James Bond: Origin, Vol. 1

James Bond (Dynamite Entertainment) #7

by Jeff Parker, Bob Quinn (Artist)

At last, the definitive account of James Bond's exploits during World War II! MARCH, 1941: Seventeen-year-old James Bond is a restless student in Scotland, an orphan, eager to strike out and make his mark on the world. But a visit by an old family friend coincides with THE CLYDEBANK BLITZ, the most devastating German attack on Scotland during the War. James will fight through hell to survive, coming out the other side determined to make a difference. He'll find his calling in a new British government service, secret in nature...

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comic Book, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Espionage

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2019

About the author

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Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This one's for Clydebank!"--James Bond

Origin, Volume 1 is the seventh in the Dynamite series updating James Bond for the new millennium, even as we await a black female Bond in the film series. And one couldn't imagine a more different volume from the sixth, post-colonial text by Ales Kot (that Goodreads readers liked least so far, but I liked very much) and this sort of straightforward chronological origin story by Jeff Parker that establishes Bond's patriotic foundations (I guess the crusty, Scotch-soaked cynicism in Bond comes later).

In 1941 Bond is going to school in Scotland when he experiences first hand the Clydebank Blitz, a Luftwaffe attack on Scottish ship yards, and thereupon joins the Royal Navy. He's smart and fast and strong, so he is directed by his superiors to spy work, but he's not yet Secret Agent Man with that License to Kill. We see his careful development in all areas of combat and surveillance and then we see him in a series of three, one-issue adventures, including his time on a sub in the process of destroying a German destroyer with (this happens later) a stolen German fighter plane. The preposterousness of the action is quite the point in a Bond adventure. He's a version of Captain America; he's Captain Great Britain.

But you're wondering what about the women? How is he as a lean young gorgeous man with the ladies? In another story, "Isabel," the title character, a young Portuguese girl, helps the young Bond fight the local Nazi infiltration, "helping" in some ways that we have come to know so well, va va voom! So, yeah, the debonair Bond is attracting women at a very early age, no surprise. Another short piece, "A Train to Catch," which appeared in Playboy (perfect for Bond, eh? that fifties pin-up style) features babe Esmee as the "centerpiece" (though have no fear, the sex is as ever off-screen in Bond stories) in James's effort to blow up a Nazi transport train. (What do you mean, was he successful??! Have you no idea who the future 007 is?!) Both women are not just sex objects, I note, as they really are instrumental in the action as are so many "Bond women."

The art from Bob Q is period-appropriate, sepia-toned in places, perfect for WWII. Finally. I like and appreciate both Kot's post-colonial critique of Ian Fleming's sexist, racist, imperialist world and Parker's straightforward case for his patriotism and militant stance, responding as most would do to the attack on Great Britain. They both make good cases for their views, and tell good stories.

Incidentally, I also just read Kyle Higgins' The Dead Hand, also a kind of spy thriller comic about Brits and Russia, WWII, the "origin story" of another MI6 operative. Parker's story is better, in my view, but if you like WWII spy stories.. . .

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning there was Bond . . . James Bond



Dynamite Comics has continued to do a pretty awesome job with its James Bond graphic novel series. I will admit (and the evidence is there if you go back through my graphic novel shelf) that I did not care much for the first volume in the series. (VARGR) But, after that it has only been getting better and better and I have been enjoying the ride!



I think I have started to get a bit out of publication order now. But, that doesn’t seem to be a big deal since a) this is a origin collection and b) the James Bond series, but its very nature, tends to deal with only very loosely connected episodic adventures. So far this origin series is shaping up to be something you could check out even if you have no interest in the other titles Dynamite offers.



I could be wrong, but I don’t think James Bond’s early years have ever been delved into quite as much as they are here. I have read all the Ian Fleming novels and seen all the movies, but I only remember occasional hints of Bond before MI6. If there were any novels written by other authors addressing this time in his life, I have never seen them. But, I am glad to see it here because it has translated into a very, very good (and very cool) story.



The art varies from volume to volume in the Dynamite collections, but I am very pleased with the artists handling the origin story. The art is crisp but very well reflects WWII era locales and dress. Some of the panoramic and action sequence fames feel very cinematic Also, they did some very neat variant covers that look like the war effort posters from that era.



If you love Bond, I really don’t think there is any way you will not enjoy this!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1941, a teenage James Bond enlists in the British Navy after surviving a bombing raid. He's also recruited into what will become the OSS. We see his time as a midshipman on a submarine before he's ever sent into the field as an agent. I think that's what I like most about this series. Bond is not yet his debonair, swaggering, infallible self yet. He has doubts. He's still trying to figure things out like any teenager. He makes mistakes. Bob Q's art is perfect for this series. It has the slightest stylistic, cartoon look to it with enough grit and action for a WWII book. Hopefully, we'll see more of Bond's WWII adventures from this creative team.

[Michael Emond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Jeff Parker's writing for a while and this book confirms my belief that he is a writer that always brings the quality. I am always impressed how he takes care with a new character to respect its past but adding his own insight into the characters that fit. You could do this book a lot of ways wrong but I was impressed how right this felt. A look at James Bond as a college aged man just learning the tricks of the spy-craft. It logically takes him along from pre-spy, to spy in training to spy in the field. All the while we see characteristics that will emerge from the Bond we know from the novels (and the good movies :).

The art is solid. It isn't the reason to buy the book but it works well for the atmosphere. I think the thing stopping me from 100% loving the art is a) many faces started to look the same (which is bad when there are a lot of characters you need to keep separate) and b) it was a tad too cartoony for such a serious story.

The reason to buy the book is there are a lot of clever stories in the book and Parker has a way of drawing you into the realism of the action. One sequence involving trying to figure out how to fly a plane was particularly well done. Many authors would have had Bond be perfect and figure it out instantly, but Parker did a great job of making this younger Bond a human with flaws not a super/spy/Batman.

Overall - I love Bond and love Parker's writing so it was a win/win.

ADDED for REREAD: Wanted to see if it held up after 5 years and it (for the most part) does. The stories had a good pace and were all interesting. I think the use of flashbacks for the first story was a little more irritating this time around (i.e "not needed to tell the story and just confused it"). But overall - still a great read. Much better than the Bond movie I just watched "No Time to Die".

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been plenty of 007 spin off over the years & this is certainly one of the best. James Bond's World War 2 exploits are brought to life in this outstanding graphic novel. The illustrations are brilliantly drawn & each of the stories (from six different editions of the comic) give nice nods to Ian Fleming (& a few 007 actors too!) but thankfully they avoid filling the whole thing with endless James Bond injokes. Instead they leave you with some great original storytelling & I'm definitely going to be reading the next volume in the series.

[Judah Radd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilike the premise, and I like Jeff Parker's writing. It's a very interesting way of developing James Bond, and as far as this collection goes, it seems like the pieces of what ends up being the lan Fleming Literary 007 seem to fall together quite nicely, all against a well researched World War Two backdrop.
Unfortunately, the art doesn't work well at all.
James Bond is not a costumed hero, which means he can't be visually designed by what he wears. James Bond's face must always be drawn distinctly enough for us to be able to distinguish him from other characters no matter what he's wearing, and unfortunately Bob Q fails at this.
It ends up having a noticeably negative impact on the experience. Still a good book, still worth the read, but I wish the art was better.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure if this is an adaptation taken from Ian Fleming’s Bond novels (or later contributors to the lore) or completely original from the mind of Jeff Parker - - but it’s very impressive.

This is a straight-forward storyline that should please fans of war comics and action-adventure. Jeff Parker’s James Bond is still a teenager as the story begins, unsure of himself and not arrogant or boastful in any way. None of the wry, sometimes smug, satiric comments that Bond is known for. No womanizing.

What this James Bond is: clever, intuitive, bold, and already skilled in fighting from Judo lessons.

Issue #1: In 1941, James Bond is a young student at Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland when the infamous Clydebank Blitz occurs. He survives the Nazi bombardment and his courage and abilities during chaos make an impression on Royal Navy Lt. Commander Ronald Weldon (a friend of his deceased parents).
Weldon immediately recruits Bond for a new government program - one that requires wit, guile, discretion. The beginnings of a secret service.

Issue #2: Bond is sent to a military camp for battle training under a sadistic, demanding instructor who he manages to impress when he ignores the baiting and remains on task. He figures out that he is being tested during a ruse concerning a double agent within their ranks. To serve the confidential nature of his duties, Bond is given the rank of Lieutenant in the Special Branch of the Royal Navy, and given his first assignment.

