'The History Of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming's Red Indians'

Another book centered on James Bond creator Ian Fleming and his 30AU (30 Assault Unit) by author Craig Cabell is due for release later this year.

To be published on 15 October is The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians.

The book follows the release of last year’s Ian Fleming’s Secret War (also by Cabell), which focused on the activities of Fleming and his role with the 30AU—a unit he set up during World War II in 1942, while he served as the personal assistant to the director of naval intelligence. It’s goal was to undertake top secret intelligence-gathering missions, going in before Allied troops to make sure vital information was not destroyed.

Cabell has said that the unit ultimately served as inspiration for the creation of the 007 character.

The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians will be published in hardback by Pen & Sword Military. Retailing for £19.99, it can currently be pre-ordered online:

• Order The History of 30 Assault Unit: Ian Fleming’s Red Indians from Amazon.co.uk

Cover artwork is not yet available, but we’ll update you as soon as it is.

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Epix To Launch Video-On-Demand Service Featuring James Bond

Epix, a new movie service formed by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate, is planning to launch an online HD video-on-demand service using a dynamic-streaming feature offered with Akamai Technologies’ content-distribution network.

Multichannel News reports that this new VOD service will include the rights to 17 remastered James Bond films.

Other films and shows to be included are Star Trek, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Cloverfield, Defiance, Drillbit Taylor, The Duchess, How She Move, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Epix previously said it was expecting to launch initially as a broadband-video service in May, followed by the linear cable channel in October, although the company declined to say when it will officially launch or provide pricing for the service.

Akamai is offering the dynamic-streaming feature through Adobe Flash Media Server 3.5. With the feature, video playback adapts to the capabilities of users’ computers, adjusting the bit rate of the video stream for lower-speed processors or slower Internet connections.

‘The Epix model of commercial-free, uninterrupted current Hollywood movies will set a new online content bar,’ Epix chief digital officer Emil Rensing said in a statement. ‘Akamai’s dynamic streaming solution enables us to be one of the first to provide the accessibility, quality and convenience which today’s digital consumers desire. We’re excited to build our online ecosystem with a partner who is also intent on delivering tomorrow’s technology today.’

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest on James Bond-related events happening around the world.

James Bond Included In MGM's Prime Time Package To CW

MGM has announced a new Prime Time Sunday movie package that features the James Bond series for the affiliates of the CW network, according to Broadcasting & Cable.

The package, which has secured a 65% clearance across the US within the past 10 days, includes four 007 films from MGM’s collection as well as non-Bond films such as Legally Blonde and Overboard.

The new package results from MGM taking over the CW’s 8-10pm Sunday night programming slots this past fall. The company then offered an upgraded line of feature films after all the CW stations took back Sunday night.

CW stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting Company, Sunbeam TV Corp., Capitol Broadcasting Company, Gray Television Inc., Freedom Communication, Inc., and the CW Plus station group have all secured the package.

‘MGM has a long track record of providing quality, ratings-driven films that work in a 52-week lineup,’ said Jim Packer, co-president of MGM Worldwide. ‘MGM has the right mix of films to deliver ratings while allowing CW stations to have some programming continuity on Sunday nights.’

As always, keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for all the latest on James Bond-related events happening around the world.

'The Encyclopedia Of TV Spies'

James Bond and Jason Bourne may rule the silver screen when it comes to popular espionage entertainment, but the spy genre has also been thriving through numerous television programs for more than 50 years running.

From classic series like The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Six Million Dollar Man to modern adventures such as Alias, Chuck and Burn Notice, there have always been a wide-ranging selection of both dramas and comedies to please the TV spy fans.

Now, a newly released book from Dr. Wesley Britton will surely make it onto the ‘must buy’ lists for these fans. Entitled The Encyclopedia of TV Spies, this one-stop reference guide provides readers with anything and everything they could possibly want to know about television espionage.

Before Bond, before Maxwell Smart and Mrs. Emma Peel, we’ve enjoyed a wide variety of TV Spies. From 1951’s Dangerous Assignment to today’s Burn Notice, we’ve watched cloak-and-dagger adventures from popular successes like Alias and Mission: Impossible to thoughtful mini-series like The Sandbaggers to cartoons and even live animals in shows like Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp.

Our TV secret agents have worn masks and capes (Adventures of Zorro), fought in the historical past (Hogan’s Heroes, Jack of All Trades), been as stylish as Napoleon Solo in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., or have been as frumpy as George Smiley in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

No one knows more about the wide vista of these undercover operatives than Dr. Wesley Britton, author of the highly-acclaimed 2004 history of the genre, Spy Television. Now, Britton has compiled the first indispensable reference book on television espionage unveiling the secrets behind our beloved favorites, the nuggets we might have missed, and the programs that disappeared without a trace after their short original runs.

