I consider myself a fan of James Bond. I haven’t read the books but I can watch the films over and over (and have). The action is always over the top and there’s usually a calm cool about the character no matter the situation. With every iteration, there’s some basics that seem to be present each time. A new volume has kicked off where we get a nice mix of what makes the character work so well, the confidence, the cool, the action, and the over complicated conspiracies. But, the series has also given us a bit more in his life including his relationship with another 00. 007 #2 explores that deeper as Bond mourns the loss of 003.

Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, the issue is as much about the past as it is the current mystery that lays before him. 003 is dead and Bond and MI6 have come together to mourn the loss. With the introduction of other agents, we get to see what a badass 003 was and a sense of partially why she was so special to Bond. We also get the mission laid out as 007 is pulled into whatever 003 was investigating.

Johnson does a fantastic job of delivering a man mourning. You get a sense he’s hurt and a bit unsure of what to do next. He doesn’t trust anyone at a moment when he should be vulnerable and healing. It puts the character in an interesting situation. We also get a clear idea of what Bond is up against, but it’s not totally clear as more than enough is hinted at and danced around that surprises should continue to come and excite.

The art by Marco Finnegan is fantastic. With Dearbhla Kelly on color and Jeff Eckleberry on lettering, the comic does a great balance of action and the more reflective moments. It has a clear style about itself, just like you’d expect from a James Bond film. There’s a certain cinematic quality about scenes and panels where you can see the motion in your head as it plays out. It captures the look and feel of a solid James Bond story with a style that’s a bit noir.

007 #2 begins to bring things together after an action-packed opening just as you’d expect in a James Bond film. We got the exciting pre-credit action sequence and now the story’s settling in. Overall, it’s a solid arc for fans of the character or just looking for a solid action spy thriller.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Marco Finnegan
Color: Dearbhla Kelly Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle