JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #2, available from Dynamite Comics on April 7th, 2021, follows 007 on his mission to take out Blofeld’s competition in SPECTRE. When American interests and government agencies get involved, a charity event sees Bond’s worst fears realized.
The Details
- Written By: Christos Gage
- Art By: Luca Casalanguida
- Colors By: Heather Moore
- Letters By: Simon Bowland
- Cover Art By: Sean Phillips
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: April 7, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, it was good. The story plays exactly right for a hard-boiled Bond adventure, and the last-page cliffhanger changes everything about the dynamic of the story; a rarity for just the second issue in an arc these days.
The art is also very good, however, there are two nitpicky points that brought the art down from the first to the second issue.
First, the inking is different. In the first issue, lines are thicker and rougher. That works well to reinforce dramatic features and play up the rough, tough, hard-boiled noir tone of the first issue. In this issue, the lines are thinner and smoother, which visually comes across as quick sketches. It’s not bad inking, but it’s less effective.
Second, more repetitive camera angles on the panels. The first issue had a greater range of view angles from panel to panel that adds energy. You felt like the book was in motion. In this issue, more of the panels were straight ahead as though the reader was a third-person observer from a distance. Again, it’s not a bad choice but the panels were less energetic than the first issue.
These are minor nitpicks, but it underscores how small, subtle changes can make a significant impact on the storytelling experience for the reader.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
We begin with 007 breaking into the house of Titania Jones’s security firm partner, Harlan Clark. James is dressed as a maintenance worker and he gets in easily using stolen thumbprint credentials lifted from the real worker’s coffee cup. The point is to steal information about Titania’s own security measures, which are far more stringent.
Check out our JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #1 review to catch up on how 007 got into this mess.
Unfortunately, Harlan Clark, whose supposed to be out at a charity dinner, decided to return early. When one of the security guards notices something is off, the mansion goes into lockdown. Trapped, Bond has to punch, kick and shoot his way out.
Flashback to a few days earlier where James is discussing his bargain with Ms. Moneypenny and M. Recognizing that his mission has to be kept off the books with deniability from everyone else, he willingly provides evidence implicating him as a SPECTRE double-agent if he should get caught.
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What’s impactful about this scene is the lengths 007 will go to not only to get the job done but also put contingency measures in place if he should fail. Measures that protect MI6, the British government, and the Crown. It’s a small thing but organically adds weight and emphasizes the seriousness of what’s happening. You truly feel 007 is on his own.
Later and after 007 escapes the Clark residence, James video calls Blofeld on his progress. He’s stitching himself up after receiving a flesh wound during his escape but he doesn’t miss a beat in the conversation or lose focus on the mission at hand. Although James didn’t get all the security intel he wanted, he did learn that Titania Jones will be at a charity fundraiser in a few days.
Flashforward to the charity fundraiser and James makes himself at home waiting for Titania’s entrance. When she arrives, he makes a bad play at flirting with her but he drops subtle clues that his awkward flirtation is a subtle hint that he’s really here on SPECTRE business. Titania rebuffs his advances and moves on with her security detail.
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A few minutes later, Titania tells her men she’s going to the powder room but secretly sneaks off to meet James in the sculpture gallery.
Without spoiling the ending, the British are not the only ones keeping tabs on Titania Jones, James doesn’t negotiate, and an old friend makes a shocking error in judgment.
Final Thoughts
JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #2, available from Dynamite Comics on April 7th, 2021, continues great storytelling that feels authentic to James Bond canon, bolstered by gritty, hard-boiled art. This is one of the better James Bond offerings Dynamite has had in quite some time.
Score: 8/10
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