Review: James Bond Himeros #1

As in life, when it comes to comic books, timing can be everything. Take this book for example; this new James Bond series starts in the same month as the new Bond movie No Time to Die finally hits cinema screens. So whether you like the movies or are a fan of the various excellent series from Dynamite, it is a good time to be a 007 fan!

A convicted sex trafficker turns up dead in his cell with the secrets of arms dealer Anton Barnes dying with him. But as ever there is always a dangling thread. This time, that thread is the dangerous Sarah Richmond who is the target of an elite assassin called Kino. Who better than to protect her and bring her back to London and safety, than Bond, James Bond?

Writer Rodney Barnes, normally a screenwriter, takes up the reins of Bond’s adventures. In doing so, Barnes version of Bond feels like a bit of a throwback to the halcyon days of suave and one liners. Reading this book, I got a definitive Sean Connery vibe. It would be interesting to talk to Barnes to see which is his favourite Bond. The issue is kind of split into three distinct acts; the opening crime; the exposition and the climactic action scenes. There is quite a bit of setup to get through, this quickly dissolves into interesting conversations between the Bond and Sarah, with a nod to the shady comings and goings that are tailing the pair.

The art is provided by Antonio Fuso, who by now is a Bond expert! Here the lines are a tad heavy in places, with a sort of “looks enough like” style that helps give the book it’s 60’s feel. There are times where the posses of the characters during the action don’t quite work. However, the first act is a great piece of storytelling which Fuso utilises later in the book. Also Fuso uses a couple of interesting panel designs to break up the otherwise regular panels. There are nuances of Francesco Francavilla, which is a tad ironic bearing in mind that Francavilla is one of two cover artists; the other being Butch Guice. I will say that the backgrounds by Fuso are gorgeous. Colors are provided by Adriano Augusto with a muted scheme that works well throughout, Finally, Social Myth Studios are on letters with a font that is svelte and doesn’t impact on the heavily detail backgrounds.

I have been a fan of Dynamite’s James Bond books for a while now. It’s good to see that in the need to make the most of the current Bond love generated by the movie, that Dynamite haven’t scrimped on the quality.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Rodney Barnes
Art by; Antonio Fusa
Colors by; Adriano Augusto
Letters by; Social Myth Studios
Covers by; Francesco Francavilla & Butch Guice
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network