Organizer Matt Sherman announced today that the 7th Annual James Bond Collector’s Weekend is going to be held this year in Miami, Florida. The weekend will include a visit to Key West and locations featured in LICENCE TO KILL. June 4 to 6 is the tentative date. More details to follow.
Past BCWs have been held in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, and Long Beach.
You can discuss this news here in the CBn Forums.
As an addition to CBn’s recently released article Classic James Bond comic strips to be released in 2004, publisher Titan Books has sent us a press release which reads:
Bond is back! After 10 years out of print, Titan Books is proud to present the return of the world’s greatest secret agent, in a classic adventure!
James Bond is dead! Or so his employers at MI5 believe… until he attempts to assassinate his boss, M — because he’s been brainwashed by the KGB! With his conditioning removed, M sends Bond on a deadly mission: to track down the sadistic killer Francisco Scaramanga — ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’!
This collection also includes The Living Daylights, which finds a melancholy Bond facing another sharpshooter — a KGB sniper. Set across the jagged scar of the Berlin Wall, Bond’s finger is on the trigger… and into his sights walks a beautiful blonde musician!
The first collection in an all-new Titan series of deluxe James Bond collectors’ paperback library editions. This collection also includes an introduction by Ian Fleming’s niece, Lucy Fleming.
James Bond is one of the most successful characters in movie history, with 20 smash-hit movies to date. Die Another Day, the most recent James Bond film, took over £30 million in its opening weekend — the best ever for a Bond movie!
The James Bond newspaper strips will appeal to fans of 007 and comics historians alike.
TITAN BOOKS – PAPERBACK – 27 FEBRUARY 2004 – £10.99
Lazenby & Shriver
Saying that love means nothing in tennis is a rather old cliché… and not true, especially considering that George Lazenby (who played James Bond in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) met his wife, Pam Shriver (tennis gold medalist turned television commentator) at a tennis tournament in Australia. Their paths crossed again in 2000 at the Wimbledon courts. Then on Valentines Day 2001 their love blossomed and in June 2002 they wed.
George Lazenby and his wife Pam Shriver have now sold their 1986 Pacific Palisades home with its media room, pool, spa, and spectacular ocean & mountain views for about $2.5 million. They sold it because it did not have a tennis court. But they bought a Brentwood home that does have a tennis court for about $2.8 million. Their new home is on slightly more than an acre and also has a pool.
On the eve of the start of the 2004 Australian Open the couple had even more big news to share… George Lazenby [64] and Pam Shriver [41] are expecting their first child, “Baby Lazenby”, in July of this year.
“We are thrilled,” Shriver, said on her way to Melbourne to commentate on next week’s Australian Open. The sporting rivalry between Shriver and Lazenby, is fierce.
“I can still beat George in tennis,” she boasted.
“But not for long,” quips Lazenby, who’s relishing the thought of fatherhood and finally usurping his wife of two years.
Shriver said Lazenby’s age was not an issue. “It keeps you young. George is very excited,” she said.
The couple deserve happiness. Shriver’s first husband, Joe Shapiro, a former Walt Disney company lawyer, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1992. Lazenby’s only son died 10 years ago, though he also has two adult daughters.
The pair will have a brief holiday after the Open before returning to their new Brentwood home. They plan to have the baby in the US.
The official website for Everything or Nothing has launched a new feature entitled ‘Spy Radio’, which is essentially a custom media player in which fans can listen to music from the new game, due out next month, including Mya Harrison’s eponymous title song, Everything or Nothing. As well as singing the theme tune, Mya will also appear as Agent Mya Starling in the game, following the trend set by Madonna in Die Another Day.
The current track listing is as follows:
Thanks to forum member JFM007 for the tip-off!
Mark your calendars! Tell your friends! Raymond Benson will be signing copies of his latest suspense novel “Face Blind” at:
Saturday, February 21 2:00pm
Borders
1540 E. Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-330-0031
Tuesday, February 24 12:30pm
Borders
150 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60601
312-606-0750
I’m taking the liberty of anointing myself the resident maniac collector here at CBn. I will periodically give first hand “reports” from the bloody battlefields of eBay and the dealer’s tables at conventions. The world of Bond collecting is constantly in flux, and what was yesterday’s trash is today’s hot collectible (and visa-versa). First up, I’d like to report on the surprising state of the “fanzine” (fan specific publications, typically put out by a fan club) and, in particular, the longest running and most well known James Bond fanzine; ‘OO7’ Magazine, published by the James Bond International Fan Club.
