"James Bond 007: Casino Royale and Dr. N" Review
Titan Books

Review by Larry Stanley

I have set here for three days trying to figure out how to write this review. Not that I didn't know what I wanted to say; I am seldom at a loss for words. But I wasn't sure exactly 'how' to say what I had in mind.
At first, I was going to combine the Bond and Modesty Blaise reviews into a sort of overall view of the two series, talking about the strips, perhaps a bit of history on both, maybe a look at the 'extras' offered and a talk about the way they strips looked, after their transfer from old collections and redone for these series.
Of course, as easy as that would have been, I couldn't figure out how to start.
Then I thought of doing it as a personal memory of my own history with each character. How I read all the Fleming books long before I ever watched my first Bond movie ("Thunderball", in case you were wondering) or how I first discovered Modesty Blaise in a tattered paperback in the early 1970's and was very disillusioned by the film when I finally saw it on TV years later. But the film never took away my love of Modesty or her adventures.
When I found out Titan Books had undertaken the job of reprinting their lives and varied missions, I knew I had to be involved somehow.
So, here I am trying to figure out how to write a review of Titans James Bond books. I have "Dr. No" and "Casino Royale" which is a great place to start truth to tell. "Casino Royale" was the first Bond novel, as well as the first adventure to be shown in the newspaper strips and was also the first 'film' edition.
Lets not talk about that episode of "Climax" from 1954, and the appearance of James "Jimmy" Bond, American agent.
Taking that into account lets look at the first strip adventure of James Bond, Agent 007.
For those who are not familiar with the first him, Bond is introduced as a handsome, dangerous, charming, sophisticated and rakish man willing to take on whatever job he is presented with by his superiors. This time he is told that he will be battling a Russian agent named Le Chiffre, who has been trying to increase KGB money by investing in certain types of 'nightclubs'.
When the French police shut down his clubs, he was placed in the very dangerous position of being forced to quickly replace the lost money before his bosses find out what he has done. His plan is to win the money back at the Casino Royale playing Baccarat.
Bond's job is simple, to defeat Le Chiffre and humiliate him at the tables, ruining his reputation both in France and with his Communist chiefs.
And with Ten Million French Francs in his pocket, Bond sets out to do just that. Along the way, he must deal with assassins, good-looking women and more danger then you can shake a stick at.
Most people are aware of the men who have played James Bond. First, Sean Connery, then by George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton and currently by Pierce Brosnan and if there is any justice next by Jason Statham.
Each man gave to Bond a different persona, a different attitude. Connery was the cruel, dedicated agent while Moore was the suave, sophisticated one, etc. In this first adventure we see more of the "Connery" Bond. The lover and fighter, who is ready for a fight or a nightly fling with a beautiful agent,
But the patriotism and belief in freedom is inherent in all the Bond books and just as strong in the strips. The writing by Fleming (and later by Anthony Hern, Henry Gammidge) while not the flag waving character Captain America … Well, Captain Britain… might be still strongly adheres to the idea of anti-communism and the enslavement of others. Fleming, in his own life, had dealt with just that type of person who wanted to subjugate others and force 'lesser races' to the will of the Uberman.
That is reflected in almost every persona of Bond, from the dashing Moore and Brosnan to the cruel but alluring Connery and Lazenby, and I think they all developed that from an understanding of what Bond is, even if the actor didn't especially like the character.
The art by John McLusky is excellent. Each panel captures the mood and feeling of the times and of the situation, showing emotion, excitement and several times a week, a cliffhanger that kept you going to the next panel, often with your heart thumping, knowing that Bond was going to win but wondering just how this time.
As well as "Casino Royale" this edition also includes the stories "Live And Let Die" and "Moonraker" which is apropos considering that the introduction is by Roger Moore who played Bond seven times in the movies; "Bond In Books" where Paul Simpson that looks at the printed history of the Bond franchise, and a complete (thus far) Syndicated newspaper comic strip checklist. Which comes in handy when you are trying to find out what strip ran first.
Somehow during the mid-1960's James Bonditus spread around the world. From TV westerns like the Wild Wild West, to TV action shows like Man From U.N.C.L.E. or even Get Smart and The Beverly Hillbillies (Yes; even Jethro wanted to get into the spy business) everyone wanted to be like Bond or be James Bond. And if you can remember the hoopla that means you are as old as I am. But, the next story we are looking at reflects that same hoopla.
The next book I got in the Bond collection was "Dr No" and it tries hard to follow the original story from Fleming's novel and the film. Again, Fleming and McLusky give an excellent adaptation of the story, even though I personally think the first appearances of Honeychile Rider deserved full-page panels on their own, but who listens to me? And some of the reprinted lettering was faded or blurred in some panels, but using a little common sense you could still understand what was being said. And if these are the only complaints I have, don't even worry about it.
Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of two MI6 agents but is targeted by an unknown enemy who uses poisoned fruit and ugly, disgusting, slimy bugs to do the job of killing Bond. And I don't care what anyone says, the panels with him and that freakin' centipede got on my nerves.
But worst of all if the fire-breathing dragon that Bond has to fight to win the day.
Yes, a dragon. Read the story.
Included in this edition are the stories "Diamonds Are Forever" and "From Russia With Love" and they hold up just as well after almost 50 years as they did the day Fleming sat down to write them. In these stories, Bond tangles with diamond smuggling gangsters from the U.S. who don't know who they are about to face and a SMERSH killer with an attachment to "War and Peace".
"From Russia…" was a bit of a let down in some ways. And I know, it is really tough to put everything from a novel into an adaptation but I would have liked more information about Donavan Grant. The novel filled in his life, but I felt the reader who has not read the book (shame on you) might be a little unsure of who he is.
But, Rosa Klebb is one of the greatest villains in any of the Bond books, even though she didn't get much exposure. Her hatred of Bond and all that he is and stands for is almost tactile; you can almost feel her loathing and evilness oozing from her.
Great stuff.
As with the other edition, this one includes some bonus features such as an introduction by Eunice Gayson, who played Sylvia Trench who worked with Connery in two Bond movies and the continuation of the "Bond In Books" from Paul Simpson and the newspaper comic strip checklist.
But this one also includes "A World of Espionage", taking a look at the other Double-o Agents and the work they did and a Roll of Honor that shows all the literary 00's including those in comics and how they cross Bond's career.
And finally, "The Many Faces of James Bond" where Paul Simpson explores the different incarnations of Bond, from Fleming's original idea, to the movie version of James Bond.
If you are a Bond fan like me, then these stories are just what you need to continue following the adventures of the worlds greatest Secret Agent. If you are not a Bond fan, this is your chance to become one.
Look for the Titan Books collection of James Bond books through your local book dealer and Comic shop.