007 #3, from Dynamite Comics on October 12th, 2022, brings Bond face-to-face with the enigmatic leader of Myrmidon where his faith in his friends and his country will be tested to the breaking point.
The Details
- Written by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Art by: Marco Finnegan
- Colors by: Dearbhla Kelly
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Tommy Lee Edwards (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 12, 2022
Is It Good?
007 #3 is light on action and plot progress, but what it lacks in explosive wow moments, this issue more than makes up for in shocking revelations that will shakes James Bond’s loyalties to their core. In effect, this is a deftly written and dramatically executed exposition and setup issue for what’s to come.
The challenge with writing spy stories is the need to achieve a delicate balance between action and detective mystery elements. Kennedy strikes that balance successfully by giving readers plenty of wow moments in the reveal of Myrmidon’s purpose, leader, and methods while keeping action fans engaged through flashbacks with plenty of gripping gun play. The action takes a backseat to the big reveals, but the importance of those reveals have such weighty implications, you can feel your puzzle-solving gears grinding while trying to figure out how this will all play out.
Kennedy’s script earns high marks for doing exactly what every story should do – challenge the main hero beyond his limits. In spy stories, there’s only so many despots, secret organizations, and terror plots the hero can encounter before subsequent stories feel like more of the same. Here, Kennedy challenges Bond’s by presenting a challenge that causes Bond to question his loyalties. For the cynically-minded, the revelations aren’t all that shocking, but they have the potential to force Bond to chose a new path and a new employer in the future.
Finnegan’s art style is not to everyone’s taste, but it suits this issue well. In the past, we were down on Finnegan’s lack of detail in establishing panels and distant scenes, so this issue avoids that weakness by sticking to close-ups and medium shots. That change-up does the trick, and this comic is visually improved over the previous issue. In particular the newly-introduced villain, Sebastian Fromm is notably off-putting due to a physical defect that’s new to the history of Bond villains, and it certainly makes him memorable. Memorable villains are always a plus.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our 007 #2 review to find out how Bond wound up in Myrmidon’s clutches.
We begin with James Bond dropped off at a secret location via helicopter. He’s forced inside a massive facility where he’s met by a giant of a man sitting in a wheelchair. The man introduces himself as Sebastian From, the creator and head of Myrmidon.
Fromm takes Bond on a tour of the facility as Bond peppers him with questions about Fromm’s intentions, Myrmidon’s mission, and the fate of Gwenn Gann. Bond is shocked to learn that Myrmidon seeks to stop world governments, including the British government, from making decisions that cost innocent lives, and Gann was a supporter before her untimely demise.
Bond rejects Fromm’s claims until he’s given a crucial piece of information that has a direct bearing on an old mission Bond and Gann worked together – information that could undo their work and cost the lives of thousands. We conclude the issue with insider information, a choice, and a planted seed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
007 #3 is an engaging entry in the series that’s light on action and heavy on exposition. However, the exposition is potentially explosive for Bond’s life. The pacing and dialog are delivered with tight drama, and the art is much improved over the previous issues.
Related Information
Who was best James Bond?
All actors who have played James Bond bring their strengths and weaknesses to the role. In other words, the best James Bond is the one you like best.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.