I’ve always collected fanzines not so much for their “collectible” value, but because I love reading them. I think fanzines capture the mood of fandom at a specific time better than anything else. I love reading about how “For Your Eyes Only will definitely be Roger Moore’s last Bond as he will be too old to make another” (‘OO7’ Magazine #5), and how Sean Connery will return in Octopussy… as the villain! (‘OO7’ Magazine #9). LOL. Makes you view current fan “wisdom” with healthy skepticism and with a bit of irony. Read your fanzines and you will discover that “the past predicts the future.”
Anyway, like I said, I collect fanzines for the love… but little did I realize that my fanzine collection is becoming, pound for pound, one of the more valuable collectibles inside my Bond “vault.” In 2001 I found an issue of ‘OO7’ #5 (the oldest issue I own) on eBay for $2.00. Just take a look at what some back issues of ‘OO7’ Magazine (and not even very rare ones that that!) have been selling for on eBay lately.
‘OO7’ Magazine #11 — $186.86
‘OO7’ Magazine #10 — $107.68
‘OO7’ Magazine #16 — $102.59
‘OO7’ Magazine #26 — $89.77
‘OO7’ Magazine #25 — $87.94
‘OO7’ Magazine #21 — $75.11
‘OO7’ Magazine #12 — $74.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #19 — $67.78
‘OO7’ Magazine #13 — $65.95
‘OO7’ Magazine #15 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #22 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #07 — $55.82
‘OO7’ Magazine #39 — $47.63
‘OO7’ Magazine #18 — $37.36
Even the club newsletter, ‘OO7’ Extra, has been fetching big bucks:
‘OO7’ Extra #1 — $78.78
‘OO7’ Extra #2 — $47.63
‘OO7’ Extra #3 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Extra #4 — $32.06
Why is this? Maybe the successful revival of the JBIFC has made people suddenly aware of this publication. Seeing as they’ve just published ‘OO7’ #42, of course people are going to flock to eBay to find back issues. Also, with the rise of the internet, I think fanzines are now seen as clearly on the way out; but that they are as unique and as illustrative of a time (and film) as any original movie program, and therefore now very collectible.
So is your issue of ‘OO7’ #X now WORTH X-amount of dollars? Maybe. A collectible is only “worth” what someone is willing to pay. Depending on the circumstances (and auctions in particular are very unpredictable) what sells for $200 one day can sell for $2.00 the next. While I’ve highlighted the big-ticket sales here, there are some issues of 007 sitting on eBay with no bids. It’s a mysterious world in that way.
Oh, guess who the sucker was who paid almost $200 for issue #11? 😉 Yep.
If you’d like to continue this discussion join me here in the CBn forums.
The official website for Everything or Nothing have released a plot synopsis for EA’s new Bond adventure due out next month.
“The biggest development in technology is small-very small-and it’s missing. At Oxford’s Department of Microtechnology, prototype nanorobots have been stolen, and project scientist Dr. Katya Nadanova (Heidi Klum) has disappeared. The nanobots are equipped with an organic compound that can eat away metal, providing the key ingredient in Nikolai Diavolo (Willem Dafoe)’s plan to seize control of his native Russia and return it to its former glory as a bastion of hard-line anti-Westernism.
Diavolo is more than merely a former KGB officer disillusioned by the Westernization of his homeland. The prodigy of 007’s nemesis Max Zorin, Diavolo was groomed to carry Zorin’s plans to their natural conclusion, namely world domination.
Another agent, 003 had been sent to investigate a mysterious mining operation and is now missing. His last known contact was American geologist Serena St. Germaine (Shannon Elizabeth), and Bond is sent to locate her in Peru. While there he discovers that 003 had contacted her in regards to her research on the anomalous platinum levels in the surrounding mountains. Investigating with St. Germaine, Bond is astonished to see Agent 003 undergoing a brutal interrogation at the hands of a mysterious stranger (Diavolo). Bond listens as 003 whispers his last dying words: “You must get to New Orleans … stop Diavolo …”
Bond arrives in New Orleans while the city is preparing for Mardi Gras. He has plans to meet with Mya Starling, an undercover NSA agent who is assigned to keep an eye on a Russian Colonel. Mya is performing her title song “Everything or Nothing”, but is discovered by Arkady Yayakov, the club’s owner, before Bond arrives. Yayakov and his right-hand man Jean LaRouge, have lethal plans for her. Bond must race through the club and nearby cemetery to a crematorium to save her.
The following morning he receives orders to head to a plantation in the Bayou, where he learns that Katya has modified the nanobot technology for Diavolo’s sinister plans. Bond destroys the facility, and sees Jaws escaping toward New Orleans with a tanker full of the improved nanobot technology. He must stop Jaws before he reaches his “test city” and unleashes the nanobots on the steel-supported city of New Orleans. If Jaws succeeds, the nanobots will dissolve the metal and the city will plummet into the Mississippi River, and millions will be killed.
