Giving Ales Kot, who usually writes books with a strong political bent, a reactionary figure like James Bond is a gutsy choice. Kot, in his creator owned work, has explored the social impact of racism, police brutality, and other tough topics. So how does he handle Bond, a symbol of state authority and control up there with the hammer and sickle in some quarters? By exploring a very real geopolitical problem with James Bond: The Body, a limited series debuting today from Dynamite: That most of the “bad guys” are just pawns to be thrown away.
Paired off with Luca Casalanguida, who’s handled Bond before, the team deliver a Bond story that’s much more in line with the Ian Fleming books than the movies, as Bond has to do some very dirty work. Kot contrasts Bond’s more glamorous lies with Casalanguida’s superb action to underscore that often Bond’s life isn’t glamorous, as he spins a fabulous yarn full of explosions and speedboats to his doctor, while we see the ugly, violent and ultimately sad things Bond has to do simply to protect a person who won’t know, or appreciate, what he does.
It’s an intriguing approach to Bond that balances the action any Bond story demands with the day-to-day realities Fleming was so interested in. One of the ugly sides of international espionage is that innocent people are in the middle, manipulated, sacrificed, and forgotten. Kot, while not making a social realist Bond, seems out to put those people up front, and it should be a fascinating series.
Fence #3, BOOM! Studios
Probably the most impressive aspect of C.S. Pascat and Johanna The Mad’s comic about an elite fencing squad is how it manages to explain the sport to rookies without ruining the drama. Nicholas and Seiji’s grudge match is just getting started, but first, Nicholas, our hero from the “wrong” side of the tracks, has to get to Seiji’s level. Can he do it by sheer determination? Well, heck, there wouldn’t be a book if he couldn’t, but it’s fun to watch Nicholas take down a few snobs with a sword.
The Further Adventures Of Nick Wilson #1, Image Comics
Unsurprisingly, this comic, about a superhero who loses his powers and has to deal with being a celebrity wash-out, is a bit shticky in places, thanks to the presence of sitcom vet Eddie Gorodetsky (Mom, The Big Bang Theory), who co-writes here with Marc Andreyko. But when it drops the bits, it’s surprisingly good. Nick Wilson, it turns out, feels a little sad for losing his powers (and the fame and money that go with them,) but wisely the book ensures he’s not a jerk or a total loser. He’s just got problems, and the book’s best moments are the quiet ones where he reconnects with an old girlfriend or just tries to deal with his jerk-ass best friend.
The Spirit: The Corpse-Makers #5, Dynamite
Francesco Francavilla finishes up his wonderful tribute to Will Eisner with his usual panache. Francavilla’s stark palette and care with every detail make even the most pedestrian things feel lurid, and drawing cues from comics and cinema in equal measure, delivers one of the best takes on the masked detective in a while. Even if you’re not a fan of noir or hero comics, pick this up just to soak in Francavilla’s layouts and design.
Kill Or Be Killed #15, Image Comics
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ deconstruction of the urban vigilante story takes a really sharp twist here. All along, we’ve been asking the question of whether Dylan, who sees a demon who tells him the sins of others, is a legit supernatural monster or just a hallucination. And you think, this issue, that we’re going to get that answer. But not only do they cleverly evade it, they layer on a new twist that makes it that much more urgent Dylan get it together.
Damage #1, DC Comics: Tony Daniel and Robert Venditti deliver a pretty fun take on the Hulk, spinning off from the recent Metal crossover.
Rumble #2, Image Comics: John Arcudi and David Rubin continue their hilarious riff on urban fantasy.
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #299, Marvel: Chip Zdarsky and Adam Kubert offer a classic Spidey story with lots of villains, lots of fights, and a twist Lee and Ditko would love.
Ice Cream Man #1, Image Comics: W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo collaborate on what’s so far a vague, but tantalizing horror book with a touch of Stephen King to the proceedings.
Future Quest Presents #6, DC Comics: Phil Hester and Steve Rude turn the cheesy series Birdman into a great little page-turner.
This Week’s Best Collections
Dept. H Vol. 3: Decompressed, Dark Horse ($20, Hardcover): Matt Kindt’s underwater thriller is a good reminder of not just his writing and art skills, but how he uses design to tell a story as well.
Giant Days: Not On The Test Vol. 2, BOOM! Studios ($40, Hardcover): John Allison, Max Sarin, and Liz Fleming’s hilarious story of three women struggling through freshman year is a comic worth getting caught up on. It’s one of the best comedies on the stands.
Super Powers by Jack Kirby, DC Comics ($40, Softcover): One of the likely inspirations for last year’s Justice League movie, these early ’80s comics are the only time Kirby, one of the most beloved artists in comics, drew the entire Justice League.