Issue #3: Bond is assigned to a submarine, in the Mediterranean Sea escorting a supplies ship. As soon as a German warship arrives, a Nazi plane attacks and drops a bomb that sinks the ship. The British sub is lured into an underwater mine field and takes a minor hit, as water starts to enter the sub.To throw off the warship, they go silent and pretend to be sinking.

Issue #4: The British sub evades the Germans, and harbors at a small island to make repairs. Bond and a crew scout the island, and stumble across the Nazis using an area as a temporary base for the warplane.

Issue #5: Bond and has squad commandeer the German bomber plane and use it to deceive and sink a Nazi cruiser. Turns out the merchant ship the British sub was assigned to protect was intended to give safe passage to a defecting German scientist with rocket plans. Bond is put ashore near Lisbon in an effort to locate the scientist.

Issue #6: A savvy local woman knows how to survive in Lisbon despite the hardships of war. A desperate German scientist needs her help, and she gets involved with James Bond - who has not yet become very good at being a spy. The mission is not successful. Hats off to writer Parker for highlighting Bond’s growth and development and not making him a super-spy, super-charismatic from the get-go. He learned how to do it.

These are very well-done WWII comics.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

In shaking off their garish modern continuity to take us back to James Bond's childhood, Dynamite Comics managed to produce their first worthy entry of post-Fleming 007 material. James Bond: Origin tells a simple, well-illustrated story of Bond's experience growing up during World War II, covering the missions he embarked upon which shaped him into a legend and resists bogging itself down with obnoxious modern politics and cringe-worthy humor. Taking the present day out of the equation managed to fix almost all the issues I've had with Dynamite Comics thus far. We'll see if they can keep it up.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of the 6 issues collected is a bit mucked up, but the rest of the story roars along and more than makes up for it.

[Alex Sarll]

We mock the weird timelines of the big superhero universes, but even much less sprawling properties can get into similar tangles. Case in point; Dynamite's James Bond comics have mostly tended to present a version of Fleming's original lead, stripped of the more outrageous gadgets and corny gags, as he might be in the present day. You know, sort of the idea of the current films*, except not shit. This, on the other hand, goes back to the original chronology, with Bond growing up during the Second World War, transferring from boarding school to the nascent secret services, and taking the first steps into the realms of spying and shagging he would come to define. Jeff Parker's script is nicely tense and twisty, albeit with a little more emphasis on proper spycraft than one would normally associate with the future 007. The real surprise, though, is Bob Q's art. Far too often, the Dynamite comics have had gorgeously evocative covers, let down by interiors which can range anywhere from workmanlike down to outright ugly. This, though, has character, charm, wit, a young James who is clearly not to be trifled with, yet still very much a kid rather than the unstoppable force into which he would later grow. The action likewise captures the right Bond note of being unbelievable but not stupid; there's one sequence here which isn't far off that infamous incident of warships being captured by cavalry, but just as that did happen, so this feels like it very well could have done in the general craziness that is war. A really solid, fun action comic.

*I say 'current', but the Dynamite comics started coming out around the time Spectre was in cinemas, and there hasn't been another since. Yeah, I know – injuries, pandemics, production challenges, but maybe the real problem is that, to reference a less embarrassing bastardisation of Bond than Daniel Craig has ever appeared in, the comics stole their mojo?

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did James Bond need an origin story? Much like Han Solo, I'd argue he's a more compelling character when his background is mysterious or unacknowledged. Nonetheless, publishers gonna publish, so I suppose Bond is due a background just as much as any hero.

This first Origin volume satisfies some key requirements: a lengthy training montage, an introduction to Bond's formative heroes, and a young adult star who lacks the adult Bond's unflappable coolness under pressure. Maybe a little too much of the latter - the Bond in Origin doesn't exactly come across as a budding superstar spy. He's much more of an everyman, doing grunt work on a submarine and piloting a Stuka bomber. It's only in the last issue that he attempts undercover work (which he fails at, which is a nice surprise, and a good character-building momen).

The World War II action is generally fun and exciting, and it's neat to see Bond in a non-modern time period. The majority of Origin feels like a generic WWII comic, though, not specific to James Bond. I had fun, but I'm hoping for a little more covert action in the next volume.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flaw of James Bond (at least in the classic movies) has always been a lack of focus on the character. This is one of the reasons that Daniel Craig's Casino Royale so dramatically succeeded: it treated Bond like a person.

