Review - JAMES BOND #1: VARGR — GeekTyrant

Review - JAMES BOND #1: VARGR

Writer Warren Ellis | Artist Jason Masters

Colors Guy Major | Letters Simon Bowland

Merging the pedigrees and lineage of Warren Ellis and James Bond seems like a brilliant pairing. For the most part the partnership succeeds, though I’m not ready to say I'm completely sold on this iteration of 007 just yet. 

Sam Mendes' vision of Bond serves as the basis here, featuring an agent who balances a ruthless efficiency with a moderate amount of charm. This version of James resonates much more than his predecessors due to his flashes of vulnerability, small as they be. The problem being dealt with at the beginning of issue #1 is personal to James, and as such, the brutality and aggression he brings to this fight is intense. Without those moments, there isn't much substance to the character, but I really would have liked to have seen more of it.

While I’m not sure a shovel could actually almost slice open someone’s foot, it still delivered the point that this wasn’t just an ordinary kill for 007. It meant much more than that.

MI6, and specifically the 00 program, is the other focal point. While M seems to be unimpressed with James' overall performance, he recognizes that 007’s services are still needed. The new scrutiny on the department seems to be a long-running subplot, and it does result in some interesting effects, such as a new mandate that no one, even 00s, can carry guns within the United Kingdom. If new wrinkles like this are constantly introduced throughout, this could lead to increased moments of improvisation on Bond's part, which I personally would be a fan of.

To be frank, my biggest qualm with the book so far is the distinct lack of any likable characters. Sure stalwarts like Moneypenny and Q are good for a laugh or two, but there was still something missing from their depictions that I couldn't put my finger on, but it was there. M is straight to business, and James himself seems to whine more than he charms. After the first part of the issue, I had a hard time getting invested in these characters. So far this Bond is at his best when he is actually doing his job, and not when he is interacting with his supporting cast.

Bond isn’t the star of the book anyway, because the art team of Jason Masters and Guy Majors steals the show throughout the first issue. Their styles and use of shadow and color are a perfect fit for the story Ellis is telling, and they nimbly maneuver between moonlit gunfights and the bright hallways and pressed suits of MI6 headquarters with ease. The art really impressed here.

While the book didn't impress on all fronts, it still has a ton of potential, so I will definitely still come back for issue #2. 

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