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  1. Charlie Higson unleashes The Enemy in the UK

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-09-03

    Bestselling Young Bond author and comedian Charlie Higson unleashes his new children’s zombie book The Enemy, about a London swept by disease

    On Wednesday 2 September, Charlie Higson and hordes of zombies launched The Enemy, at a signing in The London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs, Tooley Street, where the remains of 380 plague victims were found.

    Check out the brand new photo gallery from the event at The Young Bond Dossier website.

    Charlie Higson—author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond books—returns with a gruesome, action adventure series about a mystery illness that attacks everyone over the age of 14, leaving those afflicted so crazed by disease they are little more than zombies. Gangs of kids are left to fend for themselves in a decaying London.

    A gripping adventure from start to finish and with scenes of violence, The Enemy is without doubt one of the scariest children’s books and some critics might say that this is a step too far. But the author says:

    “We all need to be scared. It’s good for the soul. And kids need to be scared as much as adults. We all grew up with fairy tales. I don’t remember any fairies in them, but I do remember child-eating ogres, child-eating witches, child-eating stepmothers, and plucky little guys getting their revenge, be they Hansel and Gretel or Jack the Giant Killer.”

    At this unusual signing event, a queue of fans formed at top zombie hotspot, The London Bridge Experience and the London Tombs, on the eve of the book’s launch. Charlie Higson signed copies of his book and fans got a free tour of London’s scariest attraction.

    With recent comparisons of swine flu to a zombie attack, this new series of books is frighteningly topical.

    In The Enemy—the first in the series—infected grown-ups roam the Capital’s streets, searching for things to feed on, and that includes children. The kids who remain have formed gangs, some holing up in Waitrose on Holloway Road and others in Morrison’s. But as food supplies dwindle, the gangs are forced to move on through a very dangerous city.

    Charlie Higson has three boys of his own and so is well versed in what boys want to read. The book is dedicated to the youngest who dreams of zombies.

    Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest Young Bond-related news.

  2. Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award to be presented on ITV3

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-09-02

    Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award to be presented on ITV3 as part of the Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards 2009

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming

    Following the success of last year’s inaugural event on ITV3, the 2009 Crime Season will be merged with the Crime Writers’ Association Daggers and the new combined “Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards on ITV3” will take place on Wednesday, 21st October, 2009 and be shown on ITV3 later that month.

    Crime Writers’ Association Chair Margaret Murphy commented: “The Crime Writers’ Association Daggers have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over fifty years. This exciting partnership with Cactus TV and ITV3 will enable us to create a mass media platform for the Crime Writers’ Association’s proud heritage in recognising great crime writing talent. We are delighted that the CWA Gold Dagger, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger will benefit from this increased exposure and we look forward to reaching a new audience for what is already publishing’s most popular genre.”

    The culmination of a six-week season of ITV3 crime and drama programming, the Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards (“Daggers”) will be a glittering occasion at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The awards ceremony will celebrate the crème de la crème of Crime & Thriller fiction with awards focusing on the best of British and International crime thriller novels. Literary Awards presented will include the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year, the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for best thriller, the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger for a new author of note, and the Hall Of Fame Dagger, which honours the achievements of the genre’s greatest exponents, past and present. In addition, the evening will introduce a brand new awardmdash;the ITV3/Specsavers Bestsellers Dagger—voted for by ITV3 viewers.

    The shortlists for these Daggers will be announced on Friday 4th September. More information on the 2009 Daggers page.

    The “Daggers” name and Crossed Daggers logo ® are registered Trade Marks of the Crime Writers’ Association.

    Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

  3. Sean Connery Visual Biography released in UK and US

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-31

    A brand new biography centering on Sir Sean Connery is now available in both the UK and US.

    Sean Connery is a visual biography by Alain Silver and edited by Paul Duncan that is apart of the ‘Movie Icons’ series–photography books that feature the most famous personalities in the history of cinema.

    Published by Taschen, this 192-page paperback retails for £5.99/$9.99 and can currently be ordered online (order link follows after the blurb) from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

    'Sean Connery'

    Sean Connery Visual Biography

    Why is the only non-American on the AFI prestigious list a Scotsman? Perhaps it’s because Sean Connery career, as international in its scope as it may have been, as global as may have been his appeal, made him a “genuine movie star” without any petty disputation, pretension, or pandering to current fashion.

    Indisputably, Connery’s incarnation of James Bond catapulted him to stardom and lay the foundation for the most successful franchise in motion picture history. Together Bond and Connery became larger-than-life; but it was Connery, not Bond, whose powerful presence went on to permeate scores of other roles. Connery can be as cool and charismatic as Steve McQueen, as elegant as Katherine Hepburn, or as generous as Frank Sinatra.

    Movie Icons is a series of photo books that feature the most famous personalities in the history of cinema. These 192-page books are visual biographies of the stars.

    Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news.

  4. For one 007 collector, his word is his Bond

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-30

    A James Bond collection of more than 5,000 items is currently on display at the Walsall Museum located in Walsall, UK.

    As the Walsall Advertiser reports, this astonishing collection of 007 memorabilia belongs to 56-year-old Robin Harbour, who has spent the last four decades of his life building it up.

    Mr. Harbour has loaned his collection to the museum for their Changing Face of Walsall gallery, which runs from Friday, 28 August until Saturday, 17 October.

    Beginning with the purchase of a Corgi Aston Martin DB5, Mr. Harbour’s collection now includes books, vintage models, records, magazines, posters and autographs. Explaining what sparked his interest, he describes one particular experience: ‘In 1964 I couldn’t help but notice the release of the film Goldfinger. I persuaded my father to take me and a friend to see it and I was hooked.’

    He has furthermore met many of the actors and actresses that have starred in the Bond films and assisted with many 007-themed events, such as the recent opening of the James Bond Museum in Keswick.

    ‘I’ve had dinner twice with George Lazenby and had the pleasure of meeting many of the Bond girls including Shirley Eaton and Tanya Roberts,’ he says.

    Jennifer Thomson, community history curator at the Museum said: ‘We are delighted to put on display some of the items in Robin’s collection.’

    Those wishing to attend will be able to visit the museum from 10:00am – 5:00pm on Tuesdays through Fridays and 10:00am – 4:00pm on Saturdays. For further details on attending, visit the official Walsall Museum website.

    Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page&—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

  5. Charlie Higson comments on his future with James Bond

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-30

    ‘I’d like to write more Bond books, it’s just a question of juggling time.’

    That was the reply author Charlie Higson gave in a Belfast Telegraph interview when the topic of his hugely popular Young Bond series came up.

    As many literary 007 fans are well aware, Higson’s fifth and final novel of his original series, By Royal Command, was published almost one year ago in the UK. Since then, there has been no concrete announcement of a follow-up novel, although Higson was quoted as saying that there would be further James Bond adventures in the future.

    As the Young Bond Dossier points out, Higson has more than a fair share of current and upcoming projects, including the eagerly anticipated Young Bond guide, Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier, which will also feature a brand new short story entitled A Hard Man to Kill (more details are available here).

    Furthermore, the author will next month launch his new three book horror series with The Enemy and is also working on a new BBC2 TV series with long-time comedy partner Paul Whitehouse. The series will be adapted from their spoof phone-in Radio 4 series Down The Line.

    So, thankfully, more literary Bond adventures are still forthcoming—it’s just a question of when. Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest details.

  6. Six Faces of James Bond marathon on USA Network

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-29

    Tomorrow, 30 August, the USA Network will be hosting a marathon dedicated to 007—specfically, each of the six actors who have portrayed the secret agent.

    Beginning at 9:00am (EST), six classic James Bond films will be shown back to back—one for each of the actors who have been featured in the official Eon-produced series from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig.

    The Six Faces of James Bond marathon schedule follows below:

    • 9:00am: George Lazenby – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    • 12:00pm: Roger Moore – The Spy Who Loved Me
    • 2:30pm: Sean Connery – Goldfinger
    • 5:00pm: Pierce Brosnan – GoldenEye
    • 8:00pm: Daniel Craig – Casino Royale
    • 11:00pm: Timothy Dalton – Licence to Kill

    For further details, visit the official USA Network website.

    As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news from the world of 007. Be sure to check out our Twitter feed as well.

  7. Charlie Higson's The Enemy to be launched at The London Tombs

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-28

    Charlie Higson as you’ve never seen him before!

    Charlie Higson signs copies of his new zombie horror book The Enemy at London’s scariest attraction:
    The London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs

    6 – 8pm
    on Wednesday 2nd September
    2-4 Tooley Street
    London, SE1 2PF
    Nearest tube: London Bridge

    The launch of this autumn’s scariest book The Enemy is taking place at the UK’s scariest venue – The London Tombs, where the skeletons of over 380 plague victims were found…

    Bestselling Young Bond author and Fast Show comedian Charlie Higson will launch his new zombie horror series, The Enemy. This is the first opportunity to meet Charlie Higson and buy a signed copy before they go on sale nationwide on 3rd September.

    Come dressed as a zombie or get a zombie make-over on the night and, for those who dare, you’ll also get a free tour of the tombs.

    The Enemy is set in London where a mystery illness attacks everyone over the age of 14. Those afflicted either die or become so crazed by disease they are little more than zombies … who feed on children.

    Charlie Higson says, “We all need to be scared. It’s good for the soul. And kids need to be scared as much as adults.”

    Not for the fainthearted, the London Bridge Experience is located inside the eerie catacombs underneath London Bridge where a 14th century plague pit was discovered.

    Entry to this top London attraction is free to celebrate publication of The Enemy. To get the best experience of the tombs, visitors will be admitted in groups. Children under 11 should be accompanied by an adult.

    Keep you eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest Young Bond coverage.

  8. David Hedison to attend Big Apple Con in October

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-28

    James Bond fans in New York will have a chance to meet up with actor David Hedison in October at Big Apple Con.

    Hedison is best known by 007 fans for his portrayal of ally Felix Leiter opposite Roger Moore in 1973’s Live and Let Die and again with Timothy Dalton in 1989’s Licence to Kill.

    Hedison will be appearing alongside numerous other film and TV stars to meet with fans and sign autographs at this year’s Big Apple Con. The event is scheduled to take place from Friday, 16 October through Sunday, 18 October.

    Big Apple Con will be located at Pier 94, which is based at 55th Street and 12th Avenue in New York City.

    To purchase tickets or for other details on attending, visit the official website.

    Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—as well as our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

  9. Schedule of upcoming Charlie Higson appearances

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-27

    Next month will mark the release of Charlie Higson’s new non-Bond adventure, The Enemy, in the UK. Followed by that is the debut of his eagerly anticipated guide to Young Bond: Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier.

    'Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier'
    Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier

    Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier will include in-depth character profiles, information on the cars, weapons and exotic locations, plus photographs, maps, and illustrations by artist Kev Walker.

    As an added bonus, the book will also features a brand new Young Bond story by Higson entitled A Hard Man to Kill. For more details on that story, click here.

    The always up-to-date Young Bond Dossier website has compiled together a complete listing of appearances Higson will be making throughout the UK to promote the two upcoming books.

    The events and signings kick off in September and extend through November. For the complete listing, click here.

    Keep you eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest Young Bond coverage.

  10. Daniel Craig signs on for A Dream House

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-27

    Daniel Craig has signed up to star in Morgan Creek’s A Dream House.

    Daniel Craig

    Daniel Craig

    Today’s report in Variety comes after it was announced two months ago that the James Bond star was in talks to get involved with the project.

    In the script penned by David Loucka, Craig plays a New York publishing executive who moves his family to an idyllic small New England town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants, who were murdered there.

    The six-time Academy Award nominated Jim Sheridan is signed on to direct the film, which begins shooting on 25 January 2010. James G. Robinson, David Robinson, Daniel Bobker and Ehren Krueger will produce.

    Bond 23 news still remains relatively quiet, so it remains to be seen if and how this new project for Craig will affect his third 007 entry.

    As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page–as well as our brand new Twitter feed–for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.