CommanderBond.net

Today James Bond art expert ‘Red Grant’ offers CBn readers a real treat. In this first part of a two part article, Red reveals the full behind the scenes story of working with Titan books on their recent restoration and reprints of the classic James Bond comic strips originally published in the Daily Express. This is an EXCLUSIVE for CBn and The Art of James Bond readers, so enjoy!

"Titan’s 007: The Inside Story" Part 1: YESTERDAY’S PAPERS — Tracking down the GOLDFINGER comic strip "Titan’s 007: The Inside Story" Part 2: YESTERDAY’S NEWS – Reconstructing the THUNDERBALL comic strip

(We're also launching an all new section with this story -- The Illustrated 007. )

An absolutely cracking article highlighting a perfect meshing of someone's dedication to the task and what access to the world through a popular specialist site can offer.

In a world where all the books released on James Bond are retrospective reviews on the whole canon, it is articles like this that really get into the nuts and bolts of the series and which provide real and fascinating detail; to wit, a panel missing because of a UK Bank holiday, not otherwise observed in Scotland - who'd have ever thought it?

Utterly thrilling, looking forward to next week.

I wasn't really going to bother with these books but just reading the work that was put into them is giving me pause for thought. You've probably tipped the balance Red Grant.

Fantastically interesting story, Red.

I love reading about fans being involved in these sort of projects for the love of the character. Keep up the great work. With both these sort of projects, and with The Art of James Bond.

Absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to read part two.

As soon as I have my copy of GF, I'll give the article a matching typesetting treatment and add the pages to the book.

I agree, simon, couldn't have said it better myself. I think you will find Part II just as fasinating. Part II should go up Monday, barring any big Bond news.

Good stuff. I always enjoy behind the scenes stories and this delivers. For me, this series of books being put out has been the best Bond product on the mass market since the remastered and expanded soundtracks.

A fantastic article Red Grant. Dedication and passion for this project show through completely. I've loved what I've seen so far and it looks like they can only get better.

Looking forward to reading the second piece.

Wow.

Make that a double "wow".

Great stuff, Red, and not boring in the least. I can't wait for Monday's Thunderball adventure, and I'm now on pins waiting for my copy of Goldfinger to arrive. I have copies of Colonel Sun as well as the first 15 Lawrence originals along with Polestar, but I feel like a novice reading the work you've put into this. We are truly thankful for your time and effort, and be assured there are many of us, both old and new, that share your love for this amazing work that appears to finally be getting its due.

This post has been edited by clinkeroo: 18 November 2004 - 00:11

To be frank, the "big" Bond news can wait until Tuesday.

Cheers sir.

Thanks for the support folks!
I know a lot of this won't make sense until you actually see the book but it should all be clearer when you can compare the pages with what I'm talking about.
Part two is just as fascinating (even though I did it myself) and it is good to actually record all the steps in the process to actually see what is involved. So much information came to light that it wasn't until i started these articles that I could actually see how it all fitted together. It was rather like a jigsaw puzzle without a picture to work from and with some bits missing
The Thunderball saga had always bugged me as I could never really find out just what did appear in the original Express version - but on Monday the truth can be told! Watch this space........

Does Titan plan to publish DAF, From FRWL and DN, the stories featured in the "The Illustrated James Bond, 007"?

Apart from those stories, Titan's Casino Royale completes the adapted Fleming stories, except TSWLM, which I don't think should count because of it's departure from the original story, right?

This post has been edited by superado: 18 November 2004 - 20:31

Although not yet officially announced I believe that the series will continue with DAF/FRWL/DN. I suggested some time ago that if they were to do all the Fleming stories then they should include TSWLM (which was released by Titan on it's own in 1989) but pair it with Colonel Sun which is the only other story that is vaguely Fleming related that could be included. Nothing is confirmed but that is the way I'd like to see the series progress.

Fascinating article, very well done. I'm looking forward to part 2.