This week I am going to spot lite a series that I am reading called James Bond. Yes, Bond. Usually I have that same reaction with most Bond comics, but this title was launched at the same time the Spectre Bond film was released so it caught my attention. Warren Ellis writes the series and included the Spectre organization in the plot. Given the title of the film that made me curious enough to commit a mini series slot to the first story arc called Vargr. Since my Norwegian is non-existent, even though I actually went there, I had to look it up. Vargr basically is a wolf with the additional note of ferocity or harm doing intent.
The basic story is our typical Bond versus a dangerous organization releasing a clinically lethal drug. Both the MI-5 and MI-6 organizations are trying to prevent it, which provides disposable characters and conflict to the plot. The character villains role into the story and the artist (Jason Masters) does a really nice job keeping nationalities clear. The Norwegians villains look different than the English agents throughout the issue making it easier to follow the action. Masters also added prosthetic limbs on characters which are noticeable but only if you are really looking for it. That was nice for die hard fans who look for the henchman identifying traits such as metal teeth, killer hats, etc… The rolling action makes the prosthetic limbs obvious but it was nice to not have it thrown at you like you can not look at the panels and still read.
The action is true to Bond stories which I really liked. Finishing pistol shots to downed villains emphasize the “licensed to kill” note that is often lost in the films. It was really nice to have that added and show the more direct side of James Bond and the necessity for not letting his involvement leak back to the organization. The only minus in the plot and artwork for me was the constant travel back to the home office. I would have rather had a safe house with the supportive agent than the added “Q” appearances but it may just be my person preference. The added character usually makes it more of an “organization” than just a “one man” for me.
The plot does resolve well with the title linking into the story. Vargr was easily picked as a person in charge of the Spectre organization but Ellis has it be the name of a Norwegian military vessel. Given the title “Wolf” would be a hunting ship and, in this case, the source of the drug creation. Overall a really nice Bond story and definitely good enough for me to read the second story that I just paid for.