Britton provides the behind-the-scenes creative process for TV spies drawn from both extensive research and his interviews with many participants. He uncovers the reasons why some dramas were either unforgettable hits or regrettable misses. But The Encyclopedia of TV Spies is more than a historical overview—Britton offers analysis of the elements that made key shows innovative and trend-setting and why some of the best productions ever made never jelled with the networks or audiences. And, like a “Special Edition” DVD, The Encyclopedia of TV Spies also includes extra features including articles on tie-in novels and how to collect TV spy music.

In short, no entertainment library is complete without The Encyclopedia of TV Spies, and no fan of television should be without it. Every reader should expect to discover surprises and suggestions for their own viewing, and will find themselves seeking out the best dramas and comedies available on DVD or online.

What others had to say about The Encyclopedia of TV Spies:

‘This is an invaluable reference book for anyone interested in the history of television, and that of spies on the small screen . . . They’re all here: contemporary spies, Western spies, war time spies, cold war spies, serious ones, funny ones, mysterious ones. . . You get the background on over 200 shows, the creators, the stars, the characters, with behind the scenes intrigue as well as that which was put on the screen. A triumph in research. A must read. More so, a must own.’

Marc Cushman, author of I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series

‘. . . this exhaustive directory covers television programs from 1951 to 2008, and it is a delightful stroll down memory lane . . . The Encyclopedia is rich with photographs, and each entry contains a concise but thorough synopsis, marvelously describing the show and tipping the hat to directors, producers, and actors. Dr. Britton clearly demonstrates his extensive knowledge of television espionage, packaging it in a way that is informative and, at the same time, very fun to read.’

Bill Raetz, author of the World Espionage Bureau novels

‘. . . Britton’s book is a long overdue and desperately needed reference work that should be a part of any serious TV library. It covers every conceivable aspect of the TV espionage genre and will satisfy both the curiosity of fans and the scholarly needs of researchers.’

Lee Goldberg, executive producer of Diagnosis: Murder

‘Covering the past six decades, with entries set out in alphabetical order, followers of all these secret missions and undercover operations will be surprised to find just how many television spies they did not know about . . . The contents are well set out, there are appendices and lists with all the dates and descriptions provided . . . this book is an entertaining and easy read.’

Roger Langley, author of Patrick McGoohan: Danger Man or Prisoner?

‘Finally an authoritative reference source for information on the spy stories that have graced and disgraced the small screen since the earliest days of television . . . Highly recommended for spy-fiction fans everywhere.’

T.H.E. Hill, author of Voices Under Berlin

‘. . . I learnt something new about many shows I’ve spent years watching, and learnt of plenty of new shows I should spend many years watching. This is truly a stunning collection of research covering every aspect of spies on television.’

Ian Dickerson, Honorary Secretary, The Saint Club

The Encyclopedia of TV Spies is published by Bear Manor Media. The 520-page paperback retails for $29.95 and can currently be ordered online:

• Order The Encyclopedia of TV Spies from Amazon.com
• Order The Encyclopedia of TV Spies from Bear Manor Media

The Encyclopedia of TV Spies is the fourth book by Dr. Wesley Britton. His previous books include Spy Television, Beyond Bond: Spies in Fiction and Film, and Onscreen and Undercover: The Ultimate Book of Movie Espionage.

For further information, head to the author’s official website at www.SpyWise.net.

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.

Final Cover Art For Titan's 'The Girl Machine'

CommanderBond.net can now bring you the final cover art that will adorn Titan’s latest James Bond comic strip collection, The Girl Machine.

This latest 007 collection will arrive in both the UK and US in July and can currently be pre-ordered online at a discounted price. Pre-order links follow at the end of this article.

The Girl Machine brings together the Beware Of Butterflies and The Nevsky Nude adventures in addition to the title story. All three were penned by Jim Lawrence and drawn by Yaroslav Horak and originally syndicated in 1973/74.

The legend continues! Stand by for more adventures with the world’s greatest and most famous secret agent, James Bond, as some of his most thrilling missions are collected for the first time ever in a deluxe collectors’ library edition! This bumper action-packed volume collects ultra rare Bond stories that have not been seen since their original syndication between 1973-74: The Girl Machine, Beware of Butterflies and The Nevsky Nude. Plus a brand new celebrity introduction and an exclusive selection of recently unearthed James Bond comic strip artwork that has never before seen print, this latest essential volume is not to be missed!

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

James Bond Blu-ray Wave 4 Released In US

The two latest additions to the James Bond Blu-ray collection are now available in the United States.