So does Jeff Parker's Origin, which reveals the start of Bond's career in WW2. It does a great job as a period piece, which has always been one of Bond's strengths, but in revealing Bond's history, it also does a terrific job of revealing who he is.

Beyond that, this is a fun story of action and adventure, but there's regret and tragedy in there too, plus loyalty, plus perseverance. Really, any number of emotions.

The result is a great read, and Dynamite returning to its strengths, back in the old days when they had Warren Ellis writing great continuing stories (before an ever-lengthening list of one-off authors appeared).

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first issue I wasn't too sure that I was going to get into this but as the issues progressed the stories and the artwork improved immensely.

It is an under used part of the James Bond timeline as it would be good to know more on the exploits within the navy and how he was recruited for the secret service and more.

Really looking to continue the story with volume 2 of the origin stories.

[J. Griff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is a good story of James Bond as a teenager during WWII & is induction, training & introduction into what would soon be called MI5. The pacing of the story was good as was the art. Some points felt a little to angsty for me. I don’t know maybe I’m being overly critical. I can say I enjoyed for what it was meant to be & would recommend.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into the boy and naval officer who would become the agent we all know.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a bit to get into the art style but when I did this was a strong beginning to Bond's origin story.

[Daniel Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun pulp adventure comic detailing Bond's WWII missions, a period of his life shockingly never touched upon much before this series. I'll definitely be picking up the second volume soon.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, just wish there was more of it. Basically, we follow James Bond from a teenager at school through training for a new "secret" service and into a couple of wartime adventures, one on a submarine, the other, extracting a German scientist from Lisbon, Portugal. Bond is not yet his mature, debonair, assured self. He's still a kid, prone to doubt, able to make mistakes. The art is a bit cartoony, but it serves its purpose, I guess. Hope we see more of this.

[Dogfood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wenn ich null Sterne auswählen könnte, ich hätte sie ausgewählt. Um es unsachlich zu formulieren: es war eine derart gequirlte Scheiße, dass ich es nicht geschafft habe, den ersten Band durchzulesen.

Dieser James Bond-Ableger von Jeff Parker beschäftigt sich mit den Jugendjahren von James Bond, der während des Zweiten Weltkriegs von der Schule zum Militär und Geheimdienst herangeführt wird.

Nun kann man sich schon darüber streiten, ob es einen „jungen“ James Bond braucht. Die Umsetzung ist aber schlicht und ergreifend schlecht. Der Charakter hat, außer der Biografie, nichts mit irgendeinem James Bond aus Film oder Comic zu tun. Es gibt da auch keine Linie, die man von diesem jungen Bond zum „richtigen“ Bond ziehen könnte.

Die Tonalität des Bandes ist wie so ein Wegwerfcomic, den man Jugendlichen im Urlaub in die Hand drückt. Infantil und an Jugendliche heranwanzend. Das spiegelt sich auch in den Zeichnungen von Bo Quinn wider, der diesen typischen manga-beeinflussten US-Comic-Zeichenstil zeigt, der vor fünf bis zehn Jahren bei DC und Marvel Einzug hielt.

Wenn man das Ganze „Joe Smith: Origin“ genannt hätte, hätte man eine neue Diskussionsgrundlage. Aber so? James Bond? Meine Fresse. Es wirkt wie das abgewichste Kalkül von Dynamit, sich eine neue Zielgruppe zu erschließen.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever encountered something where you would have not expressed a need for it, until you had it, then you wondered how you ever got along with out it? In this case the "It" is James Bond Origin. How did he get to be the suave secret agent we know today? Well, Dynamite takes a shot at examining his background under the able guidance of Jeff Parker. This initial volume traces him from his High School days into a special training service in the early days of World War II. We see a younger, more inexperienced Bond, but the rough material is certainly there.

In reading this first volume I was impressed with the story telling methods, especially the way the art work helps move the story along by replacing dialogue with pictures. A drawn montage in a way. It is very well executed and keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. If you are a fan of Bond, James Bond, you will find plenty to enjoy here.

Also, a word about the quality of the book. I have been so impressed with the care that Dynamite takes in the presentation of their volumes. This is a sewn binding in a sturdy cover with high production values. Definitely a book that will be around for years!

