007: FOR KING AND COUNTRY #4 from Dynamite Comics on 7/26/23, cranks up the paranoia for James Bond when the American and British governments play both sides of Myrmidon’s master plan.
The Details
- Written by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Art by: Giorgio Spalletta, Alessio Avallone
- Colors by: Claudia Giulani
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Joseph Michael Linsner (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 26, 2023
Is It Good?
Hubba, Hubba, Hubba! Who do you trust? Who do you trust? In 007: FOR KING AND COUNTRY #4, the answer is “nobody,” and that’s what makes Phillip Kennedy’s latest chapter a gripping winner.
When last we left James Bond, his covert meeting with Felix Leiter turned into a gunpoint interrogation where anyone could be for or against Myrmidon, depending on the time of day. Now, Felix and 005 take a chance that 007 may be the only person to get inside Myrmidon’s server farm to steal the virus plans, but the ugly seed of doubt is planted when 005 explains that Gann is a turncoat intending to unseat Fromm as head of Myrmidon.
How’s that for a head spinner of paranoia? Phillip Kennedy Johnson a largely dialog-heavy issue, but the words spoken make all the deliver when you consider who says them and when. At this point in the story, Bond can’t trust anyone, making every move a gamble, so you’re on the edge of your seat, waiting for a friend to become an enemy at any moment. This issue is alla bout ono-stop tension, and Johnson makes it work.
To be fair, this issue is light on action, but the plot moves forward a respectable amount. Bond makes one or more allies (or enemies?), a course is set to possibly bring Fromm down, and the respective governments are waiting to move against whoever survives the showdown.
How’s the art? Spalletta and Avallone deliver dramatic visuals to focus on Bond’s perspective at any moment, but the real winner on the art team is Giulani’s noir coloring. Every panel has a bold, contrasting color scheme to slather the story with a mood that exponentially heightens the tension like oppressive humidity before a thunderstorm.
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: FOR KING AND COUNTRY #3 review to find out how Bond arranged a meeting with Felilx.
We begin where issue #3 left off – James Bond in a hotel room at gunpoint with 005 and Felix Leiter. Bond convinces the agents that Fromm’s virus is mutating, and Myrmidon needs to be stopped before inoculations go global. The Americans and British can’t help Bond, but they agree to stay out of his way to get evidence. Before the meeting is done, 005 makes it clear that Gann is not on Bond’s side.
Later, Bond receives a call from Clark that she’s been discovered. Bond hurries to her rescue, and the two find a temporary hiding spot until Bond can arrange a meeting with Gann and Linus to formulate a new infiltration plan.
We conclude the issue with shifty eyes, bedroom eyes, and surveillance eyes.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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007: FOR KING AND COUNTRY #4 delivers a tense, paranoia-filled issue designed to make James Bond (and the reader) second guess the intentions of everyone, effectively putting Bond on a razor’s edge. The potential for double-crosses will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the art is atmospheric.
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