and was the highest-grossing film of all time in Britain, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a statement. 

The screenplay for the Sony Pictures Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc film will be written by John Logan, who also worked on “Skyfall”. 

“Following the extraordinary success of ‘Skyfall’, we’re really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan,” Wilson and Broccoli said.

This definitely raises my hopes (and expectations) that the follow-up movie to Skyfall will be just as good, if not better. To read the full article, go here. 

What James Bond Did For Japan

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Akiko Wakabayashi and Sean Connery at the sumo stadium in "You Only Live Twice."  Photo: United Artists.

In 1967, James Bond 007 (in the form of Sean Connery) had a mission to stop the hijacking of U.S. and U.S.S.R. space capsules by S.P.E.C.T.R.E. to prevent a war between the two nations.  That mission took him to Japan.  The movie was You Only Live Twice.

As this year is the fiftieth anniversary of the James Bond movies, the Japan Times took a look at what Bond did for Japan in "The Gentleman In The Tux and What He Did For Japan."

Along with Connery, Toho actresses Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama were featured as Japanese agents Aki and Kissy Suzuki respectively.

The article starts out with:

In 1967, James Bond made his official Japan debut in "You Only Live Twice": The gentleman spy came to Tokyo and Fukuoka, saw some sumo, consorted with ninja and got intimate with two homegrown Bond girls. Directed by Lewis Gilbert, "You Only Live Twice" goes down in Japan's collective memory as the one and only time 007 made it to these shores.

The movie version of You Only Live Twice is quite different from Ian Fleming's novel, although both are centered in Japan.

On working with Connery, Wakabayashi said in my interview with her, "James Bond in the movie is a ladies' man, but Sean-san is a warm-hearted honest man. He has a clear vision as an actor. He can be stubborn from time to time, but he is a real man with a bit of old-fashioned taste."

One bit of trivia:  the location used for Osato Chemicals in Tokyo was the New Otani Hotel.

To read the full article, go here.

The James Bond Films: 50th Anniversary

by Armand Vaquer



There's one thing that movie fans or, specifically, James Bond fans, can look forward to this year is the 50th anniversary of Eon Productions' James Bond franchise.

Above, Ursula Andress.

It was in 1962 that the franchise was launched by the first movie based on Ian Fleming's British Secret Service agent 007, Doctor No. The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli. That movie made Sean Connery an international star and it featured Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder, Jack Lord as CIA agent (and Bond pal) Felix Leiter, Joseph Wiseman as Doctor No, Bernard Lee as "M" and Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny. Desmond Llewelyn did not join the regulars as "Q" until the next movie, From Russia With Love.



Doctor No introduced the iconic "James Bond Theme" and the Maurice Binder "gun barrel" Bond opening sequence. It had a budget of one million dollars (low-budget by today's standards) and was released on October 5, 1962.

It will be fun to see what may be in store this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond films.



Left, Sean Connery in his first James Bond outing.

Daniel Craig Returns As 007 In "Skyfall"

Above, Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig.

The title for the next James Bond movie and its release date have been announced:

LONDON, Nov. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23rd James Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th 2012 and in North America on November 9th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

This is good news, but we have to wait a year before the movie's release. At least it won't be the long pause between Timothy Dalton's last Bond outing and Pierce Brosnan's first.

James Bond Will Return, In 2012!

Above, Daniel Craig will return as 007 for his third outing.

Good news, Bond fans!

The Hollywood Reporter's "Heat Vision" is reporting that the next adventure of MI6's James Bond 007 will be released next year:

MGM and longtime James Bond stewards Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions have announced the date for the next installment of the franchise: November 9, 2012.

Currently just called Bond 23, the movie will go into production in late 2011.

To read the full article, go here.

Sean Connery Is 80 Today!

by Armand Vaquer

Bond, James Bond turns 80 today.

No, not the Ian Fleming character, but the original movie James Bond, Sean Connery.

Described as a "man's man," Connery created the movie James Bond template that has endured the ups and downs of the movies and successor actors including Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and, currently, Daniel Craig. (Bond 23's production is being held up due to financial problems of MGM.)

My parents took me to see a double-bill of 1962's Dr. No and 1963's From Russia With Love (both starring Connery) and I've been hooked ever since. When it was announced that Goldfinger was about to be released, I already knew what to expect and looked forward to seeing it.

I have most of the Ian Fleming Bond novels (I hit the jackpot one day at a used book store).

It is generally conceded that Connery's Goldfinger (1964) is the best of the Bond movies. I think he hit his stride in that one although the aforementioned Dr. No and From Russia With Love were good movies.

Connery's last Eon Productions Bond movie was Diamonds Are Forever (1971). It had its moments, but it showed that the series was beginning to get into the silliness of the Roger Moore (who took over in the next film, Live and Let Die in 1973) years. He then went on to distinguish himself in other films such as The Man Who Would Be King, The Untouchables (he won a supporting actor Academy Award for that one), amongst others.

Connery's last outing as Agent 007 was in the independently-produced Never Say Never Again in 1982. In that movie, he showed that he still had the Bond touch.



Akiko Wakabayashi, who co-starred with Connery in 1967's You Only Live Twice (set in Japan), said in a G-FAN interview (by yours truly and Brett Homenick) of Connery, "James Bond in the movie is a ladies' man, but Sean-san is a warm-hearted honest man. He has a clear vision as an actor. He can be stubborn from time to time, but he is a real man with a bit of old-fashioned taste."

Connery says his acting days are over (almost sounds like one of his final lines in Never Say Never Again). He is enjoying his retirement. Perhaps, if the right project and role should surface, he could be persuaded to make a comeback. Never say never!

Happy Birthday, Sean Connery!

The Name Is 'Who'......'Doctor Who'

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

There was a time, not too long ago, when British actors were climbing all over themselves to play James Bond, or even one of his adversaries.Times, however, have changed, and it seems that the UK's top talents are eyeing another iconic franchise on the top of their wish lists. Now, one Bond actor has landed, and another is trying to land, a part on "Doctor Who."

It has recently slipped that former Bond, Timothy Dalton, has been cast as a mysterious character known only as, " The Narrator", in the upcoming "Doctor Who" Christmas special.

Not wanting to miss out on a chance to be a part of actor David Tennant's last appearance as "The Doctor", former Bond, Roger Moore, has offered his acting services to the show as well.

Moore honestly doesn't want to steal any of Dalton's thunder or upstage him. He simply would like to play his character's father, or something like that.

The actor explains, "I believe Timothy is to appear in one of the new episodes, so if they ever want anyone to play his dad, I'm available."

Now, if you know your Bond chronology, then you are aware that it was Dalton who took over for Moore as Bond in 1987.

See Also: Doctor Who Black And White Action Figures - Second Doctor & Cyberman / The First Look At The Animated Doctor Who From Dreamland / Doctor Who Star David Tennant Sends 'Postcard' From America / Doctor Who - Filming Begins For The 11th Doctor / Doctor Who: The Waters Of Mars - Sneak Preview / Euros Lyn To Helm Doctor Who Movie For 2011? / Torchwood: Children Earth Doctor Who On BBC America In July / The Doctors New Traveling Companion Will Be Karen Gillan / Tennant's Doctor Making The Move From TV To Big Screen / The Doctor Makes A Surprise Appearance On The Sarah Jane Adventures / Gillian Anderson To Guest Star On Doctor Who / Doctor Who Theme Voted Best On Online Poll / Simpson And Bennett Named As Producers For Doctor Who / David Tennant And Michelle Ryan Talk About Doctor Who: Planet Of The Dead / Doctor Who - Planet Of The Dead / Doctor Who 5-Inch Wave 4 Action Figure Case / Tonight's The Night Gives One Doctor Who Fan The Chance Of A Lifetime / Doctor Who Remote Control K-9 / Lindsay Duncan Joins The Doctor For The Second Special Of 2009 / Doctor Who Arrives In Dubai / A David Tennant Lookalike Warns About David Tennant Impostors / Dubai Bus Accident Leads To Doctor Who Re-Write / Sexy Michelle Ryan Joins The Doctor On The Planet Of The Dead / And The Eleventh Doctor Is.......Matt Smith / And The Eleventh Doctor Is........Wait For It!

B Movie Queen Caroline Monro To Make A Special UK Appearance

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Graham Groom - Caroline Munro News Group

Graham Groom was kind enough to post the news that veteran 'scream queen' Caroline Monro will be making a special in person appearance at the Wow Factor in the Corn Mill Shopping Center in Darlington, UK, on the 8th August, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Monro has starred in over thirty films over the past four decades, including "The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)", "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974)", "At the Earth's Core (1976", "The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)" and "Starcrash (1979)."

The actress, who is a fantasy film icon, hasn't been making many appearances over the past couple of years, so this should be a special treat for her fans in the UK.

See Also: Starcrash (1979)

James Bond Shatters U.K. Box Office Records

The newest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, broke opening day box office records in the United Kingdom.

Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily reports:

MGM/Sony's Quantum Of Solace, the 22nd James Bond motion picture, made box office history on its opening day in the UK, taking a staggering £4.94 million and making it the biggest Friday opening of all time. This shatters the previous record held by Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, which took £4.025m. The latest 007 installment from the longest running franchise in film history also beat the opening day figure of £2.9m for Casino Royale, the first to star Daniel Craig. Quantum Of Solace opened in 542 cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday and will release in the U.S. on November 14th.

However, some fans are disappointed that Miss Moneypenny, Q and "Bond, James Bond" trademarks are not in this movie. (Did they bring back the gunbarrel opening?)

Quantum of Solace opens in the U.S. November 14.

New James Bond Girl Meets Sticky Demise

The Daily Mail in the U.K. is reporting that the new Bond girl meets a sticky, oily demise in the new James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.

They wrote:

In the new 007 movie Quantum Of Solace, Gemma Arterton’s character is drowned in crude oil and her lifeless body is left draped over a bed in a scene deliberately reminiscent of the 1964 Bond classic Goldfinger.

Arterton, who plays an MI6 spy ordered to keep an eye on a renegade Bond, was covered from head to toe in sticky black liquid for the dramatic sequence.

Daniel Craig returns as Agent 007.