[Martyn Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since the Young Bond series of books by Higson and Cole and that tantalisingly well written WWII set flashback in Solo by Boyd, I’ve been after a decent story set in Bond’s early years in the Navy.

Considering the setting, it made far more sense for Bond’s training and skills to become apparent during his time in the Navy than it did to manufacture some over the top plots for his school years. And this collection certainly delivered.

Great art work, brilliant stories and a fantastic story thread to take readers into volume two, this book is well worth a read for James Bond fans. A satisfying and Fleming worthy story that I’m sure he’d approve of. The right balance of historical accuracy and heightened action and fun.

Recommended: definitely for fans of Bond, whether you’ve been reading the Dynamite graphic novels or not, this should appeal. One minor gripe, why they’ve drawn Bond with brown eyes is beyond me!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this volume because of both the story and the artwork. The story gives us a nice frame for the notorious character we all know from the many films that continue to be produced. But it is a vast change from the playboy debonaire Bond we are used to. This young Bond is unsure of himself and doesn’t really have the skills yet to back it up anyway.

The art could be categorized as simplistic, but it felt correct for the era and the Bond mythos. It was detailed enough to see expressions and some good action from all of the drama that Bond stirs up. (He hasn’t started ordering his signature drink yet.)

A good change of pace for the Bond fan.

For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/11/11/ja...

For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Bond's exploits during WWII after surviving the Clydebank Blitz, a Luftwaffe attack on Scottish ship yards, and joining the Royal Navy. With recommendations from family friends and his unique skill set Bond is directed toward training and missions that lean toward spy work. Not yet the secret agent with a license to kill that he will become Bond is a resourceful soldier building the skills and exploits that will make him into that someday. The art helps convey the mood and action from the inside of a silent and damaged submarine trying to outwit a German destroyer to the streets of occupied Portugal. I would rate this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of James Bond. I've seen (and own) all the movies. I've read (and own) all the original Ian Fleming books. So, a comic book about James Bond during the war before he became 007? I'm game!

Overall I liked it. They did a good job of showing a young kid learning the ropes of spy craft. He's got all the guts and impetuous action of the later spy, but not the experience or the finesse. Lots of hints and references to the Bond we all know, but definitely its own story.

I thought it was a fun addition to the Bond story.

[Brandon Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, I love what this series does with James Bond. It's always a fresh take and shows me something I haven't seen before.

This time, they did an origin story with a WWII background. The whole thing works.

It's pure adventure and action, with just enough espionage intrigue to keep things colorful.

While I prefer the modern stories that the series began with, there's a lot to love in this story.

Sleek art and tight stories. You're never bored.

A fun little romp with a familiar character in unfamiliar settings.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of felt like the title was misleading. I thought 'origins' might give us some insight to James Bond's childhood, parents, life growing up in Scotland, etc.. Instead, this book is about James gaining fighting experience in World War II. It's a bit about his getting into the secret service, but it's mostly about different adventures he has while serving in the Navy. I don't feel like I learned anything new about the character, much to my chagrin. Maybe volume two...

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the WWII exploits of James Bond covering some of the war missions he did while part of the Secret Service including using a captured German Stuka to take down a German ship, trying to get a German scientist out of Lisbon, and work with the Belgium underground. Not a bad read, but each mission was brief. Be interesting if they carry on with later war exploits.

[Mark Sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like war stories and Bond, this is a decent series, but rather than use the opportunity to show us how he becomes the twisted wreck of a human being we all know and love, he's just naturally talented and seemingly well enough adjusted despite having lost both his parents. Nice art and some interesting layouts, but not enough to make this stand out. A let down in the wake of Ales Kot's run.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I wasn’t sure going into this if I would get that “Bond feel” from this interpretation, but I shouldn’t have worried as Jeff Parker whom I already enjoyed as a comics writer nails it.

The art harkens back to the clean lines of the old Daily Express strips and the stories are top notch spy thrills.

I eagerly jump into Volume 2

[John]

Would make a great Bond Film.

The secret origin of James Bond. Who is he? Where is he from? How did he become a 00 agent? It's all here, and it plays out pretty much how you might expect, with a few twists and turns. It's high adventure filled with intrigue and suspense. It's well written and enjoyable to read.