Customer Reviews

James Bond: Polestar

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North American comic strip fans have been cheated. The James Bond comic strip, which ran in England in the Daily Express, can now be found on American book shelves courtesy of Titan Books.

What a run this strip had. From 1958 to at least 1983 (minus a couple of years), Bond was penned, by Ian Fleming, and Jim Lawrence. Many of the original novels can be found adapted into strip form, and several new stories advanced the Bond canon. "Polestar" includes the last 5 complete adventures written by Lawrence and illustrated by McLusky and Horak.
Bond investigates the sun tan lotion business and finds himself going Batty in "Flittermouse". In what almost seems inspired by vampires, the dead return to life, and an evil Dr Cat meets his match. Lawrence/McLusky give us a delightful story packed with familiar characters like M, and Suzy Kew. As with every film, this 1983 entry includes Bond girls, technology, witty dialogue, and adventure.
Polestar is set in the Canadian North and includes the Mounted Police as Bond becomes Jack Boyd, fugitive American rocket engineer. Frozen corpses mark the edges of Polestars domain, and Red Doe is on a mission of revenge. Bond (as Boyd) infiltrates Polestar and Doe `disarms' her mothers' past lover as a mission of world destruction comes to an end. As good as the story is, the art fails on two pages, seeming as a guest artist took over for 10 days.

The other stories, Scent of Danger, Snake Goddess, and Double Eagle, are alll good stories, and with Horak illustrating the last two, end this book (and strip series) on a high note. In terms of art, Horaks' style is second to McLusky with his more realistic, less angluar renderings.
The book includes two extra features. There is a visit to Goldeneye, and an article on the Chilean Bond comic books. Bond girl Valerie Leon provides the introduction with her unique take on the Bond franchise.
Celebrate Bonds' year with Bond in print, Bond onscreen, and Bond in video games. Ian Fleming would be proud.

www.titanbooks.com

Tim Lasiuta

Rare Bond stories unseen since their original syndication, including Polestar, appear in a fine set of graphic novel sagas perfect for any Bond adventure enthusiasts. These have never been collected before and provide outstanding black and white adventures. Any library strong in graphic novels in general and Bond in particular will find it a fine acquisition.