Dynamite has announced a new original James Bond graphic novel for release in February 2020, incorporating contributions from a cavalcade of writers and artists to celebrate the timelessness of the character and the countless talented creators who have brought him to comics.
James Bond in Reflections of Death is a 128-page hardcover of nonstop thrills and intrigue. Several Bond veterans return for this tapestry, including Benjamin Percy (Wolverine), Andy Diggle (Daredevil) and Greg Pak (Star Wars) and the writers of the new ongoing series, Vita Ayala (Morbius) and Danny Lore (Queen of Bad Dreams), Gail Simone (Deadpool), and Mark Russell (Red Sonja) join the team as well.
Artists enlisted for the mission include Luca Casalanguida (Hammerhead), Robert Carey (James Bond 007), Jordi Perez (Xena), Dean Kotz (Warlord of Mars Attacks), Eoin Marron (Killer Groove) and Kewber Baal (KISS). All wrapped up in another beautiful noir and pulp flavored cover by Fay Dalton (Casino Royale, Vampirella).
With a framing story Ayala and Lore, over 20 total creators will collaborate to contribute stories that both stand on their own and tie into an overarching narrative. The central figure through the anthology of case files is Moneypenny. She’s been kidnapped and the mystery of her captors and their demands will only be revealed when, or if, 007 is able to complete his missions. While Moneypenny herself may have some surprises up her sleeve.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to work with so many talented creators, and of course they all want to write one of the most crucial characters in modern fiction,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. “Just in time for the new movie, for fans to enjoy a bounty of Bond too!”
Dynamite asked each writer to distill what they think makes Bond such a timeless character and compelling to write. Here is what a few had to say:
“Bond epitomizes cool. He wears the sharpest suits, drives the sleekest cars, owns the wildest gadgets. Men want to be him, women want to be with him. But that veneer of perfection hides a relatable flaw. He is emotionally scarred, numb, cold. This is a person who does horrible things for a greater good. So he drinks liver-deadening amounts of booze and sleeps around and discards those close to him so that he can armor himself against horrors,” said Percy.
“I love Bond stories for their glorious combo of sci-fi and spy thriller, their dry humor, their emphasis on a cool professional doing the impossible, and their joy in mind-blowing action set pieces. I love the Odd Job stories I’ve been able to do for throwing a cocky, passionate improviser in the mix and seeing him drive Bond out of his mind. I’m hugely excited to get another bite of the apple with this story and hope both Bond and Odd Job fans enjoy reading it as much as we're enjoying making it,” said Pak.
“It’s an interesting thing because I read several of the Fleming books before ever seeing a proper Bond film, and I liked that spy. He wasn’t incredibly noble, he didn’t have a lot of human empathy. But he was the man for the job. He was a human being who had to go to some dark places. That’s my favorite Bond. I love the stunts and glamour, I love the locations and gadgets, all of that. But the Bond I most enjoy is the guy who goes where the snakes are, so the rest of us don’t have to,” said Simone.
James Bond in Reflections of Death will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ December 2019 PREVIEWS catalog, slated for release in February 2020. Fans can preorder copies with comic book retailers. It will also be available for individual customer purchase through many digital platforms.