At the Q-lab, Bond learns that platinum is the only metal that the nanobots won’t destroy. He surmises that this bizarre chain of events must tie directly to Serena’s research in Peru.
Will the world be made safe for democracy once again? That’s up to you. You are Bond – James Bond.”
Three of 007’s finest ladies will be attending the 1st combined Film Fair and international auction of vintage movie posters at the Hilton Hotel Olympia (380 Kensington High St, London)on Saturday, January 31st. Martine Beswick (FRWL & Thunderball), Madeline Smith (LALD) and Caroline Munroe (TSWLM) will be signing autographs along with several other actors throughout the day.
Hosted by the Cine Art Gallery and The Last Moving Picture Show, visitors will have the chance to meet dealers of movie memorabilia from Europe & America and then participate in an auction of over 600 lots including many classic James Bond posters.
The event will begin at 10.00am with the auction scheduled to start at 4.00pm. Any further information can be obtained at the Cine Art Gallery – 0207 384 0728.
Thanks to Paul B. Harris from the Cine Art Gallery in London for the alert!
Given the importance of James Bond’s art of living in both the cinematic and literary Bond incarnations I’ve always been surprised by the lack of availability of merchandise associated with the lifestyle.
Certainly there have been the odd trinkets, a martini-shaker here, a plastic cap gun there and even sunglasses named after the veritable spy; but never anything en masse, never any major line of clothing and accessories for Bond fans to indulge themselves in. Despite the absence of one uber-brand, I recently happened across evidence of the world of James Bond influencing the world of fashion. And I’m not forced to ask myself, has James Bond brought back the belt?
Summer has hit the Southern Hemisphere and people are back in the shops en masse. Personally, I never left. And it’s only through roaming various shopping blocks that I’ve noticed a the influence of James Bond upon women’s summer fashion.
It all started during a search for a bikini. Obviously the garment was not for me, but if a female friend wants my fashion opinion and in turn twirls around half naked, I’m more than happy to lend a hand. When it comes to bikinis, you can never overlook Seafolly. Available in the UK, Australia and various European countries they have a wide array of women’s beachwear. Their range is extensive, extending from the revealing string bikini to board-shorts, yet this seasons line-up included something I hadn’t noted before; the belted bikini.
Ursula Andress made the belted bikini a classic icon in James Bond’s first cinematic outing, Dr No. So classic the image, Lindy Hemming used it as the basis for Izabella Scorupco’s bikini in GoldenEye and then again for Halle Berry’s in Die Another Day. But with the belted bikini in their range, Seafolly have taken every mans fantasy a step closer to reality.
Of the bikinis in Seafolly’s range, I first came across the ‘Urban Sport’. A sexy little blue number its hipster pants sported a minimalist belt. As soon as my eyes fell upon them Andress’ exit from the Jamaican sea sprung to mind, and they were soon on my companions ‘to try on’ list.
Despite the obvious connotations that the belt evoked, the ‘Urban Sport’ line felt like it just didn’t quite reach the Bondian ideal. Perhaps it was the powder blue colour or the striped belt, but as sexy as it was, the ‘Urban Sport’ just didn’t quite reach the standard Ursula Andress had so effortlessly set.
Then I came across the ‘Diva’. Another belt sporting line, yet this one came in white with its halter neck top even sporting slight ruffles. The ‘Diva’ was it, the closest thing to the ideal, the bikini for all real world Bond Girls.
But despite the obvious prominence of belts in Seafolly’s range, it didn’t conclude that they were Bond influenced, nor that James Bond had brought back the belt. After all, I am a Bond fan and my connection between these bikinis and anything in the celluloid Bond could have all been some deep Bond induced fantasy in need of thorough psychiatric attention.
Perhaps not.
It was another shopping experience that affirmed my belief. This time, the belt featured on a skirt so short it would certainly be the zenith of every boys fantasy, were it not for the fact it was in a ghastly green colour. Despite its general lack of material, the designers had still managed to incorporate a belt. But how exactly does a skirt evoke a Bond girl image, let alone one based upon a bikini? Well, this one succeeded quite well. For the belt buckle was something you’d only have previously found on Halle Berry in Die Another Day. For unlike previously unmanufactured buckles this one formed the letter J, in the exact fashion of Berry’s.
Perhaps Bond has brought back the belt after all.
Forum regular "Loomis" has today made the 200.000th post in this thread in the CommanderBond.net forums.
Only one week ago CBn modernized its forums, following the prospects of its currently 2485 members. With these numbers, one can surely say that the CBn Forums are one of the biggest discussion boards for everything 007 related on the web.
Every new member is heartly welcome, so be sure to join the forums if you are not a member yet.
Thanks to "Loomis" for the 200.000th post and "stromberg" for the alert!