007 fans can pick up The Man with the Golden Gun and Licence to Kill from Amazon.com, where they are both currently discounted to $22.99 a piece.

Oddly, there is still no listing for these two films on Amazon.co.uk. When we hear more, we’ll update you.

CommanderBond.net will keep you updated with complete coverage on all the latest James Bond Blu-ray news—be sure to check out our brand new Twitter feed as well.

James Bond On Blu-ray
Complete CommanderBond.net Coverage
Latest news, cover artwork, ordering details, worldwide release dates, special features, technical specifications, special collections and more.

Ian Fleming's James Bond Collection In Large Print

In the midst of the seemingly endless supply of literary James Bond releases last year, it appears that we overlooked a special collection of Ian Fleming titles.

Published by Ian Fleming Publications Limited and W. F. Howes Ltd in July 2008 was the James Bond 007 Complete Collection in Large Print.

These hardback editions of the books feature the same ‘Bond girl’ cover artwork that graced the May 2008 centenary hardbacks (which are now all out of print).

They also include the new author introductions that were first made available with the 2006 Penguin paperback reprints as well as promotional posters. Retail price per book is £17.95. For further information about ordering, click here.

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.

Bondstars Summer Barbecue At Pinewood Studios

Bondstars is back again with yet another event specially catered for James Bond fans.

Scheduled to take place this upcoming August at Pinewood Studios in London is the Bondstars Summer Barbecue—and there are a limited number of tickets remaining…

Full details follow below:

Bondstars Summer Barbecue
Pinewood Studios, London, England – Sunday August 23rd 2009
9:00am – 6:00pm (Exact timings TBC)

90% of tickets have been sold!!

Many of you have written asking if we were planning an event for 2009….we weren’t…until now. Due to popular demand this years event will be the Bondstars Summer Barbecue and a celebration of the life of film producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli.

The event will include:

• Welcome Tea & Coffee

Bond cast and crew members in attendance

• A digital presentation of From Russia With Love (Cubby’s favourite Bond film) in Pinewood’s state of the art screening theatre
• A delicious barbecue in Pinewood’s beautiful gardens
• In The Footsteps of From Russia With Love – A guided tour of the Pinewood locations used in the making of the film
• A James Bond quiz
• Memories of Cubby – Cast and crew members recall working with the producer of 16 Bond films
• Limited Edition souvenir event programme
• Memorabilia stalls
• Autograph signing sessions

Confirmed guests:

• Honor Blackman
• Lewis Gilbert
• Tania Mallett
• Madeline Smith
• John Glen
• Margaret Nolan
• Martine Beswicke
• Don Black
• Alkis Kritikos
• Alec Mills
• Jan Williams
• Jenny Hanley
• Norman Wanstall

More guests will be added soon!

The ticket price will be £99 per person

For full terms and conditions and to book tickets, visit Bondstars.com.

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

Collecting 007: John Gardner's James Bond In Large Print (4)

For collectors who specialize in the literary James Bond, there is a seemingly endless supply of different editions and printings available to search for. One such format is the Large Print editions. Meant to accommodate those who have poor vision, the typical large print edition of a book will have size 16 font or higher.

Numerous James Bond novels have been published in the Large Print format, including the Ian Fleming, John Gardner, Raymond Benson and Charlie Higson adventures. These editions of the novels are almost always printed in relatively limited quantities with the majority of them being stocked exclusively in libraries. Additionally, they often feature brand new jacket cover artwork that is not featured on any other printing of the book.

As a result of this, the Large Print editions of the Bond novels can be a bit more tricky to obtain for dedicated collectors.

Following up our Raymond Benson collecting guide, CommanderBond.net now continues with the James Bond novels written by author John Gardner from 1981 to 1996. Included are publication details, the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) identifiers, cover artwork and other related notes.

NOTE: Ordering links are provided for Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, but do note that the overwhelming majority of these Large Print editions are out of print. However, one can often obtain a used copy via the Amazon Marketplace or at alternate used sites, such as eBay or AbeBooks.

All of the James Bond novels and novelizations written by John Gardner have been released in the Large Print format with the exception of 1989’s Licence To Kill.

Collecting 007
John Gardner’s James Bond In Large Print
PART 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

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Never Send Flowers

Number of Large Print editions: 4

1 – UK Chivers Press/Windsor Hardback

Publication Date: April 1994

ISBN: 0-7451-7661-5

Dustjacket: Yes

Special Notes: The hardback edition of Never Send Flowers was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press/Windsor and Curley Publishing/Eagle, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the UK Large Print hardback edition of Never Send Flowers from Amazon.co.uk

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Never Send Flowers

Number of Large Print editions: 4

2 – UK Chivers Press/Paragon Paperback

Publication Date: November 1996

ISBN: 0-7451-3547-1

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: The paperback edition of Never Send Flowers was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press/Paragon and Curley Publishing/Paragon, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the UK Large Print paperback edition of Never Send Flowers from Amazon.co.uk

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Never Send Flowers

Number of Large Print editions: 4

3 – US Curley Publishing/Eagle Hardback

Publication Date: April 1994

ISBN: 0-7927-1950-6

Dustjacket: Yes

Special Notes: The hardback edition of Never Send Flowers was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press/Windsor and Curley Publishing/Eagle, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the US Large Print hardback edition of Never Send Flowers from Amazon.com

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Never Send Flowers

Number of Large Print editions: 4

4 – US Curley Publishing/Paragon Paperback

Publication Date: November 1994

ISBN: 0-7927-1924-7

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: The paperback edition of Never Send Flowers was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press/Paragon and Curley Publishing/Paragon, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the US Large Print paperback edition of Never Send Flowers from Amazon.com

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SeaFire

Number of Large Print editions: 3

1 – UK Chivers Press/Windsor Hardback

Publication Date: January 1996

ISBN: 0-7451-3197-2

Dustjacket: Yes

Special Notes: N/A

• Order the UK Large Print hardback edition of SeaFire from Amazon.co.uk

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SeaFire

Number of Large Print editions: 3

2 – UK Chivers Press Paperback

Publication Date: August 1996

ISBN: 0-7451-4722-4

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: The paperback edition of SeaFire was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press and Thorndike Press, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the UK Large Print paperback edition of SeaFire from Amazon.co.uk

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SeaFire

Number of Large Print editions: 3

3 – US Thorndike Press Paperback

Publication Date: January 1996

ISBN: 0-7862-0411-7

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: The paperback edition of SeaFire was published in the UK and US by Chivers Press and Thorndike Press, respectively. Both editions share the same cover artwork.

• Order the US Large Print paperback edition of SeaFire from Amazon.com

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GoldenEye

Number of Large Print editions: 1

1 – UK ISIS Hardback

Publication Date: December 1996

ISBN: 0-7531-5190-1

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: In addition to the UK ISIS Large Print hardback edition, GoldenEye was simultaneously published in Australia by Bolinda Press/ALPAV with the same cover artwork (ISBN: 1-86340-656-5).

• Order the UK Large Print hardback edition of GoldenEye from Amazon.com

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COLD

Number of Large Print editions: 1

1 – UK ISIS/Compass Press Hardback

Publication Date: January 1997

ISBN: 0-7531-5189-8

Dustjacket: No

Special Notes: In addition to the UK ISIS/Compass Press Large Print hardback edition, COLD was simultaneously published in Australia by ALPAV with the same cover artwork (ISBN: 1-86340-657-3).

• Order the UK Large Print hardback edition of COLD from Amazon.com

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As always, keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most complete and up-to-date news from the world of James Bond.

Honor Blackman Attends Hospice's Ladies' Lunch In Glasgow

Bond girl Honor Blackman made an appearance earlier today at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice’s Ladies’ Lunch in Glasgow, UK.

This was the first time the 84-year old actress, who is best known for her roles as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger and Catherine Gale in The Avengers, had been involved with the charity organisation. The event took place at the city’s Hilton Hotel.

Volunteer Margaret Lamb said: ‘I’m hoping to get a photograph of Honor Blackman. I remember watching her in black-and-white films and I watched The Avengers all the time.’

After moving into the hotel’s decorative banquet hall, Hospice chief executive Rhona Baillie gave an address before TV presenter Kaye Adams interviewed Ms Blackman, who recounted her experience of working with opposite Sir Sean Connery.

‘Pussy Galore was one of the luckiest roles I have played and there will never be a better James Bond than Sean,’ she said. ‘To this day he remains a fine figure of a man and oozes sex appeal.’

‘People have often said Sean was good at the part because he played himself, but Bond was never an Edinburgh milkman.’

She also spoke about her action-packed role on The Avengers, for which she credits with helping forge the figure that still wins her compliments today.

‘It started way back when I was in The Avengers. I had lots of action scenes and we had no stunt artists, so there were lots of judo lessons and we learned fight choreography.’

‘I would run from set to set and would often hurl myself on to a chaise longue to play a cool sexy scene after having just completed a fight scene with my co-actor Patrick Macnee. I’d spend the scene trying very hard not to look like l was out of breath and panting after him.

‘Since then, I’ve always maintained an active and healthy lifestyle. Having four lively grandchildren helps keep me feeling young.’

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