Ian Fleming’s Classic James Bond Comic Strip Collection Is Essential Reading for 007 Fans

It has been half a decade since the last time the world's favorite fictional secret agent graced the silver screen. However, James Bond is finally coming back this year, but not in the way fans may anticipate.

Some of 007's earliest and most exciting adventures are being reprinted in Ian Fleming’s James Bond Signature Comic Strip Collection Vol.1.

Before Bond became a staple of cinema following the release of the Sean Connery-led Dr. No in 1962, the first of 25 official adaptations (so far) featuring a rotation of actors playing the suave MI6 agent, his death-defying and high-stakes adventures were brought to life in the form of comic strips. This book collects the first three years of this era in the character's legacy, specifically between July 1958 and May 1961.

Ian Fleming’s James Bond Signature Comic Strip Collection Vol.1, which is being published in a joint effort by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. and Express Newspapers Ltd., features full-length graphic adaptations of seven classic stories. The book includes the likes of Casino Royale (007's literary debut, which was later adapted into Daniel Craig's first Bond movie) and Moonraker, which served as the basis of a 1979 movie that saw Roger Moore's Bond travel to outer space.

The book also includes a one-of-a-kind gallery of original artwork by acclaimed artist John McLusky, who served as the illustrator for these original comic strips. The action and dialogue are taken directly from the writing of Ian Fleming, who first created James Bond in 1953 and went on to depict the martini-swilling spy on adventures in 12 novels and two short story collections until his death in 1964.

James Bond's History In Comics

The John McClusky-drawn illustrations now featured in Ian Fleming’s James Bond Signature Comic Strip Collection Vol.1 are among the earliest depictions of 007 in the graphic medium. However, it would only be the beginning.

The first full-length comic book starring the character was an adaptation of Dr. No, published in the same year as director Terence Young's hit film in the United Kingdom by Classics Illustrated. The following year, Bond became a DC character when the publisher reprinted the comic as part of its Showcase anthology series.

It would take nearly a couple of decades before 007 returned to illustrated form, but this time as a Marvel character, with the comic book giant's two-issue adaptation of the 1981 film, For Your Eyes Only,followed by a graphic novelization of Octopussy two years later. Bond would begin to show up more regularly in comics later that decade under Acme Press/Eclipse Comics, starting with a 1989 adaptation of Timothy Dalton's second and final film in the role, License to Kill, which was illustrated by Mike Grell, who also wrote the first wholly original comic featuring the character, a limited series called Permission to Die.

More James Bond comics not based on previous work would follow, such as writer Doug Moench and artist Paul Gulacy's Serpent's Tooth, after Dark Horse Comics obtained the rights to the character in 1992. However, three years later, Topps Comics landed a deal to adapt Pierce Brosnan's hit 007 debut, GoldenEye, as a three-part miniseries, but the project was ultimately cancelled after only the first issue, following concerns over the cover art.

More recently, Bond's comic book counterpart has been in the hands of Dynamite Entertainment since acquiring the rights in 2014. The company's run has also included stories taking place before the character obtained "Double 0" status and spin-offs following recurring characters like Bond's CIA agent ally Felix Leiter and his superior officer, M.

As for the character's life on the big screen, Denis Villeneuve, the Academy Award-nominated director of films like Arrival and the Dune movies, has been tapped to helm what will be the 26th Bond film. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is penning the screenplay, but Daniel Craig's successor to the iconic role has yet to be chosen.

Ian Fleming’s James Bond Signature Comic Strip Collection Vol.1 goes on sale on Nov. 3.