JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #3 – An Honest Review

In JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #3, available from Dynamite Comics on May 5th, 2021, Felix Leiter is dead, and James has no choice but to pit both sides in the SPECTRE civil war against each other… or die trying.

The Details

• Written By: Christos Gage
• Art By: Luca Casalanguida
• Colors By: Heather Moore
• Letters By: Simon Bowland
• Cover Art By: Aaron Lopresti
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: May 5, 2021

Was It Good?

Yes, it hits the sweet spot for the clever, scheming side of James Bond that elevates him above simply a hired gun. What makes Bond such a remarkable character is his ability to improvise and adapt when all plans have gone to hell, and despite the lack of action (except for an opening fight), Bond uses his other talents here to the maximum.

The art is noir style with thick lines and sharp angles. That said, the one down point for the art is rough, almost scarred, look of Titania Jones’s face in many of the panels. It’s not necessary to make her look like a runway model, but there are several panels where the harsh lines made her look like a prizefighter who’d taken too many punches to the face.

See for yourself in our JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #3 preview.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

We pick up at the instant we left off in issue #2 with Felix Leiter dead on the floor and Titania James shooting at James for killing Felix (read our JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #2 review to get caught up). 007 dodges Titania’s bullets long enough to take cover and return fire, He tips over a sculpture or two to drive her back. Eventually, 007 gets close enough to attack Titania in hand-to-hand combat and the two negotiate a truce of sorts in between blows.

What’s neat about this scene is seeing two fighters match each other well enough to not give the upper hand in a believable way. Kudos to the art team for making that work.

Also, it’s amusing to see two expert fighters essentially hold a negotiation between each blow, as if the fight is a performative dance that’s part of the talk.

Through the fight/talk, 007 offers that he knows Blofeld will kill him as soon as his mission is done, so he’s willing to entertain a counter-offer. It’s a clever ploy to position himself as a triple-agent with motivations that are realistic and fit the situation.

Titania quickly weighs her options. Since Blofeld is in Greece and untouchable, getting a man on the inside is the only way for her to win the upper hand. They quickly work up a cover story for Felix’s death and she gets 007 out of the art gallery as her “guest.”

Back at Titania Jones’ ultra-secure house, 007 explains that killing Felix was the only way to remove Blofeld’s bargaining leverage and free James from further personal entanglements. 007 plays it up well as the unappreciated blunt instrument who’s tired of waiting to be thrown away when he no longer serves his purpose. Titania buys the story (the art and writing sell it well enough for this reviewer to buy the story) and they complete their *ahem* negotiation in the bedroom.

Back in his hotel room, 007 informs Blofeld that he’s gained Titania’s trust and killing Felix was necessary. Felix’s death removes the bargaining leverage but it puts 007 in the position of now being a wanted man who has no choice but to accept his predicament.

As this issue draws to a close, 007 receives the tickets to head for Greece, but he makes a quick stop on the way to the airport.

How Does It End?

007 is a master of disguise. Contraband brandy is good for what ails you. “…A Chance Like This Comes Once In A LIfetime…”

Final Thoughts

JAMES BOND: AGENT OF SPECTRE #3 cools down the action but turns up the heat on intrigue, quick thinking, and double-dealing. The art is as hard-edged as the lead character, and the writing nails 007 flawlessly.

Score: 8.5/10